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By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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i have had to wear a neck brace [soft cervical collar] for over 30 years - and it will be a life-long accessory. i had 4 crushed nerve roots in my neck, required surgery, and now a multitude of cervical/spine related problems. Neck braces CHAFF! The 'sock' really is not soft, and it scrapes and chaffs: add humidity or hot weather, and watch out for the resulting heat rashes as well. My neck does not move, but the reason is to hold up my head, to try to reduce the horrific pain of muscle spasms. i am supposed to wear the brace 24/7 -- i cannot. Even though the brace is fitted by an ortho specialist [or ortho supply store] and has a 'chin dip' [to prevent forced neck flex] - and it is more comfy to eat with the brace on, because the chin dip permits the bottom jaw to move; BUT at night - of it goes: it jams up into my ear/and jaw - resulting in TMJ and wow the pain is worse than having no brace. Instead, i have 6 throw pillows of assorted sizes [from JoAnns Fabric store -- and i covered them myself with washable materials - easy sew]. One is a neck roll -- i took a towel and rolled it around the roll, used scrunchies and tied ribbon around each end [picture a Tootsie Roll] -- and these are placed in strategic points to keep my neck support while it gets a break from the neck brace. It also gives time for the brace to 'relax'. Be sure to wash to cover - the 'sock' of the neck brace every time the laundry is done. For that, you need a back up of about 3 or 4 socks [available at the med supply store - usually sold by the yard: just measure the brace and add about 3-4" for one brace - that way you can tuck the raw edges underneath and it looks better. i still use 3 regular bed pillows at night - to support my back, and two are situated like a V and my head is inside the V - while the throw pillows are pushed where needed [sometimes neck pain radiates down the arm, and my arms need the support -- or sometimes it adds to back pain, and i need them under my knees, to help the back spasms. Also ... can you mom use topical analgesics? One of my favorite is either from the Dollar Store [has an odor though] called Muscle Rub; BenGay is available unscented now; but MaxFreeze or BioFreeze is really great. Mom has L4 radiculopathy and loves it. IF your mom is ok with heat,
Thermacare for the neck is easy to apply [light adhesive at each end] and truly is like a portable heating pad -- but do NOT use it with ANY topical analgesic -- that warning is also on the label and on the box. It may make it more comfy - and since it is form fitting, might suit her at night.
But it truly does depend on the true reason she needs the brace. Is it to prevent movement? I'd be concerned about TMJ. Chaffing - i use baby powder, [talc] or Gold Bond -- sometimes i need to use generic Benadryl for itching - but if you wrap a pretty scarf or cotton cloth around the brace - it will minimize or take away the chaffing. The 'sock' that the brace comes with is ribbed - and it causes sweating/itching. So a cotton "tube" that the brace can slip into [assuming it is a velcro-connecting brace] will help tremendously. i used to wear a pin on my brace - all it did was bring attention to it, and people would comment on how nice it was to put a pin on the brace. So, if she's okay with comments like that, a pin of her choosing might work for daytime.
But in essence, it does boil down to the true/real reason she needs to wear it. Did she complain of pain? If so, what type - did it radiate down the arms? You'd need to ask her doctor -- [sometimes you need to assume they already know that you are the caretaker of your Mom's medical or personal needs] - don't let that HIPPAA scare you off of making the call. Just say " i am quite concerned because she's taking the brace off especially at night. Will that have an obverse effect on her health? i need to know because i'm responsible for dispensing her meds and her overall care. She doesn't seem to be able to explain to me why she needs it -- what is the severity of her condition?" If you are direct - you will get answers because they don't want to get in a tussle for withholding info that you need - you're not interfering, but trying to assist the doctor in implementing his instructions re her care and she's your mom - you want her to feel better, and NOT be in pain. If need be, later in the conversation, offer to stop by and sign whatever you need to so the doctor's office is protected... but you're not willing to put your mom's health at stake. How's that.... Blessings to you .....
Decorate it and make it pretty. They have stick on rhinestones at teenage accessory stores. Tell her that it will make her neck lovely if she wears it until the doctor says to take it off.
If there is a good friend or another family member that can advise her the benefits, it's temporary (if applicable) and the same information you probably have told her LOL (she must wear the brace) it will probably be more receptive.
