It’s a great opportunity to make sure they really are doing as well as they say they are. I have had a couple of beloved seniors over the years who I would call regularly. They always assured me they were doing just fine. But when I was finally able to get out to visit them, I discovered they definitely needed some extra help and closer oversight.

And that’s not necessarily true just for the long distance relatives. I had a sweet aging neighbor, once, who I shopped for each week. While I was concerned about her deteriorating health, I didn’t worry about what she was eating, since I knew about all the healthy items I was getting her. When she continued to worsen and I had to step in a bit more proactively, I was shocked to find quite a bit of that healthy food dead and dying in the fridge.

Now, when I visit aging relatives, I make sure I take a quick peek in their fridge, just to be sure they are eating OK.

If you do find that your senior relatives need some extra help, but are otherwise fine at home, some great resources to help them and you can include:

Meals on Wheels

A  housekeeper – through an agency, their church, or friend’s referrals – once a week or even once a month

A gardener 3-4 times a month during the growing season. And if they live in snow country, perhaps they could come periodically to shovel the snow for them

Eventually, they may need to relocate to your home or a care facility, to ensure their safety and healthy well-being. But these simple little tips can often enable them to stay in their own home a bit longer – making them and you very happy. And that’s often the best gift of all, isn’t it.

Kaye Swain is a member of the Sandwich Generation dealing with the issues of caring for the elderly parents and relatives in her family while also babysitting grandchildren. She enjoys writing on those topics at SandwichINK, in order to provide other multigenerational caregivers with useful information, resources and encouragement.

By Carol Marak

Helping an aging loved one decide to move from their home into a senior living facility can be difficult, especially if they are leaving a home of 20 plus years. I remember when my Dad began the move process to an assisted living community from his home of 54 plus years, it was hard on him..

We knew that Dad was feeling isolated since Mom’s passing but we were unaware of his immobility issues and his general loss of interest in life. He was eating less at mealtimes and losing weight. Until he began falling frequently and losing up to 7 pounds, our remedy was to visit more often to check on him but that solution was futile. He was lonely and our weekend visits were not helping him much. The weeks were too long for him.

If you are concerned about an aging relative’s safety and independence at home, consider these few questions to discern whether a move is appropriate:

How active is your family member? Are they getting plenty of exercise or just sitting at home all day? Are they stable or have they had a fall?

What are their eating habits like? Are they preparing and eating nutritious meals? Or do you find their cupboards stocked with unhealthy snacks instead? Is the refrigerator filled with spoiled food?

Are they bathing? Do they have on the same clothes they had on since your last visit? Are they able to use the washing machine?

Is your parent taking medication properly? Do you find prescriptions scattered around the house?

Is the home organized and neat? Is the yard over-grown?

Are they able to operate appliances safely? Do they remember to turn the stove or coffee maker off when they finish cooking?

Are they still driving and should they be? Do they have additional means of transportation?

Do you see unpaid bills lying around?

What is their social life like? Do they have friends, or are they isolated from others most of the time?

When you really look at your parent, do you see a happy and vibrant person? Or do you see someone who needs help with activities of daily living?

Older adults do not want to move from home. However, it maybe the best option to keep them safe and healthy.

To determine if they should move, take a good look at the present housing situation, health status and medical needs. The bonus of moving is your loved one will enjoy a safe, social lifestyle with supportive services and care, and you will have peace of mind!

Carol Marak is founder of Carebuzz.com (http://carebuzz.com), a platform of websites targeting local senior care help for family caregivers and the aging senior they care for. Carol is a former caregiver for her aging parents. She experienced the frustrations of searching for local elder care help while living at a distance from her loved ones. That’s why she created Carebuzz. She plans to grow the city sites to be a leading local resource for caregivers.

When communicating with those they care about becomes difficult, our elderly friends and relatives need our help. Technology comes to the rescue once again as we seek to ensure quality of life for the aging.

A Computer – An Aging Loved One’s Best Friend

If you think computers are just for the young, it’s time to reconsider. A laptop can be a boon to the elderly. Computers bring the world, and you and your family, right into an elderly person’s home.

Social networking sites allow the aging to enjoy old friendships and make new ones. Special interest groups allow those who are advanced in years to chat with others who share similar interests.

Most laptops come equipped with a camera and microphone, allowing grandmas and grandpas to videoconference with their loved ones. Homebound friends can arrange to video conference, making it possible to hold book clubs, movie critiques, or a virtual get- together.

Microphones and cameras embedded in the computer also make it possible to send video messages to friends and family. Personal and family histories can also be recorded digitally on a computer, which is also a great way to keep your aging loved one’s remembered and thinking.  Not to mention, what a wonderful treasure you’ll have when they’re finished.

