Understanding Heart Month: A Vital Campaign for Senior Health

Heart Month is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and cardiovascular diseases. Held every February in the US, this month-long campaign aims to educate people about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the …
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Mother and daughter smiling together.

What is Medical Care Management and How Can It Benefit You?

Are you or a loved one facing a complex medical condition and feeling overwhelmed with managing appointments, medications, and navigating the healthcare system? If so, you’re not alone. Many individuals and their families struggle with managing medical care on their …
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Nurse and patient embracing each other and smiling.

Navigating Medical Care Management in Delray Beach

In healthcare, the key to optimal well-being lies in personalized medical care management. Advocare Care Management, nestled in the vibrant community of Delray Beach, Florida, stands as a beacon of expertise in redefining healthcare coordination. Let’s explore how Advocare transforms …
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senior thinking

Diagnosing Depression in the Older Adult

By Cathy Jo Cress, MSW Associate Geriatric Care Manager Santa Cruz, CA Although late-life depression is rampant among the elder population, it’s certainly not a normal part of aging. Rather it’s a serious but treatable illness that impacts those who …
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Dementia

A Different Dementia: Different Challenges

by Sharon Mayfield, BSN This article demonstrates different challenges that caregivers and an experienced nurse are faced with when their loved ones/clients have an FTD (frontotemporal disorders). The behaviors associated with this disorder do not respond to the usual techniques …
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Long Term Care

Transforming Long-Term Care: The Culture Change Movement

By Julie Follo As America’s baby boomer generation ages into retirement and beyond, the nation’s long-term care system is changing to meet the needs and expectations of this burgeoning population. While nursing homes have traditionally been the cornerstone of our …
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May is Stoke Awareness month

An Overview of American Stroke Awareness Month

May is American Stroke Awareness Month (ASAM). This is a time for individuals, families, and communities to raise awareness about the warning signs of stroke, how to reduce the risk of stroke, and how to provide care and support for …
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Am I Being Effective? A Care Manager’s Lament!

Am I Being Effective?” — A Care Manager’s Lament! 

Am I Being Effective?” — A Care Manager’s Lament!  By Linda Fodrini-Johnson  I heard the above question from one of my newer care managers, and then I saw a very seasoned care manager stressed over her client’s “non-compliance” – thus …
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Advocare - Using technology in aging life

How to Utilize Technology with Care Management Clients 

By Dianne Smith, RN, MA, CMC  This article will provide insights into assessing needs and using technology that can help our clients to remain independent longer. Technology can be integrated seamlessly into a care management practice by care managers who …
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Advocare - family care contracts

Family Care Contracts

Family Care Contracts – Opportunities for Geriatric Care Managers and Our Clients  by Deborah Liss Fins  Most geriatric care managers will recognize the following scenario:  Mr. and Mrs. K. are in their early 90s and live alone in their own …
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Gifts that say I care - elderly care Advocare

Gifts That Say I Care

Debra Sorensen, MSW, CMC, Laurel Felsenfeld, BSN, RN, CRRN, CCM, Mark Felsenfeld, MA, CCCSLP, and Kay Paggi, LPC, CMC, NCGC Choosing a gift can be difficult, especially for persons with dementia or other disabilities. Families often ask us what would …
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Aging Parents Advocare

My Mother, Your Mother: embracing “Slow Medicine”

My Mother, Your Mother: embracing “Slow Medicine,” the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones  by Dennis McCullough, Md  Review by Sophia M. Heftler, RN, CALA  Dr. McCullough’s book My Mother, Your Mother is a unique combination of …
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Advocare - family system with aging members

Understanding Aging Within the Family System

According to statistics, more than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aging family member or friend during any given year. (1) With the front edge of 75 million Baby Boomers now hitting sixty years of …
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advocare aging care

Pharmacology Issues among Geriatric Clients

The elderly make up 12.7% of the U.S. population, but consume 34% of all prescription medications. As patients age, they undergo biological changes that affect the way medications are absorbed, distributed throughout the body, and eventually eliminated. There are also …
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A woman putting her head on the shoulder of an elderly woman

9 Lifesaving Items Aging Parents Need

To keep your parents safe at home—and prevent falls and injuries—they need to have the right equipment on hand. Here are the essential items to help make your loved ones’ daily lives easier, less stressful, and more secure, plus what …
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advocare elderly feeling loss of power

Hospital Bed—Signals Loss of Power

“I feel like I’m losing all my power.” “Everyone is making decisions for me.” Partner of a 40+ year relationship communicates these feelings as she watches her partner fail and the “professionals” move in. The hospice nurse tells her she …
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Elderly Parents of Disabled Adult Children

Elderly Parents of Disabled Adult Children

If you have yet to encounter clients who are caring for a disabled adult child, read on, because inevitably you will. According to the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disability surveillance study of 1991-1994, 18 of every 1,000 children born have developmental …
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advocare Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease Co-morbidities

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects a patient’s memory, language, judgment, decision-making, planning, and organizing. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains the most common cause of dementia. There are currently 5.3 million Americans affected by the disease, …
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Advocare - advise for caring for aging parents

My Mother’s Keeper: The “Personal Trainer”

After my mom’s stroke in 2005, her life shifted dramatically. Driving was no longer an option. On top of that, it became necessary for her to move from her husband’s condo (second marriage) to a more supportive community with socialization …
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Too Many Medications - Advocare

Are Too Many Medications Making Your Patient Sicker?

