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Time for Assisted Living? 5 Considerations

bayalarmmedical — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:25:15 +0000

1. Is your loved one voluntarily willing to move in or are they being forced to? Assisted Living has it’s obvious benefits but if the person wishes to stay at home and remain independent, families should look into an at-home caregiver or a medical alert system.

2. If moving into a facility is the correct choice, visiting as many facilities and as often as possible (including surprise unannounced visits) would be the next step. Check to make sure they have the appropriate licenses, safety standards and a clear contract that includes refund policies, termination and changes to the patient’s services and needs.

3. Make sure you speak with residents and staff and ask as many questions as possible. Try a service that the facility provides like eating a meal.

4. Pick a facility that suits the individual’s needs and pains. For example some facilities are specialized in providing treatment and care for those suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s and other diseases and conditions.

5. At the end of the day, your loved one will be the person living in the facility, not you. Seniors often feel pressured into doing whatever their adult children want for fear of being a burden on their families. Make sure they are a partner in all decisions and be absolutely positive that choices are made in their best interest. Assisted living isn’t always the end-all be-all decision when dealing with old age and there are many home health, independent living solutions available in the market today.

For more information we invite you to visit www.bayalarmmedical.com/reso

How 30 Minutes of Fall Prevention Education Can Save Seniors Lives

bayalarmmedical — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:15:00 +0000

A friend of mine recently found her grandmother after she’d been lying on the floor for 5+ hours with a broken hip. The experience hurt her entire family – financially, mentally and physically.

Sadly, 30 minutes of fall prevention education could save lots of adult children and the parents from the agony and guilt my friend experienced. If her story doesn’t convince you to take time to learn ways to make a home safer for your aging loved-ones, then these 9 facts will:

• 1 out of every 3 adults aged 65 and older will fall each year.

The average response time for a senior who falls is 17 hours.

• 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures or head traumas.

• Seniors who fall are 4-5 times more likely to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.

• 97% of senior fall victims not responded to within 12 hours lose their independence – forever.

• Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among seniors. On average, 15,800 people 65 and older die from injuries related to unintentional falls each year.

• Many people who fall, even those who aren’t injured, develop a fear of falling.

• The average medical cost of a fall is $19,440.

• 40% of all falls are preventable!

This FREE 30-minute webinar will offer attendees valuable information and resources that can be used to make an aging parent’s home a safer place. This is a must-view for anyone who’s aging love-ones are determined to live in their own home. Don’t let their dream of aging in place get cut short due to a fall. This webinar will show you how to minimize fall risk that will give you greater peace of mind. These 30 minutes can help you avoid what my friend experienced.

When Grandma Falls: How Entire Families Get Hurt

bayalarmmedical — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:03:18 +0000

By J.T. O’Donnell

I recently got a frantic call from my friend Sherri. Her grandmother had fallen and was in the hospital. She was very upset. Why? She and her mom were blaming themselves for her grandmother’s injury.

Here’s why:

While grandma had been adamant about living in her home of 40 years all alone, at 86, she was really not in a position to be doing so. The house was equally old and full of tripping hazards. Yet, Sherri’s grandma was a proud, head-strong woman who insisted she was living in her house forever. So, Sherri and her mom gave in to grandma’s request and set up a buddy system where they took turns checking in with her every several hours throughout the day. A system that had worked for a while, until the day the wires got crossed.

7 Hours on the Floor…With a Broken Hip

On the day that Sherri’s grandmother fell, a bad snowstorm had hit unexpectedly, making the day hectic. She had assumed her mother was checking on grandma. Unfortunately, her mother thought Sherri was doing the same. As fate would have it, grandma fell when nobody was checking in, and ended up 7 hours on the kitchen floor with a broken hip. She couldn’t get to a phone, and thus, sat on the cold floor, waiting for someone to finally come find her. Hence, Sherri and her mom’s intense feelings of guilt about the miscommunication.

Grandma’s Reality: 5 Weeks in a Hospital & the Need to Rely on Family Heavily

5 weeks later, Sherri’s grandma is finally getting out of the hospital – an expensive price to pay for her fall. But, not nearly as costly as the fact she can no longer live alone. She must move in with Sherri’s mom, and Sherri will have to take an even more active role in her grandma’s daily care when her mom (who works full-time) can’t be there.

