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 financial aid to help pay for motorized wheel chairs?


Is she on Medicare? There may be help through Medicare. You could also try local charities that may have donated medical equipment. Try... see more

Question

Are there any good books or articles that talk about the relationship between brain changes and behavior in mu...


Robert Tell wrote a good personal accout of taking care of his mother who had this type of dementia. DEMENTIA DIARY: A Care Giver's... see more

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Does anyone know at what score of mental exam I need to seek gaurdianship?


I don't think the score would be the only criteria. It would factor in, but you'd need a doctor behind you with this. Several... see more

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Is there VA assistance to help pay for adult cloth diapers?


None that I know of, but you could check with your local VA. This is an issue for many people caring for incontinent elders. Protection of... see more

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Can I move my mother from a rehab center in FL to one in KY by car, or does she need to be transported by faci...


You fears may be well founded (about Medicare) if you check her out on your own. You should research this carefully with Medicare. The... see more

Question

Can I get paid to take care of my grandma and grandpa?


You could go to your state Web site and look under their version of "aging services." There you would find contact information to... see more

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My Mom has end stage COPD. Whether she is asleep or awake, at times she lifts her arms and plucks something f...


She may feel something there like people scratch their skin and other OCD like behavior feel. Also, depending on how close to the end she... see more

Question

My mother picks at her legs constantly, causing them to bleed. I clean them, bandage them and yet she continu...


She may have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Picking is often a sign of this illness. If she has Ahzheimer's, there is a phase... see more

Question

How long should a woman with a fractured hip, osteoporosis & Alzheimer's exercise or walk?


That would depend on her age and other health issues. Only a doctor or physical therapist could tell you that - after knowing all of the... see more

Question

What is dementia and what are the symptoms?


There are many, many types of dementia. Most involve short-term memory loss, but some cause personality changes and eventually severe... see more

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My father came to live with me so I could care for him. His second wife sued us and I need to account for all...


You could do some reseach yourself on average costs in your area. This is one more expense, but having an attorney draw up a contract is... see more

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Mom is in an adult assisted facility and the only asset she has left is her house. Her money will run out next...


I'd see an attorney about this. Medicare doesn't pay for any care of this kind. Medicaid does pay, if she is on Medicaid, but... see more

Question

I take care of my elderly father. If he depletes his assets by paying me for his care, will he still have to w...


Probably. I'd see an estate attorney about this - one who knows Medicaid well. Also, have any payment agreement drawn up legally. That... see more

Question

How do I get my parents to agree to go to a retirement home?


Sometimes a third party does better than the family. If a good friend lives in one or knows people who like it, they may listen. If you... see more

Question

How do I get financial aid for taking care of my mother?


If she is on Medicaid you may be able to get some help. Go to your state Web site and look under their version of aging services. There... see more

Question

How do I convince my 80 year old dad he needs someone to live with him?


Does he have a close friend who can talk with him? Or a faith leader? Many people are more willing to listen to someone outside of the... see more

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How do we prevent my mother from pulling her ventilator tracheostomy tube out of her neck?


That's a good question. My mother-in-law needed just a small amount of oxygen to help her breathe and they put the tubes in her nose,... see more

Question

What are your experiences with medications for patients with dementia when you can't guarantee that it will be...


That's a big issue - to be effective medications need to be taken consistently. I'm not sure they'd be useless if a dose is... see more

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If my parents are divorced, is my mother entitled to a portion of my father's Veterans benefits?


You'd have to check with the VA. If they were married for more than ten years and she hasn't remarried, she would likely get some... see more

Question

Where can someone who has cataracts live until they get them removed?


Please contact your social services and ask them to do a welfare check. They would have some clout and should be able to help you help her.... see more

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