Thankful

A survey of THANKFULNESS as told by the elderly...

The girls (aka, nurse aids) who work hard
Happy times
A great birthday party earlier this month
New hearing aids, to better hear all of the gossip
Kids, Grandkids, Greatgrandkids, Spouses, Brothers, and Sisters
Fun we have upstairs (therapy gym) with that boy (the token male in our dept)
Unannounced visits from family
Late sleeping days, at that age no one HAS to wake early unless by choice
Not being confined to a wheelchair
Eating delicious food
Styled and washed hair
Still having a good mind at 91

There were a few others, as I learned I am a best friend, the ability to obtain oatmeal creme pies and cheesy puffs becomes invaluable, and even something as simple as seeing a smile from a caregiver gives our elderly patients a reason to be thankful.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't get bogged down by the big stuff. It appears that everything SIMPLIFIES in the end.

Seminar Time VA & MD

Year end is approaching quickly.

Come on out and see me if you still need some CE credits. 6 hours approved for SLP, OT, PT, nurses, administrators, and other boards. Message me if you need details.

Fairfax, VA on Wednesday 10-18-2011
Baltimore, MD on Thursday 10-19-2011

www.summit-education.com to register & walk in registration accepted.

See you there :-)

Where are the Words?

Word finding is one of the most frustrating language symptoms of aphasia related to dementia. It comes about early in the process of the disease, and it exacerbates as the dementia progresses.

I could explain and describe, but I think this short video says it all. Link below.
"Forgetting words. I'm trying to think of it..."

So leave space for the person to think.

Provide time as the words may come slowly.

The video's example of a multi-sensory experience is ideal, the senses of touching, feeling, tasting, hearing, seeing, and smelling will work together and help elicit the verbal response.

Ask one question at a time and WAIT. Bombarding the system with information to comprehend without ample time to process and formulate a response will not be the most effective strategy.

Don't forget that words may not be the most important part. While losing language and memory is devastating it is not the only way in which people experience the world.

Skilled Dementia Care Coming to New England

Next week I'm hitting the road. 3 days of age related cognitive decline, dementia, & providing comprehensive assessment, treatment, & so much more!! The course is for therapists of any discipline, but I have had many family members or people in early stages of dementia come as well & they all have good things to say about the information covered during the day. Come talk with me & learn!!

Tuesday 6/21/2011 Portland, Maine.

Wednesday 6/22/2011 Manchester, New Hampshire.

Thursday 6/23/2011 South Burlington, Vermont.

To register click below
https://cart.summit-education.com/cart/jsp/course.jsp?categoryId=10011&courseId=GDEMEB.3

Can't wait to see your smiling faces :-)

Ain't No Empty Chair

I spent some time with my extended family recently. They are full of life, tons of fun, and boiling over with jokes and one-liners. My favorite crack of the visit came about when one of the oldest members of the family was asked about her husband's health. He has had some small strokes and TIAs, and is left with physical impairments, but he really is in good shape given all he has been through, as evidenced by his skills at playing corn hole! At one point the question arose, "How is he doing these days" to which his wife responded "Ain't no empty chair". Translation for those of you who don't speak sarcasm or Appalachian... He is alive, he is here, and what more could we ask for.

My personal thought, and professional one as well is that we can ask for a lot more!! In fact when I see people who have dealt with illness, strokes, falls, health problems in general keep on moving through life, being active, staying social, it makes me so very happy. Quality of life means a lot, and throughout the long weekend with my family I heard them talk about bowling, traveling, parties and gatherings with their friends. I watched some bike, take walks or run. Some played games, cards, or shot pool. Some chased and wrestled with the little ones, there was singing and storytelling galore, and let's not forget the hysterical belly laughing that occurred on a frequent basis. In this microcosm of the Cooks I saw that QUALITY of life was in the forefront of every single moment, interaction, and decision made despite the fact that the words, if taken literally and out of context, pointed to a less fulfilled existence.

I have always been inspired by the way my family has lived, and their boisterous approach to the world and their lives. Each and every single family member is just a blast to be around. This visit I was in awe of the energy that continues throughout their aging. What I know from spending time with my fabulous people is that we have an advantage. We value the fun, the joy, the happiness created through experiences we choose. How lucky I am to have such wonderful role models for aging. So even if you ask how I'm doing and my response is "Ain't no empty chair" know that in actuality I am probably dancing on the chair and smiling because I know there is just more good to come!

Why Therapy?

Right now my blog posts are sparse, and this is because the thoughts around the chosen topic of awayfromthemind are few and far between. I am so overwhelmed with the logistics of providing therapy these days. By that I mean, minutes, RUGS, case-mix, skilled service justification, third party payers, medicare cut-backs, productivity, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I am normally much more positive, an idealist, a therapist who will fight for what she believes in, but right now elder-care (at least in my world) kind of sucks.

Now this doesn't mean I love my patients any less, or provide less effective therapy, in fact the contact with the people, the patients, those moments where I feel like I have made a difference in function or quality of life are the ones that keep me plugging along. Sound like burnout? I'd say it's a strong possibility!

For now, I'll laugh at the jokes made by my favorite seniors, try to help keep communication and swallowing up to par, and smile when they remember my name but have no idea where they are. I will know that long after the billing systems are revamped, the documentation standards are modified again and again and again, and the things that make therapy stink right now are sorted out, I will be left with a compassion for humanity, a love for the elderly, and the desire to make their lives as fulfilling as possible.

Ahhhhh. There it is. I found the optimist again :-)