3 Lessons Learned the Hard Way

My friend Sherri says this experience has taught her three things:

1) Having a more fool-proof way to keep an eye on grandma would have saved Sherri, her mom and her grandmother a lot of pain, heartache and guilt.

2) Grandparents are not always right. As adult children, it’s important to override wishes when their safety is in danger.

3) Choosing not to take control and put a good, inexpensive alarm system in place for a senior living alone can in result in a very costly injury.

The only silver-lining to Sherri’s experience is she was willing to share it with others who have aging parents living alone. As a result, I have since had a discussion with my mom and my in-laws about what happened to Sherri and her family. It definitely helped us open up the dialog about the need for them to have security systems in their own homes. I hope you will make Sherri’s willingness to share her experience worth it by doing the same.

Want to learn more about how you can effectively handle a parent’s situation
after a fall? Join Bay Alarm Medical for a FREE webinar:

OUCH! 3 Things Every Adult Child Should Know After a Parent Falls

PLUS – Sign-up today an get a FREE 100 Point Safety Checklist you can use right now.

Why Medical Adherence is So Important.

bayalarmmedical — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:01:30 +0000

• Almost 30% of all hospital admissions for people over the age of 65 are directly attributable to medication non-adherence.

• 125,000 people die each year from non-adherence, twice the number killed in automobile accidents.

• Poor adherence with medical on regimens costs society more than $150 billion per year.

• Nearly $48 billion in annual costs result from unnecessary medical on-induced hospitalization.

• Approximately 40% of people entering nursing homes do so because they are unable to self-medicate in their own homes.

• About one-half of the 1.8 billion prescriptions dispensed annually are not taken correctly, contributing to prolonged or additional illnesses.

• At the present time, more than 7 million households have an unpaid “care-giver” who is providing daily assistance to a family member age 50 or older.

3 Alternatives to Assisted Living

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:29:48 +0000

Longer life expectancies are great news – but also provide new challenges…like how a senior can live independently longer. Modern medicine, better nutrition and fitness have helped many seniors live longer, more active lives. In fact, ‘Aging In Place’ has become a hot topic. Over at eHow.com, there is a great discussion around the need for viable options instead of assisted living. Here’s what they shared:

Need for Viable Options

A realistic fear, as seniors grow older, is losing their independence and ability to live on their own. Most want to remain in their own homes and care for themselves, not wanting to become a burden to family members. As baby boomers age, more of the population is reaching those golden years and beyond, creating an even greater need. More options are necessary to help them manage meals, cleaning, cooking and personal care without moving to an assisted-living facility. It is a major ongoing concern for seniors, their families and caretakers, as well as local and federal governments.

Remaining at Home

Most elderly people who need some assistance want to stay in their own home. With the help of such organizations as Meals on Wheels, shopping and cleaning services and home-care providers, more of the elderly, including those in poor health or disabled, are able to continue living in their home.

Senior Communities

While moving in with grown children or other family members is a choice, it often creates stress on all concerned. Sometimes just moving closer to loved ones can afford seniors their dignity, self respect and autonomy, while providing more security. Likewise, some have no family to rely on, and other avenues must be explored.

Some turn to individual apartments within a senior 55+ community with diversified resources. Within these communities, meals, activities and help are provided for various levels of need. Many state and federal programs offer subsidized senior housing for the elderly. These facilities offer help with meals, laundry and shopping while allowing them to continue to live independently and in their own space. These programs make it feasible for those with even a modest income to live on their own.

Exploring Nontraditional Care

A nontraditional alternative for assisted living is seniors living on cruise ships. Meals, activities, cleaning and staff members readily are available, and there is even a physician on the ship for emergencies. Opportunities to travel and remain socially active on board is a great asset. It has been referred to as “cruise care.” When comparing the cost of year-long cruising to a year’s stay at an assisted-living facility, it amounts to only a fraction more. Changes in the industry and broader perceptions need to occur for this to be viable alternative for seniors in the future. However, for those with retirement savings and good health, it is an exciting alternative for their remaining years.

