The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, or NAPGCM, is a member organization of professional geriatric care managers. A geriatric care manager is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. They are dedicated to promoting the advancement of dignified care for older adults.

The Southeast Chapter (SEGCM) was founded in 1986 with the goal of helping aging adults and their families obtain the assistance they need to maintain safety, dignity, and quality of life. Seniors must deal with myths related to aging, and care managers are able to overcome these myths to focus on the problem at hand. Care managers have extensive knowledge regarding the costs, quality, and availability of services in their communities.

If you are unsure whether a geriatric care manager could help your family, ask yourself these questions.
• Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming larger or more complex than you can comfortably manage?
• Are your other responsibilities so great that you are not able to provide the highest level of care and attention for your aging loved ones?

Care managers are advocates working for the best care possible for your aging loved ones. You can find local care managers by using the search tool at the NAPGCM website or at the SEGCM website. More information about the services offered by our certified care managers is available at our website, Marca Life Planning.

Take the right steps today, and help your aging loved ones realize their best lives.

No matter what our age we all want to remain mentally sharp and focused. We usually let our memory work without thinking about what we can do to improve it. Putting certain behaviors into action can keep your elderly parents alert, engaged, and happy for many years.

Aging experts recommend staying socially contacted as we age. Building and maintaining relationships while getting involved in community events will enrich a senior’s life and help memory. Make plans to pursue activities like wine tastings, traveling with friends, or volunteering for a cause. Many local colleges offer classes for adults that can allow seniors to continue learning. Having a pet can also add companionship and meaning to the life of your elderly parent.

The AARP compiled a list of memory enhancing tips for older adults. Suggest some of these great tips to your aging parents.

• Get organized by keeping calendars in every room. Calendars help create a mental picture of the day in your head.
• Listen to music. Music can lower stress hormones that inhibit memory.
• Read the news. The memory part of the brain is activated and can give you something to talk about with family and friends. Engaging in conversation can encourage cell growth.
• Join the grandchildren and play video games. Playing video brain teasers make you learn the computer’s interface. The brain gets a double boost of new neural connections along with response time and memory.
• Take an afternoon nap. The ability to concentrate and memory can increase after just 30 minutes.
• Check thyroid levels. The T4 and T3 thyroid hormones help nerve cells make connections. Not having enough of them can keep you from being clear-headed.
• Check medications. Older anti-depressants, anti-diuretics, and antihistamines can block a critical brain chemical from doing its job.
• Redecorate your environment. For those elderly parents who are aging in place, planting new flowers or redecorating a kitchen can alter motor pathways in the brain to encourage new cell growth.

Taking small steps to improve memory will allow your elderly parents to live more rewarding and happier lives. When they stay connected to friends and family, their world is enhanced and lasting memories result.

With Tax Day rapidly approaching, many children of aging parents will need to broach the subject of their parents’ money. Many seniors feel that money is a “private” matter that shouldn’t be discussed. When you first approach your parents, do it in a warm and friendly manner. Share your own thoughts about the future. This can allow for the conversation to progress naturally.

The biggest hurdle is opening the line of communication and gaining trust. It may take several attempts, so don’t get frustrated. When you’re ready to move forward, get organized. Finding important documents such as wills, bank statements, previous tax returns, and insurance policies will give you a complete picture of their finances. Organizations, such as AARP, provide free tools to assist in organization and money management.

Seniors can qualify for certain tax deductions. The IRS provides nearly 100 publications that contain information about specific situations. Call 800-TAX-FORM or download from IRS.gov for free copies of these publications. From February 1 to April 15, AARP Tax-Aide assists seniors and their families with tax preparation. Visit their website to search for a location near you.

The best advice is to be prepared, do your homework, and consult with a professional if needed. Helping your elderly parents with tax season can open the door for future discussions. Better money management can result and, in the event of an emergency, cause less turmoil.