Six days a week, a seventy-six-year-old active businessman begins his day at the local YMCA pool. This energetic, charismatic man exercises in the water before going to his office each day, and he says he feels the benefits not only on his body, but also his spirit. He was told by his doctor to “get into the water.”
Similarly, an older woman, who has had multiple knee and hip replacement surgeries, was told by her orthopedic surgeon that the best thing she could do was to “get into the pool.”
Doctors often recommend exercising in water because it has many healing effects for people of all ages. These include relief of pain and muscle spasms, increased range of motion, increased muscle strength, enhancement of balance, faster recovery from many types of surgeries, and more. Bruce Becker, in his article “Healing Waters” (2007), says there is new research to support that exercising in water “can also strengthen the muscles of respiration, which can be helpful in athletes, as well as in the rehabilitation of people with respiratory weakness or other lung disease.”
A simple explanation for the proven benefits of water therapy is that the buoyancy supports and lessens stress on the joints, allowing freer movement to occur. In addition, the water acts as a resistance to help build muscle strength. Therefore, though you must use your muscles more while in the water, it doesn’t feel strenuous. You are getting a great workout without the pressure on your joints.
I recently spoke with a pool manager who says, “People with all sorts of ailments and disabilities benefit from being in the water. It either eliminates the pain or greatly lessens it. It’s an equal opportunity medium.” So people who suffer with such physical problems as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and amputations (to name a few) greatly benefit from water exercises. The pool manager also noted that, “You do not have to swim in order to benefit from exercising in the water.” In fact, water aerobics, jogging, or walking in the water are also beneficial. However, a physician should always be consulted before beginning any exercise program.
With the evidence tallied regarding water as a healing tool, the Silver Sneakers program, a national exercise program for older adults, has added Silver Splash, a water aerobics component, to their program. Some health-care insurance companies actually offer the Silver Sneakers/Silver Splash program free of charge with many of their senior insurance policies. (Check with your insurance company to see if they offer this program.) With rising costs, programs such as Silver Splash help prevent long-term illness in the future, which in turn helps keep insurance costs down.
In addition to using water for healing the body, water can be an excellent tool for healing the spirit through relaxation. If you have ever been mesmerized by the roar of the ocean, the trickling of a creek, or the rush of a waterfall, you know that even the sound of water is relaxing. Being IN the water is even more so.
Whether you are floating on aqua waves in the Caribbean, swimming laps in a pool, or lolling in your own bathtub (or spa), water is a gentle friend that helps erase the tensions of the day. And if you are seeking an exercise program for yourself or someone else that is perfect for any age, that will increase serenity as well as strength, flexibility, balance, and more, give the water a splash!
Carl R. Johnson
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Community Relations Director
Abiding HomeCare
Silverdale, WA
In the process of becoming a Certified Senior Advisor, I have been privileged to glean wisdom and insight from some of the foremost authorities on senior life today. Along the way I’ve come to the realization that aging is a set of processes that are significantly affected by what we think. Our attitudes, values, and beliefs have great impact on our physical health, psychological well-being, and social involvement during our later years.
Sadly, there are many prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to persons based solely on their age. This is what we call ageism, and one of the most frequent “stereotypes” is the view of later life as a period of decline and disaster. However, whether you’re a senior, or you have a loved one who is experiencing the challenges of senior life, having the right attitude can make all the difference in the world.
Of course, not all fears about old age are based on prejudice or imagination. Some fears are all too real, and we need to take account of those fears in making plans for the later years.
While not a given, advancing age increases the probability of chronic illness, dementia, and death. A quick look at life insurance rates will tell you that mortality is a realistic fear for elders. Yet survey research suggests that older people are actually less afraid of death than younger people.
So what are they afraid of? Older people typically express fears of dependency and loss of control. In comparison, death may even seem preferable. For example, the history of assisted suicide in Oregon suggests that very few people, even with terminal illness, actually make use of the option. When they do, it is mostly not for reasons of pain, but because they fear dependency and loss of autonomy.
Fear of dependency is also the reason behind common attitudes about nursing homes. It is not unusual for older people to say, “I’d rather die than go into a nursing home.” Ironically, many who do enter long-term care facilities adapt to the situation and may even find more opportunities for activities, social contact, and support. But the fear of being “put away in a nursing home” is still widespread.
