​Should I Consent to My Ward/Loved One Getting Vaccinated?
Keep in mind that you are obligated to consult your ward and apply the substituted judgment standard; that means making the decision based on their previously expressed wishes and values, not what you or their physician thinks is best for them. If your ward is capable of being involved in the decision-making process, then you must consult with them and give them a simple explanation regarding the risks and benefits. If you are not aware of your ward’s wishes regarding vaccines, you should consider their values and thoughts on medical intervention in general and weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination in light of your ward’s values and their personal situation.

Bob Michaels is extremely passionate about providing the best possible legal experience for his clients, and focuses his practice on elder law, estate planning, business, and real estate matters. Bob has been able to provide piece of mind and a solid foundation to many folks in the Puget Sound area over the years and wants to provide resources and relevant information whenever he can. For more information on how Bob can help your loved ones through these troubling times, contact Bob to schedule a FREE consultation.
 
Since the Covid-19 crisis began, nursing home residents have been separated from their families. Some families have gotten creative – visiting through windows, via Zoom, Facetime, and from parking lots. Although many have had no way to reach their loved one, and must rely on staff to give them updates.

Unfortunately, this isolation has increased depression and confusion in many residents, leading to heartbreaking scenes of seniors dying alone and families not finding out until after the fact, or families unable to enter their loved ones’ room during their final days.
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Nursing Home Recommendations

Even under normal circumstances, caregivers deal with guilt over their care for older loved ones. However, during the pandemic crisis, this guilt has become even more troubling with so many loved ones being hospitalized and isolated.

Elders who have been exposed to Covid-19 or are at a greater risk, are unable to see or spend time with loved ones, grandchildren, and friends. Elders who are trapped in other countries, quarantined areas, healthcare facilities, etc., are often unable to communicate with anyone. Not to mention communication has been being relegated to things like Facetime, Zoom or Skype, requiring internet connections, computers and cell phones.

Families Kept Apart by the Pandemic

At Tacoma Elder Care, your safety and security are one of our biggest priorities.

As part of our commitment to helping you through these challenging times, we want to share important information you may find interesting or relevant. This article, recently posted by Kaiser Health, brings attention to a silent crisis now occurring with elders in need of nursing care who are being turned away due to a shortage of beds and concerns surrounding the prospect of taking patients who may have coronavirus infections. 

Judith Graham, a writer for Kaiser Health, knows she’s at risk for developing dementia. Her father died of Alzheimer’s disease at age 72 and her sister was felled by frontotemporal dementia at 58. Additionally, she had two maternal uncles that had Alzheimer’s, and her maternal grandfather may have had vascular dementia. (In his generation, it was called senility.)

Which is why whenever she misplaces a pair of eyeglasses or can’t remember the name of a movie she saw, she thinks, “Now comes my turn with dementia.”

Here’s her story: