Archive for the ‘senior safety’ Category

Senior Safety – Top 4 Fall Prevention Tools For Seniors

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Fall prevention is one of the biggest senior safety concerns for the elderly, especially those that live alone. Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes for seniors having to go to the hospital. But there are a number of helpful living aides that will help prevent these accidents. Here are the top 5 senior safety fall prevention tools for the elderly.

Number one on the list for senior safety and fall prevention is a recliner lift chair. Lounging in a recliner can be very comfortable for seniors. But these big chairs are typically very difficult to get out of and even sit down into. If the senior has a lift recliner that can be very helpful and help ensure their safety.

A lift recliner has the ability to raise and tilt to a position where the senior can get in and out of the chair in a standing position. These chairs are electronically operated by a simple hand control. They come in different versions all with different degrees of recline.

Another helpful tool for seniors that will help prevent slip and fall accidents is a walker with wheels. This is also called a rollator.

As a person ages it is a cane that is the first tool to be used for stability when walking. Then as mobility and balance decline further there is a need for a walker. The traditional walker can be a little challenging to use as it must be lifted slightly with each step. A rollator has wheels. Some versions have wheels on all four legs, others have wheels on just one set of the legs.

Some versions of this helpful tool also have hand brakes for added safety. Many also come with a seat so if the user gets tired they can easily sit down for a quick rest.

A stair chair or stair lift can also be a very helpful item that will aid a senior with mobility challenges. Stairs can be especially difficult for an elderly person to manage and that can be a very dangerous place for a fall to occur. A stair lift is built like a chair and it is attached to a rail and transports the senior, in a sitting position, up and down the stairs.

The stair lift is easy to use and can be operated with a simple rocker switch on most versions. For added safety many also come with a seat belt so the user doesn’t have to worry about falling out of the chair.

Many slip and fall accidents occur in the bathroom and that can be a very hazardous place for the elderly. Most everyone knows that there should be railings put in place in showers baths and around toilet areas. But another important tool for seniors in this area of the home is a bath lift.

If the senior has trouble raising and lowering themselves into a bath that is exactly what a bath lift will do for them. Most bath lifts are plastic, though some are inflatable. They are powered by rechargeable battery systems and they are safe to use around the water.

These are all senior safety tools that can be a big help for seniors and keep them falling. If you would like to learn more about the very popular lift recliners you can go here to: Electric Lift Chair. Also, here is where you can go for a great selection in the very popular Recliner Lift Chairs.

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

Nursing Home Abuse

Monday, April 5th, 2010

By: Patricia Woloch

 

If your elderly loved one needs special care and attention, you may consider a nursing home. Unfortunately, it’s a shocking reality that nursing home abuse and neglect has become commonplace.

Assessing Nursing Home Safety

A thorough investigation of the facility you are considering is crucial. Asking the right questions and closely observing the facility you are considering can go a long way in preventing nursing home abuse. Ask these questions as you tour the facility:

· Are the nursing home and its current administrator licensed?

· Does the nursing home conduct background checks on all staff?

· How thorough are the background checks?

· Does the nursing home provide special services units for residents with special needs?

· Does the nursing home require abuse prevention training for its employees?

How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?

For the most part, nursing homes and other facilities that care for our elderly do an excellent job in meeting standards of compassionate care in a safe, efficient and sanitary environment. Rather than punishing the entire industry with additional laws that will increase costs, tougher standards imposed on those facilities that blatantly violate the law are needed. However, the facts remain that nursing home abuse continues to rise, with incidents in the thousands.

Congress found that that over 30 % of U.S. nursing homes were cited for abuse violations between January 1999 and January 2001. Over 2,500 of those violations were severe enough to cause serious injury or death. Since the time of that study, the nursing home industry has attempted to reform its policies and procedures to accommodate more thorough background checks of its employees, but is continually hampered by low budgets and high operating costs.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect can come in many forms, including:

· Bedsores

· Malnutrition

· Failure to thrive

· Physical abuse

· Mental abuse

· Sexual abuse

· Loss of personal hygiene

· Unusual depression

· Unexplained bruises, cuts or broken bones

Taking Every Report Seriously

Sometimes, because of the frail mental condition of the elderly individual, staff and family members disregard their reports of abuse. Investigators believe most cases are never reported. It is our job to protect the victims of abuse and bring the abusers to justice. If your loved one reports nursing home abuse, take the time to listen and investigate.

