Senior Moments

Communicating During Power Outages

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:25:09 +0000

The most important safety measure that can
be taken is to ensure that you are able to communicate during extreme weather.

Emergency response systems have self-contained
back-up power good for about 72 hours leaving time to contact the monitoring
center for assistance. If you have phone service through your cable company and
the power fails the response system fails with it.

Many seniors have cell phones today. They
are not dependent upon an immediate power supply if they are kept fully
charged. However, it does not take much for the battery to run down.

During the last power outage I was able to
maintain 3 cell phones fully charged with a battery pack I purchased from Sam’s Club for $59.

Whatever power supply you choose should have a USB port to charge things like cell phones and
laptops. If the power supply is always plugged in it should be ready for use
during the next power outage. I was without power for 7 days and the battery
pack had more than ample power for 3 cell phones and two computers. Peace of
mind for only $59.

Emergency Preparedness

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:17:59 +0000

We are living in the “New Normal”, a time
when 100 year storms come back to back. If this is the new norm then we need to
be better prepared for the next event. It is not a matter of “if” the next big
storm will hit, it is a matter of when it will hit.

We are very dependent on electrical power
for all of our needs. When the power fails many of us lose phone service,
lights, refrigeration and, worst of all, heat.

With winter weather fast

approaching there are a number of things you
can do to be prepared.

The CDC has a
really neat checklist of how to heat your home safely during winter weather.
However, it is not really focused on seniors.

Many seniors have downsized into apartment
buildings with elevators. There are no fireplaces or storage for kerosene
heaters. Most apartments do not have back-up generators.

It is important for seniors to be aware of
weather reports and take heed of early advisories and warnings. When a big
storm hits rescuers might not be able to get to you.

The best thing to do is to know where your
town’s shelters are and get there whenever they open. If transportation is an
issue contact your local police department for assistance. For emergency shelter
information contact info line at 211.

Overcoming Obstacles to Healthy Eating

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:01:02 +0000

There are many reasons that people have for
not eating healthy. Here are a few ideas to help you overcome the obstacles to
healthy eating.

1. Say “no” to eating alone. Being with others
stimulates your mind and helps you to enjoy your meal. Make a date to share
lunch or dinner with family and friends on a rotating basis. Adult Day Care Centers
provide companionship and healthy meals. Senior meal programs are a great way
to meet others and get a nutrition meal at the same time. The Newington Senior
Center has a nutritious meal program. You can find out more by calling them at
860-665-8778.

2. Loss of
appetite can be another excuse. Check with your doctor to see if this may be
related to any medications you are taking. Changes in a medication dosage may
be able to help. Try natural flavor enhancers such as garlic, onions, ginger
and other spices to boost your appetite.

3. Difficulty chewing can be an obstacle to healthy eating. Consult your dentist to make sure
that there are no oral problems. Try making smoothies with fruit, yogurt and
protein powder. Eat steamed vegetables and soft foods like couscous, rice and
yogurt.

4. Eating the same foods over and over is
bound to get boring. Start by making variety a priority. Read cooking
magazines, buy spices you haven’t tried before and chat with friends about what
they eat.

5. If you can’t shop or cook for yourself there
are a number of possibilities depending on your living situation, finances and needs. Take
advantage of home delivery such as Pea Pod. Ask family, friends or neighbors if
they will shop for you. If you live alone consider sharing your home with a
housemate willing to shop and cook for you. Hire a homemaker to shop and cook
for you. You may also contact your local “Meals on Wheels” for nutritious meals
delivered to your door.

Friendly Ideas for Healthy Eating

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:50:43 +0000

Often we have a tendency to approach our
daily dietary needs with a lack luster attitude. We are fearful of moving
outside of our comfort zone when it comes to trying new foods. Frequently we
feel that “well, I didn’t like it as a kid so I won’t like it now”, forgetting
that over the years our taste buds change.

Good nutrition is important at any age. Eating
well will help you to feel better every day and may even help prevent heart
disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and some cancers.

