Checklist for Keeping Your Senior’s Home Safe

With the popularity of in-home senior care, it is important to make sure that you and your older loved one know about potential dangers around the home. Together, you two can take steps to prepare for safety and ensure that your loved one’s house is a senior-friendly environment they can feel comfortable in. 

Every year, one in three older adults will fall. These events can lead to life-changing injuries, such as head trauma. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury in the elderly. But by planning ahead, you can reduce the risks and help to keep your loved one safe. Conduct a home safety check around your friend or family member’s house to spot major risks and learn what you can do to remove them.

Bathroom Safety

-Keep a nightlight on in the bathroom after dark.

-Use bath aids, such as support bars, in the bath, shower, and by the toilet. 

-Install non-slip stickers in the bath or shower. 

-Keep the water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to avoid scalding.

-Clearly mark hot and cold faucets.

-Install door locks that can be opened from the inside and outside of the room.

-Bathe when other people are in the home. 

Kitchen Safety

-Remove any clutter or obstructions from the floor or walkways.

-Keep work areas well lit.

-Clearly mark “off” and “on” positions on appliances with brightly colored stickers.

-Store knives in a sturdy rack.

-Keep heavy objects stored at waist height.

-Always separate hazardous items from food.

-Check expiration dates on foods regularly.

Medication Safety

-Regularly review medications with your loved one and his or her doctor.

-Clearly label all prescriptions.

-Throw away any old, unnecessary, or expired medications.

Living Room Safety

-Make sure that all furniture is secure and will not easily slip.

-Opt for furniture that is easy to get in and out of.

-Choose furniture with full arms to provide support while standing up or sitting down.

-Clear all walkways of obstructions or cords. 

Bedroom Safety

-Keep a flashlight within reach of the bed and check batteries regularly.

-Use a nightlight to illuminate the bedroom after dark.

-Install low-pile, wall-to-wall carpeting or opt for a smooth surfaced floor covering.

-Keep a phone on the nightstand or within reach while in bed.

Outdoor Safety

-Check walkways and stairs to make sure they are not uneven and could not cause tripping.

-Securely fasten all handrails.

-Install proper lighting near steps, doorways, walkways, and porches.

-Trim shrubs, hedges, and trees to make sure they do not block the view of the street while pulling out of the driveway. 

-Ensure that the garage is properly ventilated and that the doors are easy to operate, even if snow is weighing them down. 

General Safety

-Develop a buddy system or consider investing in a medical alert system.

-Make sure there is a smoke detector and fire extinguisher on all floors of the house.

-Remove all cords from trafficked areas, such as hallways.

-Use non-skid wax on floors.

-Ensure that proper lighting is installed in all rooms, including at the top and bottom of all stairways.

-Remove any slippery surfaces from stairs.

By following this checklist and looking for any other hazards around the home, you can help keep your older loved one safe in their house. When it comes to elder care, Durham families can use these tips to conduct a safety check and protect the family and friends they love. 

Helping Your Senior Pick the Perfect Walking Aid

A walking aid is a powerful tool for your senior, as it allows them to maintain their balance, while still enjoying full mobility. There are a number of different reliable walking aids on the market today, so the choice truly depends on what works best for your elderly loved one. Some of the most popular options include the following listed below.

A single point cane

Senior health professionals explain that this cane is perfect for those who need a little extra support in order to fight off discomfort. It’s great for taking some of the burden off of the legs, but is not an appropriate choice when your elderly loved one can’t put any weight at all on their lower extremities.

A quad cane

This option is the ideal selection for someone who needs more stability than a single point cane can offer, but isn’t ready for a walker yet.

A walker

According to those who work in elder care, Chapel Hill families should invest in a walker for an elderly loved one who has poor balance or lacks upper body strength. The devices have advanced greatly in the past few years, and now come with many convenient options and features to make use of. A walker is generally regarded as the best and most supportive walking aid, though it is more cumbersome than a cane.

Knee walker

Those who care for elderly individuals note that many seniors who can’t put weight on their legs opt to rely on a knee walker. It allows them to get around faster than they would on crutches, but without the bulk of a traditional walker. 