Polypharmacy and Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults The last sixty years have witnessed an extraordinary growth in the number of medications for chronic health conditions at the same time that the average life expectancy has increased by over 10 …
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Generationally Savvy

Generationally Savvy Communication that Improves Your Bottom Line

Effective communication in today’s multi-generational business world requires careful navigation. This is especially true in a workforce now comprised of four distinct generations – Millennials (Gen Y), Generation Xers, Baby Boomers, and Traditionalists – all of whom bring their own …
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Advocare - Key Players in Elder Care Scenes

Key Players in Elder Care Scenes

“You stole my food! I’m hungry!” “No. I didn’t, grandma!” Yes, you stole my food!” “No, grandma, I would never steal your food!” “Yes, you did!” This conversation escalated to screams and tears. The elder and the young 10-year-old boy …
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Advocare - The Spirit-Side of Caring

The Spirit-Side of Caring

Introduction While many facilities are embracing culture change and person-centered care for their residents, there is still low staff morale and high turnover. Too often when I visit my clients in long-term care environments, both the elders and the staff …
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together seniors

The Challenges in Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) are environments for people who may need assistance with normal daily activities of daily living such as: bathing, grooming dressing, showering, laundry, cooking, transportation, house cleaning, and/or other personal care needs. As Care Managers we know …
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lady sitting together with old women

Caring for the Caregiver

Caring for the Caregiver In recent years, advances in public health and medical science have contributed to the graying of the population. More seniors are alive today than at any other time in history and those numbers are growing. But …
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A COVID Side Effect: A Rise In Fraud Cases

The Coronavirus has had many devastating impacts over the last two years, particularly among senior citizens. One problem the community may not have anticipated is a rise in COVID-19 related fraud cases, however, the FBI has recently warned individuals of …
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Advocare The Spirit-Side of Caring

Mindfulness-based Approaches for Elders and their Caregivers

Elders and their caregivers confront multiple, often simultaneous stressful challenges of loss, illness, and disability. Many are treated with Western medicine for pain and chronic conditions, which may be stress-related, often producing marginal results. In addition, studies now connect high …
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Advocare Seven Strategies for Positive Aging

Seven Strategies for Positive Aging

If you are living in your sixth decade or beyond, you have faced the reality that you are old and, as average life expectancy approaches the eighth decade, you will spend an appreciable portion of your life as a “Senior …
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Younger woman and older woman taking a walk outside

What Happens if My Parents Say No?

If you have a conversation on a sensitive subject, be ready for a “no.” It happens a lot. You may be trying to have a conversation about staying in the family home or just asking parents to think about what …
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caregiver having tea with an elderly patient

What Exactly is Care Management Anyway?

As a director of a geriatric care management company, I am often requested to provide an overview our services. Because the role and scope of a geriatric care manager can vary greatly depending on the needs of the specific client, …
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lady sitting together with old women

Helping Senior Parents – Do it Yourself or Call a Professional?

We always figured it out ourselves.  That’s how the “boomer” generation staked its claim as the most idealistic, independent, and accomplished generation of our time.  Now, an entire generation of “adult kids,” is facing its greatest familial challenge – caring …
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Two women hugging each other on couch

A True Advocate — The Story of Advocare

As a nurse for over 20 years in Broward County, Amy Seigel repeatedly saw seniors and their families struggling with their healthcare issues. More often than not, the elderly are navigating themselves through this maze alone. Rarely can they process …
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Neighbors forming Pandemic Relationships

Pandemic Relationships

Pandemic Relationships may be an odd title for a blog post, however, considering the unusual times we have been experiencing, it seemed worth addressing. Covid has brought about a strain on many of our relationships. Some of us may have …
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Visiting Aging Parents in Florida

Visiting Aging Parents

If you are like most of us, It’s been way too long since you have seen your parents. I trust you did your best with phone calls, emails, and zoom, but it’s just not the same as being there. There …
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Assorted cannabis products, pills and cbd oil over medical prescription sheet

February is Marijuana Awareness Month

5 Ways Medical Marijuana Can Benefit the Senior Population: Up until the last decade, medical marijuana carried a stigma with it. People assumed that it was an aggressive addictive drug. However, with more and more scientific research coming out, the …
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couples talking on video calling and laughing

Advocare Wants to Help You Celebrate Safely

We have virtual holiday ideas to ensure your loved ones feel connected!  2020 has proven to be one of the most challenging years in memory. But while the specter of COVID-19 lingers over just about every aspect of our lives, …
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Thanksgiving card

The Advocare Team is Thankful for…

Once November hits, there’s a different feeling in the air. It’s no secret that we are all excited for the Thanksgiving holiday and the ability to reflect on all that we are grateful for. Here at Advocare, our team is …
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Happy retirement spelled out on sand at the beach

Are You or Your Loved One Ready to Retire Psychologically?