As we get older we need fewer calories but
the same amount, or even higher amounts, of certain vitamins and minerals. This
can make meal planning a daunting task.

A major key to healthy eating is planning your
meals accordingly. Start with planning for three meals a day. Skipping a meal,
especially breakfast, will make it difficult for you to get all of
your daily nutritional requirements.

1. Try one different
food each month. You might just find a new favorite.

2. Keep a list of
menu items for when you are out of ideas.

3. Swap ideas
with family and friends to add variety.

4. Start your day
with 100% juice.

Dementia: What You Need To Know

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:10:34 +0000

Dementia is really a group of symptoms that include memory
loss, personality changes and impaired intellectual functioning. These symptoms
may be a result of either disease or trauma to the brain. The symptoms are
those not a part of normal aging and are severe enough to impact daily living,
a person’s independence and family relationships. There are many different
forms of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia are most
common. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type accounting for two thirds
of all diagnosed cases. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease there are
medications that can slow the appearance of more severe symptoms of dementia.

The most common signs and symptoms of dementia include
memory loss, impaired judgment, and inappropriate behavior. Other symptoms may
include decreasing communication skills, increased problems with ambulation and
poor personal hygiene. The person with dementia may repeatedly ask the same questions
or may easily become confused in familiar places. This person may also be found
wearing the same clothes day after day. He/she may appear unkempt and
disheveled. He/she may have difficulty following simple directions.

I know, I know, a strong case could be made that I have had
it for years and it just has never been diagnosed. For instance, since youth I
have had difficulty following directions. That has not improved the slightest
over the years. I misplace car keys, glasses and baseball caps; glasses found
on my head and baseball cap in my hand. So, do I have dementia? I say “not
yet”, of course, my wife would disagree.

Even though you may have some of the symptoms you may not
have dementia either. Dementia can be caused by a large number of conditions
such as stroke, drug interactions and urinary tract infections. When symptoms
appear suddenly it is important to see your physician as soon as possible. Prompt
diagnosis and early intervention can control, or even eliminate symptoms all
together. Exercising your mind helps you stay active. Find a cause and get
involved, there are plenty of them out there. July 4^th 2012,
Independence Day, is right around the corner. I felt that this would be the
perfect opportunity to discuss independence and the fear and frustration that
comes from having one’s independence threatened. How many conflicts have
occurred worldwide all in the name of freedom and independence? Why is it so
difficult for caregivers to understand the negative response from a memory
impaired person when he/she feels threatened? I suppose it is because
caregivers are convinced that they are acting in the person’s best interest.
But are they really?

Dan Fisher RN, BSN

A & D
Home Health Solutions

Losing Independence Can Trigger Extreme Response

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:54:43 +0000

July 4^th 2012, Independence Day, is right around
the corner. I felt that this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss
independence and the fear and frustration that comes from having one’s
independence threatened. How many conflicts have occurred worldwide all in the
name of freedom and independence? Why is it so difficult for caregivers to
understand the negative response from a memory impaired person when he/she
feels threatened? I suppose it is because caregivers are convinced that they
are acting in the person’s best interest. But are they really?

Caring for someone with dementia can be tiring and extremely
frustrating, especially when one is doing it 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When
a caregiver is tired and stressed it is difficult to maintain a positive
attitude and your loved one can not only hear it in your voice but can see it
in your body language. It then is all too easy to trigger negative behavior. One
of my clients became extremely upset for no apparent reason. I spoke with him
at length and figured out that he was upset because the caregiver did the
dishes. It had been his way of helping his wife (of 65 years) out around the
house. He felt his independence was being threatened. I am sure that all
behavior is triggered. We may not always see or even understand the trigger but
it is there. Becoming more aware of our approach to the person with dementia
will also help in identifying the triggers for negative behavior.

