Kira Reginato

Is your Mom living alone?

Are you wondering if she's taking her medication correctly, scheduling appointments, eating nutritious meals, and paying her bills?

Are you concerned that she is not taking care of her hygiene the way she used to but fearful of offending her or intruding on her privacy?

Kira can visit your mother and assess how she is doing. As a professional, she can tactfully broach subjects that family members are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with.

Kira can suggest resources to address needs she observes in addition to what mom wants. She can visit as often as you or your mom wants and monitor how she is doing, to avoid a crisis or hospitalization.

Does your Parent have Alzheimer's disease?

Do they want to stay at home but you believe they're at risk?

Do you feel guilty considering a move for your parent but don't know what else is available to help them remain safely at home?

Kira can assess the level of risk and help you decide if staying at home is feasible. If your parent can remain at home, Kira can explain what options exist to keep your them safe. Kira can also screen, arrange and monitor home care and coordinate outside socialization for your parent.

Disagreeing with a sibling about what help your Mom or Dad needs?

Does your brother think it's time for Dad to move to an assisted living facility, while you think he can stay at home?

How do you decide? Siblings often need professional advice to help make a decision like this.

Kira can provide that neutral, professional opinion that guides the family.

If a move is the best idea, Kira can assist with choosing the right senior housing facility or orchestrate the transition from one home to another.

If staying at home and "aging in place" is feasible, Kira can coordinate that process instead.

Are you an only child who has the primary responsibility of taking care of your elderly parent?

Kira can share that responsibility with you by meeting with you and/or your loved one, assessing his or her needs and putting appropriate resources into place right away.

Are you caring for an ill or frail spouse?

Do you feel run down and in need of assistance?

Does your spouse need physical care that is difficult for you to provide.

Perhaps you feel disappointed that you no longer have a "capable" spouse. All these feelings are normal.

Kira understands the burden caregiving for a spouse puts on you and the risks you face to your own health while caregiving. Let Kira put your life back into balance. She can visit you and your spouse to hear and see how things are going and offer practical solutions to lighten your load. She'll connect you with support and resources so you can continue to give care but not lose yourself.

Have you noticed your spouse has short-term memory loss? Is there already a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease?

Are you fearful of leaving him/her at home alone or has he/she wandered from home?

How do you know if she or he is at risk?

Symptoms of dementia include: Disorientation, confusion, repetitive questioning, frequent mood changes, suspiciousness, sleep disturbances, wandering, agitation, and hallucinations.

Kira can meet with you and your spouse and assess for memory loss and cognitive changes. If needed, Kira can refer your spouse for a comprehensive assessment with a neurologist or at a memory clinic. Kira can support you in your emotional state and she has many tools to help develop a plan of action and care.

Are you concerned about the future and your ability to manage your affairs?

Are you reluctant to discuss your worries or decline?

If you are like most adults, you have enjoyed an independent lifestyle that you wish to continue.

Kira can offer solutions to help you "age in place" and retain as much control as possible.

Kira can refer you to professionals who can help with transportation, home safety modifications, medication management, bill paying, bathing, preparing meals, social connection and whatever else you may need.

Are you thinking of moving but aren't sure what options exist that will meet your desires, needs and budget?

Kira can tailor the list of local senior housing options to your specifications. Then you can visit homes chosen just for you.

Kira can walk you through the myriad considerations for this life transition, even with help getting boxes packed for the move and then unpacked in your new home on move-in day.

Are you concerned that it might not be safe to drive anymore, but don't want to tell your kids?

Do you fear losing your license and the independence of driving?

Kira can arrange an evaluation prior to the driving test to set your mind at ease.

Kira can advise you about local transportation options.

Do you live away from your aging relative and have concerns about how she or he is doing?

Do you want to help but don't know how?

Do you feel somewhat guilty for not visiting and monitoring the situation frequently enough?

Kira can act as a liaison to you and your family, coordinating local resources such as home care, monitoring to make sure things are going well, and alerting you to potential problems.

She'll visit as often as needed to monitor how your loved one is doing and can be available to manage a crisis or hospitalization.

If you need a care manager outside of Northern California, visit www.caremanager.org to find a care manager affiliated with the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.