More about relationship based care for people with Alzheimer's disease.

We have long seen that music therapy and art therapy have an almost magical quality of drawing out elders who suffer with cognitive impairment. The aura effect for  care givers seeing people become more alert, smile and sing along or express joy at finishing a watercolor goes far beyond the few hours of therapy we are able to provide. The problem is that while medicare will pay for elders to take multiple sedating or behavior control medications, no insurance we have ever encountered will pay for the lifestyle enhancements that can reduce or eliminate the need for these medications.

Now the University of Milwaukee has launched a study of this phenomenon based on the work of Music and Memory a national music therapy provider. (The Oregonian October  27, 2014, Page D7)
Here's hoping that this study is able to documents what care givers, case managers, therapists and families have long observed; that cognitively enhancing therapies dramatically increase the quality of life and lower the need for medications for elders who are living in confined circumstances because of safety needs.

Enjoyed presenting a workshop to the National Adult Protective Services Association this past week. I had a fantastic group of about thirty dedicated professionals who chose to spend time with me. Their questions helped me clarify one of the core ideas behind Restoring Lives, all great care giving is relationship based. Once they know they are protected, the daily routines of frail elders are the heart of their life.

Care givers, nurses, protective service workers, social workers and guardians are all part of the care giving world. This world can seem frightening and uncertain to frail elders, especially those who have been ripped off.  Understanding and defending care giving boundaries is important. At times care givers take advantage of those they help. But equally important is helping people who need care form positive relationships with those helping them. This is the key to making the last phase of life a time of love and joy. To quote one of the characters in Restoring Lives, a man who lived bed bound in a loving and competent adult family home for two years after we helped him leave a meth house, "I'm the luckiest guy alive!"

I'm presenting a workshop based on Guardian: The Art of Restoring Lives at the National Adult Protective Services Association Conference in Portland Oregon October 29 and 30. The topic will be bridging the gap between Protective Services and the Healing Process. Looking forward to meeting with the attendees!

Spring update,
In my new gig as Editor just released the first issue of Oregon Guardian Connections, the Newsletter of the Guardian Conservator Association of Oregon. It had a nice picture of Star, our elder abuse rescue pup, that illustrated the story of how we saved her. The issue came together splendidly and I am looking forward to the next one and the ones after that. Guardian continues to meander its way into the world. The second printing just sold out but you can always order them at Powell's at the espresso book machine and I'll have the third printing in by the end of the week.

End of December Check in:
HOT NEW REVIEW!
Thanks to my now dozens and dozens of readers. The second edition will be coming out shortly after the new year. The best review yet came from Joanna Rose, Poet and Novelist (Little Miss Strange) who wrote me to say of Guardian: "It's amazing, I couldn't stop reading it, even when I really wanted to, which believe me, I often did. It alternately made me feel like changing careers (or) going across the street to the memory care facility to volunteer..... It reads like a thriller."

Thanks Joanna for the praise, I appreciate this is a tough topic, but as Joanna noted, the book is full of hope and sad stories that turn out well. We are all entitled to joy and hope no matter what our ages or circumstances, so thanks to my growing cadre of readers. You make me happy beyond words.

Report to Date, and more on how to order

I  launched Guardian: The Art of Restoring Lives at the National Guardian Association Conference Tampa last October. Thanks to all who attended my talk and crowded around for copies at the conclusion. You made my year. Since then I've had some lovely feedback from folks who have read the book.

Mark Nishi-Strattner, Director of the Multnomah County Public Guardian's office sent me a nice note saying "I'm enjoying the book and not just because I am a Guardian." 
Victoria Blachly, a prominent elder Law Attorney read the pre-publication manuscript and said "It's a page turner."

Guardian is without a doubt the most optimistic book about elder financial abuse ever written. The stories here all show some the most vulnerable people in the country facing completely dire circumstances and triumphing. None of this is unusual. Physical, emotional and spiritual revival are available to victimized elders. All of us who know and care for elders can make this happen.

 And even better is knowing how to prevent elders from becoming victims in the first place.

How to buy the book.  If you would like to order one directly from this site just use the Paypal Button.

The books can also be printed on demand at any Espresso Book Machine station. They are scattered across the country, including Powell's Main Store in Portland, and more are coming on line all the time

If you have problems with either method just send me an email at williamkburke@gmail.com

From the Foreword

Since 2001 I have been a professional guardian, a job that is equal parts medical protector and financial bodyguard. This book tells the story of my small part in the battle against one of the great crime waves of history -- the looting of the estates of elderly Americans. 

The statistics of elder financial abuse in America are staggering. The best estimates are that something like two point seven billion dollars a year are scammed from as many as a million victims. Financial abuse of the elderly is a quiet crime. Victims are isolated from their families and coaxed or coerced into assisting in their own downfall.  Bank accounts are transferred and deeds are executed by vulnerable elders who may not even understand what they are signing. 

Something awful happens to elders who are ripped off by corrupt caregivers, phony investment advisors or the sweet young gal they met in the produce department at Safeway or Kroger. They become depressed, stop eating, stop caring and turn away from this world. People who steal money from elders also steal lives, but those lives can be restored.

  
The stories here have been adapted from some of my first cases. I have changed the names and rearranged details and anecdotes to protect identities, but the stories are essentially true.