Senior Community Services

The Minnesota Metro area is  fortunate to have Senior Community Services as a provider of multiple services for a growing percent of the population - senior age persons. Families facing dementia and Alzheimer's challenges will find resources here that can lighten the load of anxiety and make for a more healthy life for everyone.

H.O.M.E provides affordable homemaking, home maintenance and chore services that help seniors continue to live independently in their homes. 952-888-5530  Headquartered at Creekside Center in Bloomington, MN.

Senior Outreach provides Licensed social workers who offer professional care coordination, and supportive counseling for frail elders to assist them to remain independent. 952-888-7121

Caregiver Programs which provides licensed social workers who offer caregiver support groups, Eldercare Partners caregiver coaching and counseling.651-234-2262

Financial Vulnerability and Memory Loss

A recent Public Radio program on Financial Planning called attention to early memory loss vulnerability regarding unwise financial decisions. In the early stages of Dementia and Alzheimer's the brain functions that relate to financial judgment are apparently affected.

It may be difficult for family members to observe these problems when the affected person first  begins to show signs of significant memory loss. There is a desire for independence in decision making and the gradual erosion of reasonable thought is hard to define and notice.

The impact of unwise decisions on spending, selling property, giving away resources can be costly and dangerous to family finances. Most people want to think the best of family members and will give the benefit of the doubt when the affected person drifts into irresponsibility.

Counsel for family members and friends is one practical step toward alleviating the problems resulting from troublesome financial decisions. The business community has much at stake when persons fail to make reasonable financial and property decisions.

Dementia Care Central points out that difficulty in managing personal finances is one of the first signs that something is wrong in the life of aging person.

An extensive and detailed study of Decision Making Capacity in Older Adults is found in a 2007 study reported in the Journal of Gerontology.  The balance between autonomy and protection has special interest when it comes to financial decision making. Making an assessment of competence is a growing issue because of the intergenerational wealth transfer happening in  21st century America.

Innovation meets Alzheimer's

Ideas that produce practical inventions can meet the growing needs of Alzheimer's patients and caregivers. Inventions happen in a local place. The time is right for inventions that speak to the challenges presented by Alzheimer's and other Memory Loss threats to personal dignity and viable life.

A real time example is AgeLab developed equipment such as home observation so that remote caregivers can monitor the lives of their parents. They have also developed an Aware Car wired with cameras, monitors and sensors that can improve safety by evaluating a drivers behavior.

Community organizations can provide incentives for individuals to create products. This is of particular relevance in communities where senior age persons are a growing demographic reality. Real life settings can give a place for creative minds to experiment.

An incentive is needed to get people started on a invention. As a example, a Community Foundation could work with a local community college and business organization in creating a "Memory Loss Care Invention Award" for community applicants. The Award could be made annually with a money award and public attention to both the inventor and the Memory Loss challenge to families and the community.

An article on the subject is on pages 29-30 of the April 18, 2011 Christian Science Monitor.

National Memory Screening

National Memory Screening Day in 2011 is November 15. The National memory Screening Initiative is from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.  Go to www.nationalmemoryscreening.org website for more information.

New Report on Minnesota Alzheimer's Disease impact

The 2010 Minnesota Report on  Alzheimer' impact is now available at http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/Facts_2011/ALZ_MN.pdf?type=interior_map&facts=undefined&facts=facts

Rising Costs of Low Income Elderly in Minnesota

Neal St. Anthony, in the 3-14-11 edition of the Star Tribune writes about the cost of state government and the problems presented to the business community. St. Anthony says that "The real cost driver of state government is health care, which threatens to consume most of the general fund with a decade unless Minnesota slows rising medical costs of the state's low-income elderly and state employees."

Within the costs for low and mid income elderly is the growing cost for Alzheimer's Disease treatment and management. It is my opinion that local communities are destined to bear an increasing share of Memory Loss costs. The reduction of state aid to communities will increase the pressure on infrastructure such as police and education as well as other city services.

The cost to society of Alzheimer's and other Memory Loss challenges is documented and several references in this weblog give links to a some documentations. The business facet of a community depends on management of costs both within those businesses and the tax structure of the community as well as provision of city services for businesses and people who manage and work in those businesses. Responsible business management will keep in mind the vital life of the citizens of the community.

Local community initiatives are one viable way to address a long term necessity. If local responses are muted the quality of life in that place is bound to decline. This weblog is my effort to think through the issue and attempt to make some small contribution to viable responses.

A Specific Idea for Responding to Alzheimer's

Police officers are often the first community contact with families and individuals dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. When a person caught up in Dementia becomes uncontrollable in a home the most likely resource is to call 911. If the person with Alzheimer's is acting in a bizarre manner in the community the Police are the most reliable resource and will be called.

Any person who is in the position of dealing with the often unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior effects of Alzheimer's needs to be prepared to deal effectively with the situation. Police officers need training to respond in appropriate ways that calm the person and also relieve the family in their anxiety.

Money is needed to provide professional training for police officers as they increasingly deal with mental health issues including various Dementia related behaviors.  The question today is where will that money come from since many funding sources are being reduced.

Organizations like Community Foundations can offer to provide one time or long term grants to provide training opportunities for police officers who will deal with Alzheimer related situations. The growing incidence of Dementia related problems in many communities indicates that the need is urgent. Action now will prepare for an even more challenging future.