Archives by: Jennifer Beach
About the author
Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM writes the Thrive blog, Caregiver Corner. She established Advocate for Elders in Rocky River in 2010. Jennifer has 25 years of experience in working with and advocating for older adults and their families. Jennifer is a licensed, insured Social Worker and an Advanced Aging Life Care® Professional. She has served as the Midwest Chapter President of the Aging Life Care Association and additionally served 7 years on the Board of Directors. In 2018, Jennifer was honored as the recipient of the ALCA Midwest Chapter Outstanding Member of the Year Award. Learn more at advocate4elders.com.
Jennifer Beach Posts
For those with dementia, anger is often a secondary emotion in response to something like shame, humiliation or embarrassment. As caregivers, we should try to understand the emotion behind the emotion. Are we coming across as condescending or patronizing? This will trigger anger in our loved ones. Individuals with dementia need support and patience. ...
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Always stopped up? Or too loose? Our bowel habits are something no one really wants to talk about, but we need to. Over 60% of older adults have issues with their bowels at some point. Our bowels greatly affect every aspect of our bodies and overall quality of life. Better balance is achievable. ...
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Accepting the effects of aging can be a tough pill to swallow. We think we must hold on tightly to our lifelong identities, or else who will we be? Some people are more willing to accept the hands of time. Others are never going to accept the changing realities of their lifespan. What can we do when a loved one cannnot admit they need help, support and assistance? ...
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If loneliness is the problem, the remedy is to build social resilience, master new skills and relearn others. You read that correctly: re-learning skills includes one we probably never thought of as a skill when we were younger: making friends. ...
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Everyone I have ever met does not want to end up in a “nursing home" or lose their autonomy, their independence. Yet, many of us are reluctant or simply refuse to allow support or assistance to potentially stop or delay this from happening. We choose to simply not think about it and let chips fall as they may. ...
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Fear of speaking up in senior communities or nursing homes is a real problem. Residents frequently believe, if they report about the way an aide interacts—or in many cases, does not interact—with them, there will be repercussions. After all, they are the vulnerable ones needing care and assistance. ...
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Difficult conversations are hard, but what if that difficult conversation allowed your loved one to address an issue sooner, reducing difficult treatment or discomfort, or even live longer? ...
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What seems like simple little details are actually important details that matter significantly and make a huge impact on a person’s day. Whether the issue is staff shortages, a need for increased training, understanding someone’s abilities and pace, our tone of voice, asking versus telling... all these details are important to help older adults have quality days, even with their challenges. ...
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