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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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How with an adult? This is a cantankerous gentleman who gets mean if you even ask if he changed his brief or even to wash his hands. He is incontinent.
Hi Lexie! First sounds like daughter hired the rite person, kudos to you for using all the things at your disposal to try and find an answer. I do have a couple questions; has dad been taking cue’s or guidance from his daughter on this and the problem is he won’t take it from anyone else or is he just resistant to everyone so far? Have both husband and wife elders had strokes now and if so how long has it been for each of them, what are their individual deficits and were either in rehab prior to going home? Was the wife doing fine with caregiving of husband until she then had a stroke? You also mentioned below that there are 3 family members in the house, might one be male? Just trying to get a better picture of the lay of the land so to speak.
Hi Lymie 61, Thank you so much for your reply. And THANK YOU for your kind words. You’ve got some GREAT questions and what sounds like some insight already.
First question is yes, dad has been taking cues from too many women we feel, Mrs. was taking care of him prior, they lived in Assisted living, then she had a stroke I believe she said five years after his. She is doing better but still in therapy but, we all understand he doesn’t want anymore women bossing him around. Since moving in with daughters family, they all have really had it rough as is normal and it is amazing. Daughter is VERY organized and very selfless. I don’t think mom and dad have had enough time to grieve the loss of their prior self and home yet.
Having said that, I had training years as CNA but went into another field but do Home Managing for the last 6 years, but not in this complex situation so trying to establish a routine for him with only one of us cueing him when I’m there. It has taken about 3 months but with some more insight I am getting it figured out better.
Yes, there is another male in the house and a Granddaughter. It is actually a pretty cool set up with plenty of places to be alone should they want to be.
My position was to make breakfast and lunch, possibly prep for dinner menu...some laundry, light clean, help with meds if needed, change bedding and to help him when he needs. There’s been a lot of resistance. I say good morning and lay out his things but he doesn’t always get out of bed easy. He usually changes and gets in clean clothes but too many times he has not changed brief and then gets dressed and down for breakfast.
I have not been trained in how to deal with elders about changing their brief and they resist. Once he’s dressed then it’s really impossible from there.
I feel if I can establish a routine and consistent cues with him, he will do well with me. He does pretty well with everything else.
No one by nature wants to lose their ability to take care of themselves. In general all Americans are strongly independent. Through the years I've had the opportunity to teach women the difference between men and women. I think what you are looking for are ideas to motivate him to do something that should be 2nd nature to him. Find the carrot to motivate the stubborn donkey. What works once might not work again.
Think of a strong willed child and how you would motivate him. The problem is this sounds like this man has an angry disposition - Have his wife and daughter look outside the box - so to speak - to find a way to get this done. I wouldn't be surprised if the stroke has also altered his understanding.
A small dose of an anti-anxiety med would help. A large dose of HUMOR could be prescribed but it sounds like the tension is huge.
I call my husband's pull ups - briefs. I told him to wear them because it helps me in with the laundry and I could spend more time with him. Hopefully, others here will have some motivational ideas. It is challenging to motivate, manipulate and yet leave the person with their self respect. I look forward to hearing ideas.
You are so correct. This is a very difficult spot for all of family. Everyone’s loosing something yet what a wonderful set up they have vs. being in a facility. It hasn’t been that long since the move and then Covid changed things a bit.
So, I was hired so that daughter can go back to work, Granddaughter has College. Wife needs to get healthy herself. I think I have found the issue and need to communicate with the daughter to see if we can try a few new things and a strong routine for him so, wife can be wife, daughter takes over after work.
Yes, on the other areas, I think I have found the carrot which is good but he’s also diabetic and that’s another thing that someone needs to control. Poor guy!
So, this is all so normal and I have heard many stories like this but not experienced this until now. I believe with everybody on the same page, we’ll get there.
So Mr Elder needs supervision & hands-on care but lacks insight & is refusing. Mrs Elder also lacks insight & also refusing his care needs be attended to.
How to get the tensions down & get the job done (without any 'smoothing' medicinals)?
In a facility I'd image this would be a two person job. Separate the elders to start. Settle Mrs at the breakfast table or wherever then tend to Mr. First carer where he can see them, to sweet talk & distract him, the second carer ripping the old pull-ups off at the sides. Then sweet talk here are you clean pants, time to put them on. If too unruly. Leave room. Wait 5 mins try again - carers swap around.