Another important fear among seniors is that of impoverishment – outliving one’s income or assets. Here again, the fear is not unrealistic because poverty rates rise dramatically among those over age 80.
Lastly, there is the fear of losing one’s mind, an informal way of referring to dementia or diminished mental capacity. Unfortunately, rates of dementia do rise dramatically as people age. However … developing dementia is not inevitable, and there are encouraging “methods” and techniques being utilized today that are quite successful.
The overall picture of fears in later life was captured well by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. As Solomon is summing up his thoughts he says, “When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes … see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caper berry (i.e. an ancient aphrodisiac) no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.” (Ecclesiastes 11:8; 12:1-5 NLT)
As Solomon understood that, no matter how powerful we are, old age can bring with it a loss of power and therefore greater vulnerability.
Growing older is definitely a challenge, but it’s great to know we’re not alone, and we’re not without resources to make the journey manageable.
Carl R. Johnson
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Community Relations Director
Abiding HomeCare
Silverdale, WA
Tags: Bainbridge Island, bremerton, elderly care, home care, home health care, in home care provider, port orchard, poulsbo, senior care, silverdale
In last month’s column we addressed the importance that seniors place on being able to maintain a home living environment for as long as possible. However, such a strong determination is not without its challenges and potential pitfalls. As we observed, merely desiring to remain independent is no guarantee that a senior can maintain a “safe” living space, or be able to cope with the “Activities of Daily Living” (ADL’s) such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry, grooming and hygiene, and basic household cleaning. Unless a senior has a safety net of family and friends to monitor their well-being, there are risks that can often result in harmful consequences.
I can’t stress strongly enough that when a senior begins exhibiting “signs” of neglecting basic activities of personal care, or experiences a fall, or manifests the early stages of dementia, that is the time to take seriously making provision for family care, or hiring a home caregiver to assist the senior with those issues.
However, before such assistance is needed, there are actually some marvelous innovations in technology that have been developed that can provide a level of security and confidence for seniors living at home. And although I don’t have space in this column to identify all of these products and services, I do want to highlight several of the more relevant and practical ones.
The first one that is especially useful is a Personal Emergency Response System. This “system” is typically comprised of a two-way voice console unit that connects to an existing phone line and a lightweight water-resistant activator, worn around the neck or wrist. If assistance is needed, the senior simply presses the button and the console unit dials the Response Center which opens a two-way voice connection with a trained response operator. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, a trained operator will immediately respond to determine the level of help required.
The second product that has great value for seniors (and especially their families) is one of the most highly sophisticated innovations on the market today – an advanced sensor system that discretely monitors the daily activities of someone living alone. This system provides the highest level of passive security available for an elderly person living alone. Family members or friends can be granted access to a secure web site so they can check the status at any time. The system recognizes and reports normal, healthy behaviors—and significant changes—during the times the senior is alone in their residence. When there are changes in behavior that indicate potential health problems or dangerous situations, the system alerts caregivers so that they can provide appropriate medical attention.
The third innovation is actually a service designed to call a senior one to three times per day with either a medication reminder or a “well-being” check up. If the call is for a medication reminder, the calls are made at prescribed times, describing the medication to be taken by name, and then notifies the caregiver if the senior doesn’t confirm the call. For “well-being” calls, the system is automated and interactive, up to three calls per day, and is also designed to notify the caregiver if the senior doesn’t confirm the call.
Although I’ve only been able to briefly describe these products and service, there is information available that gives a much more comprehensive explanation of each one. If you would like to obtain information on any of these, please call (360) 692-6929 and a brochure will be mailed, or your questions answered.
While technology has provided us with many “tools” for keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe and secure, there is nothing more valuable than the love and care we receive from family and friends. As we look ahead to this coming year, I trust that you will experience a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Carl R. Johnson
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Community Relations Director
Abiding HomeCare
Silverdale, WA
Tags: Bainbridge Island, bremerton, caregivers, elderly care, home care providers, home health care, in home care provider, port orchard, silverdale
One of the most important objectives of most seniors is to be able to maintain a degree of independence for as long as possible. As a senior, I want to be able to live in my own home, and enjoy the freedom that comes with good health and a sound body. As long as I can take care of myself, I don’t need (or want) the services of others. Often I hear married couples say, “We’ve been able to get along just fine all these years, and there’s no reason to think we’re in need of any special help now.” But I would caution that such an attitude may be very risky, and one that often leads to unintended consequences.
