In all stags of our lives, we need to be careful with our foods so at to prevent them from becoming contaminated. However, as we grow older and our immune systems become weaker, especially when we are faced with diseases and other health challenges, we need to be especially careful.

Therefore, with this in mind, these following suggestions are put forth so as to help in preventing foodborne illnesses.

Pack Separately

Always separate the meat from the rest of the items and do not put them in the top section of the cart, so that if any liquid drips from them, it will not go onto other things.

Additionally, keep things such as deodorant, toothpaste, soap etc., from the rest of the groceries.

The scent from these things can be transferred to the rest of the other things in the cart.

Label Bags

If you are using recyclable shopping bags to take your groceries home, instead of the store’s plastic ones, it is best to label them. That is, write the word meat on the bag you will be using to carry meat in and fruits and vegetables on those you will be using for those and things along this line.

Yes, the same way in which you will be separating the items in the shopping cart, it is best to do the same thing with them when you are transporting them.

Additionally, by writing names on them, it will help to remind you as to which bag is for what and so forth and do not forget to put them in the wash very often.

Last Trip

Leave the choosing of the meat, fruits and vegetables for the very last. Yes, put these things into the cart, just before you head over to the checkout counter.

This will help to minimize the length of time that these foods are outside of the refrigerator or at the required temperature.

Use Plastic Bags

In many supermarkets around the world, in the produce section, there are plastic bags for shoppers to put these raw vegetables into. However, sometimes it may be tempting simply to put the produces “unwrapped,” into the shopping cart, but do not give into that temptation, always use these bags.

On the other hand, if your usual shopping store does not supply these bags, it is best to walk with your own “see through” bags.

By using them, they will help to prevent anything that might have dripped into the shopping cart when it was used before and anything that you might put into the cart, from getting onto the produce.

Purchasing clothing for the older person can be extremely difficult. A lot of older people cannot purchase the clothes for themselves because they are not mobile enough yet they still want a particular style or type of clothing. It can also be difficult to know what to purchase them in regards to fabric, styles and sizes. I’ve written the following article to help you know what to consider when purchasing clothing for the older person online or on the high street.

The first thing to consider is that the garment must be comfortable. Older people will spend long amounts of time sitting in the fabric as they are no longer extremely active. The garments must not be tight or uncomfortable. Often older woman will prefer to wear skirts as they are of a generation which are not particularly used to wearing trousers. This will also be comfier and more practical, the clothing must also be easy to put on in the morning so a simple front button dress for a woman would be idea. Don’t forget that they can easily layer their clothing if they feel cold.

I would recommend not worrying about accessories such as belts; belts can be a little difficult especially if someone has arthritis. Buttons on garments should be fairly large so that they can manage to dress themselves; if the buttons are small it can become difficult. This also applies to zips and pockets.

By no means are old people invalids but we should enable life to be as easy as possible for them. It can be very stressful and depressing if someone has to do everything for you. By purchasing clothing that makes it as simple as possible to dress themselves you allow them to do something for themselves. I hope the above article has helped make you consider and be aware of possibilities with clothing for elderly people.

Joan Smith purchased from Chums

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Smith-Samios

So your elderly parents are causing you worry? But do you need to really worry about them or are they just little tottery but sensible? How do you know if your aging parents need help?

Here’s some things to look for:
1. Sneak around where they live and if everything looks normal, for them;
2. Are they doing laundry?
3. Is the refrigerator stocked with enough food?
4. Is the environment safe against falls, fires and other perils.
5. Are your parents really managing their medicines?

Here’s some signs their personal standards are slipping:
1. They don’t look as well-groomed as they once were;
2. They seem to always be wearing the same clothes;
3. They don’t see their friends as usual;
4. They’ve dropped favorite activities;
5. They’re isolating themselves more.

The sneaky kid’s check-up on aging parents:
1. Drop round at meal-time and see if they’re eating well;
2. Check in the laundry room and look in the hampers;;
3. Look in their bedroom and note any changes;
4. The mail — is it piling up?
5. Check with friendly neighbors — who are often the first to notice changes.