About the Author

Consult with a qualified nursing home abuse attorney, like Craig Goldenfarb in West Palm Beach, Florida, to understand your rights and your loved one’s rights and to pursue your case according to the law.

(ArticlesBase SC #564515)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/Nursing Home Abuse

Senior Fraud Prevention in Indianapolis, Indiana

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Senior Fraud Prevention

“Seniors can make easy targets for fraud, whether it’s for unbelievable investment returns or fraudulent sweepstakes prizes. Fraud on seniors can happen by phone, mail, in person, or, less commonly, the Internet (because seniors are online in smaller numbers). It can happen to wealthy seniors, and those of limited means. According to the Federal Trade Commission, studies show con artists are more likely to target senior citizens than other age groups because they believe seniors are more susceptible to such scams. The FTC reports that fraudulent telemarketers direct from 56 to 80 percent of their calls at seniors. The need for senior fraud prevention has become greater than ever.”

Follow the link below to read the rest of this very informative article.

Hiring Caregivers for In-Home Senior Care in Indianapolis, IN

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Recently there was a tragedy in Avon, Indiana where the son of an elderly woman was killed by her caregivers husband. Now it’s not been said but if I was guessing getting to the woman’s money was a likely motivation. It’s important that if you’re hiring someone to come into the home to care for an elderly person that they have been properly screened. The classifieds are filled with people looking for work as aides to the elderly. Many of these aides are well-qualified, honest people who will do a good job; but, of course, there will be some not so reputable. If you are looking to hire someone, be sure you interview and check references and qualifications. You will be responsible for scheduling that person and doing payroll and taxes as well. Be very sure you hire someone trustworthy, as the elderly seem to trust these helpers more than they should and therefore can easily be taken advantage of. It may seem more affordable to just hire them but there are risks. There are sources for pre-screened individual caregivers.

A professional home care service will eliminate your employment concerns. Professionally-provided aides are usually bonded and service is guaranteed. Home care companies take care of the scheduling and payment of their employees. Home care companies cater to the elderly in their homes by offering a variety of services.
These providers represent a rapidly growing trend to allow people needing help with long term care to remain in their home or in the community instead of going to a care facility. The services offered may include:
- companionship
- grooming and dressing
- recreational activities
- incontinent care
- handyman services
- teeth brushing
- medication reminders
- bathing or showering
- light housekeeping
- meal preparation
- respite for family caregivers
- errands and shopping
- reading email or letters
- overseeing home deliveries
- dealing with vendors
- transportation services
- changing linens
- laundry and ironing
- organizing closets
- care of house plants
- 24-hour emergency response
- family counseling
- phone call checks
- and much more.

A caregiver can make the difference in the quality of a seniors life and make it possible to stay in their home if you have the resources to make it happen. One way to help with caregiving costs is available for veteran’s and their spouses/widows. The Aid and Attendance Pension Program pays up to $1964 per month for their care. To get help finding a caregiver or homecare company in the Indianapolis area contact Aging Avenues at 317-731-3315.

Picking On Senior Citizens

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Again another senior couple was brutally beaten and robbed in their own home. She opened the door to a theif and attacker who wanted money and jewelry. After giving him her purse she explained that she had no jewelry, that they were simple people. She then pushed him down and kicked him in the groin. Her husband heard the commotion and came in his wheelchair to help her, he was an amputee, he was attacked and dumped from his chair. Then the attacker started hitting him with his wheelchair. Last year from September to November there were six seniors attacked here in Indianapolis. Maybe we need to talk to our legislators about making senior crimes as serious as crimes against children. This is just a reminder of how important it is as we see our parents age to really look at how vulerable our aging parents are. Are they now living in higher crime area? Do they infrequently leave the house? That’s a sure sign a senior lives there. Do they have a security system or alert button? Remind them that the world has changed and it’s never a good idea to open the door to anyone they don’t recognize no matter what. Read more about senior safety at Aging Avenue http://www.agingavenues.com/topicview.php?id=258&cat=3.

Adult Day Services Help Seniors Remain at Home

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Adult Day Services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired senior adults. Adult day centers provide a caring, home-like setting for individuals who, for their own safety and well-being, can no longer be left at home alone. Adult day centers offer protected settings which are normally open five days a week during business hours and include a mixture of health, social and support services. Specialized programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders also exist. Some programs are medical models which offer many medical services as well.