The fact is … seniors want to stay at home so much that a term has been coined for this purpose: AGING IN PLACE. The “place” is familiar, full of memories, full of “things”, a symbol of “success”, especially for those who remember the Great Depression, WWII, and the years of challenge that faced the baby-boom generation. Being able to stay in that “place” is emotionally and physically important to both the parents and the children, and it reinforces the bonds that tie a family together. So, how do we come to terms with this when there are “other places” they could be?
Our first consideration must be safety. If a senior is determined to stay in their own home, we need to ask: “How can we make the home as safe as possible, especially as physical and memory capacities slip”? Since this is such an important question, and because the subject needs more space than this column allows, a Home Safety Checklist has been created, which is available, free of charge, by calling (360) 692-6929, and requesting one.
Assuming the home is safe, I would like to suggest the following considerations for keeping seniors at home.
First, and perhaps most important, is the additional involvement of the children or other relatives. Sometimes this means assisting with bills, doing grocery shopping, picking up on laundry chores, making meals, or doing some cleaning. That is … assisting with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). By the way, this is a phrase that will become very important to you as you take this journey for yourself, or with your parents or loved ones. Most often this involvement with ADL’s happens when a child or relative is visiting and notices a “past due” notice for a monthly bill, or goes to the refrigerator and notices spoiled food, or goes to use the bathroom and notices an odor from an unclean toilet or soiled laundry. Because of the concern, the child or relative will start coming over more often and performing tasks. The problem, however, is that the more this happens the quality of the visits begin to degenerate, frustration on both parties starts to build, and balance in the life of the child or relative soon diminishes.
The second way to keep seniors at home is hiring a Home Care Company. This can be a difficult step for seniors because a “stranger” will be coming into their home. However, Home Care Companies report that this concern is quickly overcome within an hour after the first caregiver arrives. Frankly, I believe this is because people who choose to do homecare usually have pretty big hearts, and are trained to work WITH rather than FOR seniors, and to listen to how the senior wants things done.
By the way … it’s important to understand the difference between Home CARE and Home HEALTH companies. Home CARE is non medical. So, for example, when a Home CARE company sends a caregiver to a client’s home they are there to help with those Activities of Daily Living such as: meal planning and preparation, cleaning, laundry, medication REMINDERS, transportation, errands, grooming, dressing and bath assistance, etc. A Home HEALTH company will do wound care, DISPENSE medications, assist with catheters or colostomy care, etc.
Although Home CARE is typically private pay for services, and is not covered by Medicare, many Long Term Care Insurance policies will pay for these services. What is generally required is that a doctor certifies that at least two ADL’s cannot be performed independently.
Finally, there are also the innovations in technology that can be used to keep seniors in their home and safer at the same time, which is something I want to address in more depth in next month’s column.
So until then … Happy Holidays!
Carl R. Johnson Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® Community Relations Director Abiding HomeCare Silverdale, WAThere is a popular tune played this time of year called “Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer” which relates that Grandma — after drinking too much eggnog — went out into the winter cold to get her medication and was run over by a reindeer. The question is, “Who was supposed to be watching Grandma?”
Though this little tune is just for fun, it may very well raise alarms to many caregivers of the elderly. Caregivers know that even at a holiday party they cannot let down their diligent watch over their elderly loved one. As far-fetched as it may sound, with all the people and noise, an elderly family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s may be enjoying the family gathering and then suddenly become confused and walk to the door and leave.
For family caregivers the added stress of the holidays with decorating, shopping, parties and keeping up with all the family traditions is an overwhelming quest. Feelings of isolation, depression and sadness come with this added stress. There are millions of Americans who are caring for elderly frail loved ones and most of these caregivers will go through some of these emotions, especially this time of year.
There are some things you can do as a caregiver to help you and those you care for enjoy the holiday season.
