Over the span of two decades, author, columnist, consultant and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Her experiences inspired her to pen "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories," a portable support group book for caregivers.

Answers

Question

Is there a video explaining dementia?


If you go to www.alz.org, you can take a "tour" of the brain, that shows the changes in a brain with dementia. It's very... see more

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I am the primary caregiver for my 80-year-old father-in-law. He has no health problems, just likes to make lif...


Is this a change for him? If he's always had a difficult personality, then maybe it's just "him," and you have to decide... see more

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My mom has Alzheimer's and I need an adult care center from 8-6 where could I find it?


You can try www.agingcare.com/Find-Senior-Care/ and/or www.eldercare.gov and type in the zip code. Also, try adult day care or adult day... see more

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I am a single teacher caring for my elderly mother. I pay a caregiver to come in while I work. Is there any f...


If your mother is on Medicaid, there may be some. The best thing to do is check locally, as every state is different. You can go to your... see more

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I need help in keeping our home because my very ill father has caused me to miss work and I need help saving m...


I'm so sorry you are going through this - I really think you should see an attorney for advice. This is something so individual we can... see more

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I am a caregiver of a younger sibling who has cognitive impairment and will be tested to Alzheimer's. Are ther...


Even though you are a sibling and not a spouse, www.wellspouse.org may be of some help. I hope aging care can help, too, as many people... see more

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Where do I go to recieve financial assistance for caring for my grandmother? I need to know what that program...


You may or may not be able to get paid for caring for your grandmother, but she may qualify for some assistance. Try going to her... see more

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My Mom has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. She has 3000.00 in the bank and is proressively getting wo...


Hi Mema, You can start with Medicaid. Go to her state website to find the state's link or else call Social Services. If she's... see more

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My dad's noises and other idiosyncrasies are making me crazy. He makes a dry whistle noise, breathes heavy, ta...


I'm sorry to say that you may not be able to change him at this stage. Your irritation may have to do with grief - seeing him decline... see more

Question

My Father is a retired vet. I took early retirement to take care of him full time. Do I quality for any finan...


He may get something for his care and you may qualify to receive that, but you'll have to work with the VA to see. Good luck. Sometimes... see more

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What in home care options are available to us and how can we finance through Veterans insurance as well as Med...


Medicare doesn't generally pay for much in-home care except medical care (especially right after hospitalization). You'd have to... see more

Question

There are POA's that only come into effect when the person becomes incapacitated or incompetent - meaning what...


That's what most POAs are for - for someone to take over when the person who signed the POA can no longer handle his or her own... see more

Question

My mother-in-law is in a nursing home for rehab after surgery. The home says my husband must have POA before t...


This is the HIPAA law in action - she needs to sign a form to let anyone else see her health care records. HIPAA language should be written... see more

Question

How do I get home care in a town that I've lived in for the first time?


I'd check your local phone book under "In-home care agencies" or some variation. You may even want to try the yellow pages.... see more

Question

I'm feeling guilty about taking vacations. How can I cope?


Please do not feel guilty! You need to take care of yourself, for your sake and that of your care receiver. Coming back refreshed (even if... see more

Question

Can a sibling get paid from Social Security for taking care of 98 year old Father?


Not likely. Each state is slightly different with laws, so you can go to the state website and search under "Aging". From there,... see more

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My grandmother is in her right mind, but refuses to go to the doctors or hospital. My mother threatens me for...


If she is okay mentally, then she can make the decision to go to the doctor or not. Your mom is being unfair to you. There's only so... see more

Question

How do I get my mother to stop smoking?


I'm sorry to say that you probably can't. I've listened to firefighters talk about the fact that they've gone to a home to... see more

Question

Is my dad's IRA considered as part of my mom's assets?


I'm not a financial person, so you need to check with someone who is, but I would say it's almost certainly part of the assets.... see more

Question

Is it common for dementia patients to have Hallucinations and extreme paranoia?


With some types of dementia, yes. Paranoia is very common with Alzheimer's and some other dementias. Sometimes, anti-anxiety... see more

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