Did you know that most seniors age 70 and older will outlive their ability to drive safely by at least 7 to 10 years? As seniors age, it is often very difficult for them to give up some of the privileges they have had all their life. In many cases, families are put in the hard place of confronting their loved one with concerns for their safety. I just want to offer some tips and encouragement for those of you who are currently in this situation or who may enter a similar situation in the future.
1. Safety is Paramount
When dealing with an issue such as driving privileges with a senior, it is important to speak with compassion and love. Communicate to them that, out of love, you are concerned for their safety. Make sure that they know that you want the best for them and that you want to have them around for as long as possible. Let them know that you value their independence, but that safety is most important to you.
2. Learn the Warning Signs
It is important to learn the warning signs of dangerous driving. Confronting the issue too early might add unneeded tension…confronting the issue too late might leave a chance for an accident. Here are some of the warning signs of unsafe driving for the elderly.
-confusing the brake and gas pedals
-trouble navigating turns, hitting curbs
-having delayed responses, being easily distracted
-getting lost in familiar places
-having dents and scratches on the car
3. Assure Them They Will Not Lose Their Independence
Losing driving privileges may not be your loved one’s deepest fear. However, they may see it as one step closer to losing their independence and dignity, something that probably is their greatest fear. Make sure they know that losing their driving privileges is not equal with losing their independence and dignity. At Preferred Care at Home, we can provide your loved ones with reliable and compassionate caregivers that can aid with transportation around town. We can take your loved one to the salon, barber, grocery store, library or civic club, allowing your loved one the chance to truly celebrate life once again.
Losing one’s driving privileges does not mean losing hope. Communicate the truth to your loved one that safety is of the utmost importance…but be sure to communicate, just as strongly, that hope, life and independence is theirs for the taking.
I wanted to use this post to share some great inspirational quotes for the elderly. So often life can seem so hard with all of its challenges and trials. However, a great quote can go a long way to inspire us in celebrating every moment of life. I hope that at least one or two of these quotes will resonate with you and inspire you today.
Inspirational Quotes
“Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
“Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” – Sir Francis Bacon
In my last post, I gave a brief introduction to MRSA infection, a type of Staph infection, and discussed some common symptoms and risk factors associated with this condition. I would now like to look at some preventive measures and treatment methods that can be taken should you contract an infection.
How do I prevent an MRSA infection?
1. Wash Your Hands – This may sound elementary, but careful hand washing is still the best defense against bacteria. Be sure to carry around a small bottle of hand sanitizer (at least 62% alcohol) for times when you don’t have access to soap and water.
2. Keep Personal Items Personal – Because MRSA can spread from skin contact as well as contaminated objects, avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors and clothing. Read the rest of this entry »
While these are some of the major diseases associated with aging, there’s one that you might not think about: MRSA infection. However, MRSA infection is on the rise and you or a loved one may be at risk. In this post, I want to explore 1) What is MRSA, 2) What are the symptoms and 3) Who is at risk. In the posts to come we will look at ways to prevent and treat MRSA.
On the surface, Ivy Bean looks like a normal 104 year-old. She lives in a senior care home community. She mourns the deaths of her friends and loved-ones that have passed. She values the time she spends with her friends.
But Ivy Bean is not your typical 104 year-old: Her social network currently numbers over 60,000 people! Through the use of Twitter, a social networking website, Bean and other residents at the Hillside Manor care home have connected with thousands of people across the world.
Ivy Bean with Valentine's Day gifts she received from another individual on Twitter.
Twitter is a website that allows users to interact with other individuals using updates, called “tweets”, of 140-characters. Bean regularly tweets about getting her hair done with her good friend Mabel, eating fish and chips, and about watching her favorite game show, “Deal or No Deal,” on TV. She also updates with photos, giving others a glimpse into important events in her life.
Over the last three posts, we have looked at 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s, risk factors for the disease and understanding the seven stages of Alzheimer’s. I would now like to finish this series by taking a look at several treatments. At this time there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no way to stop the death of brain cells associated with the disease. However, research has shown that some treatments may help both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
In my last post, I discussed several risk factors involved with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. I would now like to spend some time discussing the different stages of the disease and how the different stages may affect an individual’s behavior. Scientists are sure of one thing: Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. Although the disease affects different individuals in different ways, scientists have been able to break down the disease into a generalized seven-stage framework.