First take care of yourself. Try to eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise. This will help reduce stress and strengthen your ability to cope with caregiving responsibilities.
Prioritize your holiday traditions. Perhaps instead of cooking a large family dinner, have everyone bring his or her favorite dish. Use paper plates. Forfeit the traditional outside light decorating for a lighted wreath on the front door. Choose one or two parties or concerts to attend instead of trying to do it all.
Arrange for help. Call on other family members to help with the caregiving while you do your shopping or go out for the evening. If family is not available, ask your church group or a neighbor if they would donate a few hours.
Use community services. Many senior centers provide meals for the elderly and supervised activities, onsite, at no charge or a minimal charge. For locating senior services in your state, call your state Area Agency on Aging or check the national locator website athttp://www.n4a.org/
Use adult day care services. Some assisted living facilities provide day activities and meals for seniors on a day by day basis. Other organizations called “adult day service providers” specialize exclusively in this sort of care support at a reasonable cost. These support services provide respite for caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities as well as social interaction for their elderly family members. There is a cost for adult day services, but the benefit for all is worth it.
For example:
Jean had brought her mother into her home to care for her when mom’s Alzheimer’s made it impossible for her to be alone. When the Christmas season approached, Jean realized she had to make some choices. She did not want to give up the traditions she had set with her daughters in shopping and lunches, but it wouldn’t be possible with her caregiving responsibilities. In searching for a solution, Jean visited an adult day services facility near her home. She found she could schedule the days she needed off for her mother to come in. The adult day services company also provided transportation and would pick up mom and bring her home in the evening.
Although Jean’s mother was not sure she would like to go at first, she found she enjoyed the programs, meals and conversation with new friends and the activities provided.
The time it gave Jean to have for herself was worth the extra cost for the day care.
Technology to the rescue. Here is a solution that would have kept “Grandma” from going out in the winter cold and getting run over by a reindeer. Companies that have created monitoring systems, security alarms and other safety equipment are “tweaking” them to adapt to the needs of seniors and their care givers.
Here are a few examples:
- Ankle or wrist bands that monitor location and alert the provider when a person has gone beyond the designated perimeter, such as out the front door of the house.
- Motion detectors. Set throughout the home, motion detectors allow someone outside the home to follow a senior as he or she moves through the house.
- Smart medication dispensers. Live monitoring and dispensing of pills.
- Emergency response alert. At a touch of a button on a desktop monitor, bracelet or necklace, emergency help is summoned.
Whether providing care in your home or helping senior family members in their own homes, your use of monitoring and “tech” help aids can provide extra safety for your loved ones, and peace of mind for you.
You are not alone. Join a caregiving help group. Your local senior center may have one or go on the internet to find one. Hearing about other caregivers’ problems and solutions and being able to share your own and ask questions is a great way to relieve stress and gain a new perspective. Check out websites like the National Family Caregivers Association at http://www.nfcacares.org/
Work with a Senior Care Professional. Recognize that you are doing the very best you know how. You are not a geriatric health care practitioner, geriatric care manager, home care nurse or aide, hospice provider or family mediation counselor, nor do you have the years of training and experience these professionals have, but you can definitely use their experience. In fact, using a senior care specialist will make caregiving easier for you and more beneficial for your elderly family member.
As an example:
Mark stopped by his father Dan’s home every night after work to help with any errands or things he needed around the house. He began to notice that Dan was not showering, dressing or even fixing meals some days. Another concern was his father’s growing confusion and disorientation. A trip to the family doctor only brought more concern to Mark, since the doctor claimed it was just the aging process that caused the confusion.
Wanting a second professional opinion on what was best for his father, Mark hired Shelly — a Professional Geriatric Care Manger — to do an assessment. Shelly arranged for Mark and Dan to see a geriatrician, who advised that proper meals and an increase in some vitamins, would help clear up the confusion and disorientation. Shelly arranged for a home care company to come in daily to help with personal needs and prepare meals.
Soon Dan was back to his old self and able to function on his own.
You can find a wide variety of care professionals in your area on the National Care Planning Council website at www.longtermcarelink.net.
