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Blog
Welcome to the Wisdom Along The Way blog — a gathering place for stories, reflections, and real-world guidance from Cindy Hasz. Here you’ll find wisdom born from experience, heartfelt encouragement, and practical support for those caring for aging loved ones. Whether you’re navigating the daily challenges of caregiving or seeking comfort and connection, these posts offer hope, understanding, and companionship along the journey.
Getting Maintenance Therapy Covered
"Transformative change" doesn't happen quickly or easily. Such is the case with implementing the Jimmo v. Sebelius paradigm shift for obtaining extended maintenance therapy for elders with chronic illness and the disabled of all ages.
1 min read
The Long and Winding Road
The battle I speak of does not roar but whimpers on in homes and skilled nursing facilities across our nation. It is the battle for getting extended therapy for those rehabilitating from acute injury as well as those suffering from chronic degenerative diseases.
1 min read
A Panic Attack in the Men's Department
Bemused glances and twinkling eyes followed us all the way to the door. We really must've been an odd sight. Her extreme anxiety and crabbiness seemed to just make people smile. She didn't notice how kindness and understanding lit faces like a traveling electrical impulse as we made our way across the room. But I did.
3 min read
A Nod to Aging Eros
When I met him, he lived in an exclusive residential facility on top of a hill with a million-dollar view he never saw. He sat in the middle of a huge room where he was enthroned amongst the trappings of a life gone by.
3 min read
Assisted Living Facilities, Choose Wisely, Choose Well
Certain truths are anything but self-evident. This is the case when trying to discern truth from fiction and marketing from reality in “Assisted Living” facilities. Assisted Living (AL) and Board and Care Facilities are a popular and rapidly growing elder care option somewhere between home sweet home and the dreaded “nursing home.”
1 min read
Alternative Therapies
One thing we find interesting is the research and growing anecdotal evidence mounting on the benefits of Coconut Oil in not only Alzheimer’s Disease but other degenerative neurological diseases, as well. Apparently, it’s the ketones and the medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) that have a beneficial effect on our neurological systems.
2 min read
Geriatric Care Management and PIM
According to the Journal of American Geriatric Society, a full 30% of hospital admissions in elderly patients may be due to drug related problems or toxic drug effects. Potentially inappropriate medication ("PIM") is widespread with the elderly in both acute and community-based settings.
2 min read
Are You Listening? How Geriatric Care Managers Read Between the Lines
Remember when your parents were lecturing you on the rules for taking the car for a spin? Dad would put his face in front of yours and say, “Are you listening?” Of course, you would say “sure,” even though your mind was miles away on the adventure to come.
3 min read
Geriatric Care Managers Alert to Drug Overdose with Elders
Family members and friends should pay attention to any changes in an elder’s condition and report to their primary physician. Changes in appetite, weight, balance and gait, sleep habits, appearance or sudden mental confusion, etc. are signs that something may be amiss in the medication regime or that opioids and/or alcohol are being added to the mix.
1 min read
Geriatric Care Managers Can Help Post Stroke Patients
If you have an elder loved one who has suffered a stroke, and they’ve come home after hospitalization, no doubt they will either be attending outpatient therapy or having visiting therapists through a “home health” agency.
2 min read
Caregiver Agencies: The New Community Standard
No caregiver is an island… at least they should never be. Systems need to be set up in the home to support and direct care. The care of your loved one needs to be monitored daily by qualified individuals.
2 min read
Benefits of Using Caregivers Through a Reputable Home Care Agency
Hiring either private caregivers or caregivers through an agency who 1099’s their work force is dangerous on many levels. The attraction is that these caregivers usually cost less money than employee caregivers, but the risks and exposure you take doing this are not worth the savings.
2 min read
Memorial Service at the Country Club
I don't usually drink gin, but along with a lot of other people, I tossed one back in her honor. No doubt she would've had several, too, but our "Auntie Mame" had gone and left us bereaved of her winsome presence.
4 min read
Anne Had Her 93rd Birthday Today
She began to eat again, talk again and walk again. Her wounds healed and eventually the G-tube was removed and Anne was back. Everyone was amazed but it was really very simple ... this woman wanted to live.
3 min read
For Some Elderly, Heaven’s Just a Hot Bath Away
When you are old and aching with arthritis, frantic with dermatitis or have feet and hands numb with cold from poor circulation, a hot bath can be next to nirvana. At the very least, it can be a reprieve from hell.
2 min read
San Diego Caregivers Gone Wild!
One of the most difficult things that Geriatric Care Managers have to endure is when one of their trusted San Diego Caregivers turns on them. We try not to take this personally, as there are a certain number of caregivers in any home care agency who will act unethically and take the company’s elderly client “private.”
2 min read
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