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Empowering Professionals in Aging
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Empowering Professionals in Aging

Author: American Society on Aging

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Home Instead is driven by its mission to enhance the lives of older adults. The home care company knows members of the American Society on Aging share the same objective, and to that end is presenting a new podcast series: Empowering Professionals in Aging. The series will cover a variety of topics, including medication management, end-of-life, technology, mental health, financial exploitation and other important issues in aging. Working together, increasing our knowledge, and understanding the various perspectives of these issues will help to unite professionals in our common mission to better serve older adults and the families who care for them. The team of Home Instead gerontologists, along with guest speakers, will share their expertise to educate and empower us all to be great advocates for our clients.
35 Episodes
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While our brain plays a crucial role as the command center of our body, it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. As we age, the risk of cognitive impairment increases, but here's the good news—research indicates there is plenty we can do proactively to keep our brains sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Listen to this episode to learn more about proactive strategies for maintaining optimal brain health.
As we age, there are important legal documents we should all have in place. This is particularly true for older adults. However, people often wait until a crisis to make legal decisions, which for some may be too late. While planning ahead for a person’s legal needs is ideal, it can be challenging to understand which legal documents are needed and where to begin. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the legal needs of aging and the importance of proactive planning.
Anyone working in healthcare today knows the importance of reducing hospital or rehabilitation facility readmissions. Older adults are at risk for readmissions if they lack proper support at home. The days following the transition back to the home can be crucial to keeping the older adult safe. However, older adults and their families may not be prepared for all that is involved in the person’s care as they adjust to their old environment. Listen to this episode to learn how support and help at home can be crucial to a successful transition and reduce the risk of readmission.
Interest in intimacy exists throughout the lifespan and should be supported in later life. This topic is often controversial and misunderstood in society and therefore, professionals and families can be reluctant to openly discuss. It is important to acknowledge that emotional and physical intimacy are forms of showing love and caring, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Listen to learn more about romantic relationships, sexual desires and intimacy needs of older adults. Also learn about how best to address common concerns such as sexual health, family dynamics and cognitive issues.
The topic of driving is often one that involves a lot of emotions. For many, driving equates to independence and the freedom to go when and where you want. As a person ages, it can be helpful to openly communicate about driving abilities and safety, rather than doing so due to a crisis such as a crash or a “close call.” Families often turn to professionals for guidance and insights on how to talk about driving and the best approach to taking away the keys. Listen to this podcast to learn about the importance of developing a plan to help older adults move out of the driver’s seat when necessary, while still remaining engaged with friends, family and community.
Spousal Caregiving

Spousal Caregiving

2023-08-1859:34

Among the tens of millions of family caregivers, about 12% of them are caring for an ill or disabled spouse or partner. Elements of caring for a spouse or partner differ from other types of caregiving relationships. On average, spousal caregivers provide more hours of caregiving, do more intense care-related tasks and do it all with less assistance compared to other types of caregivers. Professionals who understand the nuances of spousal caregiving can be better positioned to help these individuals.
Grief and Ambiguous Loss