People can react to a loss of independence in different
ways. Some may be fearful about how they will manage on their own. Others may
feel angry with the loss and take their feelings out on family and friends.
Some may feel guilty and confused resulting in the refusal of help from family
and friends. All of these feelings are all justified. Recognizing and
understanding these feelings will help in your caregiving duties. Realizing
that there is no greater threat than the loss of our independence, whether the
threat is real or perceived, is the first step in truly helping your loved one
cope with the loss. Take the opportunity to allow as much independence as is
safe to lessen the triggers that occur when independence is threatened.

Dan Fisher RN, BSN

A & D
Home Health Solutions

Somebody’s Sweetheart

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:55:34 +0000

The month of February and Valentine’s Day brings a celebration of love and stirs couples to rekindle feelings of romance and devotion. Not so different from young couples are aging seniors, celebrating memories of sweethearts and romance in days gone by. Sit a while with a senior couple and they will soon be telling you their romance story or listen to a widow or widower as they sing their favorite love song from their youth.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s can rob senior minds of many of these treasured memories, changing their personality and life style. Because of these and other illnesses, many seniors end up in nursing homes or care facilities where only their basic physical needs are cared for by the facility staff. To these seniors, Valentine’s Day becomes no different from every other day. They often find it difficult to relive memories of the past. In one care facility a sign placed lovingly over a patient’s bed reads, “I Am Somebody’s Sweetheart,” as if to say I once dreamed, lived and loved, please treat me kindly.
When asked how she relates to those she cares for, nurse assistant Karen W. replies that most of the time it’s those patients who are causing a disturbance or may be in danger of harming themselves who are the ones that get her attention. Even then she can only take care of the immediate problem. Very seldom has she time to personally get to know well all the elderly people she cares for.
Although this is true with many facilities, the need for more personalized care is, in some cases, being recognized. Assisted living facilities with specialized memory care programs — some using art, music and dance or physical activities — are finding great success with increasing the quality of life for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Many care facilities across the nation are adding these programs to better serve their residents.
If you cannot find a facility in your area that provides this special attention, home care may be a better option.
Consider this real experience. When Nora would visit her father in the nursing home she would find him sitting, slumped over and disinterested in his surroundings. By the time she and her young children finished their visit, he was alert and talking to them. Feeling he would do better in her home environment, Nora enlisted the services of a Geriatric Care Manager to evaluate her father and determine what would be needed for his care at home so that he could get the social stimulation that he needed.
Home care personnel are skilled in working with the spouse and extended family members of their ailing loved one to provide needed services and support in the home. They add consistency in the care and are available in time of crisis or need to add additional services.
“Somebody’s Sweetheart” may be in need of your loving care someday and help is available to reduce your burden and ease the journey.

Veterans Benefits and Long Term Care

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:53:37 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides three types of long term care services for veterans.
The first type is benefits from the VA healthcare system. This benefit is focused on those with service connected disabilities, who are receiving VA Pension or are considered low income. Services may include free medical care, free prescription drugs, orthotics and prosthetics, home renovation grants for disabilities, home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Availability of these services is dependent on the local medical centers funds, the nature of the disability and whether the veteran is considered low income.
The second type of benefit is state veterans homes. The majority of these homes offer nursing care but some may offer assisted living care as well. Veteran’s homes are supported with a combination of state and federal funds. These homes are generally available to veterans and their spouses. There may be a waiting list in some states.
The third type of benefit is disability income for active duty veterans. The first of these disability incomes is called compensation. It is designed to award a veteran a certain amount of money to compensate for potential loss of income in the private sector. In order to qualify for this benefit a veteran needs to have evidence of a service related disability. Some veterans may have record of being exposed to extreme cold, non-disabling injuries, tropical diseases or other incidents of exposure, while on active duty, which years later may be the cause of medical conditions. These veterans could apply to see if they could receive a benefit. Some veterans may be receiving Compensation but their condition has worsened and they can reapply for a larger amount based on a higher disability rating.
The second disability income benefit is called pension. Pension is also called “Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit”. It is available to all active duty veterans who served at least 90 days during a period of war. Applicants younger than age 60 must be totally disabled or a patient in a nursing home. Proof of disability is not required for applicants 65 years of age and older.
The purpose of this benefit is to provide supplemental income to disabled or older veterans who have low income. If the veteran’s income exceeds the pension amount, then there is no award. However, income can be adjusted for unreimbursed medical expenses, and this allows veterans with incomes larger than the pension amount to qualify for a monthly benefit. There is also an asset test to qualify for Pension. The primary residence, most personal property and automobiles are exempt from this asset test.

