HOME STAIR LIFTS, PORTABLE AND CUSTOM MODULAR WHEELCHAIR RAMPS

HOME STAIR LIFTS, PORTABLE AND CUSTOM MODULAR WHEELCHAIR RAMPS: Living Free Home, a division of Homecare America, is a leading provider of high quality accessibility solutions and products manufactured in the USA. We proudly serve customers throughout the tri-state area with our core commitment to 5 star service.

We specialize in a wide variety of accessibility solutions, from stairlifts, portable wheelchair ramps, modular wheelchair ramps, vertical and vehicle lifts, to Elegance, Heritage, Classic and Specialty lift chairs, wheelchair lifts and handicapped lifts.

Alzheimer's and Dementia: Global Resources

Alzheimer's and Dementia: Global Resources: Worldwide, at least 44 million people are living with dementia. To serve this global population, as well as their families and caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association has translated its most popular and unique online resources and tools.

Jean Dickinson

Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Alzheimer's Association, California Southland Chapter

It's time to celebrate. Our group is now 20,000 members strong. This includes many members from around the world. It's also indicative of the growing interest in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and the increasing number of people affected each day. The Alzheimer's Association has "gone global," too. Please take a moment to visit our new Web portal at http://www.alz.org/global/ It has information in many languages along with in-country resources. We encourage you to link to us!

Alzheimer's & Dementia: Global Resources

    Country-specific Alzheimer's statistics, research plans and local support services.

    Educational content covering risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

    An overview of the Alzheimer's Association role in funding critical dementia research.

    An interactive brain tour.

    A call to action for the global community to join the cause.



Content can be accessed by country or language.

5 Steps for Dealing with Anticipatory Grief - Visiting Nurse Service of New York

5 Steps for Dealing with Anticipatory Grief - Visiting Nurse Service of New York: It might be the hardest part of caregiving: Watching your loved one slip away step by terrible step, knowing you can’t stop the decline and grieving the loss of the person you once knew, long before they’re actually gone. Psychologists call this process anticipatory grief, and it’s very common among caregivers and family members of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other terminal illnesses.

“As a disease progresses, there is so much frustration and sadness associated with watching the person you once knew go away,” says Vince Corso, M.Div, LCSW, CT, Manager of Hospice Psychosocial Services, VNSNY. “It can be overwhelming.”

Smoothe Foods - Links

Smoothe Foods - Links

They love to provide you with tools to help keep you informed on progress and resources for various conditions. See links below. These organizations do not endorse products.

Caregivers

http://www.caring.com



Dysphagia:

http://www.nfosd.com

http://www.Asha.org    

http://www.NIH.gov   

http://www.webmd.com    

http://www.alsa.org    

http://www.cancer.org  

http://www.cancer.org

http://www.ninds.nih.gov   

http://www.stroke.org

http://www.alz.org

http://www.swallowingdisorderfoundation.com

http://www.americandysphagianetwork.org

http://www.nmsss.org

http://www.parkinson.org





Gastrointestinal:

http://www.gastro.org/patient-center   

http://www.IFFGD.org

http://www.NIH.gov   

http://www.webmd.com



Smoothe Foods Goals: Our goal is to provide so many positive outcomes.

Educate individuals, caregivers, and professionals - How to realize when someone can benefit from Smoothe foods due to swallowing issues thus avoiding malnutrition, dehydration and even pain. Also determine when Smoothe Foods can provide nutrition when someone experiences poor digestive functions or chewing sensitivity due to dental issues.

Nutritious, All Natural & Delicious High Quality Meals for better health - An alternative to sugar laden shakes, baby food and powdered or canned food. Just because you cannot eat regular food doesn’t mean you can't have good, healthy meals.

Convenience  - The meals are convenient to prepare – just heat & eat!

Peace of mind  - Offering great meals for nutritional and emotio

GE 51209 Smart Home Wireless Motion Sensor Alarm with Programmable Keypad

x20

Sounds alarm when motion is detected.

keypad-controlled alarm sounds a 120dB siren when motion is detected within a 20-Feet range, quickly alerting those in the home if someone moves in the secured area.

