An August JAMA study "Long-term Care Placement of Dementia Patients and Caregiver Health and Well-being" conducted by Richard Schulz of the University of Pittsburgh showed that caregivers felt depression rather than relief when placing a loved one in a long-term care facility. Professor Schulz was quoted as saying this about caregivers: "They could probably benefit from increased knowledge and understanding of how long-term care facilities operate and what their role might be."
 

A Huntersville, N.C. healthcare professional and senior advocate, Anthony Cirillo, CHE, ABC, helps caregivers increase their understanding of long-term care through his recently written book entitled "Who Moved My Dentures?" In it, he raises 13 different misperceptions that most people have about long-term care and then dispels those perceptions with real stories of people he has met as an entertainer specializing in the older adult population.

The book guides the reader through the prevalent misperceptions about long-term care as sad, gloomy facilities where you go to die through to the reality. These residences are full of many active adults who are living another chapter in their lives. The message in the book is that while a nursing facility (or assisted living facility) may be the last place that you go to live, the emphasis is on living. Through his role as both a healthcare professional and an entertainer he sees all the good that takes place.

"My goal is to educate boomers and caregivers early on so that there is less fear about these places. I also want to increase the respect and dignity of our older adults who have so much to offer and so much to say. Who Moved My Dentures? is perfect for boomers and what I call emerging caregivers in that you can learn about these places in a non-threatening way through a book that is full of the heart and soul of the seniors who live there," said Cirillo.

Some of the misperceptions include: Perception: Long-term care facilities are places you go to die. Reality: Long-term care facilities are places you go to live. 21 percent of residents live in a facility for five years or more. These places truly become home. These numbers will grow with the aging of the population. Almost 30 percent of people recover and are discharged to home. Another 44 percent are discharged to other care settings. Perception: Older adults do not have the resiliency to adapt to long-term care living and changes of circumstance. They will be lonely and have no friends. Reality: Long-term care facilities provide an environment that contributes to resiliency and a better quality of life. They provide endless opportunities to make new friends and customized activities programs to meet individual interests. Longevity research is showing that adults with psychological resiliency age more slowly, live longer, and enjoy better health. That resiliency can be developed and increased through a program that facilitates self-managed learning, individuation, and the actualization of inborn abilities. Long-term care facilities, through the breadth and diversity of the activities they offer, foster these very things.

The book is not just a "how to". A misperception is raised at the beginning of a chapter and then dispelled through a real human interest story of someone the author has met in his travels. There is a glossary in the back of the book as well as tips for choosing facilities and web resources. How the industry is financed and policed is covered including information on long-term care insurance. The foreword of the book was written by Dr. Charles Roadman, past president of the American Healthcare Association.

"The majority of people who should be in long-term care facilities are not and they are being cared for by family members who may be unequipped for the responsibility. Continuing care, assisted living, and nursing facilities are viable places to live. Yet people have so much fear and misunderstanding that it prevents them from considering these places," he said.

Consider: 77-million baby boomers are marching toward retirement. Nearly one out of every four households (23% or 22.4 million households) is involved in care giving to person’s aged 50 or over. Most people - nearly 79% - who need long-term care live at home or in community settings, not in facilities. Two-thirds depend on family and friends as their only source of help. At least half a million older persons in domestic settings are abused and for every one, five go unreported. In almost 90 percent of the elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member, two-thirds being adult children or spouses.

Mr. Cirillo stumbled on to entertaining for seniors through his work as a healthcare marketing executive. "I found that I not only enjoyed it but also made a profound difference in the lives of those I entertained. This has become part of my life’s calling." An unlikely advocate for the industry, Cirillo saw a need for the book and co-published it using his own funds.

He says there is much we can learn from the people he entertains in long-term care.

Stay active. Long-term care residents who lead quality lives do. Realize that your problems are few if you have your health. You would be amazed at the spirit and vitality of older people who find ways to thrive despite physical and mental impairments. Never stop learning and stimulating your mind. Socialize and take the time for friendships. Volunteer in a long-term care facility and see the story first-hand. Prepare now financially and mentally for your older years. More at www.anthonyssong.com
 
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