One more thing to remember. As a family caregiver, the greatest gift you are giving this holiday season is “Love.”
During the past several months I’ve tried to focus this column on issues that impact seniors and their families, and this month is certainly no exception. In fact, the subject for this column is one that represents one of the most feared and least talked about concerns for seniors and their loved ones today … dementia.
Perhaps the reason many seniors avoid talking about this subject is due to their fear of what this could mean to their “quality of life” in their later years. According to the MetLife Foundation Alzheimer’s Survey, What America Thinks, “American adults fear getting Alzheimer’s disease more than heart disease, stroke or diabetes, but almost nine out of 10 people have taken no steps to prepare for Alzheimer’s — an illness that attacks nearly 50 percent of those who live past age 85.”
In light of this survey, I can certainly understand why seniors avoid such discussions, or even fear getting tested for “signs” of cognitive memory issues.
However, avoidance of this subject can prove to be harmful and unnecessary, especially when there are an increasing number of programs, or “methods” that can substantially improve cognition and brain functioning in the early to mid stages of dementia, and thereby delay the impact of this disease.
This becomes even more relevant in light of the fact that November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has designated November 17th as National Memory Screening Day. As a result, a local non-profit organization known as the Kitsap Alliance of Resources for Elders (KARE) has been able to partner with the Silverdale Costco to offer free memory screenings on Tuesday, November 17th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The screenings will take place in the pharmacy area inside Costco. Although this memory screening only takes a few minutes, it does provide enough information to indicate if a more comprehensive evaluation is warranted, and if so, where to obtain such an evaluation.
As I previously mentioned, there are an increasing number of programs to assist seniors with mild to medium stages of dementia, which are proving to be quite effective. One such program, or “method”, is called the Ashby Memory Method (AMM) … a brain fitness program developed by the late Dr. Mira Ashby, MD, who received the Order of Canada for her work with the brain injured. The main goal is to improve the quality of life for the participant and their family by resisting the symptoms of the disease. AMM is specifically designed to improve cognition and brain functioning using materials based on a person’s interests, so that the sessions are relevant and enjoyable. The program is administered by certified facilitators who have been trained on the progression of memory loss and how to maximize the results of the program. Studies have actually shown that these AMM sessions improve memory performance over short-term, and maintain that performance over an extended period of time.
Although the AMM program isn’t the only one available, it is one that I am familiar with, and one that is currently offered by Abiding HomeCare (AHC), a Silverdale based in-home care company, for which I serve as Community Relations Director.
Whether you or a loved one have questions concerning cognitive memory issues, or you’ve personally experienced recent memory lapses, now is the time to get tested and obtain the information you need to better evaluate your options, and get the help you need. Please don’t put it off another day.
If we were to ask an older person what his or her most important concerns for aging are, we would probably get a variety of different answers. According to surveys frequently conducted among the elderly, the most likely answers we would receive would include the following three principal concerns or life wishes:
- Remaining independent in the home without intervention from others
- Maintaining good health and receiving adequate health care
- Having enough money for everyday needs and not outliving assets and income
To address these concerns or wishes and maintain the quality of life wanted in the elder years, it simply takes a little pre-planning.
Few people do this kind of planning.
It is human nature not to worry about an event until it happens. We may prepare financially for unexpected financial disasters by covering our homes, automobiles and health with insurance policies.
However, no other life event can be as devastating to an elderly person’s lifestyle, finances and security as needing long term care. It drastically alters or completely eliminates the three principal lifestyle wishes listed above.
The majority of the American public does not plan for this crisis of needing eldercare. The lack of planning also has an adverse effect on the older person’s family, with sacrifices made in time, money, and family lifestyles.
Because of changing demographics and potential changes in government funding, the current generation needs to plan for long term care before the elder years are upon them.
Let us look at some facts.
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The population of the “very old,”–older than age 85–is the fastest growing group in America. This population is at highest risk for needing care. (Statistical abstract of the United States, 2008, population)
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Medical science is preventing early sudden deaths, which means living longer with impaired health and greater risk of needing long term care.
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The Alzheimer’s Association estimates the risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia beyond age 85 to be about 46% of that population.
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It is estimated that 6 out of 10 people will need long term care sometime during their lifetime.