But only Lexxie! Going to have to be crafty I think. Or daughter lays down the law & tells her Mother, Father needs help to dress. Lexxie will help him. He cannot come to breakfast in dirty pants. Lexxie is helping you too so you don't have to force him. Her job can be to tell him how nice he looks when he arrives clean to the table.
I wish I could think of more... this is a tricky one!
Thank you Beatty, In reply.... This is a bit complicated because Mr. and Mrs. Elder live with 3 other family members. Daughter is #1. Caregiver but wants to give him too much independence because if his anger. 1. Mr. Elder has got “ slight dementia” and yes, he needs supervision while he dresses himself but is angry if you do so people set out the clothes and brief, remind him but as is expected, when you leave the room he may or may not. Mrs. Elder tries to help remind and you can hear him yell when she does.
Of everything I have experience in.... THIS ONE I am not because I always assisted at least stood in room. I think it is time to have a family meeting on supervision if they don’t want feces all over their room to clean or taken downstairs. Food is a HUGE motivator so, I think I need to insist I stay present with my back turned and then go start breakfast.
There are other folks with more expertise in the hands-on care part, but what jumps out at me is the irritability and agitation of the elder gentleman.
Has anyone considered that depression and anxiety might be an issue here and that meds might help? Depression is very common in vascular dementia which appears after a stroke. Has he been evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist?
Barb, yes, He has been. I have asked if both were on Anti-depressants but daughter doesn’t really want to go into that part. I believe they all need someone to help them in this. Stress level is very high especially now that daughter is trying to work from home. Manage everything!
Thank you for your reply....let me explain if I can better.
I work privately with a family. There are three generations in this very large house and it is still a new set up. This middle aged couple moved her parents in after her dads stroke and mother could not care well for him. College daughter living in as well.
Daughter hired me. Dad has slight dementia and needs small amount of supervision. Mother had recent stroke. Can’t help much. The family showed me what they were doing for me to take over so daughter could go back to work.
Here’s the deal. He does need someone to make sure he changes his brief that’s laid out for him. He is cued but that doesn’t always work. Mother could but he snarls at her so she let’s it go but they share a home.. IE... spreading contamination.
Neither parents want me to supervise him before coming down to breakfast yet it is what daughter needs me to make sure he does.
Mother is VERY angry someone has taken over caring of him yet she cannot and when given some things she can help with she bosses him around and he yells at her so she caves. It’s a never ending cycle.
I shared with daughter that I would post here for helpful communication and suggestions to help set up a better routine for handling the aggression issues and helping to make sure he changes his brief since I cannot he in the room to cue him.
Lexxie, I think autocorrect may have sabotaged your question. I'm not sure what you are asking.
After a stroke, my mother needed prompts to dress in the correct order (to put on underwear first; unprompted, she would put on slacks and THEN underwear).
We found (after much aggravation) that the key thing was to not "remind" or ask but to say cheerfully "now it's time to..." and just make it an expectation.
If this isn't what you're looking for, my apologies and let us know what you need!.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Thank you so much for your reply. And THANK YOU for your kind words. You’ve got some GREAT questions and what sounds like some insight already.
First question is yes, dad has been taking cues from too many women we feel, Mrs. was taking care of him prior, they lived in Assisted living, then she had a stroke I believe she said five years after his. She is doing better but still in therapy but, we all understand he doesn’t want anymore women bossing him around. Since moving in with daughters family, they all have really had it rough as is normal and it is amazing. Daughter is VERY organized and very selfless. I don’t think mom and dad have had enough time to grieve the loss of their prior self and home yet.
Having said that, I had training years as CNA but went into another field but do Home Managing for the last 6 years, but not in this complex situation so trying to establish a routine for him with only one of us cueing him when I’m there. It has taken about 3 months but with some more insight I am getting it figured out better.
Yes, there is another male in the house and a Granddaughter. It is actually a pretty cool set up with plenty of places to be alone should they want to be.
My position was to make breakfast and lunch, possibly prep for dinner menu...some laundry, light clean, help with meds if needed, change bedding and to help him when he needs. There’s been a lot of resistance. I say good morning and lay out his things but he doesn’t always get out of bed easy. He usually changes and gets in clean clothes but too many times he has not changed brief and then gets dressed and down for breakfast.
I have not been trained in how to deal with elders about changing their brief and they resist. Once he’s dressed then it’s really impossible from there.
I feel if I can establish a routine and consistent cues with him, he will do well with me. He does pretty well with everything else.
Thank you for any insight you have.