Seniors and Independence

Wherever a senior decides to spend those remaining years, it is generally dictated by such factors as health, finances and mobility. The most important requirement is that they find a safe, secure atmosphere where they can maintain the most independence for the longest time and where they can continue to feel like a valuable, productive part of society.

Medication Compliance: 5 Tips to Help Stay On Track

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:48:17 +0000

“Medications have the amazing ability to change people’s lives, but only if taken exactly as prescribed. If medication regimens are not followed, medications can lead to more serious health problems.”

The above quote is from a great article about medication compliance written for the Woonsocket, RI community page by Jennifer Coates and Lisa Mancinelli. Here’s what they shared:

What’s Medication Compliance?

Medication compliance can be defined as “the extent to which a person’s behavior coincides with medical or health advice”.

With the steady increase of senior citizens, along with the drastic surge in the number of marketed prescription drugs, patient compliance to medication regimens has become increasingly problematic.

It has been shown that decreased compliance to prescription medication leads to worsening symptoms; possible decline in health; the need for additional medical treatment; increased hospitalizations; and most drastically, death. Therefore, it is important that all senior citizens understand how crucial it is to take all medication as prescribed.

5 Tips to Ensure Proper Compliance

TIP #1 – If a senior citizen must take several doses of multiple medications during the course of the day, they should try to establish a routine or associate each dose with a specific chore or activity. For example, taking all morning medications just after awakening, or all mid-afternoon doses around lunchtime and all evening doses around dinnertime or at bedtime.

TIP #2 – Seniors must also understand that certain medications must be continued whether they feel better or not. this is especially true of antibiotics, high blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication. although you may not feel badly, the underlying disease still exists. These, and all medications must be taken as prescribed; at the dosage prescribed; at the times prescribed; and, for the length of time prescribed.

TIP #3 – In all cases, seniors must know the medications that they are taking and why they are taking them. It is important to carry a list of all medications being taken, prescription, over-the-counter and herbs and supplements as well. The list of medications should include the name, dosage, times taken and why the medication is taken. If you are unsure about a medication or do not understand the directions, please speak with your doctor, pharmacist or member of your health care team. The professionals are available to assist in any way they can.

TIP #4 – If cost is an issue for medication compliance, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist regarding programs available, such as getting medications directly through pharmaceutical companies, elderly associations; generic substitutes; or contact “Medications for the Needy” at 1-800-215-9001.

TIP #5 – Senior citizens should also be reminded not to share their medications. sharing medications could be quite dangerous and lead to serious medical problems. Also, remember to keep all medications in the correct container and be sure that they are labeled properly. It becomes easier to confuse medications once they have been taken out of their original container. If a medication has expired it should be thrown away, as expired medications lose their effectiveness, many cause additional side effects and may have a toxic effect.

AND, Here’s One More Tip for Those Struggling to Stay Compliant

A medication management service is a safe and affordable way to ensure medications get taking on time. These services are especially important for seniors living alone, for for caregivers who cannot be available to dispense every medication to those they love.

CLICK HERE to learn more about these kinds of services.

6 Easy Steps to Selecting a Medical Alert System

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:03:07 +0000

Over at eHow.com, David Thompson shares the best way to research and choose a medical alert system. He explains:

Medical alert systems allow senior citizens to live in their homes longer, by giving them a way to call for help quickly if they fall, become ill or need any kind of emergency assistance. Medical alert systems have an alarm button that senior citizens can wear as a pendant around their neck, as a wristband or clipped onto their belt, depending on the model. When the senior citizen needs to summon help, he or she presses the button, which sends a radio signal to a base unit connected to the telephone. An emergency response center receives the alarm, and can talk with the senior citizen or, if there’s no answer, summon emergency personnel to the house.

Step 1

Assess the situation and decide what important features you must have. For example, the medical alert button needs to be easy to wear and push. The communication needs to be especially loud and clear for someone hard of hearing. A longer range may be necessary for someone with a large home. If a senior citizen might move to a new location, you’ll want the medical alert service to be available nationwide. If the need is only temporary while a senior citizen is recovering from illness or injury, you won’t want a long-term contract.