My mom is 85 and when Dr Oz or her church friend says the same thing I have already advised she actually tells me. We make a joke out of I say NO really, but I thought someone told you and she just laughs she remembers only hate to admit it. That's her way of letting me know that I was right.
Wow. I feel your pain! So often persons with dementia don't remember the need for various devices and get very agitated. My mother could understand her catheter when we explained it to her, but a half an hour later she wondered what this weird tube is doing strapped to her leg, so she pulled it out. Repeatedly. Ouch! Some patients do this with a feeding tube.
And your mom takes off her neck brace. Sigh.
How long is she expected to need the brace? Talk to her doctor about the consequences of her not wearing it. Weigh the benefit of having it on for x weeks versus the agitation it causes her.
If discussions with the doctor convince you it is worth suffering through this struggle for the necessary period, are there ways to make it hard to remove? A velcro strap around it that opens in the back? Turtleneck sweaters over it? A pretty scarf tied in back? (Obviously I haven't dealt with a neck brace, but you get the idea, I hope.) We solved Mom's problem by having the aides always dress her in pants or pajama bottoms so the leg tube was always covered.
If this is very agitating for her and also it is temporary, ask the doctor if there is something she could be given to calm her down, just during the brace period.
Do come back and tell us how this goes. We learn from each other!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
"BUT at night - OFF [not of] it goes: it jams up into my ear/and jaw - resulting in TMJ and wow the pain is worse than having no brace.
Thermacare for the neck is easy to apply [light adhesive at each end] and truly is like a portable heating pad -- but do NOT use it with ANY topical analgesic -- that warning is also on the label and on the box. It may make it more comfy - and since it is form fitting, might suit her at night.
But it truly does depend on the true reason she needs the brace. Is it to prevent movement? I'd be concerned about TMJ. Chaffing - i use baby powder, [talc] or Gold Bond -- sometimes i need to use generic Benadryl for itching - but if you wrap a pretty scarf or cotton cloth around the brace - it will minimize or take away the chaffing. The 'sock' that the brace comes with is ribbed - and it causes sweating/itching. So a cotton "tube" that the brace can slip into [assuming it is a velcro-connecting brace] will help tremendously. i used to wear a pin on my brace - all it did was bring attention to it, and people would comment on how nice it was to put a pin on the brace. So, if she's okay with comments like that, a pin of her choosing might work for daytime.
But in essence, it does boil down to the true/real reason she needs to wear it. Did she complain of pain? If so, what type - did it radiate down the arms? You'd need to ask her doctor -- [sometimes you need to assume they already know that you are the caretaker of your Mom's medical or personal needs] - don't let that HIPPAA scare you off of making the call. Just say " i am quite concerned because she's taking the brace off especially at night. Will that have an obverse effect on her health? i need to know because i'm responsible for dispensing her meds and her overall care. She doesn't seem to be able to explain to me why she needs it -- what is the severity of her condition?" If you are direct - you will get answers because they don't want to get in a tussle for withholding info that you need - you're not interfering, but trying to assist the doctor in implementing his instructions re her care and she's your mom - you want her to feel better, and NOT be in pain. If need be, later in the conversation, offer to stop by and sign whatever you need to so the doctor's office is protected... but you're not willing to put your mom's health at stake. How's that....
Blessings to you .....
My mom is 85 and when Dr Oz or her church friend says the same thing I have already advised she actually tells me. We make a joke out of I say NO really, but I thought someone told you and she just laughs she remembers only hate to admit it. That's her way of letting me know that I was right.
Outsiders are the best choice.
And your mom takes off her neck brace. Sigh.
How long is she expected to need the brace? Talk to her doctor about the consequences of her not wearing it. Weigh the benefit of having it on for x weeks versus the agitation it causes her.
If discussions with the doctor convince you it is worth suffering through this struggle for the necessary period, are there ways to make it hard to remove? A velcro strap around it that opens in the back? Turtleneck sweaters over it? A pretty scarf tied in back? (Obviously I haven't dealt with a neck brace, but you get the idea, I hope.) We solved Mom's problem by having the aides always dress her in pants or pajama bottoms so the leg tube was always covered.
If this is very agitating for her and also it is temporary, ask the doctor if there is something she could be given to calm her down, just during the brace period.
Do come back and tell us how this goes. We learn from each other!