Helping Seniors Stay Safe on Their Own

It is so interesting that as our parent's age we become the ones that start to parent them. Not only do I worry about them inside their home in regards to personal safety and safety due to mobility but I worry about them with outsiders. I have read many studies that show senior citizens are the least targeted group for crimes I still however worry that one day someone will realize a vulnerable senior loves in the neighborhood. I worry about a physical assault as well as any other. I know it is more likely they will be taken advantage of financially then physically. All this tends to worry me. I can take care of the aging in place needs like a wheelchair accessible ramp but how can I make sure they are safe from predators?

The first tip I have involving the safety of senior citizens involves the wheelchair accessible ramps. When a home has a ramp that is visible from the street it basically tells all the people that drive by that someone elderly or disabled lives in this home. This is not the message that you want to send to the crooked people that exist in our world. Instead of having wheelchair accessible ramps installed at the front of the house add one to the back or side yard. In the side yard it is easy enough to put up decorative fencing or tall hedges to camouflage the ramp which in turn does not allow predators to know that a person that has limited mobility lives in the home.

It is also important to use locks that include a steel stopper. Believe it or not deadbolt locks can still be broken through. If you add a metal stopper it is nearly impossible for the door to be kicked in. Alarm systems also help keep our loved ones safe. When looking into alarm systems for parents who are aging in place that notify police, fire and ambulatory services. Security lights should be installed at different angles of the home. This is also valuable for seniors to be able to see out into the yard in the evening hours. I would also recommend that all sliding doors have locks and extra security rods put into place.

Make sure that a trusted neighbor has an extra key to the house. Thieves know all the hiding spots for spare keys. Don't chance it. It is one hundred percent safer to leave a key with a neighbor in case of an emergency. I also really like the option of purchasing a realtor lock. This way if there is an emergency and entrance is needed a code could be given to EMS and they could obtain entry to your loved one.

Like my parents did to me when I was little I did to them now that they are aging. I sat them down and discussed the birds and bees of financial safety. I remind them that social security number and credit cards were something that should never be released to anyone over the phone or that comes to your door. In fact I have asked them not to open the door when they are not expecting visitors. Internet safety was something I addressed as well.

When my parents leave the house I always remind them to carry only one credit card and enough cash for their purchases. My dad has begun carrying his wallet in his front pocket and my mother is very careful to hold her purse close to her side. As they have aged there are limits on when they should be out verses home. My parents are home before dark so that it is easier for them to drive, park and enter the house again without problems. Using the handicap accessible ramp becomes difficult for my mom at night. When she is tired and has been going all day the level of strength she possesses has decreased and my dad does not have enough strength to help her.

For their safety and my piece of mind they allow me to help guide changes in their lives so that they can age in place instead of moving into assisted living. It seems to be a winning combination for us right now. As they continue to age and become less mobile we will discuss options but for now it works.

If you have enjoyed this article on wheelchair accessible ramps from Kevin Germain at CPS visit our website http://www.glennmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today where you will find useful information on installing wheelchair accessible ramps.

The Future of Healthcare for Seniors

Now that the so-called "age wave" has begun crashing on society's shores we are all re-examining the implications this demographic shift will have on the provision of healthcare, particularly with respect to senior citizens. Given that public healthcare in more and more jurisdictions is beginning to hit a wall that no amount of funding will breach, it is incumbent on us to come up with alternatives to public healthcare in the provision of long-term care for seniors.

It is clear that long-term care for seniors is not a real priority to most governments, given the resources that are allocated to this sector versus, say, resources allocated to prisons. For instance, in the province of Ontario, government-subsidization of care for seniors in long term care facilities appears to be a mere afterthought. The province recently raised the daily food subsidy for seniors from $7.15 to $7.31 per day. This amount is intended to cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and all beverages for the residents of such facilities. By comparison, the food allowance for a prisoner at an Ontario penitentiary is currently more than double that. In addition, the province has managed to find money to pay drug-addicted inmates to attend rehabilitation sessions.

The number of seniors in society is increasing dramatically for two reasons. The first is that baby-boomers, which comprise the largest single demographic in our society, are beginning to reach their 60s. Gradually, this demographic will account for close to 50% of the entire population within the next two decades. In addition, improvements in healthcare and the choice of a healthier lifestyle will ensure that people live longer. The average age of residents in most long-term care facilities right now is at about 87. Given the above advances in healthcare and lifestyle, there is little doubt that this average will increase by a good 10 years, if not more.

So what are the alternatives? There really isn't an easy answer to this question, as the thinking behind the policies that have created this dilemma really hasn't changed over the past decades, nor does it appear too many policy makers are even aware that there is a looming problem. But let's say that meaningful solutions will be found when we view the problem through a different paradigm. Jim Scott, the visionary developer of Serenity Care for Seniors, Inc. has looked at the problem through a different paradigm and devised an elegant solution with the concept of foster care for seniors. I met and wrote about Jim back in the fall of 2008, as I was greatly impressed by his concept.

Other concepts could include family cooperatives that work in association with government agencies to provide long-term care for small groups of seniors living in regular homes. The idea being that family members of the residents as well as individuals within the community volunteer on a rotating basis to care for the aged residents. The up side of such a plan would be that seniors would not be stigmatized with having to be institutionalized and would enjoy a higher level of care than that provided in a long term care facility. The down side, of course would be increased cost and a limitation of access to qualified nursing staff. But even that down side isn't insurmountable as most jurisdictions have a community care organization already in place to provide some level of care to those in need.

I believe that the best solution doesn't necessarily entail any one answer, but a melding of a number of different concepts. It's clear to me that larger and ever more extensive nursing homes are not the answer, given that these tend to breed blind and unbending bureaucracies exacerbated by employees that fall under the auspices of public sector unions. That's why long-term care has become so prohibitively expensive over the past decades and has yielded less than stellar outcomes.

If we are going to meet the challenges this demographic shift will pose, it's important that we look beyond what we currently know and explore options that focus on the health and wellness of those being served, rather than looking for the most expedient way to make the problem go away.

Written by Klaus Rohrich - http://www.maturitymarketing.com/
Maturity Marketing specializes in marketing to baby boomers. Allow us to help you target the 50+ market and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and a proven record of success.

Seniors and Their Rights in Long-Term Care Facilities

At the skilled nursing facility where I work, we remind seniors that they all have rights. Their rights put them in charge of their experience in the facility and can direct their plan of treatment, as well as their personal way of living.

Well, we have a resident who prefers to wear only his underwear during the day. Yes, he's totally alert, and there's no trace of dementia. Of course, he has his rights, but sometimes resident's rights can get a bit tricky to interpret. There are boundaries and then there are dignity issues.

I often run into situations where residents will request or even do something outrageous. Though, I'm a little too shy to share some of those stories with you today (blush, blush).

If your senior parents have specific requests that may be out of the norm and you're worried about their rights, you should know that there are both state and federal regulations that protect them in long term care facilities.

Seniors who live in long-term care (LTC) facilities are definitely more vulnerable than seniors who live independently. In 1987, the U. S. Congress recognized this fact and passed The Nursing Home Reform Act that gave nursing home residents additional legal protections, including a set of Residents Rights.

In 1995, the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman successfully persuaded the Washington legislature to extend Residents Rights to other LTC facilities such as assisted living facilities, adult family homes and state operated veterans' homes. The point was to advance consumer healthcare education and to empower older adults and their family members to make informed long-term care decisions.

To review the full list of 12 Residents Rights, go to http://www.ltcop.org/index.htm. It includes all aspects of long-term care stay starting from the day of admission, lasting throughout their stay to the day of their discharge.

Let's dig into 5 of them right now:

1. You can communicate with whom you choose.
This means that seniors can make decisions about all aspects of their daily living. So, the minute a senior wakes up in the morning, he can actually determine the time he wants to get up. Some residents believe that if they don't get up early for breakfast, they would miss their first meal. Not so.

2. Right to participate in and decide your plan of care.
Everyone has the right to refuse care. As health care professionals, we will explain the risks and benefits to you, just to make sure you understand the consequences. For example, nurses may run into the dilemma of a senior declining his medications. This is a tough one and a common one. I personally work with seniors who refuse to eat, every single day.

3. Right to information.
All healthcare professionals will document everything about you, even if you are misbehaving. And, you have the right to read all about it.

4. Right to privacy and respect.
You must be respected and the residents around you must also be respected. The underwear story fits into this one. Again, healthcare professionals will educate you on the risks or benefits of your decisions.

5. Right to hold resident and family meetings.

You have the right to participate in resident gatherings in the facility; lots of meetings are usually going on. And, if you like, you can call a meeting as often as you wish.

A Registered Dietitian and Senior Resource Diva, April Fan, RD, CD, Founder of SeniorResourceCentral.com, a finalist in SeniorHomes.com's "Best of the Web" 2011 and top honors winner in StartupNation.com's "Leading Moms in Business" 2011, is on a mission to educate baffled adult children who are currently caring for their own children as well as their aging parents. Her goal is to help these juggling caregivers discover how to take the confusion out of this daunting role. Tap into April's personal and clinical experiences, proven resources, handy tips and sane ideas at http://www.seniorresourcecentral.com/.

Mild Cognitive Impairment in Seniors

Although it is not dementia, seniors with MCI have a higher risk, of approximately 10 - 15% per year, for converting to Alzheimer's disease or another dementia compared with seniors who do not have it. It is normal for the speed of mental processing and memory of names, etc. to decline with aging. But these normal changes do not affect a person's ability to function.

MCI is diagnosed when there is memory impairment but general cognitive and functional abilities are intact, does not have impaired judgment or reasoning and there are indications that there is an absence of dementia. Treatments are under investigation. In a trial test of 168 people, it was discovered that the three B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 were found to cut the rate of brain shrinkage by up to 50%.

Starting interventions early can slow the decline. The following are things a person with MCI can do to lower their risk for developing a dementia:

- control your blood pressure. You may require blood pressure medication to keep it under control;
- maintain your cholesterol level. Medication may be required to do this also;
- control blood sugar levels. If you have been discovered to have diabetes, it is particularly important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly;
- maintain your weight at a normal level and exercise regularly. Walking is an excellent form of exercise;
- limit alcohol intake to 5 drinks a week with never more than one drink in a day;
- be conscious of your diet being sure to include plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish in your regular diet;
- get a sufficient amount of sleep;
- limit the use of sleeping pills and over the counter medications for things such as cold symptoms;
- try to keep stress to a minimum by avoiding stressful situations and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation;
- do not smoke;
- protect your head, especially from repeated concussions. This can increase the risk factors for development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia's as well as cognitive impairment.

Other ideas that will assist in being able to cope with MCI is to keep a daytimer with you at all times and write down important things such as phone numbers, addresses and appointments. It can even help when you are parking your car. When you get out, make a note in your daytimer of where your car is parked so you will be able to find it again with no trouble, And if you are always losing your keys, make sure to keep them in the same place each day.

Mild memory problems are typical of aging but MCI is a little more serious. If you suspect that you may be suffering from mild cognitive impairment, it is a good idea to see your doctor to get a diagnosis.

Sylvia Behnish writes articles relating to family issues, motivational topics, entertaining, travel and brain injuries. For more information on any of these topics, go to her sites listed below. She has recently published her first non-fiction book entitled "Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)" and her first fiction novel entitled "His Sins", a three generation family saga.

"Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)" and "His Sins" can be ordered by e-mail at: http://www.sbehnish.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://www.progressofabraininjury.blogspot.com/

Elder Care: Tips For Keeping Seniors Safe At Home

As people age, living in care becomes extremely important to consider. They sometimes need to make some adjustments in their home to insure their own safety. Here are some tips to help your aging loved ones stay safe inside their homes:

1. Remove all items that may cause a senior to slip and fall It is always a good idea to take a look around the home and identify possible trouble spots that need to be addressed. Throw rugs, loose electrical cords, other loose wires that may get in someone's way as they try to walk around the house. Waxed floors that tend to cause slippage would also fit into this category. Depending on what you find, you may need to do some changes to the flooring, like replacing throw rugs or slippery floors with a tacked down carpet.

2. Make sure there are stable handrails on all stairs If your loved ones live in a multi-level structure with stairs, it is critical that they are able to climb these stairs safely. First of all, make sure that all sets of stairs (even just 2 or 3 steps) have accompanying handrails. For stairs that already have handrails, make sure they are not loose or shaky. If you're not able to yourself, hire someone to come over and stabilize all shaky handrails.

3. Secure the bathrooms Make sure all the bathtubs and showers are slip-proof by putting in bathmats. Also install handrails in the bathtubs and showers to help them get in and out easier.

4. As a Senior Caregiver ensure that all the necessary and regularly used items are just around the corner. Avoid putting them on top shelves because seniors have a greater tendency to lose their balance when reaching high spots. In case a step stool will be needed for places that are hard to reach, acquire one that has firm footing.

5. Make sure that there is adequate lightning in hallways and other frequently visited areas within and outside the house. If your senior parents have cataracts and diabetes, understanding that poor lighting makes these already troublesome diseases worse can be a source of great relief. You can solve this problem by cleaning the overhead light fixtures and replacing defective bulbs. Also, furniture should be placed very near the outlets to make sure that electric cords are out of the way. If necessary, install an additional wiring to cut down the distance between the outlet and the appliance. Another great option is to install an occupancy sensor light switch, an electrical device that automatically turns on the light anytime it senses a movement such as the opening of a kitchen door.

6. Beware of heating system hazards. Because seniors tend to spend more of their time inside the house, they are highly vulnerable to gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. For their safety, make it a habit to have your heating systems professionally serviced every year. Monitor the carbon monoxide level within the house. According to statistics, carbon monoxide has been the primary reason for accidental poisoning deaths. Having a carbon monoxide detector inside the house, especially near the bedroom can help. This is the best way to detect if the carbon monoxide level is becoming too dangerous for their health.

7. Ensure that all your furniture is firm and safe. Unstable furniture, such as a chair that has a broken leg is dangerous. It is best to repair or replace them as soon as possible. Beds that have an elevated platform are also not advisable for seniors because not only will they have a hard time getting into it, they might also accidentally fall from it. Provide them with beds that are high and comfortable enough for them.

8. Put food products and toxic products in different storage areas. People with a blurred vision can easily confuse a cleaning product for a condiment, especially when they don't have their glasses on.

9. Install grab bars in high traffic areas inside the house. Grab bars can give extra security to seniors who are prone to light-headedness or dizziness. Installing grab bars can make moving around the house much easier and safer for them.

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Medical Alert Systems and Physical Fitness Can Keep Seniors Safe

Getting older is a part of life we all must deal with. While it's certainly not a time to stop experiencing the many wonderful and exciting opportunities life gives us, unfortunately sometimes the body can't keep up with the mind or vice-versa. Either way, aging affects us all and also affects those around us whom we love. As we get older, our bodies can weaken and the simple act of living at home alone can become dangerous, even fatal. That is why staying fit along with wearing a medical alert important steps to stay safe.

Physical fitness is important for us all but can be potentially life-saving for a senior. Obviously senior physical fitness training is not going to be the same type of training as a younger adult would practice. A senior should definitely consult with their doctor before trying any new exercise or physical activity that may be too strenuous for their body to handle. Preexisting conditions must be accounted for as well as medications the senior is taking. A doctor is the best person to consult before and during any physical exercise regimen.

As seniors age, muscles lose their strength. Strength training programs can help slow down this process. A strength training program can help a senior with increased range of mobility and improved balance. All of these results can help prevent falls in and around the home, which can be extremely dangerous. The best strengthening programs for seniors don't require expensive equipment or gym memberships. Instead they are simple stretching exercises that can be done in the home. Cardio activity can also be important. Taking daily walks can truly be a lifesaver and it also gives the senior activity to look forward to each day.

Even with consistent physical activity, a senior will still not be as strong and mobile as he/she used to when they were younger. While exercise can help prevent falls and accidents inside and around home, it can't stop them completely. That is why it is also recommended that a senior uses a medical alarm. When all prevention fails, a medical alarm is the safest and most secure way to prevent an accident or fall to turn deadly.

A medical alarm system is a wireless transmitter help button worn around the neck or on the wrist that is generally waterproof and designed to be used in the shower or bath. If the senior has a fall or other accident all they would need to do is press the button on the transmitter and a trained medical operator would be alerted. They would then be able to talk back and forth with the operator and either get emergency medical help if needed or have a relative, neighbor or friend contacted.

A medical alert works throughout the entire home of the senior and even directly outside the home too. It offers wonderful security and peace of mind for both the senior using the service and the family member. Best of all, it's generally an extremely affordable and inexpensive option, especially when you consider how it can save a life.

Getting older can be difficult both for the aging senior and the loving family. But if you take the time to exercise and stay in shape and protect yourself with a medical alert, many of the dangerous pitfalls that come with aging can be avoided.

Jeffrey Miller

Pioneer of the medical alert industry since 1981.