Stage 1 – No Impairment
A person functions normally in this stage. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms.
Stage 2 – Very Mild Decline
This decline may be normal age-related changes or may be the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s. The individual may have memory lapses but no symptoms can be detected during a medical exam.
Stage 3 – Mild Cognitive Decline
In some individuals, early-stage Alzheimer’s may be diagnosed at this point. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. A detailed medical interview may reveal memory or concentration problems. Stage 3 difficulties may include trouble remembering names, forgetting material that one has just read or misplacing a valuable object. Read the rest of this entry »
In my last post, I discussed 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s Disease. I would now like to talk about potential causes and risk factors. If you are aware of the risk factors then you might be able to catch the warning signs earlier for yourself or a loved one.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer research, scientists do know that Alzheimer’s Disease involves the failure of nerve cells. While scientists have not been able to determine why this failure occurs, they have been able to identify certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
At Preferred Care at Home, we celebrate life, dignity, and independence for the elderly each and every day. However, we are also aware of the challenges that the elderly face in order to keep their dignity and independence. Alzheimer’s Disease is one of those challenges. Last September, I wrote a blog post on Alzheimer’s Basics that gave an overview on topics that are associated with the disease. I now want to take those same topics and explore them in more depth, giving a complete blog post to one topic.
Today’s Topic: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
1. Memory Loss - Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.
Over the past week, many of us have watched the images unfold of the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. This video struck my heart when I watched it for the first time. Even though Americans have been giving at what could be a record pace, more help is still needed. If you would like to give, please visit www.redcross.org. Please continue to keep those affected by this disaster in your thoughts and prayers.
During these challenging economic times, financial peace can seem incredibly hard to find. For the elderly, costly medical bills and prescriptions can make situations even more difficult. I just wanted to take a moment to offer some resources that might ease the financial burden off your shoulders or off the shoulders of someone you love. A special thanks to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) for helping others learn about these resources.
Are you a senior who could use assistance paying for healthcare, prescription drugs, meals, utilities, and other basic needs?
According to the NFCA, BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.benefitscheckup.org
Do you need help paying for prescription medications?
In the last part of this series I would like to talk about home safety for the elderly in regards to hazardous substances. In case you missed parts 1 and 2, we went over some tips regarding fall prevention and home emergency preparedness, respectively.
Both of my daughters currently live in Knoxville, TN. Last month, their community was shocked after a natural gas leak from a fireplace led to a violent explosion, shown below. (Click on the picture for full size)
In part 1 of our series, we looked at improving home safety for the elderly in regards to fall prevention. In part 2, I would like to spend some time talking about home planning for emergencies and natural disasters. In late August of 2005, many of us watched in disbelief as Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and soon became the costliest hurricane of all time. Within a few days, the federal disaster declaration covered 90,000 square miles, an area almost as large as the United Kingdom.
It is in those times that many of us ask ourselves, “What would I have done had that happened to me?” Events such as Hurricane Katrina serve as a great reminder that each of us needs to have an emergency home plan in place. Even more so, a home plan for the elderly is crucial if home safety is to be maintained during a time of crisis. Let me take a moment to suggest three home planning necessities for the elderly
In part 1 of this series, I want to offer some tips and suggestions to help prevent elderly falls. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States. Slip and falls are also the leading cause of injury-related deaths among the elderly population. These statistics clearly show that fall prevention measures need to be taken in the homes of the elderly. Let me take this time to offer four important fall prevention steps that you can take in this new year.
1)Exercise Regularly
Exercise is one of the most helpful ways to help prevent elderly falls. The CDC recommends exercises like Tai Chi that improve balance while strengthening muscles. It is important to ask your doctor or health care professional what exercises are best for you. Read the rest of this entry »
With the New Year just a few days away, many Americans will be making a list of resolutions in hopes of altering some facet of their lifestyle in the upcoming year. While some are looking toward workout gyms to lose a few pounds, other people are setting financial goals in the form of budgets and better jobs. At Preferred Care at Home, we want to take this opportunity to set before you a resolution to improve the lifestyle and safety of your elderly loved ones.
Whether you are a caretaker, a child, or a friend, we encourage you to make ‘home safety’ one of your personal goals for the New Year. Over the next several blog posts we will present some practical steps that you can take to help safeguard the home of an elderly person against accidents and hazardous situations.