A Phone is Not Just a Phone Anymore

The elderly might resist the switch to a smart phone, but once they see all it can do, they quickly embrace its wonders. Smart phones have many features that help the elderly overcome the challenges of arthritic fingers or failing hearing. Large screens, virtual keyboards, voice dialing, and a host of other innovations make placing a phone call easy.

Smart phones also allow users to enjoy easy access to news, social networks, and emails. And don’t forget texting. Texting is a great way to chat, send pictures, or just say hi.

Writing Letters in the New Millennium

Many of the elderly remember writing letters; we call it snail mail today. Many still find it pleasant to take pen to paper and write to a friend. If shaking hands or aching joints make it difficult to write a letter (or use a computer keyboard) help has arrived. Voice to text software enables users to bypass the keyboard and use their voice to interact with the computer.

Don’t allow failing health or being homebound to rob loved ones and friends from frequent communication with those they care about. Technological advancements unimagined when the elderly where young, can bring the world and those they hold dear close.

Part One, “What Joy Loverde Wants You to Know About Technology and Aging Parents” offers information about creating a safe home environment and check-in systems, including suggestions on where to purchase products and services. Part Two blog talks about technology and creating a network of support – especially with the doctor and medical staff. This blog will offer ideas about integrating technology into everyday living.

I love low tech products that help with daily family caregiving responsibilities. Vibrating wrist watches and devices attached to common-sized prescription containers can record customized information and sound an alarm when it’s time for Mom to take her medications. Then there are pill bottles that can send a text message to a cell phone or TV screen.

“There’s an app for that.” Have you recently checked app downloads that are available as cell phone reminder systems? You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the number of apps and family caregiver options. In addition to a text message, some of the reminder apps also offer telephone calling as a back-up.

I love all the brain-fitness software and on-line fitness options on the market. Mind games have never been more important for a healthy lifestyle. One of my favorites is the home version of Dakim. You can learn more by clicking on the Dakim link on my website resources page: http://www.elderindustry.com/resources.html. To explore other options type “brain fitness” in your Internet browser.

Talking stuffed animals have been popular for decades with children so why not offer the same to our elderly loved ones – especially those who are experiencing health issues or feeling lonely and depressed? Everything from classic teddy bears to mainstream pop culture characters can talk, and delight. Talking stuffed animals are relatable – some can read them a story, others spout out lines from favorite movies, others can sing and ask questions. Many offer the option of recording words in your own voice. Hearing a familiar voice often comforts and reassures.

Low tech systems keep the entire family connected. Contact the local agency on aging or the telephone company and ask about amplified telephone handsets and other assistive devices to qualified applicants who have difficulty using a standard telephone. Picture phones are easy to use if your elder has vision and memory issues. Skype (Mary please link www.skype.com) is a computer software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free.

For more ideas on technology and family caregiving take a look at the products and services listed in my book, The Complete Eldercare Planner.

Avoid. Steer clear. Dodge reality.  My reluctant Aunt Bernice is a master when it comes to not making a decision about moving out of her house. Part 6 of my blog, “Moving a Reluctant Parent”’ talked about how discussions between me and my aunt had come to a screeching halt. This blog is focused on letting you know that more time has gone by and nothing has changed.

It’s time for me to say or do something – or is it? If a choose to, I can say something to her like, “Gee, Aunt B, it’s been awhile since you and I packed up a few of your belongings and talked about the possibility of you selling the house and moving. You were all gung ho not too long ago. What’s up?” Or I can continue to keep my mouth shut and listen for opportunities to open up the dialogue about moving once again when the timing is right.

Timing. Do you realize the importance of timing, dear blog reader? It’s the KEY INGREDIENT to my success in this eldercare situation, and the only way I will be able to keep the lines of communication open between me and Aunt Bernice and the pending move. Do I want things to be different? Do I want to wring her neck? Am I angry and afraid that she will hurt herself? Of course.  And this is her life, her choice, her journey.

In the meantime I am climbing the walls with anxiety. Physically and mentally she is on a downward spiral. She has never been more overweight and tired and depressed than right now. The stress of caring for an aging house that is in dire need of repair keeps her up night after night. And what is she doing about it? Leaving town and going on vacation or getting together with girlfriends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as if she hasn’t a care in the world.

From my years of experience in family caregiving with aging parents and elderly loved ones, what typically happens that forces a move in housing is a health-related incident (just typing these words made my heart beat ten times faster). Let’s say Aunt B is mowing the lawn and her back goes out and she lands in the hospital emergency room, or she falls down the stairs. Sadly, these are the kinds of events that change things for the better in terms of her taking action to sell the house and move.

