Welcome Wisdom

When “Someday” Becomes “Today”

— by Jason Wu, ECM owner On January 1st, my 84-year-old father began the New Year not with celebrations, but in the hospital—after a fall triggered by a rapid and unexpected decline in his mobility. One day he was mostly himself. A few weeks later, he was incontinent, unsteady, and profoundly changed. At the same time,... Read More

Constructive Conversations about Loss and Grief

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management “No one has taught us how to act or what to say when someone dies. More important, no one has taught us what it feels like to grieve. We don’t know how to heal the hurt created by grief or how to live with it.”- Barbara Karnes,... Read More

Constructive Conversations: From Curative to Comfort Focused Care

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management In previous newsletters, we’ve explored how families can transform challenging discussions into constructive conversations. One of the most sensitive topics in aging families is end-of-life care- a subject many find difficult to approach. As Aging Life Care professionals, we believe that informed families are better equipped to... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Honest Conversations about Senior Living Options

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Throughout this year’s series, we’ve explored many challenging conversations that aging families face. One of the most emotionally charged topics is the idea of moving an older adult from their long-time home to a new setting. Home represents more than a physical space- it’s a symbol of... Read More

Constructive Conversations about Care at Home

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management The idea of accepting care at home is among the difficult conversations families may encounter as they navigate supporting an aging loved one. Understanding the perceived barriers to accepting care can help families have constructive conversations about home care services. Some of the common hesitations include: Discomfort... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Understanding Isolation and Promoting Engagement

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Continuing with our series on turning difficult topics in aging families into constructive conversations, this month we focus our attention on the problem of social isolation in older adults. Aging Life Care professionals have long recognized the profound impact of social isolation on the elderly- a reality... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Navigating Financial Discussions in Aging Families

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management   Money and mortality are topics often avoided until they become urgent, yet they are crucial conversations in aging families. Aging Life Care Professionals encourage proactive discussions about estate planning and financial management before challenges- like difficulties in bill-paying- arise.   The Risk of Financial Fraud Seniors... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Steering the Driving Discussion

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management When it comes to aging families, few topics are as challenging as discussing driving. For many, driving represents freedom, independence, and identity, making it an emotionally charged subject. Care managers often witness families grappling with how to approach this sensitive issue, whether to express concerns or to... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Discussing Declining Health

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management As families observe the declining health of their aging loved ones, they may wish to offer support, such as durable medical equipment or medication management. Unfortunately, these offers are sometimes met with skepticism or rejection, leading to frustration and communication breakdowns. Identifying barriers to understanding and seeking... Read More
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