Q4 Defined
Your Struggles

Ongoing Decline

Aging makes maintaining health a greater challenge. Health is more precarious and some of the simplest tasks like bathing, dressing and meal preparation suddenly become difficult if not impossible. Muscle strength is lost, vision changes, hearing diminishes, and balance is compromised. Activities that once caused joy can become tasks instead. These changes along with many others directly affect quality of life. Since most of these changes occur gradually it is assumed that nothing can be done to stop the progression or reverse the decline. This is very often untrue…

Crisis

Without warning a health crisis may occur. Suddenly a senior is thrust into a maze of physicians, hospitals, tests, treatments and new medications. Understanding what is happening, why, and what choices are available can be daunting. There are decisions to make; a loved one is very ill and hospitalized, yet insurances may be insisting that the patient be discharged before they have totally recovered. Planning for the return to home can be frightening and overwhelming. Setting up follow-up appointments, getting medications, and arranging for care is an exhausting, time-consuming experience. These things are all consuming and adversely affect quality of life. It doesn’t have to be this …

Dependence vs. Independence

Seniors may experience loss of independence. Confusion, forgetfulness, inability to complete self-cares as well as to manage a household leaves the elderly feeling fearful and helpless at the thought of entering a nursing home.. Often times the family feels overwhelmed and guilty. Understanding what choices are available and which may be the most appropriate can be a challenging, yet essential task. Choices that preserve autonomy and maximize quality of life need to be made. Nursing homes are not the only answer… …   

Managing Care

Diseases and decline are a natural part of aging but managing the complexities of them is challenging. Frequently there are multiple physicians ordering multiple tests and prescribing multiple medications but the physicians may not be aware of what other doctors have ordered. If symptoms don’t improve and answers are not forthcoming quality of life deteriorates and frustration sets in. There is a solution……