Caregiver Tip of the Month

Because the symptoms are almost identical, many health problems are often mistaken for Alzheimer's disease and other age related dementia. But, the problems causing the symptoms are usually treatable if detected early enough. Prescription drugs interactions and side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency and dehydration most commonly produce false symptoms of dementia. (According to Consumer Reports on Health, "Any new health problem in an older person should be considered drug induced until proven otherwise.")

In other words, symptoms that some people (including many doctors) often dismiss as a "normal part of aging" — really aren't. If these symptoms are left untreated, your loved one could face a life of despair in a nursing home. But, if the symptoms are treated early enough, your loved one can very often regain a full and normal life.

If your loved one has one or more of the symptoms described on our page, Symptoms of Major Health Conditions, take him or her to a doctor as soon as possible. Determining the cause usually involves a team of medical specialists under the guidance of a patient's primary care doctor. For patients who are 65 or older, the tests and doctor charges are usually covered by Medicare.

The tests may involve some or all of the following, many of which are designed to rule out other possible causes for your loved one's problems:

• An evaluation of memory and mental skills.

• A physical exam, including a review of family medical history, to detect other medical problems, including possible interactions between prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins and/or mineral supplements. Many foods can also cause unexpected interactions with prescription medications.

• A nutritional evaluation to determine if dietary problems or improper eating habits may be causing the problem.

• Blood tests, including tests for vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies, thyroid hormone imbalances, anemia, etc.

• EEG (electroencephalogram).

• A neurological exam to rule out other disorders of the brain such as Parkinson's disease, hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain), prior strokes and mini-strokes, brain tumors, etc.

• Brain Scan (CT or MRI).

Important Note: Even if a doctor has a lot of older patients, that doesn't make the doctor an expert in the special problems of the elderly. If a doctor dismisses your loved one's memory problems as "just a part of growing older" or decides that he or she has Alzheimer's or senility without testing for other possible problems like those we've described, we recommend that you get a second opinion from another doctor.

Our visitors ask ...

Q. I live in Vermont and my parents live in New York. I tried looking at their town's website and their county's website for information about volunteer drivers. I would like to find an organization that provides drivers so my parents will stop driving. Can you give me some suggestions so I don't spend the rest of my life on the web looking? Taxis are out of the question because they're too expensive, and their town's bus service is not very good.

A. Unfortunately, there's no consistent group of organizations that offers volunteer drivers. That said, I suggest that you call the AARP chapter nearest to your parents. Another good potential source of volunteers would be your parents' church. If either of your parents is a member of organizations such as the Elks, VFW, American Legion, etc., contact them.

You may also want to contact the Eldercare Locator. Developed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, this service helps older people and their caregivers find state and local support services that allow them to live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Look for the resources you need by following the directions on their website, Eldercare Locator. Or, call their toll-free telephone number 1-800-677-1116, between 9 am and 8 pm weekdays, Eastern Time.

Daily Living Solutions

— products for seniors —

As we grow older, it often becomes difficult to use many everyday products because of arthritis and other conditions. If you or a loved one needs a little help – or a lot – we've selected a group of practical and affordable solutions from our affiliated merchants to help overcome those limitations.

Whether you are looking for yourself, or to help an elderly senior continue living in their own home, you'll find a wide variety of supplies and accessories – raised toilet seats, safety rails, incontinence supplies, large-handle eating utensils, pain relief, diabetic supplies, pill splitters and crushers, big-button telephones, canes, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs – and much more.

Everything is sorted into convenient categories in our Solutions for Seniors section.

Caregiving – Finding the money for care at home

A variety of resources can help pay for care at home. We discuss these resources in some detail in our article 12 tips to help you find money (and free resources) for care at home.

Caregiver Tip #2

— Finding a Good Assisted Living Facility —

Situation. I am at the very beginning stage of finding an assisted care facility for my 90 year old mother. She is extremely unhappy, depressed and despondent over her present living situation. She lived in Florida for more than twenty years, but moved in with her grand-niece in New York after having a heart attack some months ago.

Even though she has her own small attached apartment in her grand-niece's very large home, she has no privacy at all. They come into her apartment unannounced, and make her feel that she is a burden. She said she doesn't feel she'll live much longer in her present situation. Can you help me find an assisted care facility for her?

Response. Assisted living facilities vary greatly in their services and philosophy of care. Thus, it is important to find the right facility for your mother. It will have a profound impact on her dignity, quality of life and sense of well-being.

Assisted living facilities vary widely in size, from a few residents to hundreds. They typically offer private rooms or small apartments, common areas for socializing and recreation, planned activities, 24-hour staffing and controlled access.

Most assisted living facilities offer personalized care and support services, including meals served in a common dining area or taken to a resident's room, shuttles for errands and appointments, housekeeping, help with medication management and emergency call monitoring. Assisted living facilities also offer some resident supervision.

Step One: Determine what you can afford

Many seniors who need help with their activities of daily living will never have to go to nursing homes — if they can afford assisted living. Unfortunately, Medicare pays nothing for assisted living, and Medicaid pays very little. Instead, virtually all expenses are paid out-of-pocket by residents and/or their families.

The good news is assisted living is not as expensive as it first seems. Instead, to an extent that varies from one person to another, it simply involves a shift of expenses from one living arrangement to another.

After a person's capabilities decline to the point where they need assistance, their move into a facility is usually permanent. Even though this may not apply to your mother, when an elderly person's former home is sold, most of the expenses associated with it can then be used to help pay facility-based expenses. And, the money from the sale of their home can be used, for example, to purchase a CD or annuity that pays monthly interest to boost income. To find out what their home is worth, click on home valuations.

Also, since a facility's fees usually include all meals, no groceries are needed, thereby freeing up even more money. To help you evaluate your loved one's financial situation, we've put together a worksheet, Assisted Living Expenses — Finding the Money.

The worksheet assumes no assets are spent down — that they'll remain intact with the interest/dividends they produce used to supplement your loved one's income. But, if your loved one is short on funds, some or all of their assets will have to be spent down. That is, the principal value will have to be converted into a stream of monthly income payments.

However, several factors need to be kept in mind ...

Our visitors ask ...

Q. I've heard that elderly parents can transfer their assets to their heirs before they go into a nursing home where the government will pay for their care. What is the "look back" requirement all about?

A. We covered this topic (along with several closely related ones) in our June 2006 article, Gifts from a Senior to His or Her Children.

Recommended Reading and Videos

Many excellent books and videos can help guide you through the caregiving process. For our recommendations, including a brief description of each one, click here.

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is intended as a supplement, not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. More