Crutches

Crutches work for someone who can’t put any weight on the lower extremities; however, they are best used by an elderly individual with good balance and upper body strength. In most cases, crutches are not a long-term option. They can be useful if your senior is recovering from a temporary injury.

The right walking aid for your elderly parent truly depends on their comfort level, balance abilities, and upper body strength. Each of these various options allows a senior to get around in a more safe and comfortable way. They can be easily transported and help to take some of the burden off of legs and feet. 

Online Alzheimer’s Resources You Should Know About

Caring for an elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s is no easy feat, particularly when a person is trying to juggle work responsibilities, young children, and other aspects of their life. For this reason, dementia care professionals encourage families dealing with Alzheimer’s to utilize the multitude of online resources available today for support and education. Some of these tools include:

Elder Care Locator

According to those who work in elder care, Chapel Hill families can use this online resource to help them find a variety of different kinds of assistance for their seniors. Narrow the search down by location, as well as by the kind of care that is needed. Additionally, the site helps put families in touch with other necessary professionals, like those who specialize in elder abuse prevention and home repair and modifications.

The Caregiver Action Network

For adult children who are trying to shoulder the burden of caregiving, this site can be a welcome place to visit online. It offers a range of resources and tools that a person who cares for an elderly parent with Alzheimer’s can use, including links to support groups, tips for caregivers, and agencies and organizations that may be of use. 

National Alliance for Caregiving

This group provides resources, important research information, and other materials that caregivers can draw upon. It even hosts a conference each year. This year’s conference is called “Aging in America: 2014 Annual Conference of the American Society on Aging.” Through information and understanding, the group helps to lighten an adult child’s burden.

Ethnic Elders Care Network

The Ethnic Elders Care Network is specifically targeted at caregivers to ethnic elderly individuals. The organization focuses on promoting research findings, prevention, and treatment methods of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. They also want to offer educational materials, support and assistance to ethnic minority elderly patients, as well as their families and caregivers.

Tackling caregiving duties can become overwhelming, making support an essential part of daily life. Whether this is in the form of an in-person support group or valuable educational tools available online, these materials can make a major difference in the life of a caregiver. 

Exercise Ideas That Your Senior Will Love to Do

Though your senior’s body will change as they age, regular physical activity should remain a major part of their life. Some people falsely believe that there is no point in working out as they get older. In reality, quite the opposite is true. Regular workouts keep a person mentally alert and feeling positive. Additionally, regular workouts may help to ward off illness or injury. If you’re looking to help your elderly loved one get up and get active, consider these tips:

Try light cardio

A cardio workout can be customized based on your elderly family member’s ability level. Popular options for cardio workouts include:

• Dancing
• Tennis
• Walking around the neighborhood
• Swimming
• Biking
• Hiking
• Stair climbing

Whether your senior chooses to head out for a bike ride or to walk around the mall at their own pace, getting in some cardio each day is a necessary part of staying healthy. Cardio workouts boost endurance and help to cut down on fatigue. 

Incorporate strength training

Strength training workouts are not just for bodybuilders looking to pile on muscle. In fact, strength training can be the perfect workout for an elderly individual. These types of workouts improve balance and prevent the loss of bone mass, which matters to seniors.

Your elderly loved one can strength train using free weights, machines, their own body weight, or elastic bands. Depending on what they feel comfortable with, they can head to a local gym, purchase equipment to use at home, or even use items they have lying around the house (such as cans of soup) to get a workout in. There is no need to spend a lot of money or get fancy training in order to enjoy a workout focused on strength. 

Put a focus on flexibility

Your senior should also focus on their flexibility as they exercise. This helps the body to stay limber, and makes it easier to tie shoes, shampoo hair, and play with grandkids. Yoga is a great way to boost flexibility. Poses are easily modifiable based on skill and ability level, and the experience is a relaxing one.

Regardless of how fit or active your senior is, it’s important that they get in some sort of physical activity each day. Ideally, this exercise will include a mix of strength, cardio, and flexibility workouts. 