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Children are moving far away from parents or parents move away during retirement making long distance care giving difficult or impossible.
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Government programs–already stretched thin for long term care services–will experience even greater stress on available funds in the future.
One of the important things for planning is how to maintain your lifestyle as you age. You may be healthy enough to stay in your own home with help provided for the following activities of daily living:
maintaining a home,
providing meals,
supervision,
companionship,
transportation and
shopping services.
This type of care at home is non-medical and must be provided free of charge by family, friends, or volunteers or the care must be paid for out-of-pocket by the family.
Government programs, in most cases, will not pay for this kind of care. It is estimated that 80% of all long term care is non medical, with 90% of that care provided in the home. It is most likely that your long term care will begin with home care.
It is wise to plan now how you will pay for care when it is needed. In evaluating your future income you may find it necessary to add some resources such as long term care Insurance to pay for assisted living or nursing home costs. Long term care insurance must be purchased while you are younger and healthy. Failing health, stroke or other aging issues will not allow you to qualify for this insurance.
A reverse mortgage will also help pay for home care if staying in your home is an option.
Consider where you may want to live in your elder years. Many assisted living facilities offer complete care alternatives with a nursing home wing if needed. Senior retirement communities also offer many amenities with some including home care options.
Now is the time to do estate planning. A professional estate planner will give you direction on how best to protect your assets for future needs and for Medicaid planning.
Do your paper work. Now is the time to create your trusts, will, medical directives in a living will and any other documents you want noted for future use. Gather Insurance policies and bank records where they can be found by family members in case you are not able to get them yourself.
We don’t like to think of our elder years in terms of health problems, but a sudden stroke, heart failure or onset of dementia could make it impossible to carry out our own wishes if preparation was not made ahead of time.
The process of long term care planning involves the following four
principles:
- Knowledge and preparation are the keys to success.
- Having funds to pay for care expands the choices for care settings and providers.
- Using professional help relieves stress, reduces conflict, and saves time and money.
- Success is assured through a written plan accepted by all parties involved.
(The above excerpt is quoted from “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning,” National Care Planning Council)
The National Care Planning Council’ s website — www.longtermcarelink.net — provides over 700 pages of information for long term care planning and lists services of professional care providers in estate planning, long term care insurance, reverse mortgage, home care and many other important long term care services.
The National Care Planning Council’ s book, “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning,” provides information on what Medicaid and Medicare will cover as well as an overview of professional long term care service providers and how their services can help you create and execute your long term care plan. A check list of what to do to create a plan and forms for creating necessary paperwork are also included in the book.
(ARA) – The aging population in the country is growing by the minute. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030 the number of individuals ages 65 and up is expected to be twice as large as in 2000 — growing to 71.5 million — and representing nearly 20 percent of the population.
With these burgeoning numbers, it’s becoming increasingly important to create a safe home to accommodate everyone’s wants and needs, and baby boomers are taking notice. According to a major home improvement center study, 60 percent of boomers plan to stay in their existing homes for some time. Remodeling and home improvement rank high on their to-do lists. Following are projects they can tackle themselves to ensure they are home to stay:
Safe, secure and stylish in the bath
As one of the most often used rooms in the home, the bathroom is a great place to undertake “home to stay” tasks. From projects such as custom closet configurations and adjusting mirror and toilet heights to installing roll-under sinks and angled mirrors, many product options exist for baby boomers to make their bathrooms safe yet stylish.
To help prevent slipping, tub grips are essential in lending a stable, helping hand getting in and out of the tub. The latest tub grip product designs feature an easy-locking lever to ensure a tight fit to most tubs without harming the tub surface. They offer easy, no-tool installation and removal in seconds. Shower chairs are another safe showering option for bathers that can be easily installed or removed as needed.
Today’s consumer not only needs secure safety products for the home, but wants ones that blend and complement a variety of decors. Grab bars are a great addition to help assist with movement. SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen are an ideal choice since they feature a unique anchor installation system that allows homeowners the ability to install quickly and easily anywhere on the wall — without the need for a stud — for the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. Plus, they are available in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom.