The alarm allows you to select your own four-digit security code and features both alarm and chime functions.

delay feature also provides you time to comfortably activate and deactivate the alarm before the siren sounds.

alarm can be used free standing or wall mounted

---

You are strongly encouraged to read user product reviews and comments when evaluating your needs and the product under consideration.

Alzheimer's/Dementia Hospitalization Wristband Project

Alzheimer's/Dementia Hospitalization Wristband: The wristband project does several things:

Upon admission, patients with a prior diagnosis have a Purple Angel affixed to their standard issue hospital wristband for identification purposes.

Purple Angel is placed on their door so that anyone entering knows they should approach with the patient’s special needs in mind.

• Use of “sitters” will become standard practice, allowing families to take much needed breaks without worrying that their loved one will be left alone.



•      A dementia screening will be added to the admission process in hopes of identifying cognitive impairment even if there is no prior diagnosis.

The Purple Angel logo, originally developed in the UK and inspired by Norman McNamara, is quickly becoming an internationally accepted symbol for Dementia Awareness for all dementia related diseases. A big key to the success of this project, LeBlanc emphasizes, is that one standard symbol is used across all healthcare systems making it instantly recognizable.

Who Will Care For You When You’re Old? | Griswold Home Care

As more seniors turn to reverse mortgages, their adult children might well be puzzled or concerned about what will happen to that debt when one or both of their parents eventually dies. At that time, questions about how to pay off the loan will need to be resolved -- and relatively quickly.
rrower dies

If the borrower was married, the surviving spouse might be able to remain in the home even if he or she wasn't a co-borrower, according to Sarah Mancini, an attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, a nonprofit advocacy organization in Washington, D.C.

That's important, Mancini explains, because some borrowers remove a younger spouse from their home's title to secure a larger reverse mortgage, leaving that younger spouse vulnerable to eviction and foreclosure after the older spouse's death.

The rules that affect surviving non-borrower spouses are complicated, and surviving spouses and heirs may need to consult an attorney to interpret their rights and options if the spouse wants to continue occupying the property.

"There are serious legal issues," Mancini says, "and possible grounds for a legal challenge if the lender forecloses while there is still a surviving spouse."

Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/pay-reverse-mortgage-after-parent-dies.aspx#ixzz3ekV3iYqn Follow us: @Bankrate on Twitter | Bankrate on Facebook

retain full control of your telephone while imposing adjustable restrictions

Available from Amazon

T-lock Outgoing Call Blocker w/ Allow Memory and Cut-off Timer - Wallplate Style by hqtelecom.com
This discrete telephone box hides an electronic circuit that allows you (the owner) to retain full control of your phoneline while imposing these adjustable restrictions:
- Diallow outboung dialing of virtually all long distance telephone numbers (0+, 1+ calls)
- Add a list of allowed numbers including 7 or 10 digit telephone numbers, prefixes or area codes (up to 250 digits combined).
- Activate a call timer that will trigger as soon you the telephone handset is picked up and will cut off all calls (both incoming and outgoing calls) at the time you specific from 1 to 99 minutes
Easy to install, program and use
Works with analog lines and most VOIP lines
4-digit security code bypasses all restrictions
One unit can protect all extensions

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PRO Call Blocker - Ver 2.0 - Incoming & Outgoing Telephone Number Blockerby Cheeta
Block up to 1,200 incoming phone numbers & faxes in Blacklist (16 digit each)
Block up to ten (10) incoming area codes and/or prefixes (up to 10 digits each)
Block up to 100 outgoing phone numbers (with owner's passcode) Block calls with no caller ID information (shown as unknown, private, out of area, anonymous, etc)
Line powered Line Powered (no batteries, no external power needed)

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Wandering and Elopement Resources | NCCDP Endorses Project Lifesaver

