Firm News

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 5% of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease have younger-onset also known as early-onset. Many of these people are in their 40s and 50s. In the United States an estimate of approximately 200,000 people are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. To receive an accurate diagnosis at this age can be difficult.…

Did you know that the spoken word provides only 7% of any message communicated between two people? Expression and how one says the words account for 35% of any message communicated. Body language accounts for 58% of any message. This means that more than 90% of our messages are communicated non-verbally. Communication with a person who has Alzheimer’s Disease can…

According to a Geriatric Care Manager, there are certain things to be aware of when going home to visit Mom and Dad. Are the proper medications being taken from the medication dispenser? Are there grab bars in the bathroom by the stool and in the shower. Are the smoke alarms functioning properly? Are there throw rugs out and potentially a…

According to an article from the National Care Planning Council, April 2, 2019, “Dehydration, failure to consume adequate fluids to replace those that are lost, is a major problem for the elderly. About 10 percent of all hospitalizations are directly attributable to dehydration. Seniors are particularly susceptible to becoming dehydrated. It can even result in death if severe enough.” As…

Jolene Brackey tells a story that helps us learn some ways to better approach a person living with Dementia. The book, “Creating Moments of Joy “is a story reminding us to be more like the sun: “There was a sun and a cloud in the sky, and they were fighting over who was the most powerful and the strongest. There…

So many times in our lives we experience many forms of loss which then can often become some form of grief: moving away from home, children growing up and leaving home, loss of a job, loss of friendships, the death of a loved one, loss of what was and never will be again All of these losses cause grief and…

There’s a growing number of retirees and elderly in the Park Rapids area, and with that, a need for services. Along with providing legal services, Thomason, Swanson & Zahn of Park Rapids now offers something new in geriatric care management. Geriatric care management includes an initial assessment by Geriatric Care Manager Laurel Hed, a licensed social worker. From there she…

According to a New York Times article written by Jane E. Brody, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older people. Every 19 minutes in this country, an older person dies from a fall.” In our part of the country we spend many months dealing with ice and snow. That alone is causing more slips and…

This time of year is usually joyful and filled with expectations. Holidays can also be stressful for both caregivers and those living with dementia. Both caregivers and those living with dementia will often feel a sense of loss of what was and never will be again. Since the caregivers have the ‘healthy brain’ it is up to them to make…