New home standards
In addition to the bath, other areas of the home — such as the kitchen — rank high on the list for projects and safety updates that are quickly becoming new home standards for baby boomers. Ranging in cost, improvements such as expanding doorways and lowering countertops/sink areas help not only wheelchair-bound individuals, but also parents carrying groceries or pushing strollers. Installing a pulldown kitchen faucet helps access hard-to-reach areas of the sink and also aids in everyday tasks such as watering plants or filling large pots and pans.
Consolidating essential appliances and living areas in one space in the home is another trend for boomers. Adding a first floor bathroom, installing a first floor water turnoff and washer or dryer allow easy access for any family member.
By making these improvements, you’ll create a safe and stylish home — one you’ll want to stay in and enjoy for years to come.
For additional tips and home improvement projects for baby boomers, visit ageinplace.com. For more information about stylish bath safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit homecare.moen.com or call (800) 882-0116.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) – Later in life or when faced with a serious illness, we face a variety of health issues and might not be able to care for ourselves like we want. Making an advance care plan can ease worries for you and your family about what might happen to you if you are unable to make decisions about your own care.
An advance care plan is a written document that helps you make sure your care is specific to reflect your personal likes and dislikes and health needs, as well as meet your social, cultural and religious needs. Getting answers to your questions and letting people know what you want at the end of your life can help you feel more in control and give you peace of mind as you go about living your life.
“An advance care plan is a good idea for all adults, regardless of their medical history. Discussing these issues can be difficult – even impossible if a crisis is ongoing. The goal is to make it easier for the patient and the family if the situation does happen,” says Dr. Clyde Yancy, chair of the education committee at the Heart Failure Society of America, a nonprofit educational and research organization dedicated to improving the quality and duration of life for patients with heart failure and preventing the condition for those at risk.
Many chronic diseases, including but not limited to heart failure, can eventually use up all reasonable medical approaches. Planning ahead is important. An advance care plan often includes an advance care directive, a do-not-resuscitate order, a living will, a health care power of attorney and a financial plan.
Advance care directive
This document will provide clear directions regarding your medical treatment and can include a living will, a durable health care power of attorney and a statement about organ donation.
Do-not-resuscitate order
This part of the plan tells doctors, nurses and other rescue personnel what they should or should not do when a person stops breathing or when their heart stops beating or is beating so irregularly it threatens life. The order can include instructions on whether to use different types of methods to revive a person.
Living will
A living will is usually used during a terminal illness when a person is unable to tell someone what they want to do. It is a legal document that lets a person who is unable to participate in decisions about their medical care express their wishes about life-sustaining treatment.
Health care power of attorney
A health care power of attorney lets someone make all legally binding health care decisions for you, including the decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment if you are unable to make the decision for yourself.
Financial plan
Health care can be very expensive, especially when treating chronic illnesses. A financial plan is created to help families deal with issues such as paying for medicines, doctor visits and hospital stays.
“Telling those close to you what you want helps them convey your wishes to those providing care for you – it should be comforting to know that the care is provided for you in a way that best meets your wishes,” says Yancy. “Even if you do not create a written advance care plan, these discussions with your health care providers, family and other caretakers are important.”
To learn more about advance care planning visit the Heart Failure Society of America at www.abouthf.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
The following was written by my good friend Marla Beck who owns AndelCare, a sister home care company in Bellevue, WA:
Marla’s Musings
Life is definitely full of surprises and never boring. Just when I thought everything was going along smoothly – happily married, diligently working on my business – I received a big shock when having a routine exam with my dermatologist, Dr. Ochs. She removed two moles that looked darker and sent them to the lab. Less than a week later, Dr. Ochs called to say I had stage 2 Melanoma and could I make a 4 pm appointment. I had the surgery the same day I received the news – at least I didn’t have long to think about it and my surgeon Dr. Schmidek was wonderful. I just have a huge hole in my thigh (have pictures to prove it on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/marla.beck) that will take a while to heal. Good news, after my skin cancer surgery all my tests came back negative so that means all the cancer cells were taken out by the surgeon and I’m clear.
Please pay attention to your skin and go have your dermatologist do a whole body skin check at least once a year. Be pro-active in making healthy choices because good health is the most important gift for yourself and the people you love and care for.