Safety Tips for Cold Medicine

The symptoms of a common cold can be pesky at best, and serious in some instances. However, while you may want to offer your senior medication to help them feel better as they fight off a cold, home care professionals remind you that some over the counter cold medicine may interact negatively with prescription drugs that your elderly loved one is taking.

How to proceed

Prior to offering your elderly loved one any sort of medication, even a decongestant, eldercare professionals encourage you to seek guidance from a doctor. This person can also indicate whether mixing certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications would cause a health problem.

You can also consult with a pharmacist about how any prescription drugs that the elderly person takes may interact with common cold medicines. Make sure that you have a complete list of the drugs your senior is currently taking, including dosage, as you ask the pharmacist for advice. 

The facts about cold medicine

A decongestant can prove useful if your elderly loved one is dealing with nasal or sinus problems. However, understand that decongestants can increase heart rate, and are known to cause anxiety and insomnia in some people. For this reason, it is important to ask a doctor if your senior is able to take these medications safely before issuing them. As long as the person’s blood pressure is controlled using medication, they are probably fine to take these kinds of medications. However, it is always smart to verify just in case. If your senior has high blood pressure that is not yet under control, check with a doctor first for their recommendation about how to proceed.

Decongestants can safely be taken with antihistamines, though it is important not to overdo the recommended dosage instructions. Keep in mind that over-the-counter antihistamines that contain diphenhydramine may make the user drowsy. Do not give your elderly loved one this kind of medication if they need to drive.

Using nasal decongestants effectively

Nasal decongestants open up breathing passages, however when a person uses them for more than three days in a row they may suffer a “rebound” effect. As a result, they can end up more congested than they were to begin with. For this reason, senior health experts recommend using nasal decongestants for less than three days at a time. If symptoms persist afterward, it is time to seek help from a medical professional. Another useful option is a saline spray, which can loosen mucus without relying on medication. Though they work slower than other options, they also do not cause rebound effects.

How to Help Your Senior Sell Their Home

Whether your senior is ready to downsize, move in with family, or is planning on heading to a new community, preparing their home for sale is important. Family members should help their elderly loved one ensure that they are getting compensated accordingly. In order to help your senior sell their home successfully, keep these tips in mind.

Find someone who specializes in this kind of sale

There are special programs where real estate agents receive training on senior housing. Seek out an agent who has an understanding of senior housing needs, as well as the implications of certain financial transactions. When the realtor you work with has your elderly loved one’s best interests in mind, it makes it easier to ensure that the sale goes smoothly.

Know what the home is worth

When your elderly loved one has resided in their current home for many years, it can become difficult to maintain a real sense of the value of the property. However, blindly accepting an offer without learning about the residence’s value is doing your senior a disservice, note the home care professionals of Chapel Hill.

Part of eldercare is ensuring that your loved one does not make any major financial mistakes, which means that they need to learn what their home is really worth. To do this, review the comparative market analysis that the real estate agent will provide you. This includes data from that area, including information about what similar homes have sold for recently. These details can help you guide your elderly loved one to making a smart choice as they prepare to sell.

Help your loved one declutter

When your senior is getting ready to sell their home, you will want to work with them to make the house look its best before potential buyers come to look at it. Those who care for elderly individuals explain that this is often a challenge, as your elderly loved one probably has a wide variety of belongings that they’ve accumulated throughout the years they’ve lived in the home. Be sensitive as you help them sort through their belongings, deciding what will come with them, what will get donated, and what will get thrown out. A clean, clutter-free home is much more attractive to prospective buyers, but the process behind it takes time.

While preparing your senior’s home for sale is no easy undertaking, working together ensures that your elderly loved one will make a smart financial decision.

Home Modifications to Allow Your Senior to Age in Place Safely

At home care organizations, the safety and security of seniors is the top priority. As such, the home care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, professionals who are responsible for the wellbeing of elderly individuals are dedicated to helping create a living environment that is suitable for seniors who wish to age in place without compromising their health or safety.

One of the main concerns that families have when their loved ones decide that they want to continue to live in their own home instead of move into a nursing or assisted living facility is that the house is not tailored to their needs. In home care agency professionals encourage you to take the following tips into consideration.

