Life After 50 Show

Respite Care is what smart caregivers do to be the best caregiver they can be. We all need to take a break and caregivers need to learn that they are not invincible. Visit http:/./findhoustonseniorcare.com to get the help you need

This is a difficult decision for most families. We don't want to "give up" on the ones we love, but we also do not want to see them suffer. Lueata Evanson is a Hospice Social Worker with Silverado Hospice. In this podcast, she talks about how to know when the time is right. Hospice is a service that helps the whole family.

We always have to be ready in Houston for a Hurricane. We missed a bullet recently as tropical storm Bill kind of fizzled out. But next time we may not be so lucky. It is important to remember our seniors and help them be prepared in case of an emergency. What will you do? How will you prepare. David Hittler with At Your Side Home care has some suggestions.

This interview is with Lueata Evanson, a Hospice Social Worker with Silverado Hospice.Lueata Evenson, LMSW Lueata Evenson obtained both her Bachelors of Social Work in 2004 and Masters of Social Work in 2006 from Wichita State University, Wichita Kansas. She is currently working towards attaining her LCSW; completing her supervision this summer. Lueata has enjoyed working with many populations during her professional years as a social worker. However, the last seven years with Hospice have been extremely fulfilling and rewarding. Currently, she is the Director of Family and Support Services with Silverado Hospice-North Houston.

Q- Can the Alzheimer's Helpline help my family? How? A- Kelly McCann, a representative with the Alzheimer's Association talks about the 24/7 helpline they provide. Find out about this valuable resource and how it can help you. Ask Kelly or another professional a Question. The answer will be emailed directly to you and will also be posted on this podcast to help others. http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Q- Can Music Therapy help someone with a brain injury? A- Pam Haynie, Music Therapist answers this question. Pam has be a music therapist for over 20 years and has seen the powerful effects music can have when treating patients with a traumatic brain injury. Ask Pam or another a professional your question. we will send the answer directly to you and we will also post it so others can benefit. http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Q- Mom and Dad need some help. I heard that Dad may be able to get a special benefit from the VA to pay for a caregiver in their home or for assisted living. Is this true and if so what are the rules to apply? A- Elder Law Attorney Elizabeth Hilbun, Hilbun Law Firm, Cypress,Texas answers this question. Elizabeth devotes a large part of her practice to help veterans and their families.

Q- My husband has early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Should I enroll him in a clinical trial? A- Kelly McCann, a representative with the Alzheimer's Association answers this question. Do you have a question for Kelly or another expert? The answer will be sent to you and posted on this podcast so others may get the answers they need. Go to this page. http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Q- Mom and Dad were married about 20 years and then divorced. They were married during the time he was at war. Dad has remarried but mom has not. Can Mom get his VA benefits? A- Elder Law Attorney, Elizabeth Hilbun, Hilbun Law Firm, Cypress,Texas answers this question. Elizabeth devotes a large part of her practice to working with veterans and their families.

Q There has been a lot of talk about music therapy lately and it's role in helping people with different types of dementia including Alzheimer's. What Exactly is Music therapy and how can it help someone with dementia? A- Ask a Professional asked Pam Haynie, owner of Medicine Music Production and a Music therapist for over 20 years, to answer this question. Pam regularly goes into nursing homes and memory care communities with her healing work. The results are often phenomenal!

Q- I have heard that sometimes dementia can be reversed. Is this possible? Can dementia be reversed? A- Kelly McCann, a representative of the Alzheimer's Association joins us today to answer this question. Learn what signs to look for and what tests your doctor may need to perform to determine if your loved one's dementia can be reversed.

Q- A Friend suggested I take mom to her primary care physician and have a mini mental test to see if she may have the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease or some other kind of dementia. What is a mini mental test and should I take mom to have this test? A- Kelly McCann a representative with the Alzheimer's Association in Houston and Southeast Texas answers this question. Get the facts from someone who knows.

I am worried that mom may be being abused by the night staff. Can I put a nanny cam in her room? Here what Keri Graham, Elder Law Attorney has to say. Have a Question for Keri or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Mom is in good health but that could change tomorrow. Find out what age you should be when you get your documents in place. You may be surprised. Have a Question for Kim or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Listen to what Elder Law Attorney Kim Hegwood has to say about this important question. Making sure that your ducks are in a row when you have one parent who is ill is critical. Have a Question for Kim or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Q-We would really like to keep mom in her own home not a nursing home. Will medicaid cover home care and how do I apply? A- Elder Law Attorney Kerri Graham with Graham and Theander Answers this question. She also explains the difference between medicare and medicaid. Have a Question for Kerri or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

She seems to be able to care for herself but we have noticed that she has been very forgetful. David Hittler, Certified Senior Advisor and the owner of At Your Side Home Care Northwest and The Woodlands helps you to understand what to look for and how to make sure your elderly mom stays safe.

A- We went to the Alzheimer's Association,Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter to speak with Kelly McCann to answer this question. Kelly currently serves as Chief Program Officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter, where she is responsible for all education, safety initiatives, family services, and early stage programs throughout a 37-county region of southeast Texas.

Q-Mom gets a pension along with her social security check? Total she gets about $3000. The only thing she owns is her home which is worth about $120,000. Can she qualify for medicaid and will she have to go to a nursing home. A-Kim Hegwood, Elder Law Attorney- answers this question.Focusing exclusively on elder law, asset protection planning, estate planning and related practice areas, Kim’s passion for family and care giving come through in her enduring relationships with her clients. Kim’s personal experiences, together with her mastery of the law, make Kim and the Hegwood& Associates family of attorneys uniquely qualified to help seniors, families and individuals plan for the future and cope during times of crisis. Kim understands what her clients are going through and dedicates herself to treating every client with the compassion and respect he or she deserves. Have a Question for Kim or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/

Mom has been on these anti anxiety medications for about 6 months and is doing fine now. I worry she is taking too many medications. Is it safe to stop this medication and should we? Sharon Ragsdale,RN and owner of Cypress Assisted Living gives her advice. Sharon Ragsdale is uniquely qualified in the care of the elderly. She believes that old age should not be considered a threat, but instead, enjoyed. Sharon is an RN and a Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse with a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education. Have a Question for Sharon or another Elder Care Professional? Submit it here http://findhoustonseniorcare.com/ask-professional/