INDUSTRY NEWS
Video Chatting with Grandma
Study finds video chatting is the best technology to prevent loneliness in seniors reports US News and World Report.
Study says Tai Chi most effect exercise to combat dementia.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies on tai chi and cognition determined tai chi appears to improve executive function without any cognitive decline, reports Newsmax.
2018 INALA Award Winners
Check out this year’s winners!
INALA Conversations: Dementia and Guns – Part Two
If an individual’s dementia has progressed to the point that conversation is not possible due to the disease or lack of judgment, than it is important that family members take action to safeguard the individual and others in the home.
In this situation, here are some tips for dealing with firearms in the home:
The best option is removal of firearms before there is a major safety concern. But if that cannot happen then consider:
- Store all guns separately from ammunition in a secured and locked case or firearm vault.
- Remove ammunition from the house.
- Do not allow the person with disease to have unsupervised access.
- If guns are in the home, other adults in the home should make it a priority to learn proper and safe handling of the guns.
- Consider having an adult child, neighbor or friend “borrow” or “store” the guns permanently. Make sure you follow the laws on how to legally transfer gun ownership.
- Have the guns leave the house for “professional cleaning.”
- Have a professional disable the guns. This could still present risk if law enforcement ever becomes involved. They must act with the belief a gun is operational.
- Go through a licensed firearms dealer if the guns are to be sold.
- If you want law enforcement to destroy the guns and ammunition, call first and find out what is required. Do not simply walk into the station carrying the guns you want destroyed. They may want to see a statement of diagnosis from a physician and they can give you instructions on how to bring in the guns or whether they will send someone to collect the guns.
- Indiana has a “red flag” law which allows immediate and temporary seizure of weapons from a person who poses a threat to themselves or others. Contact law enforcement anytime you think there is an imminent threat.
With appreciation to the California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for most of these tips!
Resources:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/should-seniors-be-allowed-to-keep-guns-169994.htm
https://www.seniorhomes.com/w/guns-in-senior-living-communities/
INALA Conversations: Dementia and Guns
The best time to have a conversation about firearms in the house is BEFORE there is a major safety concern!
For an individual living with dementia, gun ownership may represent security, pride in a skill gained and honed over time, treasured memories of a lifetime of gun ownership and a mark of responsible adulthood.
As dementia progresses the individual affected will experience a decline in judgment skills, memory, perception and reasoning. The individual’s ability to act safely may be impaired in a variety of situations like driving, using power tools or cooking. Just as difficult conversations may have to occur around these activities, similar conversations should happen around guns.
These can be highly emotional discussions and decisions. To get you started, you should know:
- As dementia progresses, information and training in safe gun handling skills may fade.
- Some people with dementia experience changes in personality and emotions.
- Dementia affects the ability to control emotion and emotional outbursts can occur.
- People with dementia may mistake someone they know for someone else, like an intruder.
- Depression is common in those with dementia and can increase the risk of suicide if there is access to a means, like a firearm.
- In later stages of dementia, people may suffer from delusions and hallucinations, some of which can be paranoid, persecutory or hostile.
You and the person experiencing dementia can come up with a plan as to how guns should be handled as the disease progresses. You might discuss a “firearms retirement or early inheritance date.” Or the person experiencing dementia might designate someone they trust to have the authority to take away their guns when the time comes.
Whatever you and your loved one chooses to do, as the disease progresses, continual reassessment of safety issues will be needed. If dementia is creating risk, neglecting to address gun safety could result in tragedy.
Resource:
https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20140721/guns-dementia#1
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.