• Build a ramp or handrail leading to the front and back doors. Eldercare professionals realize that one of the challenges that seniors face is the task of getting in and out of their homes. Many houses have steep steps or unlevel ground leading to the door, and this can prove exceptionally dangerous for seniors who have limited mobility. Building a ramp will make the task much easier, but installing a sturdy handrail is effective if your elderly loved one is able to walk. 
• Improve safety in the bathroom. The bathroom is a dangerous area for seniors because there are so many slick surfaces. For instance, elderly individuals may slip and fall when in the shower or when trying to walk across slippery tiles. Additionally, the physical action of stepping into and out of the shower can cause seniors to lose their balance. Modify this room with handrails and nonslip floor coverings to keep your elderly loved one safe. 
• Create pathways throughout the home. If your elderly loved one is in a wheelchair or uses a walker, it may prove difficult to open doors or navigate rooms that have a great deal of furniture in them. Make sure that their pathways are clear and allow them to access all of the rooms in their home with minimal difficulty. For instance, you might remove doors between the kitchen and living room or dining room or rearrange furniture to create a wider walkway. 

These tips should help you to make some of the modifications necessary to create a safe environment for your senior.

Keeping Your Senior Safe from the Summer Heat

Summer is a favorite season for many individuals, as it often provides a much-needed reprieve from the colder temperatures of winter. But the truth is that warmer weather can cause a wide range of problems, from dehydration to heat stroke. Eldercare in Chapel Hill is an activity that focuses on keeping seniors safe no matter what the weather, and the homecare professionals in this city encourage you to understand what, exactly, you can do to keep your loved one in the best of health this summer. Below are some tips from these eldercare professionals.

1. Make sure that your loved one drinks plenty of water. During the summer, individuals can find that they become easily dehydrated—particularly if they are spending any time outside in hot temperatures.  Buy a portable water bottle for your senior so that they have access to drinking water no matter where they are. Additionally, invest in a pitcher filter that they can put in the refrigerator so that they can have cold, delicious drinking water on hand.
   
2. When temperatures soar too high, encourage your loved one to stay indoors. If staying home isn't an option, or if they do not want to stay at their house for an extended period of time, take them to the mall or another indoor setting where they can enjoy being out and about without suffering from overexposure to the heat.
   
3. Talk to your senior's doctor about their health and learn whether or not they are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures. Some medical conditions can make it dangerous for elderly individuals to stay in the heat for too long, so make sure you know what to look out for when your loved one is outside this summer.
   
4. If your senior insists on going outside, try to get them to do so during the early morning hours to avoid the heat of the day. For instance, they could get up and do their gardening prior to 10:00 am to stay out of the direct heat and benefit from cooler temperatures. 

The eldercare professionals of Chapel Hill encourage you to keep these tips in mind as you care for your senior this summer.

Health Screenings for Men 75+: What Tests do Seniors Need?

Elderly individuals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, have access to a wide range of qualified, experienced healthcare professionals who are able to see to it that their medical needs are met; however, it is important that seniors and their caregivers are well aware of the preventative screenings that can help to keep them in the best physical shape possible. Taking a proactive approach to your elderly loved one's health means more than simply making doctor's appointments—it means educating yourself and your senior regarding the health screenings that can assist doctors in detecting any medical concerns.

When taking your loved one to the doctor, it is crucial that you discuss preventative measures with the healthcare professional and that you are aware of the screenings that your senior needs. AARP recommends the following tests for men aged 75 and over: 1

• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colorectal is a very difficult type of cancer to detect without this particular test, which is why this form of screening is essential to your loved one's health. Through a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or stool sample analysis, depending on the recommendations of the doctor, your senior can be screened for abnormalities in the colorectal area of the body, such as polyps, ulcers, and cancerous tissue. 
• Blood Pressure Screening: Blood pressure is one of the many vital statistics that can give a bit of insight to medical professionals regarding the overall health of their patients. Blood pressure is linked with cardiovascular health, so it is an essential tool when determining heart health and whether or not changes to one's lifestyle are in order. This particular test is recommended once every two years; however, it is normally conducted at the beginning of standard medical appointments. 
• Cholesterol Screening: Like blood pressure, cholesterol can indicate other medical concerns. As such, it is important that individuals have a blood test to measure cholesterol levels at least once every five years. 