Step 2

Compare different medical alert services, keeping your priorities in mind. Eliminate those that don’t meet your minimum requirements. In addition, the medical alert equipment should be UL listed, and include regular free testing to make sure it’s working correctly. It should be compatible with the phone system in the house, even if there’s no land line or more than one line, and it should be able to “seize the line” and call out even if the phone is off the hook or another call is being made. It should have a battery back-up in the base unit in case the power is out, and a warning signal for low batteries. Make sure the warranty is sufficient and repair policies are clear. A money-back guarantee after an in-home trial is a benefit.

Step 3

Compare prices. You can purchase, rent or lease medical alert systems. Some companies sell the equipment and then charge a monthly fee for the monitoring service, while other companies rent the equipment and include the monthly rent with the monthly monitoring cost. Prices can range from $200 to several thousand for the equipment plus monthly monitoring costs of $10-$30, or monthly rental fees of $15-$50 including monitoring services. Find out how long the contract lasts, whether it’s automatically renewed, how to cancel if you want, and if there are early termination fees.

Step 4

Ask how the medical alert system will be installed. Medical alert systems are usually simple enough that a family can install them without paying a professional. Some companies require you to pay an extra fee for their employee to do the installation, and if so, be careful that the employee doesn’t pressure the senior citizen to buy extra unneeded products or services.

Step 5

Once you’ve found several systems that seem suitable, compare the companies’ reputations. Check with the Better Business Bureau and search online for consumer complaints.

Step 6

After your medical alert system is installed, test it while it’s still in its money-back guarantee period. Make sure the signal is strong enough to reach the phone from the farthest distance, and that the emergency response center answers promptly and is easy to hear.

2 Reasons To Get A Medical Alert System

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:48:50 +0000

For many people, recognizing they could benefit from a medical alter system comes too late.

If you A) live alone, or B) take care of someone who does, then this article will share the benefits of using a system that can provide emergency response in situations where access to 911 could be limited.

CLICK HERE to learn more…

AND, Here’s How Those Who Wish to Live Independently Can Make it Happen

Given the choice, most seniors and persons with medical conditions or physical challenges would prefer to live in their own homes and be as independent as they can.

CLICK HERE to learn how while it may not be possible for some, for many, this dream can be a reality with iConnect | PERS from Bay Alarm Medical.

57% of Seniors Forget to Take Medicines – What Can Be Done?

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:20:52 +0000

American seniors are being overwhelmed by their perscriptions. A recent survey shows:

● 57% of seniors forget to take medications

● 23% neglected to fill a prescription on time

● 40% of seniors (taking 5 or more drugs regularly) are worried about their ability to afford their medications

● 49% of those enrolled in Medicare Part D would like to know how to delay or avoid entering the Medicare Coverage Gap (the ‘Donut Hole’)

● 40% of seniors (taking 5 or more prescription medications daily) are concerned about their drugs’ side effects or worry about interactions with other drugs

Read this article to learn more about what can be done to help seniors manage their medications. Medco even offers a link to a FREE tool you can download to help.

PLUS, Why You Should Learn More About iConnect RX

As we approach our elder years, a lot of us will have increased medication prescriptions in order to stay healthy and to continue the active lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to. While this is completely normal, the added responsibilities associated with a larger prescription has led to improper prescription management.

CLICK HERE to learn how a perscription management tool can help bring peace-of-mind to those with loved-ones taking multiple medicines.

Seniors Plan to ‘Get Healthier’ in 2010…But How?

bayalarmmedical — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:53:20 +0000

A recent survey suggests that seniors not only plan to get healthier in the new year, they also think they are most likely to stick with their health improvement plan.

But how?

This article shares great tips for FREE on-line resources designed to help seniors find plans they can keep up with.

Survey Finds Seniors Most Likely to Follow Through on Health Goals in 2010 – by SeniorJournal.com

Want even more great tips and resources on senior care? Visit our site for up-to-date information to help you take better care of those you love!