In this episode, Darlene Mann, a LivHOME Care Manager in Southern California, discusses the issue of advance directives. She addresses a number of topics including the difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney, what caregivers and care managers can do to assure that advance directives are in place and accurately reflect the senior’s wishes, and tips on raising the issue of advance directives with seniors.

In this episode, Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, speaks to the important topic of protecting vulnerable seniors. He breaks down the vulnerabilities likely to strike seniors into four specific areas: physical, emotional, financial and cognitive. Importantly, Steve addresses these from the point of view of protecting seniors before their vulnerabilities lead to serious problems.

In this episode, Mary Beth Hardy, LivHOME’s Midwest Regional Director, discusses a number of issues related to sexual activity among seniors. The topics Mary Beth addresses include: the relatively high incidence of sexually transmitted disease among seniors; how the lack of both privacy and mobility can impact seniors who are sexually active; tips for adult children and caregivers in dealing with sexually active seniors; and the importance of being an advocate for seniors in this area.

In this episode, Rob Pohls, an attorney who works with long term care insurance companies, explains the ins and outs of this type of insurance. He addresses topics including: at what age someone might consider a long term care policy; understanding the different types of coverage – for example, not all policies cover at-home care; and tips for anyone looking to take out long term care coverage.

In this episode, Steve Barlam, MSW, LCSW, CMC, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, presents a number of holiday gift ideas that focus on things family members can do rather than items that must be purchased. Technology enabling gifts such as setting up a computer or combining multiple TV remotes into a single unit can both improve a senior’s quality of life and bring families closer together during the holidays.

In conjunction with Healthy Aging Month, the Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME has released Episode 16 -- Nutrition for Seniors. In the new episode, Mary Beth Hardy, LivHOME's Midwest Regional Director, discusses the importance of good nutrition and how caregivers can help their senior clients achieve it.

As Independence Day approaches, Steve Barlam, MSW, LCSW, CMC, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, discusses the idea of independence as an aspiration for seniors. He explains just what seniors mean when they say they want their independence, and points out that what they actually need is interdependence. Steve offers advice for family members seeking to introduce this idea and explains that there is a lesson in this for all who serve as caregivers and friends to seniors.

In this episode, Dr. Douglas Galasko, Director of the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego, discusses advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Galasko also provides advice for caregivers, including where to get more information about the disease and how find out about clinical trials for new Alzheimer's treatments.

Rick Alphonso, President and CEO of The Financial Advisory Group in Houston, discusses the financial considerations surrounding paying for care in difficult economic times. Topics include the impact of declining yields on seniors' ability to finance their ongoing needs, advice for trying to get by with less money in today's environment, and the importance of a financial plan that takes ongoing care needs into account.

In this episode, Steve Barlam, LivHOME's Chief Professional Officer, discusses programs and approaches to help seniors and their families pay for care during today's challenging times. Topics include programs such as Medicare Part D, Medicaid and special benefits for Veterans, getting information and guidance for navigating these programs, and how to make sure you are utilizing the right amount of care.

In this episode, Bunni Dybnis, LivHOME's Director of Professional Services in Los Angeles discusses the Holiday Blues, which can strike seniors in particular at this time of year. She addresses topics including what to watch for to identify the Holiday Blues, how to reinvent the holidays to address this issue and places caregivers can turn for help. Bunni has also provided a sheet of practical tips for reinventing the holidays, which you can view by clicking here.

Mary Beth Hardy, LivHOME's Regional Director, Central Region, in this episode discusses the practice of Brain Aerobics and the great value it can have for seniors. She explains how caregivers can help work Brain Aerobics into a senior's everyday life and how it can be beneficial in addressing the decline in brain function that often comes with age. She provides interesting, real-life examples of Brain Aerobics activities seniors and their caregivers have developed and used.

In this episode, Kirsten Goulde, Vice President of Human Resources at LivHOME, discusses the different types of caregiving providers available to seniors. She addresses the differences between large providers, smaller caregiving companies, and individuals who work as caregivers; a "must have" list of priorities when selecting a caregiver; and resources for finding additional information on selecting and employing caregivers.

Stuart Zimring, an elder law attorney based in California, discusses in this episode just what elder law is and what types of issues elder law attorneys can address on behalf of seniors. He explores topics such as the documents a senior needs to have in place, what Medicare does and does not cover in terms of paying for care, and how to find a good elder law attorney.

In this episode, Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, discusses how seniors and their families should tackle the very sensitive topic of planning for the future care needs of the senior. He deals with issues including the "right time" to have such a conversation, the necessity of considering lifestyle issues as part of the care-planning process, and where to turn for financial and legal advice.

Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, in this episode discusses how seniors and their families should handle the very beginning of the caregiving relationship. He discusses important topics such as preparations the senior and his or her family should make ahead of time, readying the home for the caregiver's very first visit, and how one should expect the caregiving relationship to develop over time.

Sharon Rosenfield, a Care Manager for LivHOME in Los Angeles, discusses the challenges of providing care to senior family members who live at a distance from their grown children. She deals with issues including the importance of noticing the little things, making the experience less lonely for the senior, and the roles a long-distance caregiver must play in emergencies.

In this first episode of 2008, Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, provides valuable advice for those who care for seniors suffering from dementia. He describes common mistakes, ways to identify the causes and precursors to challenging behavior, and the importance of reducing anxiety among dementia sufferers.

Preparing for Emergencies features a discussion of LivHOME's experiences caring for seniors during the recent San Diego fires. It focuses on the importance of advance preparation, essential steps in the planning process, the value of communication tools, and ways to ease seniors' fears during emergency events.

Thinking Ahead for the Holidays discusses gift giving, lodging, creating memories and the value of acknowledging caregivers. Steve Barlam, LivHOME's chief professional officer and a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of geriatric care management experience, also offers suggestions about how adult children can use holiday visits to assess the emotional and physical condition of their senior loved ones.

Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, discusses the steps adult children can take to help their parents truly enjoy their senior years. Topics include the importance of effective communication, planning successful events, items children can purchase to make everyday tasks easier and more pleasant, and the great value that can come from the simple things.