If your senior is over the age of 75 they are at risk for numerous health conditions that can become quite serious; however, having the proper health screenings conducted on a regular basis can assist your elderly loved one in maintaining the highest degree of health possible.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.10.html

Health Screenings: What Should Men Ages 70-74 Look For?

When it comes to health, prevention is an important component of a proactive attitude. By having health screenings performed, men between the ages of 70 and 74 can ensure that their doctors are able to pinpoint any concerns as soon as possible, which can often lead to these issues being treated early and preventing the development of more serious conditions. But what, exactly, are men in this age range supposed to focus on when it comes to preventative measures? John, who takes care of his elderly father in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has done a bit of research to determine which screenings are necessary. Below are some of his findings.1 

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Also called an AAA screening, this test checks for any abnormalities in the section of the aorta that runs through the abdomen. Any bulges in the artery can lead to future medical complications, so it is important that men have an ultrasound to detect this issue and treat it as soon as possible.

Blood Pressure Screening
Blood pressure screening is a routine test that is done almost every time an individual visits the doctor's office. With a quick check of a senior's blood pressure, healthcare professionals can better understand their cardiovascular health and detect any issues that may be related to this particular system of the body.

Cholesterol Screening
A blood test conducted once every five years allows doctors to determine cholesterol levels and, if necessary, assist their patients in altering their diet and exercise routines in order to reach healthy readings. Cholesterol is directly connected with heart health, so this is a crucial screening for individuals as they get older.

Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is not easy to detect, which is why it is frequently diagnosed at later stages. But by having colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and stool samples analyzed on a regular basis, elderly individuals can take a proactive approach to their health. Doctors can help seniors to determine which test is best for their needs and how often it should be performed.

Healthcare is an important issue as individuals get older, and it is crucial that seniors are able to access the preventative screenings necessary to detect any issues as early as possible.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.9.html

Elder Care Chapel Hill - What Can a Concerned Person Do to Stop Elder Abuse?

By:  Todd Palmer

Elder Care Chapel Hill - The senior care professionals of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, are aware that elder abuse is, unfortunately, an issue that many families must address. The proper way to handle this situation depends, though, upon the environment in which the abuse takes place. No matter where the abuse happens, or who commits it, it is crucial that you and your family do everything possible to protect your elderly loved one against such mistreatment.

Abuse Committed by Professionals

Whether it is in an assisted living, nursing home, or home care setting, abuse at the hands of professional elder care providers is something that does take place. If you suspect that your senior is suffering at the hands of a professional caregiver, it is crucial to get them out of the situation as soon as possible. This might entail requesting that a different home care provider is assigned to your loved one, moving them out of a nursing home, or having them transferred to a new assisted living facility.

While it is important to quickly protect your senior, it is equally as important to, after they are removed from danger, ensure that the allegations against professional caregivers are true. The company that employs the accused caregiver should be willing to work with you to find out what, exactly, has taken place.

Abuse Committed by Family Members

Taking care of an elderly family member can be incredibly taxing, particularly if the responsibility falls to one single person. But the immense stress of the situation does not make it acceptable to abuse seniors physically, emotionally, or financially. If you are worried that your elderly loved one is being mistreated by a family member, it is important to speak to both your senior and their caregiver. If necessary, have another trusted individual take over care until the situation is resolved. Should abuse allegations be true, counseling is often recommended—as well as hiring a professional caregiver or having another family member take over the responsibility.

Elder abuse is, unfortunately, something that many families must face. Should your senior fall victim to any form of abuse at the hands of a caregiver, whether they are a professional or a family member, it is incredibly important to step in and address the situation.


Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Memory loss is, quite honestly, a very scary thing to experience. As such, your senior may feel frustrated, insecure, or uncomfortable when they cannot remember certain details. The key to keeping them from continuing to carry on a confrontation is to stop the argument and either explain the situation to your senior or, if they have severe memory loss, move on to a new topic of conversation.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.