Now, you think maybe they might not being doing too well but you still aren’t sure. This is the time to invite yourself over for the weekend. Make an excuse — they’re painting your apartment, the cooler went off. Hang around, don’t help, see how they do, make notes, ask questions and here’s what to look for.

Signs of need for help:
1. They can’t manage housework or cooking at all well;
2. They seem confused and can’t keep up the conversation;
3. Their medication is a mess — they take it or not and don’t really notice;
4. You see they have short-term memory issues;
5. They seem to have irrational fears.

So, sneaky, what next? Next is a plan, some helpers, some honest talk without bullying or making them wrong. Instead, you are very kind and very respectful. You talk about how grateful you are to them and now it’s your turn to return some of that. Just make it all sound like something you might say, in your own unique way.

It all translates into: I love you, I owe you, please let me do some things for you so I don’t have to keep worrying that you’re okay.

If they say, as they likely will, we’re fine. That’s when you say some version of, but I’m your son (daughter) and I want to know you’re fine.

The things you must do:
1. Ensure they have good food to eat;
2. Make taking medication safe and efficient;
3. Check their bills are being paid just the right number of times;
4. Ensure their house is fall and fire proof;
5. Lay down a plan.

These things can be arranged in a wide number of ways. You can:
1. Involve other family members;
2. Hire someone for the job;
3. Let some trusted friends of theirs know what help is needed;
4. Do it all yourself;
5. Persuade them to move into assisted living.
6. Move in with them;
7. Have them move in with you;
8. None of the above but some unique idea of your own.

The only thing you can’t do is to do nothing.

Frena Gray-Davidson, Alzheimer’s caregiver and author of five caregiving books, including her latest book “Alzheimer’s 911: Hope, Help and Healing for Caregivers”, available at http://www.amazon.com. Frena teaches care families and professionals to decode the language of dementia and achieve successful behavior interventions. Go to her website at http://www.alzguide.com/ and sign up for her free monthly online newsletter for all involved in dementia care. Email her at frenagd@gmail.com.

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The most popular form of sleep apnea treatment is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device and a comfortable sleep apnea mask. In fact, sleep apnea professionals state that the success of CPAP equipment therapy is contingent upon air pressures that the patient can tolerate and a comfortably fitted sleep apnea mask.

One would think that delivering tolerable CPAP air pressures and having a comfortable apnea mask is an easy task, but, the statistics prove different in that only 50% of all CPAP users are compliant with their treatment after two months of use. This is unfortunate because if CPAP equipment is used correctly it has almost a 100% success rate in stopping the apnea episodes. As a result, the numbers don’t lie, if you are going to stop your sleep apnea, you need to do serious diligence before you start your treatment and get a correct fitting apnea mask.

Typically, most apnea masks are made out of soft silicone plastic and are in triangular form. The masks are placed over their user’s nose, mouth, or both. From there, the mask is attached to tubing that receives pressurized air from the CPAP device that ultimately opens up blocked or collapsed tissues in the airways. A snuggly fitted apnea mask will prevent leakage of pressurized air. As one could imagine, if an air leak should occur, less pressure will ultimately go to its user and not perform to the correct standard. Thus, the mask is held in place by elastic straps or head gear.

It is a good idea when choosing apnea masks to always go for the one that is smaller so that you can achieve a more firm fit. Additionally, it is also important to note that although the triangular mask is the most popular, be sure that you also look at other options such as nasal pillows or nasal prongs that are much smaller and use devices that either insert directly into the nasal passage or seal around it.

Your Doctor usually is the one who will direct you to a supplier of CPAP equipment. A Home Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider is usually responsible for supplying CPAP machines apnea masks. Most dealers will bring the equipment to your home and show you how to use it and handle all of the insurance billing too. However, as you can imagine, DME companies are not all the same, and you need make sure your supplier has professional trained sleep apnea personnel and a wide variety of apnea masks to choose from.

This is the time to be very selective, for example, each mask is designed to handle different issues such as facile hair (nasal pillows), mouth breathers (full face mask), nose only breathers (nasal mask), and dry skin or oily skin that can affect the fit of the sleep apnea mask. Your dealer will know what is best for you. Additionally, do not be concerned if you find a comfortable apnea mask that is manufactured by a different company than the CPAP equipment, most are made to fit the generic tubing that comes from the machine.