Part 1: Fall Prevention
Part 2: Home Emergency Preparedness
Part 3: Hazardous Substance Safety
Check back soon to follow us on this journey of improving home safety for the elderly.
This past weekend, major portions of our country were covered with snow, with some places receiving as much as two feet! While some were bothered by immobility due to the storm, many others took out their sleds and hit the hills. The NY Times even reported that Mayor Bloomberg and the city government provided free sleds and hot chocolate at select hills around New York City. Without a doubt, it looks like many people will be ushering in a very ‘White Christmas.’
But, amidst the joy of sleds and snowball fights, there are those who are fighting another emotion heightened during the holidays. Statistics show that 1 in every 15 people age 65 and older fights depression year round, with sharp increases during the holidays. Read the rest of this entry »
The key to preventing polypharmacy is to be aware of what you are taking and to talk to a health care professional. Start with these tips from the 2009 Health Alliance Plan.
Always read labels.
Use only one pharmacy to fill prescriptions. We suggest a local pharmacy where you can develop a relationship with the pharmacist.
Learn your medications by name and what they are for.
Asprin, Lipitor, Levoxyl, Warfarin, Potassium, Prinivil, Niacin… and the list of prescription and over the counter medications go on. Do you know the dangers of mixing medications with each other? Or do you rely solely on your doctor and pharmacist to know your entire list of medications?
While the medications listed above are often prescribed or obtained over the counter to treat common health conditions, serious reactions can occur if caution is not used while taking some of these medications together. Read the rest of this entry »
Preferred Care at Home released it’s yearly book, entitled ‘Anything is Possible’, featuring amazing senior achievements.
Preferred Care at Home believes all achievements deserve recognition. And, when those achievements are made by means of perseverance through the later years of life, they merit special recognition.
Preferred Care at Home celebrates those throughout history that have made astounding achievements, bringing new inspiration and nourishment to our creative endeavors.
A fast way to find the least expensive Medicare Part D drug plan that covers your prescriptions
This AARP guide provides a useful online tool that allows you to compare many drug plans side-by-side to find your best deal. The plan finder does the math for you, so that you can see your likely out-of-pocket costs—premium, deductible and copays for the specific drugs you use—throughout the year.
Print this guide so that you can use it as you go. Each step refers to each successive page you see on the screen.
1. Go to www.medicare.gov and click on Compare Drug Plans.
2. Click on Find & Compare Plans.
3. IGNORE “Begin Personalized Search.” Click on Begin General Search.
4. Enter ZIP Code. IGNORE age and health status boxes. Answer the next three questions on this page. Click on Continue.
(However, if you qualify for Extra Help in paying for your drugs, click Yes and go now to the “Other Kinds of Searches” section below in this guide for special steps on how to proceed from here.)
5. On the next page (“Review Current Coverage and Consider Options”), click on Continue.
We strongly believe in preserving a healthy mind through regular activity and early detection. Each November, Preferred Care at Home partners with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about successful aging, and follow-up resources.
National Event Stresses the Importance of Proper Detection and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease though Memory Screenings
Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions.
Now in its seventh year, AFA’s National Memory Screening Day coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which takes place during November. Sites across the country will be participating.
Each November, Preferred Care at Home, a national senior home care company, participates in National Memory Screening Day to offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about successful aging, and follow-up resources. On November 17, Preferred Care at Home will hold memory screenings across the country at participating Preferred Care at Home offices. To find a location near you, visit www.preferhome.com.
I frequently get questions about home care benefits for Veterans, particularly on the Aids and Attendance Pension Benefit.If you are a Veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran you could have benefits for home care assistance that you are unaware of. Here is some valuable information on the Aids and Attendance Pension Benefit that could be a great financial help to you.
Watch this video on the Aids and Attendance Pension Benefit and then get the facts below.
Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
The Aid & Attendance level of the pension benefit is very substantial for those who qualify. In 2009, the maximum annual benefit is: Read the rest of this entry »
Check with your private healthcare provider, your local county health department, or use one of these convenient locators to schedule your flu vaccine.
According to American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, there are 4 mistakes you want to avoid:
1. Waiting too long to start planning. You don’t have to buy insurance protection today; but at least find out what a policy will cost. If you take prescription medications or have health conditions, find out if you can qualify. Ask what health changes might make you ineligible to qualify.
2. Believing it won’t happen to you. Denial is the best reason not to plan. And, honestly, we hope you live a long life … never have an accident or illness. Yes, we hope you never need long-term care. We also hope you never have a car accident. But hope is not a strategy. Planning for the future is.
3. Counting on government programs. If you are age 50 to 55, are you need to be ready to count on Medicare and Medicaid to pay for the care you want in 15 or 20 years. Everyone wants someone else to pay the bill. If you prefer having choice, options and independence, then you’d better have a plan in place … just in case.
4. Not working with a long-term care insurance professional. As you’ll find us saying many times, costs vary between insurers, discounts vary between insurers, as well as acceptable health conditions. You want to work with an experienced and knowledgeable professional who stays current on policies and can get you the best coverage for the best price. Are we biased in favor of our Association members? You bet!
Seniors age 65 and older may be at higher risk for the H1N1 virus. Get the facts with this presentation developed by the Office of Enterprise Communication, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Check back soon for information about Preferred Care at Home’s free, confidential memory screenings held November 17, 2009 across the country.
Common Alzheimer’s Disease Questions:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and other thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
Ultimately, the person with AD dies, often years earlier than he/she would have otherwise. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 60. The brains of people with AD have an abundance of two abnormal structures—amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. A third characteristic change is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.
Who Gets It?
Alzheimer’s disease becomes more common as people get older. Today it affects more than 5.3 million Read the rest of this entry »
Good Morning. Jody here. I came across this valuable article and want to share it with you. It was written by a financial planner that deals with the elderly and gives some helpful tips on addressing financial situations. Enjoy.
The ages of my clients range from young families to elders. Because several of my current clients are the children and grandchildren of people who began working with me more than 20 years ago, I’ve been gratified to have been able to witness the long-term results of my advice, and my clients have generally been grateful for the long-term guidance they’ve received.
I recommend to both my elderly clients and their adult children that if they haven’t done so already, they should start talking with one another now, and begin identifying potential areas for improvement. Too often, adult children don’t know much about their parents’ finances. The typical reason they cite for their lack of knowledge is reluctance to “pry” for fear of appearing too eager for an inheritance.
Ideally, a dialogue about financial and estate planning should begin when the elders are still healthy and fully competent, but unfortunately many families don’t discuss these matters until a crisis hits, which is the worst time to have to make important decisions.
We all know the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but what about protection for our eyes?
July is UV Safety Month, and Preferred Care at Home is urging seniors to protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.
“Recent studies have shown that prolonged exposure to the sun’s invisible, high energy ultraviolet rays without protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,” said Jody Guerrieri. RN, Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. “During the summer months the level of ultraviolet radiation is three times greater than in the winter.”
A Closer Look at Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefits
Long-term health care requires comprehensive financial planning and preparing. Before you get overwhelmed, here is the second of a series of articles featuring helpful information to help you understand your options.
Veteran’s Aid is a special “pension benefit” that pays for a private caregiver to assist in the daily activities of living. It includes care in the home and in assisted living communities, and sometimes in a nursing home if the patient is blind or has a mental or physical incapacity.
Qualification factors to receive Veteran’s Aid can be confusing. The following questionnaire will help you determine if you are deemed qualified.
Long-term health care requires comprehensive financial planning and preparing. Before you get overwhelmed, here is some helpful information to help you understand your options.
There are nine common methods to acquire money for long-term care. Some are widely available, while others have strict eligibility requirements. Read through these options, and then decide what combination of sources will provide the most benefits to you or your loved one.
Since 1984, the founders of Preferred Care at Home have had the privilege of partnering with thousands of families, providing that extra care needed to maintain independence and dignity in the comfort and security of home. We understand that long-term care can be costly and built our reputation on offering quality services at affordable prices.
With assisted living rates on the rise, we hope to provide some relief in a time of economic despair. For low as $7.00 per hour, in some areas, those in need can have an experienced caregiver at their home, or care facility 24 hours a day to meet their needs. Compared to Consumer Health Ratings average prices of assisted living facilities at $36,000 per year, nursing home rates at $210 per day and home health aides at $19 per hour, Preferred Care at Home’s live-in option presents a smart alternative to remain independent.
I hope you find this video helpful. It does an excellent job of explaining Medicare.
Healthcare Videos – Stay Smart Stay Healthy is a Humana new-media venture designed to deliver guidance, and to support awareness and understanding of the healthcare industry.