Wandering and Elopement Resources: Practitioner Definition



NCCDP Endorses Project Lifesaver



FEATURED LINKS



Elopement Resource Manual from Healthcare Association of New York

• Alert Systems for Missing Adults, CMS report for Congress 2009, Silver Alert Legislation, Golden Alert Legislation


• Alzheimer Dandyfunk for Caregivers - List many products Motion sensors and Tracking


• A Shoe for Wanderers - (with tracking device), October 14 2011 NY Times


• Best Practices for Preventing Elopement With Patients With Dementia in Hospitals - FREE VIDEO TO VIEW


• Breadcrumb - Wandering Solution


• DBS Productions - Alzheimer's Links


• dbs Productions - The Source of Search and Rescue Research, Publications and Training - Wandering Incident: Preparedness


• Dehydration Risk Assessment Tool


• Dementia Care Mapping


• Dementia Care Mapping Book


• Dewing Risk for Wandering Risk Assessment Tool


• Elopement Resource Manual


• Elopement Resource Manual from Healthcare Association of New York


• Elopement Risk Assessment Form


• EM Finders, Elopement Risk Assessment Form, Elopement Risk Assessment Decision Tree


• First Responder Training - Wandering and Elopement


• GPS Shoes


• Guide for the Use of Disguised Doors and other Preventive Exiting Strategies for People with Dementia


• Guidelines for Best Practice Elopement Prevention Assessments, policies and forms


• Keruve Family Direct Locator - GPS Watch and Receiver


• LifeProTekt


• Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist—1990R


• Mental State Exam (MMSE)


• Missing Resident Protocol and Risk Assessments Hazardous Wandering and Elopement Continuing Care Risk Management System


• Myth Busting: The Wandering Issue


• National Institute for Elopement Prevention and Resolution


• 
  


• New York State EDGE Program Electronic Dementia Guide for Excellence


• Patient Leaves Nursing Home Three Times in One Day


• Personal Alarms: Safety Device or Hazard


• Practical Approaches to Dementia Care


• Project Lifesaver International and Lo Jack  Safety Net Solution


• Revised Algase Wandering Scale (RAWS)


• RoamAlert - Stanley Healthcare Solutions


• Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS)


• The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory: Long Form with Expanded Descriptions of Behaviors


• The Florida Factor, dbs Productions, Wandering Characteristics


• The Windsor Star, Canada, Family sues long term care home over death, November 26th 2012


• US Department of Health and Human Services -Agency for Health Care Research and Quality -
  
  National Guideline Clearinghouse - Wandering Guidelines and Assessments


• Vigil Health Solutions - Nurse Call and Dementia Monitoring Technology


• Wandering Behavior


• Wandering Committee Guidelines


• Wandering Behavior: Preparing for It and Preventing It.


• Wandering Protocol

Project Lifesaver

Wandering and Elopement: Litigation Issues from  http://www.nccdp.org/wandering.htm

Marie Boltz, MSN, APRN-BC, NHA Director of Practice Initiatives
The John A Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing
NYU College of Nursing
Introduction          
One of the most challenging, life-threatening issues related to care of the person with cognitive loss is the occurrence of wandering, wherein the person strays into unsafe territories and may be harmed. The most dangerous form of wandering is elopement in which the confused person leaves an area and does not return. The risk of wandering has become a growing concern of families, long-term care facilities, regulators, and insurers

.1 In addition to civil liability, care providers can be fined by the state regulatory agency for failure to prevent elopement.

2 The effects upon the population served and the staff are no less dramatic.  The sense of security of those served and their families is severely shaken, and staff morale as well as the organization’s reputation is dealt a devastating blow. 

3 The aim of this chapter is to define wandering, elopement, and related issues, and to summarize the scope of the problems in terms of prevalence and effect. The types and causes of wandering and generally accepted approaches to care will be discussed. The regulatory and risk management considerations will also be presented. A hypothetical case will be presented. Finally, the role of an expert witness will be discussed.

