Here is a terrific article about a great program for older people with dementia, alzheimer’s and/or problems staying in bed through the night.  If you need help with an aging loved one in the Palm Beach Florida area, visit http://www.eldercareathome.org.

All-Night Care for Dementia’s Restless Minds

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/nyregion/14cover.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

According to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers,  “Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs) are health and human services specialists who help families care for older relatives, while encouraging as much independence as possible. The PGCM may be trained in any of a number of fields related to long-term care, including, but not limited to, nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. The PGCM acts as a guide and advocate — identifying problems and offering solutions, from assessment of an aging parent’s needs to addressing the life change of a family affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinsons or other symptoms of dementia.” 

The geriatric care managers at ElderCare at Home are dedicated professionals with years of experience and expertise working with patients and families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other types of memory impairments. 

Our geriatric care managers are advanced degreed professionals including, Social Workers and Registered Nurses. They are required to be members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers or the Case Management Society of America.  Additionally, each care manager is certified by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (CMC) or by the Commission for Case Management Certification (CCM). Although each care manager is a dedicated clinician, all of our services are provided by warm, caring and compassionate professionals in the least medicinal way possible.  Our client’s are never referred to as “cases”.  They are patients and families that want and need our care and expertise and they are always treated with dignity and respect.

Our Integrated ElderCare Model™ (IEC) focuses on the needs of the whole family. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, spouse, child, grandchild or friend, our comprehensive services will help you, help your loved one.

Most of our patient’s not only suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, but have been diagnosed with other chronic conditions such as: diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, congestive heart failure (CHF), anxiety and/or depression.

Our care managers create, implement and monitor an ElderCare Plan® that not only provides ongoing and continuous care, but that incorporates all of the medical, physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient. Each care manager directs a multidisciplinary team that assures that all of the patient’s needs are met.

To learn how our geriatric care management services can help you keep your loved one at home, please call us at 800-209-4342 or visit our website.

Elayne Forgie, CMC, SRES
President/CEO
ElderCare at Home, Inc.
ElderCare Resource Center, Inc.
www.CoachingforCaregivers.com

Elayne Forgie, CMC, SRES, was unanimously accepted for appointment as a member of the Board of Directors for the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast.

The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach /Treasure Coast, Inc. is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of all seniors and their Caregivers in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

Part of a nationwide network, The Area Agency on Aging provides information on aging issues, advocacy, one-on-one assistance and a host of services that help seniors maintain their independence and dignity.

With the help thousands of dedicated volunteers, donors, sponsors and professional agencies, The Area Agency on Aging delivers a wide range of services including:

• 2-1-1 Seniors Information & Referral Hotline.
• Foster Grandparent Program, providing one-on-one teaching support for children.
• SHINE Health Insurance Counseling Services.
• Leadership Institute for Active Aging, training seniors for leadership in volunteerism. 
• Senior Advocacy Program, delivering support to seniors in need.
• RSVP Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, training. volunteers for local non-profit organizations and agencies
• Abuse Registry, with helpful information on how to indentify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors.
• and other great programs and services

In our most recent fiscal year, The Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach / Treasure Coast, Inc. managed over $30 million dollars in Federal, State, County and Donor funds. Working in partnership with community-based service providers, The Area Agency on Aging delivered services that touched more than 500,000 seniors, spending 95 cents of every dollar for direct service delivery.

To learn more about The Area Agency on Aging and how you can help, call 561-684-5885. Out of Area call: 1-866-684-5885. Feel free to visit the main office at 4400 North Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach, just south of 45th Street.  Treasure Coast residents may visit our office at 416 Okeechobee Road in Ft. Piecre.