Knowing this eldercare scenario is where I am at right now, it’s my turn to take care of myself during this stressful time of waiting until things change. My book, The Complete Eldercare Planner has numerous family caregiver tips for these kinds of emotionally stressful eldercare times.

One of my favorite stress-reliever tips includes having someone “safe” to talk to about what’s going on. My best friend, Jill has heard it all. I can say anything to her, and get down and dirty about how I really feel. By the time I am finished talking with Jill, I have put everything back into perspective and we are usually end up laughing our heads off about the absurdity of the entire eldercare situation. To top it off, we usually end our conversations with, “I’ll never be like that.” And that statement makes us laugh even harder.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAMILIES LACK KNOWLEDGE OF SENIORS’ MEDICATIONS AND FINANCES, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS

Free “Senior Emergency Kit” Helps Adult Children Prepare For Crisis

OMAHA, Neb. (May 10, 2011) – Many future family caregivers are unprepared for a senior care emergency, lacking knowledge of their seniors’ medications and important financial information, according to new research for the Home Instead Senior Care^® network. The survey was conducted by The Boomer Project of more than 600 adults ages 45 to 65 who said they are likely to assume a caregiver role for their parents within the next 10 years. Less than half (47 percent) say they are knowledgeable about their parents’ medical histories in case of an emergency

Among other findings, the study showed:

• Approximately half (49 percent) are unable to name any of the medications taken by their parents each day.

• Three in 10 (31 percent) don’t know how many medications their parents take.

• About one-third (34 percent) doesn’t know if their parents have a safety deposit box or where the key is located.

• An estimated 36 percent don’t know where their seniors’ financial information is located.

“This survey was no surprise to us, since we often are called to assist when families are in crisis,” said Jeff Huber, president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Home Instead Senior Care network. “We’ve seen the turmoil that such a situation creates and we’ve also witnessed how much smoother it can go when families are prepared.”

That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care network has worked with Humana Points of Caregiving^® to develop a variety of resources including the Senior Emergency Kit^SM and website at www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com that can help family caregivers keep important information at their fingertips.

The toolkit is designed so that family caregivers have ready access to such information as a senior’s doctors’, pharmacy and insurance company, medications and dosage details, as well as allergies and important documents.

For more information, visit the site or contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office. To find an office near you, visit www.homeinstead.com.

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Founded in 1994 in Omaha by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care^® network is the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors, with more than 900 independently owned and operated franchises providing in excess of 45 million hours of care throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, Finland, Austria, Italy and Puerto Rico. The Home Instead Senior Care network employs more than 65,000 CAREGivers^SM worldwide who provide basic support services – activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, incidental transportation and shopping – which enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

ABOUT HUMANA POINTS OF CAREGIVING

Humana Points of Caregiving® is a complete caregiving community, with expert information, advice, and tools to help caregivers make decisions with confidence. For more information, call 1-877-260-7277 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Humana Points of Caregiving is made available by Humana Inc., one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies. As a leader in health benefits innovation, Humana delivers guidance and consumer-oriented options for individuals and employer groups who seek the best possible healthcare outcomes through choosing, financing, and using their benefits with confidence.

# # #

CONTACT:

Chris Roslan
DRC Inc. Public Relations
(212) 966-4600
chris(AT)drcpublicrelations.com

How was your Mother’s Day visit last weekend? Did you walk away more worried about her health? Are you more concerned about her frailty and inability to care for herself? When celebrating holidays with our aging loved ones, adult children often walk away frustrated because the visit did not go as we planned. We are there to enjoy our mother’s company not be forced to deal with elder care issues.  Yet, as she ages, these visits are an ideal time for adult children to evaluate the health and home safety concerns of our loved ones. If this holiday wasn’t the ideal time to make close evaluations on your mom’s safety, make sure that you take a closer look during your next visit to determine if she might benefit from care assistance at home.

Perhaps you are a family caregiver, caring for an elderly parent from a distance, then you can use this checklist to help you recognize the important warning signs of home safety issues; if you can’t answer “yes” to all of the statements below, then it’s time to suggest some changes at your loved one’s home.

• Is there spoiled food in her fridge? What about the cupboards? Does she have nutritious snack items stored in them?

• Does she wear clothing with short or close-fitting sleeves while cooking? Long sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans and causing scalds. Make sure she knows to roll back long, loose sleeves or fasten them with pins or elastic bands while you are cooking.

• Are kitchen ventilation systems or ranges exhaust functioning properly and are they in use while you are cooking?  Indoor air pollutants may accumulate to unhealthful levels in a kitchen where gas or kerosene-fire appliances are in use. Use ventilation systems or open windows to clear air of vapors and smoke.

