Peggy Papert, Author at Elder Care Consultants of Texas

Dementia symptoms strike almost immediate fear in patients and their caregivers alike. But not all dementia symptoms are incurable.  Here are some practical steps to take when the symptoms appear before you or the patient pursue a course of action. The first step is a review of all medications which the patient is taking because many medications have unpleasant mental side effects.  This is a real possibility in older persons especially if they are taking multiple medications.  You should consult not only the patient’s primary physician but also a psychiatrist or neurologist along with a pharmacist who has particular expertise…

End of life discussions are never easy.  But, the best way to avoid uncertainty and family disputes about what a person wants or does not want to happen after he or she becomes terminally ill or has passed away is to give your loved ones a letter of instruction or what I call the “roadmap” as soon as you can. Some people do not want their loved ones to endure the heartbreak and cost of a terminal illness, like dementia.  Although a medical power of attorney should be in place long before the onset of serious illness, the “roadmap” can…

Having your valuable personal information stolen and used by thieves to commit various forms of fraud like opening checking, savings and credit card accounts without your having the slightest notion that these activities are going on would have been relatively uncommon in years past.  Today, it seems like it is an everyday occurrence. Recently, a friend, who is careful with his personal information, had his information stolen, and I thought it would be helpful to tell you what he did to recover from this terrible crime.  After being notified by a bank with whom he had no relationship that someone…

Most people think of life insurance as payment of a cash benefit to their heirs after they pass away, a way to pay funeral expenses or an estate planning device.  However, life insurance can also be a source of money before death to cover health expenses, home health care, home maintenance or any other important expense for you or an elderly parent.  Here are several ways a life insurance policy might provide an elder care solution for needed cash without getting a bank loan. If you have permanent life insurance, you may be able to obtain a loan against the…

Yes, you can find persons in the Dallas area who can assist you in caring for your elderly parents or other loved ones, but there are very few who have the many years of education and experience and offer the range of elder care services which Elder Care Consultants of Texas provides. Our social worker/gerontological specialist, Peggy Papert, has over thirty-two years of experience in the Dallas area which includes working with families and loved ones to find elder care solutions in all stages of life including end of life arrangements.  She is a third generation Dallasite who graduated from…

YouTube is an incredible resource for a plethora of subjects from A-Z with some more helpful than others. Take the time to view this one for a succinct and accurate explanation about what happens to a person’s brain who is living with Alzheimer’s Disease.                                                                                                                …

If you’re 62 years or older and want money to pay off your home mortgage, have more cash on hand or want to pay for healthcare expenses, you might want to consider a reverse mortgage.  However, before doing so, one must consult with your financial expert, accountant, and lawyer.  A reverse mortgage can be complicated and might not be right for you. Reverse mortgages take part of the equity in your home and convert it into payments to you.  Generally, you don’t have to pay back the money for as long as you live in your home.  When the last…

Whether it’s coverage for end-of-life counseling or an experimental payment scheme for common surgeries, Medicare in 2016 is undergoing some of the biggest changes in its 50 years. Grandma’s Medicare usually just paid the bills as they came in. Today, the nation’s flagship health-care program is seeking better ways to balance cost, quality and access. The effort could redefine the doctor-patient relationship, or it could end up a muddle of well-intentioned but unworkable government regulations. The changes have been building slowly, veiled in a fog of acronyms and bureaucratic jargon. So far, the 2016 change getting the most attention is…

Today’s baby boomers are growing older gracefully. And although more than 10,000 boomers each day will turn 65, most are not letting their age stop them from maintaining active and healthy lifestyles. Here are a few ways to ensure that you (or the ones you love) stay healthy, active and safe: Maintain regular health screenings and immunizations While it is important to have regular check-ups with your family doctor, it’s equally important to monitor vitals more frequently. Luckily, most local pharmacies offer free blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as seasonal flu shots. Fight against falls Falls are the most…

  What if Mom or Dad won’t give up the car keys? Has your elderly loved one had a fender bender or worse as their first car wreck ever? Has your parent gotten lost in previously familiar neighborhoods? Has it repeatedly been difficult for Mom to find her car in the parking lot? Consider the following people, agents and tips to assist with this challenging situation: * First try talking to your elder loved one and hope they will voluntarily give the keys up themselves. Let them know you are concerned about them, their safety and the safety of others….