Friday, 19 January 2018

Tips for Seniors Who Live Alone.


Stay in good health:
One of the biggest risks for seniors who live alone is injury. If a senior slips and falls and there is nobody around to help, a simple concussion could quickly become life-threatening. Because of this, it’s essential for seniors who live alone to stay as healthy as possible. Things like exercise, a healthy diet, an active social life, and drinking plenty of water drastically cut down on the health risks that face solitary seniors, and make it much easier for seniors to remain safe and happy in their own homes.

Build a close circle of friends:

Senior isolation is a big problem, and it’s one of the single most dangerous things for seniors who live alone. While living alone doesn’t always mean being lonely, the two things go hand-in-hand for many seniors, and it’s a potentially life-threatening mixture of things.
It’s clear that one of the primary things seniors living alone can do to stay safe and healthy is to maintain an active social life. Seeing friends on a regular basis is a fantastic way to boost health and well being and to develop a support system so that, if anything does go wrong, the senior has people to call on.


Keep plenty of medication on hand:

If a senior who lives alone runs out of medication, it can be a devastating situation. Because of this, specialists recommend that the senior keep extra medication on hand so that running out prematurely doesn’t lead to a disastrous event. In addition to preventing frantic trips to the pharmacy, this approach also makes it easier to stay on track in the event that a senior misplaces his or her medication.


Keep the home in good repair:

A home that features preventable hazards like exposed cords or slippery stairs is dangerous for seniors who live alone. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that 1.6 million seniors go to the emergency room as the result of falls each year. With this in mind, keep the home in good repair to prevent dangerous hazards that could harm a senior.

Lock doors and windows:

When a senior lives alone, the risk of theft and burglary is very real. Because of this, it’s wise for seniors to be smart about home security. This means locking doors and windows and ensuring that the entire house is locked up when nobody is home. In addition to preventing break-ins, this step also helps ensure that the senior’s safety stays intact.


Install a peephole in the door:

Seniors are often targeted by scammers and thieves. Because of this, it’s smart for all seniors to install peepholes in their doors so that they can keep tabs on who is knocking before they decide to open the door. While this is a simple security tip, it’s one that can go a long way toward ensuring the senior’s safety and security for years to come.

Develop a list of emergency contacts:

Emergency contacts are critical for any senior who lives alone. To ensure safety and proper care in the event of an accident or injury, all seniors should develop a list of emergency contacts and keep it by the phone. This list should include the senior’s medical professionals, family members, and friends.


Install handholds and bars in the bathroom:

The bathroom is a very dangerous place for seniors who live alone. Thanks to water and slippery floors, this is one of the highest-risk places for a fall. Because of this, seniors should consider installing handholds and bars in the bathroom (around the shower and toilet) to make falls less likely.

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

How to Hire In-Home Help.


Most people who need long-term care rely on family for assistance, but about one third get help from paid caregivers.
Finding and managing outside help can be stressful and time-consuming. You need someone reliable and trustworthy with the right skills. But you also want someone your loved one will be comfortable with.

Assess the Type of Care You Need

There are generally two types of home aides: home health aides, who provide basic medical care, such as managing medication and checking blood pressure, and personal care aides, who help with household chores and personal needs.
A home health aide might be the right choice if your loved one has an illness or disability and needs medical attention. Otherwise, a personal care aide, who can help with bathing, eating, dressing, or household chores, may be your best option. Elderly people living at home, especially those who don’t drive or have family nearby, often spend a lot of time alone. 

Know Where to Look for Help

Your community: Most people still rely on recommendations from family and friends, their doctor, or support groups. Word-of-mouth can be a good way to find a quality caregiver or a home health staffing agency—or which ones to stay away from.
Your employer: About 13 percent of employers offer elder-care referral services, according to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management. Some go beyond a simple referral.
Locator service: There are thousands of staffing agencies that specialize in home care.

Decide Who’s the Boss

Your next decision is whether to hire a caregiver through an agency or on your own. There are pros and cons to both. If you work with an agency, it will do the background screening, the hiring (and firing), and the tax and legal paperwork.
If you’re doing the hiring yourself, you can choose the person you think will provide the best care. It’s usually less expensive than using an agency because you don’t have to pay for all of the services built in, but it’s more work, too.
You’ll conduct the interviews, arrange a schedule, negotiate a salary, and spell out job responsibilities. If the home-care worker is sick, you’ll need to arrange for a backup.

Ensure a Good Fit

It can take a lot of time to find a home-care aide, but the effort should pay off in the long run. When interviewing candidates, ask probing questions about how they handled difficult situations and managed disagreements with people they cared for. And make sure your loved one is part of the interviewing and selection process.Once you find someone, make the transition easier by having the aide start gradually, perhaps a few hours a week, or ask the staffing agency for a trial period. A family member or friend should be there the first few days to make sure things go smoothly. 

Tips for Seniors Who Live Alone.

Stay in good health: One of the biggest risks for seniors who live alone is injury. If a senior slips and falls and there is nobody ...