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Ellen Knapp

MA, LPC, ALCA – Licensed Therapist, Certified Care Manager

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Frailty and Dementia

February 26, 2013 By Ellen Knapp

Frail older people:

The frail state is one where vitality is low or lacking altogether, and a person has less strength and resilience to withstand physical and emotional stress. Frailty renders a person vulnerable to illness and injury.

Older people with memory loss and confusion:

Working with elders who are living with various degrees of dementia (including Alzheimer’s) is an area of my work that I especially appreciate. I find I have a temperament and the skills most needed for working with memory loss and confusion. Dementia is a condition that is often misunderstood.  Dementia: irreversible memory loss and confusion, caused by strokes, Alzheimer’s  type plaques and tangles in the brain, Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative conditions of the brain and nervous system.

Dementia can be considered mild, moderate or severe according to the following criteria –

Mild – an experience or even can be remembered but without its details and nuances: questions and storeis are repeated: there is a pull towards social withdrawal and isolation.

Moderate dementia – longer term memory is accessible but short term memory is very impaired; personal care can be accomplished but it frequently requires prompting and some assistance.

I often work with older people who are more alone in their lives. There are increasing numbers of older people who do not live near family, who have outlived many friends or who find themselves alone much of the time, even if living in a facility. And some have families that may live in the area but are very busy. The elder may still be able to manage their day but without someone to really talk to and be listened to with plenty of time, the possibility of losing their mental and physical abilities increases Also tracking their medical needs becomes more serious.

Severe dementia – personal care requires close assistance; ability to reason and understand information is seriously impaired.

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What people are saying about Ellen . . .

I shall always be grateful to Ellen for creating such a caring place and looking upon my mother not simply as a patient, but as a valuable person and friend.

— Gail Hageman
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T21:23:46+00:00
I shall always be grateful to Ellen for creating such a caring place and looking upon my mother not simply as a patient, but as a valuable person and friend. — Gail Hageman
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/641
Ellen is a remarkable person who is talented and motivated in her life and work. ... most impressive is Ellen’s drive to elevate the quality of her life and those around her through practical measures as well as the application of new ideas and philosophies.

— Robin Kay
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T21:24:23+00:00
Ellen is a remarkable person who is talented and motivated in her life and work. ... most impressive is Ellen’s drive to elevate the quality of her life and those around her through practical measures as well as the application of new ideas and philosophies. — Robin Kay
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/ellen-is-a-remarkable-person
Under Ellen’s leadership Aunt Evelyn received excellent, respectful care.

– Senator Jeanne Nicholson
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T21:24:46+00:00
Under Ellen’s leadership Aunt Evelyn received excellent, respectful care. – Senator Jeanne Nicholson
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/aunt-ellen-received-excellent-respectful-care
Ellen taught me so much about not only the compassionate care of the long lived, but the beauty and wisdom we miss when, as a culture we don’t embrace this stage of life.

– Mani Powers
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T21:25:07+00:00
Ellen taught me so much about not only the compassionate care of the long lived, but the beauty and wisdom we miss when, as a culture we don’t embrace this stage of life. – Mani Powers
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/ellen-taught-me-so-much
Ellen Knapp is one of the kindest and gentlest people I’ve ever met. She dealt with the residents in an unfailingly respectful, compassionate, skilled and loving way.

– Martha Johnson
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T21:25:27+00:00
Ellen Knapp is one of the kindest and gentlest people I’ve ever met. She dealt with the residents in an unfailingly respectful, compassionate, skilled and loving way. – Martha Johnson
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/ellen-knapp-is-one-of-the-kindest-and-gentlest-people
Ellen truly delights in what makes our mom special. She sees and celebrates her sensibility and wit. This genuine interest sparks Mom to the core, while Ellen attends astutely to more practical matters. ... We’re so thrilled to see Mom flourish again as an artist, and so very glad to have Ellen in our lives.

 
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T22:00:28+00:00
Ellen truly delights in what makes our mom special. She sees and celebrates her sensibility and wit. This genuine interest sparks Mom to the core, while Ellen attends astutely to more practical matters. ... We’re so thrilled to see Mom flourish again as an artist, and so very glad to have Ellen in our lives.  
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/ellen-truly-delights-in-what-makes-our-mom-special
Ellen was the perfect person to help me with my aging-parents struggle. She has a gentle, soothing demeanor, but she is very wise and qualified. She really cared that I got better and stronger. She helped me process the truth and see the boundaries I needed to not be the victim.

Thank you Ellen. I don’t think I could have done it without you!

– Sheila
Ellen Knapp
2020-06-19T22:05:07+00:00
Ellen was the perfect person to help me with my aging-parents struggle. She has a gentle, soothing demeanor, but she is very wise and qualified. She really cared that I got better and stronger. She helped me process the truth and see the boundaries I needed to not be the victim. Thank you Ellen. I don’t think I could have done it without you! – Sheila
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/ellen-was-the-perfect-person-to-help-me
Ellen is a truly warm, compassionate person, with a wealth of experience working with older people in a variety of ways.  She is a great resource, and can provide information on how to find, for example, appropriate housing or legal advice for seniors.  She is a wonderful listener and her special concern for seniors and her gift of insight into their particular issues makes her especially qualified to help and advise both seniors themselves and their caregivers.

— Beth Shaw
Ellen Knapp
2021-04-27T16:36:26+00:00
Ellen is a truly warm, compassionate person, with a wealth of experience working with older people in a variety of ways.  She is a great resource, and can provide information on how to find, for example, appropriate housing or legal advice for seniors.  She is a wonderful listener and her special concern for seniors and her gift of insight into their particular issues makes her especially qualified to help and advise both seniors themselves and their caregivers. — Beth Shaw
https://ellenknapp.com/testimonials/771
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Ellen Knapp

Contact Ellen Knapp: ellen@ellenknapp.com • 720-217-9614