Think of a strong willed child and how you would motivate him. The problem is this sounds like this man has an angry disposition - Have his wife and daughter look outside the box - so to speak - to find a way to get this done. I wouldn't be surprised if the stroke has also altered his understanding.
A small dose of an anti-anxiety med would help. A large dose of HUMOR could be prescribed but it sounds like the tension is huge.
I call my husband's pull ups - briefs. I told him to wear them because it helps me in with the laundry and I could spend more time with him. Hopefully, others here will have some motivational ideas. It is challenging to motivate, manipulate and yet leave the person with their self respect. I look forward to hearing ideas.
Thank you for your reply,
You are so correct. This is a very difficult spot for all of family. Everyone’s loosing something yet what a wonderful set up they have vs. being in a facility. It hasn’t been that long since the move and then Covid changed things a bit.
So, I was hired so that daughter can go back to work, Granddaughter has College. Wife needs to get healthy herself. I think I have found the issue and need to communicate with the daughter to see if we can try a few new things and a strong routine for him so, wife can be wife, daughter takes over after work.
Yes, on the other areas, I think I have found the carrot which is good but he’s also diabetic and that’s another thing that someone needs to control. Poor guy!
So, this is all so normal and I have heard many stories like this but not experienced this until now. I believe with everybody on the same page, we’ll get there.
Thank you so much for your input!
How to get the tensions down & get the job done (without any 'smoothing' medicinals)?
In a facility I'd image this would be a two person job. Separate the elders to start. Settle Mrs at the breakfast table or wherever then tend to Mr. First carer where he can see them, to sweet talk & distract him, the second carer ripping the old pull-ups off at the sides. Then sweet talk here are you clean pants, time to put them on. If too unruly. Leave room. Wait 5 mins try again - carers swap around.
But only Lexxie! Going to have to be crafty I think. Or daughter lays down the law & tells her Mother, Father needs help to dress. Lexxie will help him. He cannot come to breakfast in dirty pants. Lexxie is helping you too so you don't have to force him. Her job can be to tell him how nice he looks when he arrives clean to the table.
I wish I could think of more... this is a tricky one!
In reply....
This is a bit complicated because Mr. and Mrs. Elder live with 3 other family members. Daughter is #1. Caregiver but wants to give him too much independence because if his anger. 1. Mr. Elder has got “ slight dementia” and yes, he needs supervision while he dresses himself but is angry if you do so people set out the clothes and brief, remind him but as is expected, when you leave the room he may or may not. Mrs. Elder tries to help remind and you can hear him yell when she does.
Of everything I have experience in.... THIS ONE I am not because I always assisted at least stood in room. I think it is time to have a family meeting on supervision if they don’t want feces all over their room to clean or taken downstairs. Food is a HUGE motivator so, I think I need to insist I stay present with my back turned and then go start breakfast.
There are other folks with more expertise in the hands-on care part, but what jumps out at me is the irritability and agitation of the elder gentleman.
Has anyone considered that depression and anxiety might be an issue here and that meds might help? Depression is very common in vascular dementia which appears after a stroke. Has he been evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist?
Thank you for your reply....let me explain if I can better.
I work privately with a family. There are three generations in this very large house and it is still a new set up. This middle aged couple moved her parents in after her dads stroke and mother could not care well for him. College daughter living in as well.
Daughter hired me. Dad has slight dementia and needs small amount of supervision. Mother had recent stroke. Can’t help much. The family showed me what they were doing for me to take over so daughter could go back to work.
Here’s the deal. He does need someone to make sure he changes his brief that’s laid out for him. He is cued but that doesn’t always work. Mother could but he snarls at her so she let’s it go but they share a home.. IE... spreading contamination.
Neither parents want me to supervise him before coming down to breakfast yet it is what daughter needs me to make sure he does.
Mother is VERY angry someone has taken over caring of him yet she cannot and when given some things she can help with she bosses him around and he yells at her so she caves. It’s a never ending cycle.
I shared with daughter that I would post here for helpful communication and suggestions to help set up a better routine for handling the aggression issues and helping to make sure he changes his brief since I cannot he in the room to cue him.
Hope this explains better.
After a stroke, my mother needed prompts to dress in the correct order (to put on underwear first; unprompted, she would put on slacks and THEN underwear).
We found (after much aggravation) that the key thing was to not "remind" or ask but to say cheerfully "now it's time to..." and just make it an expectation.
If this isn't what you're looking for, my apologies and let us know what you need!.