Their goal is simple: to educate consumers on the healthcare system by removing the usual complexities and replacing them with an informative and engaging series of videos.
If you are eligible for home health care, the Original Medicare Plan will cover the following:
1.Skilled nursing care on a part-time or intermittent basis. Skilled nursing care includes services and care that can only be done safely and correctly by a licensed nurse (either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse). The services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of your illness or injury.
Medicare is simply a Federally funded health Insurance plan for individuals over age 65. It doesn’t pay, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, for the following:
·24-hour-a-day care at home
·Meals delivered to your home
·Homemaker services like shopping, cleaning, and laundry when this is the only care you need, and when these services aren’t related to your plan of care
·Personal care given by home health aides like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom when this is the only care needed
When often talking with clients and their families, I have found that Medicare is misunderstood as far as home care is concerned. Many seem to believe that once they are 65 all their health care needs will be taken care of. Sadly, they quickly find out that it isn’t the case when they need assistance at home.
So, I thought I would help to dispel this myth in the next several entries to our blog. Starting with, what is not covered by Medicare, then, who is eligible for Medicare, and lastly what is covered by Medicare as it relates to home health care.
As previously explained, an Advance Directive tells your doctor what kind of care you want if you were unable to make decisions due to illness. Here, I will discuss more specifically, the Five Wishes Advance Directive.
An Advance Directive tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive in the event that you are unable to make that decision for yourself. An example of this would be Mary Smith, who was a vivacious 78 year old until seized by a sudden stroke that left her in a coma.Unable to personally communicate her medical wishes, her Advanced Directives spoke on her behalf.
I lost both of my parents before age 40 and within seven months of each other. I remember a few years before that, my father would remind me, “I have all our important papers in one place.”
When we get the call asking for help, it comes when you have finally exhausted all means within your family network. You are at the end of your rope and overwhelmed. You have always met your loved ones needs, and now with this change of events, you remain committed, but in time it has left you desperate to get outside help.
We understand it is not easy to ask for help. Asking a stranger to come into your home feels like such an intrusion. After all, you may ask ‘how is this stranger going to know how to do things the right way, they don’t know my loved one or even begin to understand how to meet their needs. I might as well do it myself.’
The idea of this blog is to discuss senior issues of all kinds. Many topics pass my desk that I often wish I could share with others. Sometimes it is a great website, other times it is a useful tool to download, and sometimes its just some thoughts and ideas that I would love to get feedback on.
With that in mind, this blog gives me the opportunity to share all of this great information. So whom am I talking to? Well, most of the time to you, the senior, and other times to you, the family, or family primary caregiver.
I also realize that some of you out there could be much more informed on a topic than me. Your personal research and experience is priceless. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, ideas and resources if you would like to share.
Before we start, I thought I would introduce another occasional blogger, Frank Guerrieri. Even now with all his other responsibilities, Frank still remains a hands-on type of guy, so why stop him now. I’m going to call on him, time to time to share his past and present experiences and knowledge of the industry. I know you will enjoy his added input to the mix.
I’m Jody Guerrieri, the Vice President and Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. I have been a registered nurse for over 28 years, 24 of those years in home care. My areas of training range from developing, recruiting, and retaining quality caregivers to listening and learning about seniors to better serve them.
The foundation for which Preferred Care at Home is based relies on understanding seniors and providing outstanding care. I have a great, ever-increasing desire to research and develop only the best practices for all Preferred Care at Home owners. Inspiring and motivating Preferred Care at Home to always strive for excellence in quality of care is my passion.
Senior Home Care Blog
Welcome to Preferred Care at Home's Senior Home Care Blog. This blog is developed to facilitate discussion on key topics related to senior home care and the difficult, but important, topics surrounding it.
Key Contributors
Jody Guerrieri, RN, is the Vice President and Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. As a registered nurse for over 28 years, 24 of those years in home care, Jody understands the factual and emotional sides of the industry. She is passionate about providing the best services and resources for those of age or need of care and is sharing insightful information and knowledge with others.
Jody Guerrieri, RN, is the Vice President and Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. As a registered nurse for over 28 years, 24 of those years in home care, Jody understands the factual and emotional sides of the industry. She is passionate about providing the best services and resources for those of age or need of care and is sharing insightful information and knowledge with others.