It is important to remember that sleep apnea is a very serious condition that can lead to significant health problems. Sleep apnea can be defined as numerous episodes of breathing cessation at night that can be accompanied with excessive snoring or interrupted sleep. As a result, sufferers of this condition are not getting correct amounts of oxygen to their blood and are more prone to such adverse health problems as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks. Not to mention, the effects that lack of sleep have on energy levels and alertness. So, it is very important to treat your sleep apnea now and make sure you get the right sleep apnea mask that will allow you to get that comfortable night’s sleep that you deserve!

Ray Burk is the Cheif Editor of ApneaMask.net a informational website dedicated to discussing issues concerning sleep apnea. Go here now to discover the latest Sleep Apnea Mask options and learn which mask is best for you.

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

The problems that the elderly can face include dementia or forgetfulness, lack of strength, hearing or visually impaired, getting tired, having aches or pains or have difficulty walking and swallowing. Any of these conditions can be a major obstacle in being independent at home and without adequate help or support, people may have no choice but to leave and lose their independence.

People may not be aware that there are plenty of products available to assist those who may struggle with everyday tasks. Depending on what their condition is, the products provide assistance making some of the most difficult tasks easier. Very often the products reduce the amount of strength that is required to complete a task, are very easy to use for those who may have sight or hearing problems, or can also help jog the memory of those who may be forgetful.

These products can reduce the strain and encourage those who may have problems to be much more independent, reducing the need for assistance later in life. Some examples of products are long handled reachers, for making objects on the floor or high on shelves easy to obtain without bending or reaching, two handled cups for those who may have problems holding cups with one handle or who also may have tremors, and bath and shower seats for those who are worried about a fall or have difficulty standing.

Some elderly people could also suffer from anxiety or depression and need to relax if alone or with the help of others, with consideration taken into games and activities that are easy to use and hold. There are games and entertainment products available that would make very good gifts for an elderly relative or friend who needs to relax. From traditional board games to easy to use gardening tools and nostalgic CDs, many items can help with relaxation, mood lifting and general well being.

It is important to try and retain the independence and well being of the elderly as much as possible. With homecare products that are available to make life easier for them, they can live a happier life knowing they can remain more independent for much longer.

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

Whatever happened to Bill the week Mom had gone to Chicago will never be known. Plus the fact that he disclosed to his neighbors that he had fallen (once? twice? three times or more?) is a clue as to just how fragile he really is.

Mary asks my permission to call 911 and of course I say yes. She stays with Bill until the paramedics arrive (instructed to keep the sirens off to help calm the waters). The paramedics conduct an assessment of Bill’s vital signs and are in agreement with Mary that he should go to the hospital immediately. Bill refuses to go. He is scared, confused and yet, not in any shape to remain home alone. After 15-minutes of convincing, Bill finally agrees to let the paramedics take him to the hospital for an evaluation.

In the meantime, Mom has no idea of what she is in for when her flight lands in Florida. Her world has been turned upside down in an instant; with a house to sell and a husband who is no longer competent to sign documents, every decision regarding the move now rests on Mom’s shoulders. What must the reality of becoming a primary caregiver of a spouse who now needs full-time care feel like? I look at this sad situation from the sidelines and ask myself – how can older and physically ailing people justify living far away from family members? The long-distance denial of eventually needing care is an epidemic of enormous proportions.

Knowing that Bill will not be at the airport to pick up Mom, my sisters and I are scrambling for options. Who will pick Mom up at the airport and take her immediately to the hospital? Who will tell Mom what has happened to Bill?

Once again, Sharon, the incredible real estate agent comes to our rescue. She volunteers to pick up Mom from the airport and she will also break the news to Mom that Bill is in the hospital. She will also drive Mom to the hospital, and will drive Mom home and tuck her safely in her bed. Sharon continues to go FAR beyond the call of duty. How can I ever repay Sharon for her kindness and compassion?

