Caregiving Advice
For
Elderly Parents and Relatives Yields
Higher Quality of Life and Peace of Mind
For
Their Adult Children

Elderly parents and relatives who live alone may not necessarily have the proper support or resources needed to face the many challenges aging presents. Some of these elderly individuals may be living in a less than optimal environment and be vulnerable to a wide range of risks that threaten their health and safety. Occasionally, they may even become victims of abuse or theft by the very people who are supposed to care for them.

Could this be your elderly parent?

Following are four of hundreds of cases Allegheny Geriatric Consultants has resolved in the last decade, with interventions resulting in better, quality lives for elderly parents, relatives or seniors who may have no family.

Out-of-Town Daughter Finds
Elderly Mother In Need of Help

A 93-year-old, blind widow was living on her own at great risk to her personal welfare when Allegheny Geriatric Consultants became involved. Her only relative, a daughter who lived in Europe, thought that her mother was in good hands, when she retained a nursing registry to provide daily assistance. In fact, the registry provided no supervision or monitoring, and the health aide showed up for duty only an hour or two daily, if at all. Mrs. B was frightened and malnourished, and unable to communicate her needs. In addition, this elderly mother was a victim of major theft--$60,000—robbed by the home health aide who used her credit cards without authorization and wrote numerous checks to herself from the elderly parent’s checkbook. The daughter had no clue that the agency had not supervised her elderly mother’s care or responded to her various needs. The theft was discovered by Mrs. B’s attorney during tax season.

As a result of a thorough investigation and sting operation, Allegheny Geriatric Consultants uncovered the hidden details behind the theft and the quality of care the elderly mother received. After assessing her condition and needs, we recommended that the frail, elderly parent have 24-hour-care.

At the request of Mrs. B’s daughter and her attorney, Allegheny Geriatric Consultants retained a full service nursing service that provided round-the-clock nursing care. In addition, Allegheny Geriatric Consultants’ President Paula Tchirkow, MSW, LSW, ACSW, a certified and licensed geriatric care manager, visited the client twice a week, monitored and supervised her care, brought her talking books and uncovered some of her favorite recipes for the new home aide to cook. Paula spent numerous hours, one-on-one, talking to this elderly parent, about the experiences and memories that gave purpose to her life.

As a result of this personal, one-on-one attention, this elderly mother had proper care and monitoring. Her safety assured, she gained weight, and enjoyed the stimulation of good companionship with her caregiver.

Her daughter said:

Barbara Zach-Miller
Utzigen, Switzerland

Professional Caregiving Advice
Changes Elderly Man’s Life

When a PNC bank trust officer visited his client’s home one day, he was shocked to find this man, in his mid 90s, living in deplorable conditions.  Severely underweight, Mr. R. was socially withdrawn and in very poor health.  Once a very meticulous gentleman, his house was now filthy with papers, food and trash scattered around the living room and kitchen.  He had no clean clothing, and unpaid bills had piled up.

Recognizing that his client needed immediate help, the trust officer called Allegheny Geriatric Consultants.

Care Manager Paula Tchirkow found Mr. R. to be isolated, depressed and living exclusively on canned sardines with no other food in the house. A multitude of health problems included malnutrition, diabetes and high blood pressure, and he was not taking his medications. His house was a safety hazard, with cluttered spaces, unsecured throw rugs and smoke detectors with old batteries. A confirmed bachelor, he had no family in the area, and little contact with the outside world. The municipality had recently contacted the bank to complain about the disastrous state of his property.

Paula gradually established a relationship of trust with this elderly gentleman, assessing his situation and condition in a non threatening way.  Mr. R. allowed Paula to take him to his doctors, speak with them about his condition and set up a plan to take his medications as prescribed.  After working with Paula for several months, Mr. R. agreed to visit several assisted-living facilities and ultimately chose one for his new home.

Paula then helped clean and organize the man’s home, eventually arranging for an appraisal and sale of its contents.

As a result of Paula’s intervention, and his subsequent change in environment, this gentleman’s health and outlook on life changed dramatically. He formed several friendships with the facility’s residents and he was happier with his new life.  Paula visited her client twice a month, took him out to eat and shopped for grooming supplies and other personal items. She also reviewed Mr. R.’s medical records and monitored his care at the facility, making adjustments to the care plan when needed.