• Are all extension cords and appliance cords located away from the sink or range areas? Are all electrical cords placed out of traffic flow? And are they out from beneath furniture, carpet and rugs?

• Does good, even lighting exist over the stove, sink, and countertop work areas, especially where food is sliced or cut?

• Is the step stool in good repair? Standing on chairs, boxes, or other makeshift items to reach high shelves can result in falls. If you don’t have a step stool, consider buying one. Choose one with a handrail that you can hold onto while standing on the top step.

• Is her bathroom safe? Are nonskid mats placed on the floor beside the bathtub or shower? What is used on the bathtub surface to make sure it has a non-slippery finish?

• Are securely fastened grab bars installed to help mom maintain balance while showering or bathing? Check the towel rack and make sure she doesn’t use it as a grab bar. It cannot hold her weight even if it appears to be securely fastened.

• Has grab bars on each side of the toilet been installed? These give your mom support when sitting or rising.

• Do you see loosely thrown rugs in the bathroom or other areas in the home? Know that these are a high risk for falls.

• What temperature is the water heater set? Consider lowering it a few degrees to prevent scalding accidents.

• Are bathroom, kitchen towels and curtains at a good distance from heaters or stoves in order to prevent fires?

• Is the home clean with no signs of dirt and dust appearing in locations that are harder to reach?

• Would she benefit from a ramp or rails at the entrance of the home?

• Are smoke alarms installed? Are batteries changed at least every six (6) months? There are a variety of smoke alarms available including some that not only sound an alarm but also flash when set off.

• Does she have good lighting in every room? What about the stairways? Is it well-lit and free of clutter? Handrails are a great safety feature for any stairway and need to be properly and securely attached to the wall. Shadowed or dark areas can hide tripping hazards. Use the maximum wattage bulb allowed by the fixture. (If you do not know the correct wattage, use a bulb no larger than 60 watts.) Install night-lights. Reduce glare by using frosted bulbs, indirect lighting, shades or globes on light fixtures, or partially closing blinds or curtains. Consider using additional lamps or light fixtures. Make sure that the bulbs you use are the right type and wattage for the light fixture.

• Did you check all door and window locks to insure proper installation for security?

• And does she understand that it is vital NOT to give out personal information over the telephone or elsewhere?

Going through this list and checking off hazardous items during the next visit with your aging parents will be tenuous, but it will give a sense of peace knowing that your loved one is safe. Be sure to check out more safety tips by searching online for “elderly safety tips”.

BIO

Carol Marak is founder of Carebuzz.com (http://carebuzz.com), a platform of websites targeting local senior care help for family caregivers and the aging senior they care for.  Carol is a former caregiver for her aging parents. She experienced the frustrations of searching for local elder care help while living at a distance from her loved ones. That’s why she created Carebuzz. She plans to grow the city sites to be a leading local resource for caregivers.

Panic buttons can be one way or 2-way. A one way panic button for the elderly will work in one way only. The person in distress presses a button, which sends a signal. Usually this will place an emergency call to the numbers already programmed into the system.

Some companies allow 9 numbers to be programmed. Each of these 9 numbers will be called one after the other till a human is reached. In case you are wondering how a machine knows that a human has lifted the phone, then here is how it works. When a person takes the call, he is asked to enter in a number. If the number is entered correctly, then the system assumes that it is a live person and not an answering machine. Then the system will play the message for the person lifting the call.

In a 2-way system, a 2-way communication is established between the person in distress and the emergency alert service provider. This is why it is very important you choose a reliable service provider. It is well worth the few extra dollars spent per month, in return for quality service and response.

Some 2-way service providers will provide additional service. For example some alarm companies will pull up medical records of the patient to determine if he has any known medical issues. This ensures immediate service and can avoid a lot of hassle and frustration.

Panic buttons for the elderly can be worn as a bracelet, pendant or on the belt. They are usually water proof so there is no issues with the emergency alert systems getting spoiled due to moisture.

Some seniors refuse to wear any bracelet, either because they don’t like the look, or they don’t want others to know they have medical issues. Whatever the reason be, there is a nice way to get around this as well.

Nowadays, there are many medical alert devices which do not look like panic buttons for the elderly. You can get such units or you could buy additional units and place them at strategic places around the house. The senior can reach these when in need.

While Choosing a Panic Button it is recommended you keep a few pointers in mind. Feel free to add to this list as fits your requirement.
1. Cost
2. Service
3. Warranty
4. Contract
To get some great panic buttons for the elderly you must check out AlarmCare. Backed by years of quality service, trained service, this is one medical alert service I honestly recommend.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_Ann_Smith