Dear reader of this blog, I repeat… the real estate agent is one of the key people in a long-distance move and one of the most critical decisions you will make in this type of eldercare situation. Will this person volunteer to fill in when you can’t? Will he or she treat your parents as their own? Will he or she be a team player keeping you informed and communicating at a high level every step of the way? Will this person go the extra mile for you?

What was going to be a simple process — selling a house — has turned into a real-estate agent’s nightmare. Now that Bill is incapable of signing the house-sale documents, closing the deal is now an incredibly complex ordeal. Power-of-attorney papers assigning Mom are the only way to bypass guardian court proceedings. Mom can sign the house-sale papers and it’s a done deal. Or so we think.

Disposable Bed Sensor

Many seniors get disoriented during the night time hours, and some will get out of bed and wander the house. This puts them at an increased risk for walking into furniture, falling down stairs, and seriously injuring themselves. A great product to help them stay safe is the disposable bed sensor. This pad goes across the mattress, when your loved one tries to get up, a sensor will send an alarm. This alarm will either wake them up, or it can alert you if you are sleeping in the next room.

BedCaddie

Many seniors like to sit up and read in their bed in the late night hours or early morning. When you are trying to push yourself up to sitting, you can easily lose your balance and fall right out of bed. The BedCaddie is a great tool to help seniors sit up in bed and is designed to look like a ladder, and you simply grab the tiers on it until you have pulled yourself up to sitting. It’s a simple way to make your bed time reading and activities more enjoyable.

Adjustable Bed Rail

If you are concerned about you or your loved one falling out of the bed during the night, a bed rail is the best way to keep safe in bed. These adjustable bed rails not only work for keeping you in bed at night, you can also use them to help support yourself as you climb in and out of bed. Since we are often groggy in the morning, it helps to have a support bar close by as you try to regain your balance.

Slipper Socks

Many seniors are susceptible to falls on slippery surfaces during the day, and when they need to start getting up in the night to use the restroom, it can be quite dangerous. The slippery bathroom floor and dim lights during the night can cause seniors to fall and bump their head or break a bone. Prevent slips during the night by wearing slipper socks to bed which have slip resistant tread on the bottom, giving you a little extra grip on slippery surfaces.

Incontinence Pads

As the body ages, many of the organs are unable to maintain their strength and they start to lose their ability to function properly. Seniors often struggle with their bladder as it no longer has strong walls that hold in the urine. This causes incontinence problems, which can be a real issue during the night since it takes you longer to pull yourself out of the bed and make your way to bathroom. If you have trouble with incontinence during the night, you need to purchase some incontinence pads so you can rest well knowing you won’t be wetting the bed or trying to find the bathroom in the middle of the night.

AbleRise Bed Assist

Another great product to help you get in and out of bed is the AbleRise Bed Assist has a support bar that you can use to pull yourself in and out of bed and it also includes a pocket where you can hold your book, television remote control, and even your telephone.

Personal Alarm

If you do fall out of bed, you need help to pull yourself back up, or you will need emergency care if you have broken bones or cut open your head. The Posey Personal alarm is a great way to help you stay safe during the night time hours. It has a magnetic pull cord that will sound when tugged and it will emit a loud alarm to alert your loved ones in the next room.

At CareGiver Partnership we offer knowledge and resources to help those who help others. Caring for the elderly is a rewarding but, often difficult undertaking. Working hand-in-hand with caregivers is our passion. We provide many different items which can be utilized in and out of the home of your patient or loved one.

Please visit: http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/ for more information.

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

But, successfully keeping our parents safely in their home (or ours) is only half the battle. Many seniors are in fact living in their own home but are completely isolated, lonely and sleeping the day away. Their life is spent waiting for doctor appointments, waiting for someone, anyone to visit. Home care companies may advertise, “There’s no place like home”, but not everyone thrives at home. Let’s face it, a senior who was once an accomplished professional or an active social butterfly will rarely be challenged by the company of a home health aide who may speak limited English or who made be bored with his/her job. Having a warm body keep a senior company does not qualify as social interaction. Many of our clients crave just to be touched. If you hold their hand, they won’t let go. If you rub their tired shoulders, they melt in the chair. A kiss on the cheek goes a very long way because we all need to be touched. The touch of a home health aide getting them dressed in the morning does not count.

