January 27, 2012[10] www.kirklandreporter.com

Many families o� en ques-tion themselves about when is the right time to move a parent su� ering from demen-tia (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body, Frontal Lobe or other). � ere are many factors to take into consider-ation:

Reason No 1: I will wait until mom gets worse to make a move.

Many families hope their parents will never get worse, or wait from a direc-tive from their primary care physician or the hospital (if a crisis happened before). Here is a reason why waiting is not always the best scenario:

Yes, a move may a� ect

mom’s memory but it will allow her to enjoy the bene� ts of assisted living (compan-ionship, activities, brain stimulation, good nutrition,

nursing supervi-sion) while she still can. It will also make her transi-tion better if in the future she needs to move to the com-munity’s memory care because:

• Mom may now know the sta� and be less reluctant to receive care.

• Mom will have a structured routine that will minimize her fears. She will also have more of a feeling of companionship rather than abandonment.

• Mom will have by then some familiar faces and friends who will be transi-tioning with her.

• Most secured memory cares have a wait list and allow the community’s own residents placement before a new resident.

Reason No. 2: Mom wants to stay home.

If � nancially, your family is able to provide in-home care, this may be an option. However, six out of 10 people su� ering from dementia will wander out of their homes. What will happen if mom leaves the home in the middle of the night?

Providing yourself with peace of mind is as important as providing mom with the

best care. Home care can become

expensive (on average if you are paying for seven hours or more of in-home care, you could have mom in an as-sisted living with all the care provided and supervision 24/7), and it doesn’t provide the interaction and stimula-tion a retirement community could provide.

Short term stays are a great way for seniors to “try” a community and realize that in today’s era, a senior com-munity is more like a cruise ship rather than the old style nursing homes.

Reason No. 3: Mom can’t a� ord it.

� ere are several ways to pay for assisted living and memory care communities: was your parent in the mili-tary and may she/he qualify for a VA Aid and Attendance Bene� t of up to $1,600 per month? Does she/he have a Long Term Care Insurance? A few communities may also o� er to convert to Medicaid, but be careful when this promise is made.

Recently I heard a family was promised to convert to Medicaid if their mom did a private pay stay at their community for a minimum of two years. � e senior has been there over a year and now the community was sold to a di� erent ownership group who has no inten-tion to convert to Medicaid. Not only should this type of promise be in writing, but you must also investigate the stability of the group you are choosing to provide care for your loved one.

Sandra Cook is the mar-keting director for Aegis Lodge in Kirkland. Con-tact her at 425-814-2841.

To move or not to move a parent with dementia

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Your family and ours.

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Free kids dental sealant day

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Lake Washington’s Dental Hygienists’ Society is o� ering a free preventive dental program for children ages 6-13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

During the event, state-registered dental hygienists

and Lake Washington Insti-tute of Technology (LWIT) dental hygiene students will place dental sealants. Exams (provided by licensed dentists), bitewing x-rays, and � uoride varnish (a value of more than $300) will also be provided to children who would otherwise not receive this cavity-prevention treatment due to a lack of insurance.

Children whose teeth can-not be sealed due to decay may have their cavities � lled at a later date at the LWIT Dental Clinic at no charge.

Sealants are non-toxic

white coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to protect teeth from cavities. � e painless process can pro-tect children’s teeth for 6-8 years, and is typically done in less than an hour.

“We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to provide den-tal care to children in need,” said Danette Lindeman, RDH, BS and event chair at LWIT. “Everyone involved in this event is volunteer-ing their time – the dental professionals, students and even LWIT sta� – so we can help up to 150 kids get this valuable service.”

Space is limited. To reserve a place in LWIT’s Dental Sealant Day, please call the LWIT dental clinic at 425-739-8130.

LWIT’s Dental Clinic o� ers low-cost dental treat-ments to the general public. To see a list of procedures and costs, please visit the website at www.lwtech.edu/dentalclinic.

Friends of FSH annual gala

Friends of FSH Research in Kirkland is proud to have provided funding,

which helped to support in recent groundbreaking research.

Dr. Tapscott’s lab at the Fred Hutchinson Research Center in Seattle recently published their research � ndings in the journal of Developmental Cell entitled “DUX4 Activates Germline Genes, Retro-elements and Immune Mediators: Implication for Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy.” � eir ground-breaking discoveries are changing the outlook for those impacted by FSH Muscular Dystrophy, the

most common form of the dystrophies.

Friends of FSH Re-search, founded in 2004 by a Kirkland family, is a grassroots, all-volunteer run 501(c) (3) charity. Friends of FSH Research relies upon private donations and the funds generated from its annual charity gala.

� e 8th “FiSHing for a Cure” gala of the Friends will be held at the Bellevue Hyatt on Jan. 28. For more information visit www.fshfriends.org or contact 425-827-8954.

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