Larry and Marilyn have been married 65-years and relocated to south Florida from the northeast 15-years ago to retire, enjoy the warm weather and what they perceived as an easier way of life. Prior to retirement, Larry built a successful business over many years and the …
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Caregiver and patient

Why Home Care Management Is So Important In 2020

As an alternative to a facility or hospital care, top-notch in-home senior care has become more and more important in 2020.  By providing experienced and professional services that elderly people need at home, proper home care management can significantly reduce the cost of care and …
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Medication organization

World Senior Citizen’s Day and Why You Should Care

Nowadays it seems as if there is a day for everything, everyone, and every food item. Some of these national or world celebrations are a little over the top, we will admit; however, World Senior Citizen’s Day holds a special …
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Senior Adult Using Laptop Notebook Concept

Are Health Insurance Choices Financially Impacting Your Aging Client?

It is no secret that getting older can bring on more health complications as our bodies age. Of course, not everyone will experience more medical issues, but many will. Doctor visits may increase, more prescriptions may be required, medical costs rise; all of which can have impact on one’s retirement budget. We are moving …
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Woman signing paperwork with doctor

Are You Asking the Right Questions as A Trusted Adviser?

The internet is filled with endless information about a person with diminished capacity, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonian dementia; the tell take signs, the do’s, and don’ts and so on. Books, booklets, pamphlets are dedicated to this disease. However, very little …
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Doctor placing blocks onto flat surface

Alzheimer’s Disease and COVID-19

  During this unprecedented time, many individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are homebound with their caregivers. How can clinicians help caregivers deal with common dilemmas under stay-at-home orders? We spoke with Marc Agronin, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and Senior Vice …
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caregiver having tea with an elderly patient

Let Advocare Help With Elder Care Services

As you age, there are different options for how and where you live.  Some people have the option to move in with their children, while others choose to move to an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Then there …
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young disabled man in wheelchair in front of stairs at home

With Detail and With Expertise

When caring for an aging parent, our initial instinct may be to go into parental mode; to swap roles, now wanting to act as the caregiver that our parents once were for us. We may plan our parent’s day, organizing …
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Two women helping an elderly woman into her wheelchair

Care Coordinating and System Navigation

Historically, when health care coordination was considered for seniors, a major factor in determining if it was necessary was the severity of the health issues a senior may be dealing with. The focus has been on care for patients with …
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caregiver having tea with an elderly patient

Caring for Elder Parents During the Holidays

With the holiday season quickly approaching, families across the United States are making plans and gearing up for travel and celebrations. While many will enjoy the company of friends and family during the holidays, being together is not possible for …
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man shaving his beard

How Can Family Members Deal with Elder Care in Miami?

When it comes to aging, it’s not an easy process. There are many complications and frustrations, as well as guilt, sadness, and fatigue. Often, the process can be more challenging for family members as they fight to figure out a …
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two ladies sitting together

What are the Options for Senior Care in Miami?

When our parents or grandparents get older, there’s no such thing as simple or easy. They may be angry that you’re making an executive decision to uproot them from their homes and move them into homes or professional care. Alternatively, …
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Woman with breast cancer ribbons and pink shirts

Breast Cancer Risks Among Elderly Women

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to honoring those lost to this terrible disease while helping to save the lives of those affected today. Funding research, educating vulnerable populations, and providing support for those undergoing breast cancer treatment are …
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Mother and daughter having a conversation

Does My Parent Need Home Care?

As parents, the greatest joy one can experience is watching their child grow and develop into a well-rounded person. Our parents guide and mold our world view, providing protection and nurturing the person we become. Yet rarely do we consider the ways …
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Woman caring for older man

Senior Care in South Florida: Know Your Options

Though growing older is a gift and a beautiful journey, it can be hard to confront the idea that we or someone we love may one day no longer be able to care for themselves or maintain the same level …
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caregiver having tea with an elderly patient

What is an Elder Care Service in South Florida?

Is your parent or loved one unable to do basic things like grocery shopping or getting to doctor’s appointments on their own? Has hygiene become more and more difficult to manage on a daily basis? Then don’t despair, there is …
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