Even seniors who have moderate dementia and who seem to not remember one moment to the next do better when they have social and physical stimulation geared to their level of understanding. Some feel social interaction does not matter if it cannot be remembered later. The fact is, seniors with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia and memory loss do seem to live moment to moment, but the quality of those individual moments do matter to their overall health and happiness. If we have a six month old baby, we try to give them wonderful experiences even though they may not remember them the next day. It is important to have quality of life every day because they do register at some level.

Adult Day Care Programs are designed to meet the daily socialization needs of seniors and provide necessary respite for weary caregivers. Even seniors who have live-in caregivers may need Adult Day Care because some seniors, especially those with dementia, sleep very little. Their caregivers are exhausted because their sleep is interrupted by their loved one roaming the house or watching television. The Adult Day Care helps provide the caregiver with an opportunity to run errands and sleep. When the caregiver is a spouse, Adult Day Care is especially important so the spouse can attend social functions, doctor appointments, and preserve their own health and happiness.

There are many Adult Day Care Programs located in Palm Beach County. Most are run by government funded organizations or not-for profit agencies. Some examples include the Division of Senior Services, Alzheimer’s Community Care Alliance, Mae Volen Senior Center, Morse Adult Day Center and New Day Adult Care Center.

Adult Day Care rates vary widely, depending upon the funding source and the participant’s income. Many seniors who have Long Term Care Insurance are delighted to know that many policies do cover Adult Day Care. Most are partially funded by federal funds through the Older American’s Act and county funds such as Community Care for the Elderly. The government funded Adult Day Care locations only charge the participant a small fee. This fee is usually in the form of a tax deductible donation. Many government funded programs have a policy that no one is turned away for inability to pay. Private Adult Day Care locations such as those owned by churches and private non- profit organizations may have a sliding scale based upon financial status. Private Adult Day Care can cost about $55/day and may charge extra if the participant requires personal hygiene care. Whether the cost is $5 or $55 a day, all participants receive lunch and two snacks, assistance with activities of daily living, specialized activities designed to stimulate body, mind and soul. The goal is that every participant has a day of FUN which celebrates what they CAN DO. Staffing ratios average one staff member to every six participants. Some even have a ratio of 1:2. All Adult Day Care locations should be licensed by the State of Florida as an Adult Day Health Care Facility. They are inspected by the state biannually.

Some privately owned Assisted Living Facilities such as Arden Courts will allow you to bring a loved one to their facility to spend the day and participate in activities FOR FREE with the understanding that the participant is considering moving into the facility within a month. Other facilities, such as Encore Senior Living will provide day care at their dementia specific assisted living facility for about $55 per day for an unlimited amount of days with no move-in commitment necessary.

Considering that the average price of a home health aide is now $17/hour ( that is $136 per 8 hour day, an 8 hour day at Adult Day Care will cost only $55/day at the most. Adult Day Care, especially those which charge very little, can save a family hundreds of dollars per week in home health care costs and provided priceless respite for the caregiver.

Most Adult Day Care participants are transported to the program by spouses, family members or home health aides. Others take advantage of free special needs bus transportation provided by Palm Tran Connection. Palm Tran may be free but may not be a good option if your loved one cannot be ready and waiting at the door when the bus arrives. They cannot wait and will leave without anyone who is not ready to go.

Many Adult Day Care locations also host support groups for spouses and caregivers. Some have support groups for people who have Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s and other diseases. They generally spend part of the time in a support session and part of the time listening to an invited speaker who provides an educational or community resource presentation. To locate Adult Day Care facilities and support groups call The Elder Helpline at 2-1-1 or log on to 211palmbeach.org, click online resources, then community resources and scroll down to locate the support group or service you desire. Many folks who attend support groups attend the same group for years and become very close with the other members. Caregiving for a spouse or parent is a very difficult job. It is easier when you put all the support services in place and surround yourself with others who understand.

Geriatric Care Managers and Elder Health Care Professionals Committed To Providing Senior Care Management, Guardianship, and Long Term Care Planning. Also can call toll free at V.I.P. Care management, inc. 1-877-588-5158

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