Delirium is a temporary condition that often happens to older people when they are ill. It causes the person to be confused, and usually has a rapid onset, within hours or a few days. People recovering from surgery or an illness in hospital or a long-term care facility, are particularly at risk. If delirium occurs in the hospital, it often goes undiagnosed, or medical notes will simply refer to the person as being “confused.” Delirium is reversible but can be very dangerous if it goes untreated, and can result in death. Delirium may be mistaken for dementia by healthcare professionals, but dementia and delirium are very different conditions. Dementia tends to be more progressive with symptom

Working with doctors and other healthcare professionals can be an important part of being a caregiver. If you go with the person you care for to see his or her doctor, here are a few tips that will help you be an ally and an advocate: Bring a list of questions, starting with what is most important to you and the person, and take notes on what the doctor recommends. Ask the person in advance how you can be most helpful during the visit. Both the questions and the notes you write down can be helpful later, either to give information to another caregiver or family member, or to remind the patient what the doctor said. Before the appointment, ask the person and the other caregivers if they have

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in older adults. Unfortunately, many UTIs are missed or undiagnosed because the symptoms may be different for an older person than when a young person gets a UTI. Common symptoms of a UTI for a young person include burning pain, itching and frequent urination. Instead of presenting with classic symptoms, seniors are more likely to present with nonspecific symptoms such as confusion, agitation, decreased appetite, or a decline in cognitive function. It is easy to assume that these are just signs of old age or dementia. If you notice that your loved one seems more confused than normal, ask your doctor for a blood test to rule out a urinary tract infect

Attorney Kim Kimbrough explains how he helps families face the facts about an elderly loved one's long-term care situation.

During his January 8, 2018 appearance on WDUN's Morning Show, Kim Kimbrough talked to Bill and Joel about the importance of a financial Power of Attorney, why everybody should have one, and what can happen if you don't. LISTEN TO THE SEGMENT HERE. Other segments from the show are also available for listening. Check them out! Advance Medical Directives (1-16-18) Kim's Story (12-19-17) Trusts - The Basics (11-21-17) More on Trusts (11-27-17) Kim Kimbrough appears weekly on WDUN's Morning News with Bill and Joel to answer questions about estate planning, elder law, long-term care planning, and more. Tune in on AM 550 or FM 102.9, or listen live at www.WDUN.com. L

Mom thinks your stealing her money. Dad wants to bolt the front door shut at night, so the strangers don’t come in. Are these thoughts a normal part of aging or is there something else going on? Why is your parent being irrational? Should you just shrug it off and let it go, or be concerned? First, it is important to confirm whether your parent has a valid concern for being suspicious before you dismiss it as just being ‘crazy thoughts.’ Many seniors do, in fact, get taken advantage of and are victims of fraudulent activity. Make sure that no one is entering the home that shouldn’t be there, and that there is no theft taking place. Once you confirm that your loved one is safe within their ho

You love the person you care for and would do anything for them. You shower them with kindness and compassion for the struggles that they face every day. You are eager to provide them the best quality of life possible, and will do so regardless of what it takes. You want to ease their pain or suffering. Does this sound like you? Can you relate to any of these statements as a caregiver of a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling or best friend? Now think about yourself. Are you as kind and gentle with yourself as you are with the person you care for? Do you have compassion for yourself and the situation that you find yourself in? Or do you judge yourself harshly, have a strong inner critic, and

Hoarding, hiding, collecting or shredding are common behaviors among people who are living with dementia. These behaviors, like many others, can be very distressing, frustrating or upsetting to family members and caregivers. To gain some perspective and change your attitude, ask yourself: Is this behavior risky? Is it dangerous? Is it a problem? Is it really a problem? Is it a problem to anyone else? Do I just not like it? What will happen if I let it go on? In other words, are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Chances are you do not like the behavior because it represents a change in the person. They are different than they used to be before they developed dementia. It can be diffi