Grief and Ambiguous Loss

2023-07-2801:00:23

Grief can take many forms and people tend to deal with grief in different ways. Grief is typically thought of in the context of the death of a friend or loved one. However, people can grieve in other ways such as the loss of independence or during a major life transition. Another form of grief called ambiguous loss, is loss without closure. This commonly occurs in those caring for a loved one living with dementia. They feel as if they are watching the person they once knew change or “slip away.” As professionals, we should be aware of the different types of grief and how this may affect the older adults and families with whom we work. Listen to this podcast to learn more about grief and ways to cope with ambiguous loss.
The highest healthcare spending years of our lives happen after age 65. While older adults are high-volume healthcare users, unfortunately, ageism is evident in healthcare practices today. Ageism can show up in subtle ways such as talking to an adult daughter instead of the older adult in the examination room, brushing off an older patient’s complaint as part of the normal aging process, or in more significant ways such as assuming a treatment plan based on a person’s age. Healthcare providers and other professionals in the healthcare system need to be aware of such ageist practices and how to avoid ageism in the care of their older patients.
Ageism is ingrained in our society and culture whether we like to admit it or not. The way older adults are referenced and depicted in the media, popular culture and even in the health and beauty industries helps to paint a picture that aging is something to dread and make light of. These depictions also help to reinforce negative mindsets and stereotypes about growing older. As professionals, we need to be aware of how ageism impacts our work with the older adults we serve and recognize opportunities to reinforce positive views of aging. This podcast addresses ageism and how everyone can make our society a better place to age.
While the most common form of dementia among all age groups is Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) is most common in those diagnosed before age 60 and can occur as early as age 21 and as late as age 80. FTD differs from other types of dementia in that memory loss is not a hallmark symptom. A group of related, heterogeneous disorders, initial symptoms bring progressive changes to personality, behavior, decision-making, communication or movement. In this podcast, the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration will present signs and symptoms of FTD, emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and person-centered care, and highlight research opportunities as well as support resources for those living with FTD and their care partners.
Untreated mental health disorders at any age can have negative impacts, but particularly for older adults, it can lead to social isolation, placement in long-term care facilities, and even suicide. There are also a variety of factors that can impact an older adults’ emotional health such as major life transitions and loss of independence. Professionals in the aging sector play a vital role in helping older clients and families to recognize signs that an individual is in need of mental and emotional health support. Such professionals also help connect them to resources for evaluation and appropriate treatments. Listen to this podcast to learn more about mental and emotional health in later years and how to best support someone with mental health needs and their caregivers.
As professionals in the aging services sector, it is important to recognize the ethical issues that could arise when working with older adults. There are multiple areas in which ethical issues can emerge, including complex family dynamics, addressing end-of-life wishes, preserving dignity and respect, promoting independence, and keeping the individual safe. Various factors can make older adults vulnerable to abuse, neglect and ill intent. However, there are ethical principles that can guide us, and by better understanding these ethical issues, we can help to reduce the risk of harm, advocate for the older adult, and report issues to the proper authorities when necessary. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the ethical considerations of working with older adults and the resources available to help support professionals and family caregivers.
The importance of proper nutrition for older adults cannot be understated. However, for some older adults, it can be hard to get motivated to cook nutritious meals, especially for those who live alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 28 percent (13.8 million) of community-dwelling older adults live alone, which could put them at risk for poor nutrition. Malnutrition can affect the mind, body, immune system and energy levels in ways older adults and family caregivers may not be aware of. Older adults who eat meals with others take in more nutrients and reap additional benefits like decreased loneliness. Listen to this podcast to learn how companionship is often the missing ingredient in a healthy diet for an older adult. 
Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of their older loved ones. Often these individuals gradually take on more care responsibilities over time and they become so focused on the daily tasks of caregiving, that they rarely have time to reflect on their role and how it has changed. For many, caregiving is a multi-year journey and one that can start to feel overwhelming. It is easy for caregivers to lose sight of their own needs and they can experience negative consequences as a result. Listen to this podcast to learn how regular reflection can help caregivers change their mindset and transform their caregiving experience.
Aging is a universal experience. Of those who reach age 65, 70 percent will require long-term care at some point. These services are often well-intentioned, but may fail to recognize the diversity of the population they serve. It is important for service providers to learn about the value of delivering culturally competent services to meet the needs of the diverse individuals that they serve. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the important components to consider when it comes to diversity and inclusion and hear from organizations who are making great strides in this arena.
Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is important for early detection and diagnosis. Family members often are the first to notice the signs, but may struggle on how to approach their loved one about scheduling an appointment with their doctor. Once they do broach the subject, they may be met with resistance or denial. If a diagnosis is received, the individual and their family may be at a loss for what do next and what to expect for their loved one’s care needs. As professionals, it is important to help older adults and their families navigate life after a dementia diagnosis by providing them with useful information and support. Listen to this podcast to learn more about what to do next after a dementia diagnosis, what changes to expect and how to best care for someone living with dementia.
Today, there are more options than ever before for older adults who need help living in their homes or for those who can no longer live alone safely. Gone are the days where an institutional-like nursing home was the only alternative. Family structures also have changed, with a smaller pool of family caregivers living in proximity to help their aging loved ones. The options for care can be overwhelming and confusing but with a little education, families can help their loved ones find a solution that best suits them and their situation. Listen to this podcast to discover the variety of options available to older adults in need of assistance, including resources for staying at home with help and alternative housing options.
The home care industry is rapidly growing, making home care work one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. According to PHI, between 2018 and 2028, home care will add nearly 1.1 million jobs, and according to the OECD, by 2040, 13.5 million new care workers will be needed globally. While this is a growing industry, there are challenges facing this workforce, which result in high turnover rates and other issues. Listen to this podcast to learn more about home care workforce issues and how companies are addressing them head on.
The brain is an important organ that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It is our body’s command center and as we age, we are at an increased risk for cognitive impairment. However, research is finding that there is much we can do proactively to keep our brain in shape as we age and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment later in life. Listen to learn more about proactive brain health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in different ways and it has brought to light many of the challenges our nation faces in supporting the aging population. Additionally, it has highlighted the value of care in the home. At a time when it was important to keep older adults out of the hospital setting, home care helped to meet the health and safety needs of many aging adults. Home care is finally being recognized as an extension of the care continuum and a value to the long-term care system. Learn more about the lessons learned during COVID-19 and how the growing demand for home care continues.
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