ISSUES OF AGING AND ELDER CARE

My philosophy of support includes providing families with a guide during what is often an extremely stressful process–especially when a family member has or is suspected of dealing with some form of dementia. The questions start flying faster than they can be answered and it can really help to have a calm guide in understanding what can or needs to be done.

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Overall case management services include:
1) Extensive initial consultation and assessment of family/family needs;
2) Psychoeducation to distinguish between the normal and expectable changes of aging from those that may require professional intervention or further clinical assessment;
3) Critical understanding of ongoing and future needs of their elderly family members;
4) Provision of a range of referrals and follow-up regarding assessment for general neurological and neuropsychological services, imaging services/general internal medicine services, initial psychiatric assessment and continuing care, community resources/support and determination of whether the aging family member is capable of adequate self-care at home or would require a higher level of care at home or in a community-based care facility.
5) Facilitation of dialogue and positive, productive relationships between family members and various care providers that come to make up the care team for the aging client;
6) When out-of-home care placements are involved, I can often meet regularly with clients, engaging them in activities that employ their capacities and interests, ranging from ameliorative sensory stimulation to more complex activities, such as reading, arts and crafts. I follow-up with regular reports to family members.

Of course, I also provide ongoing individual and family psychotherapy focusing on the grieving and acceptance that often pervade family responses to aging and elder care.