here:now was developed in partnership with Alzheimer’s Association of Western and Central Washington State Chapter and Elderwise, and is funded by the Frye Foundation

http://fryemuseum.org/program/here_now/

Reality-show-based-beliefs that people can diagnosis official, distinct disorders has lead to conversations, on average twice a week, with people who “are afraid they may be a hoarder”, or whose “mother/father/neighbor/husband IS a hoarder”.

The number of times Nickie and I hear “I am/mom is a hoarder” before we go on an initial visit is huge.  In reality (this real, unedited, not made-for-tv “reality”), these people typically have a few stacks of unfiled papers, dishes still in the sink from yesterday’s dinner, 2 baskets of unfolded laundry and the bed isn’t made.

Hoarding is a serious situation – for safety, hygiene and mental exhaustion.  Clutter can also be an obstacle, but every person with a few disorganized areas of their home or overzealous collections is absolutely NOT a hoarder.  Why do I care about this distinction?  Why do I care if people over-use a term that seems convenient shorthand?

For me this distinction is important because:
a)    proper support can be applied to remedy the situation ONLY if the true cause is identified.  Hoarding has several identifiable causes – situational, mental, the list goes on….but that will be our next blog discussion.

b)    our aging population is affected in several ways:

1.    Acceptance in to safe retirement living options – “hoarding” could be a reason to deny a potential resident due to fire hazard

2.    Their safety – do they truly need to be overseen due to unsafe hygiene or mobility in their living space (or do they just live on the “fuller” side than other people?)

3.    Their dignity – labels come with judgment, admit it.

4.    Various forms of dementia often include increased hoarding-type behaviors

The 3 main characteristics that mental health providers check for when assessing for hoarding are*:

a)    Acquisition of a large number of possessions that others would consider useless, along with an inability to discard them

b)    Having an overly cluttered home or living spaces — so cluttered that living spaces can’t be used as intended, such as not being able to sleep in your bed, take a bath in your tub, or prepare food in your kitchen

c)    Having significant distress over your hoarding or difficulty accomplishing your daily activities

Stay tuned for more on this discussion…

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/new-recruits-for-team-dad/#more-8199

Our good friend, Lynn Falwell, has this great quote: “What you really are is psychologists with boxes.” 

Listen to the interview here: Marketplace Money

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Shriver was the first director of the Peace Corps, led President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, and helped his wife, Eunice Kennedy, create the Special Olympics for mentally disabled children and adults.

In a statement, AFA’s president and CEO, Eric J. Hall, said, in part, “The public acknowledgement of his illness served and will continue to serve a significant purpose: shedding light on the disease and helping all of us advocate for more attention to be paid to its impact on American families and society.”

“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Shriver family and especially to Mr. Shriver’s daughter, journalist and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, who has courageously brought her father’s story and the story of so many other Americans with Alzheimer’s disease to the public eye. Her passion for the cause will serve as an ongoing tribute to her father.”

With prescription drugs now involved in most drug deaths in Washington, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is urging people to clean out their medicine cabinets and participate in this Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, when sites across the state will take unwanted prescription drugs for disposal.

Seattle Times article

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/health/2010/07/06/arts.4.alzheimers.cnn

Many of you are moving the next few weeks and months. 

Please do not try and save a couple hundred dollars and end up with a nightmare!  Call us first and we’ll let you know if you are in good hands for your move ~ or if you’ve gotten into a cross-your-fingers situation (which we can likely help you get out of. The sooner you call the better.).

The WA State Utility and Trade Commission recently completed investigations of the following illegal carriers:

•        Ace Movers

•        Affordable Moving

•        AM Express Delivery

•        Chris Bowen

•        Christian Brothers Moving Labor Systems

•        Fisher Moving

•        Five Star Movers

•        Inland Movers

•        Innovative Moving Company

•        Magnaghi Hauling Services

•        My Handyman Movers

•        Professional Relocating Services

•        Senior Move Management Northwest, Inc. d/b/a Caring Transitions

• Is the price significantly different than other bid?  There is a reason.  Less $$ per hour is no perk if they work slowly, damage something, or don’t even show up!
• Do they ask for a deposit?  Run, don’t walk away from them.  Seriously.
• Do you have personal references for them?  If not, keep asking friends.  It really is worth it to go with a known mover.

QUESTIONS?? Call or email us ~ we are glad to help keep your move safe!

From the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commision: 

Consumer Alert: Don’t make a move with an illegal company

Legally permitted companies are required to include their UTC permit number in their advertising. When looking to hire a company, check for a valid permit number with a prefix of THG or HG, such as HG-555555.

Customers who have scheduled moves with an unpermitted company should contact the UTC immediately to avoid finding their belongings trapped on a seized vehicle or held hostage by a deceptive company.

The commission offers tips and a consumer guide for a safe move at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/consumer/movingtips.

The UTC is the state agency in charge of enforcing consumer protection and safety regulations for more than 200 residential moving companies operating within the state. Movers are required to get a permit from the UTC, charge appropriate rates, carry proper insurance and keep their vehicles safely maintained. The commission does not regulate interstate moving companies.

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