Caregiving Advice Brings Peace of Mind
to
Elderly Mother and Long Distance Caregivers

A Pittsburgh area financial planner found one of his clients, a 90-year-old mother, who lived independently, to be in need of care assessment and support. A telephone call to Allegheny Geriatric Consultants brought Paula Tchirkow, MSW, LSW, ACSW for a timely evaluation of her situation.

Mrs. K’s adult children, who lived out-of-town, knew that their elderly mother was having some trouble with daily activities, but did not know where to turn. Mrs. K. insisted that she was managing “just fine” on her own. During a comprehensive assessment, it became apparent that she was experiencing short term memory loss, severe anxiety and paranoia.  Paula also learned that Mrs. K. was not taking her medications which included diuretics, blood pressure pills and potassium supplements.

And, Mrs. K was still driving, although clearly she was a hazard to herself and others on the road.  Among other things, she made left turns from the right lane and drove up on curbs and her car had many unexplained dents and scrapes. Her children wanted her to stop driving, but could not convince her to do so. Consequently, Paula took this client to a driver rehabilitation specialist to have her abilities assessed. As a result of the testing, the driving specialist asked the Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke her license. When Mrs. K. was confronted with the findings, she reluctantly agreed to give up her car keys.  Paula then arranged for alternative transportation, which included lining up volunteers to drive her to daily mass.

In addition, Paula arranged for Mrs. K. to visit a geriatric psychiatrist, who confirmed after a complete evaluation that she was in the early stage of dementia. Paula monitored and supervised her living situation, accompanied her to regular doctor appointments, and devised a method to help her keep track of medications. Episodes of paranoia gradually decreased, and Mrs. K. started to feel more comfortable and capable.

Mrs. K’s adult children in Colorado wanted her to move from her Pittsburgh home to a Colorado assisted-living facility, close to where they lived. Using supportive counseling, and reminiscing therapy, Paula mentally prepared her for the big move. Paula also facilitated the admissions process by providing the Colorado facility with complete medical records, and information about her daily routine.

After all of the details of the move and transportation to Colorado were arranged and the day arrived, Mrs. K was as prepared as she possibly could be for the change. She looked forward to living near her children and grandchildren.

Elderly Woman Improves
with
Professional Caregiving Advice

When Paula Tchirkow met her new client, a retired elementary school teacher in her late 70s, she was residing in a skilled nursing home, recuperating from a fall in which she fractured several vertebrae as a result of osteoporosis.  Helen, who also had a serious cardiac condition, was depressed, un-characteristically confused and didn’t respond well to physical therapy. No one knew why.

As a result of a comprehensive assessment of her condition, a review of her medical records and a discussion with a pharmacist, Paula pinpointed the problem that caused much discomfort to this elderly woman. The culprit was two medicines that didn’t mix well with each other, causing an allergic reaction. When the situation was corrected, Helen’s condition improved dramatically. Along with an improvement in her mood, her usually sharp memory returned.  She finally had the physical and emotional strength to benefit from therapy.

While it was still not safe for her to live alone, Helen no longer needed care at a nursing home. Consequently, Paula took her to visit various assisted-living facilities so she could choose which one she liked best.  Allegheny Geriatric Consultants helped her negotiate the challenges of this move, from sorting through belongings, to choosing new drapery patterns and accessories for her room.  Paula also helped Helen resolve some long standing issues with her family and refocus on the many accomplishments and successes in her life.

The atmosphere at the facility was very beneficial.   The intellectual activities, such as book reviews, current events, group discussions and concerts, coincided with Helen’s interests, and she became friends with several other retired teachers who were also residents.

Paula continued to monitor Helen’s situation and care at the facility, accompanying her to doctor visits and then making adjustments to her care when necessary.

As she has done with so many of her clients, Paula became a friend to Helen who had no family in town, becoming a regular part of her life. With Allegheny Geriatric Consultants’ help, she returned to her favorite restaurant for brunch, attended the civic light opera, and enjoyed drives in the country to see the autumn colors. Paula joined her occasionally for dinner in the facility’s dining room where she also arranged birthday parties to celebrate her special day.

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