It’s All About YOUR Independence

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:23:46 +0000

Two-way personal emergency response (PERS) systems have been around for quite a number of years now. They continue to be an important tool to keep one aging safely in place. I am sure that you have seen the television commercials where a lady is lying on the floor yelling “Help me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Unfortunately this is an all too common occurrence. The longer a person lies on the floor without assistance the more difficult full recovery will be. One push of the button and you are in contact with trained responders. The commercial aired quite heavily on many television stations making it well known within the healthcare industry. It also created a sort of tunnel vision for seniors and providers alike.
Just last week a client was telling me what she thought of our PERS system. She loves it and feels that it saved her life. This is the story I received form her. She was having difficulty breathing and was sitting on the edge of her bed. She decided to call her doctor. (I’m thinking, PUSH THE BUTTON). Her doctor was off so she spoke with the covering physician. He told her to wait 35 minutes and if she didn’t feel better dial 911. (In my head I’m screaming, PUSH THE #*!! BUTTON). My client decided that 35 minutes just did not seem right so, thankfully, she pushed the button. Oh yea, before she pushed the button she walked to the front door and unlocked it even though the responders have access to the key. She was in even more respiratory trouble by the time she reached her bedside. The responders arrived within minutes and transported her to the emergency room. She was admitted to the medical intensive care unit and treated for congestive heart failure.
As you can see the PERS units are useful for more than just falls. Chronic illnesses can bring on acute symptoms that require immediate medical attention. They may be used in case of fire or police emergencies. They may be used for medication reminders and regular welfare checks. Monitoring companies are staffed with specially trained responders 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So, if you have these concerns with yourself or a loved one call us for more information. Mention code WB-101 to receive the exclusive discount of $27.95 per month

Dan Fisher RN, BSN
A & D Home Health Solutions, Inc
Visit our website: www.adhomehealthsolutions.com

Top 20 Signs That Your Aging Parents Need Help

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:17:24 +0000

I am often called in to assist clients after they have gone into crisis mode. The crisis may be a result of medication mismanagement, a fall resulting in injury or driving to the barber shop down the street and ending up in another state. The ability to manage the daily household operations can deteriorate slowly over time. Family members may miss simple signs and symptoms of this inability to cope with the activities of daily living. The following list will help to identify the need for professional help for your aging relatives.
1. Medication bottles that have not been refilled in the last two or three months.
2. Medication bottles that are filled too frequently.
3. Cluttered pathways.
4. Increasing short term memory loss.
5. Wearing the same clothes for weeks on end.
6. Windows and blinds shut and locked tight at all times.
7. Stoves cluttered and unusable.
8. Washer and dryer cluttered and unusable.
9. Decreasing personal hygiene.
10. Unopened mail.
11. Utility shut off notices.
12. Empty cupboards.
13. Empty refrigerator.
14. Cancelled medical appointments.
15. Cancelled hair appointments.
16. Phone calls to friends and relatives in the middle of the night.
17. Paranoia about friends and relatives stealing from them.
18. Inoperable bathroom facilities.
19. Thick blankets placed over the windows and blinds.
20. Going out of the house without weather appropriate attire or wearing nothing at all.
Having been a homecare nurse for the past 20 years I have seen all of these symptoms and many more. There are many options to assist individuals to remain as independent as possible in their own home. Knowing when to call in a professional care manager can be the difference between aging in place successfully and having to move to a skilled nursing facility.
Dan Fisher RN, BSN, CEO
Case Management Services