Most healthcare professionals choose their profession out of a personal passion to care for others. It is a true labor of love. There is great concern that reaches all of healthcare. This is the depleting pool of professional direct care staff. In reading articles and journal entries from 2018 and 2019, this was already of major concern in the healthcare industry. The pandemic has
Some people who have contracted COVID-19 have a much longer recovery time, even when considered “recovered.” One of the troubling long-term effects of the virus is cognitive complications. This includes memory loss and what some call “brain fog.” Much more time needs to pass to have significant documentation to support this; however, there are many articles to suggest that people
In 2015, a woman was shot by her husband. Her husband was diagnosed 2 years prior with a dementia disease. He was a retired Police Chief and had access to his firearm. He shot her during a moment of confusion and paranoia. There is no positive outcome for a person who owns a firearm and has a diagnosis of some
This month, I would like to explain what Alternatives in Alzheimer’s Care is and what I do as a Dementia Specialist. Please see the video interview with Jon Younger, Owner of Assisted Living Locators below. I speak to what services I provide as a Dementia Specialist. My professional journey over the last 24 years in healthcare allowed me to work
During these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing violence, and political uncertainty, I wanted to talk about something else. I want to increase awareness about the reality that symptoms of dementia could very well be the consequence of something that is treatable and reversible. Dementia is NOT a diagnosis. It is a group of symptoms including memory loss; confusion and
Are you a care partner for your loved one who has dementia? This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us, but only you know how challenging this time of social distancing has been for you and your loved one. Adult Day programs are closed, and we do not know when they will open. Although there are home care
I recently interviewed Dr. Michele Ricard, Gerontologist. Dr. Ricard is a specialist in Geriatric and Internal Medicine. She is a Certified Medical Director serving patients living in skilled nursing and rehab facilities. Throughout most of her career, Dr. Ricard was a Clinical Instructor for medical students until retirement 2 years ago. She frequently lectures, sharing her years and wealth of
In 2019, Massachusetts became the first state to mandate dementia education for all physicians, physician assistants, and nurses. Governor Baker included acute care hospitals in this law. The hospitals are required to come up with a plan on how they are going to best care for patients with dementia. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what profession you are in,