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February 13, 2012
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Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
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Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Oct. 3, 2006
/ 11 Tishrei, 5767
No solution for Mom's care provider
By
Jan L. Warner & Jan Collins
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Q: Since my mother, now 71, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years ago, she has declined steadily. At first, my father was able to take care of her with part-time help from me, but as time passed, she became too much for him to handle. And when he suffered a stroke and then a fatal heart attack, Mom's care became my total responsibility. I am an only child.
With my husband's agreement, I stopped work and moved her in with us; but I soon found that I could not meet her needs, especially when she became aggressive and, on occasion, physically abusive to me and our teenage son. We never knew what was going to set her off, and it got to the point that the stress was causing problems in my marriage and with my son, who could not bring friends to our home. Even medication did not help.
So my husband and I decided to try to find a suitable place for her to stay, and have continued to strike out. This is why I am writing you. Even though Mom receives nearly $3,500 each month from Social Security and my father's pension, and has a home valued at $125,000 and investments of $85,000, she has been denied admission to two nursing homes and three residential care facilities. I have her power of attorney. I have learned that Medicare will pay nothing for her care. And even if she had no money, we are told that because she does not need "nursing care," Medicaid would not provide for her. It seems that people like her are slipping through the cracks. We as a family are having a very difficult time coping, and we know that she is miserable. With all we read about care for the elderly, why do we find ourselves in this situation, and what can we do?
A: Our healthcare system is not prepared to deal with the estimated 4 million or more Americans with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, let alone those who have become aggressive. And with estimates of nearly four times that number by 2050, the future does not look bright unless there is a paradigm shift in the way care is provided.
While nursing homes were designed to care primarily for people with chronic, long-term medical problems of the body, not the mind, some estimate that two-thirds of the residents in these facilities suffer from some form of dementia, and a large percentage of them are very challenging to care for. The more challenging the care, the less likely an individual will be admitted. And if admitted, the more likely the facility will discharge the disruptive individual for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is potential liability should another patient be attacked and hurt.
According to studies we have read, aggressive and violent behavior among Alzheimer's patients could be caused by a combination of paranoia, agitation and depression that sometimes come to the forefront as the disease cripples the mind and distorts one's view of events. For example, a person with Alzheimer's disease may believe he or she is being attacked, and act out accordingly, if someone comes into his or her room. While aggressive Alzheimer's patients are not willfully causing harm to others, their conduct is a challenge that many facilities are not willing to take on.
While there don't seem to be statistical studies that outline the extent of this problem, as the number of seniors grows and as medical technology results in longer lives for those with this illness, the trend is expected to get worse.
To be perfectly frank, we have not been able to find a solution for you. We ask that our readers provide us with any solutions that may be available, and we will be happy to print them in upcoming columns.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JAN L. WARNER received his A.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina and earned a Master of Legal Letters (L.L.M.) in Taxation from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a frequent lecturer at legal education and public information programs throughout the United States. His articles have been published in national and state legal publications. Jan Collins began co-authoring Flying SoloŽ in 1989. She has more than 27 years of experience as a journalist, writer, and editor. To comment or ask a question, please click here.
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