It's a small caregiving world

Have you ever felt like synchronicity was at work in your life? I found a little bit of synchronicity today. As I have mentioned in blogs past I spend 1 afternoon a week at the Center for Memory and Aging neurology practice in Poway, CA. My job there is geriatric care manager/ clinical social worker and I see the patients and their families after they receive a diagnosis. I help them cope with the news and provide community resources such as the new caregiver support group I am starting over at Sunshine Care Assisted living homes across the street. Well, anyway Adrienne from Sunshine Care came by and said, "Kathy you need to contact Melanie, the social worker next door at the Poway Health Care Center". SO I call Melanie and it turns out she is not only my neighbor for work but also lives in Scripps Ranch. She has been reading about the Scripps Ranch Elder Care Alliance for the past few months and even recommended another colleague to come to one of our meetings. I then shared with her the story of Fran the Age @ Home client (and my Scripps Ranch neighbor) I took care of for over a year. Fran had also been a resident of The Poway Health Care Center for a time. We now have an appointment to meet in person later this month. I will also tell her about the Center for memory and Aging and the good work being done right next door. It sure is turning out to be a small caregiving world.

Tax time and care management

I finally went to my tax guy today. I know, I know it is getting late and not much time left until that famous April 15 deadline. The good news is he praised me for being so organized and keeping sound records. The bad news is of course I owe, I owe, so off to work I go. As it turns out care management has proven to be somewhat recession proof. People continue to age. Older adults prefer to remain in their own homes, now more than ever. Top 5 reasons for aging @ home
1) Decreased home values discourages selling the 'family nest egg'
2) Moving to retirement community is costly when you add up all the monthly fees and services
3) National movement to bring services into communities: 'virtual assisted living' services
4) Independence equals living in your own home
5) Friends and family nearby

Funniest line yet: The tax guy said my job is like tax season for him, only year round.