Ubiquitous Educators and Knowledge Work

Ubiquitous education has always existed: teaching, on-the-job peer discussions, apprenticeships, on-line ed, corporate trainers, librarians, mentoring, distributing knowledge for reuse, awareness, learning.

Follow: Dave Mainwaring's Knowledge Network

The thing about Knoweldge is nobody can take it away from you

Dave's Knowledge Networks

“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” B.B. King

Education has always existed: teaching, on-the-job peer discussions, apprenticeships, on-line ed, corporate trainers, librarians, mentoring, distributing knowledge for reuse, awareness, learning.
We link news-baskets on-line Internet publications {sites and groups} containing comprehensive aggregated collections of information.

MainZone.com World Extras

MainZone.com - World

---

December Communications, Inc. is a Web-based communications company with a primary focus on offering online publications related to Internet use, reference, development, and understanding. Its motto, delivering the timeless power of connection, reflects its mission to help people tap the special nature of the World Wide Web as a seamless, powerful connector of disparate information sources. John December also provides photography for sale.

---

EDGAR® Online The premier provider of data derived from filings and other disclosure documents.
EDGAR Online creates and distributes company data and public filings for equities, mutual funds and other publicly traded assets, delivering products through online subscriptions and data licenses.

---

Internet Resources for News, cyberarians, Librarians and Researchers

---

Literary Market Place brings the power of automated searching to the world's largest, most complete database of the book publishing industry.

---

Thomas Register of American Manufacturers

---

University NC search the Internet resources for news librarians

---

United States Postal Service, Website

---

Massachusetts library catalogs that may be searched on the Internet

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Palliative Care Series

Palliative Care Series  


An Overview of Palliative Care

Symptom Management

Care at the Time of Dying

Ethical Considerations in Palliative Care

Family Caregivers

A Guide to Durable Medical Equipment And Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com

A Guide to Durable Medical Equipment And Medical Supplies - AgingCare.com

{Q}First, the basic needs of elderly or ill people must be addressed before they or their family members can think about more abstract or long-term issues.

Second, it is very difficult to obtain information about meeting these
basic needs, especially when it comes to finding the right products or
supplies. The policies and practices of third-party payers - whether
private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid - are often confusing and inconsistent.

Nevertheless, with a little persistence and some basic information, you can become a more knowledgeable and satisfied consumer. The reward will be an improved quality of life for both the elderly person and the caregiver. {EQ}

Read the article from end to end.Good information for caregivers, seniors, and families.

Managing Stress - Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Managing Stress - Visiting Nurse Service of New York: Stress Management Tools

Symon also recommends incorporating relaxation techniques. These tools can be very helpful to people coping with long-term stress, such as caregivers, she says.

Pausing to take a few deep breaths slows down the heart and sends a message to the brain that you are calm, which releases hormones to counteract stress. Exercise, such as taking a walk, will also help.

But there's another technique that you might not think of: Do something you find enjoyable. “One of the most important things we remind our clients to do is to make sure they find ways to bring joy into their lives,” she says. “You might get a moment to yourself and think it would be a good time to pay a bill. But instead try to incorporate something that brings you joy. You can’t get rid of the stress, but you can do things that will help to decrease it.” So call a friend, spend time with a grandchild, or find a favorite TV show or movie on Netflix.

Top 10 Codes You Aren’t Meant To Know - Listverse

Top 10 Codes You Aren’t Meant To Know - Listverse


Stores, hospitals, entertainment venues, and other places
where the public are together in large numbers, use secret codes to pass
information between store employees. These are meant to be a secret as
they don’t want to alarm the non-staff members or alert someone (like a
thief) to the fact that they have been noticed. Many stores have their
own codes – for example WalMart, but there are a number that are nearly
universal in application. This is a list of ten secret codes that may
prove useful to you in future, or at least dispel any curiosity you may
have if you hear them.

Getting the Family to Agree on a Care Plan - AgingCare.com

Getting the Family to Agree on a Care Plan for an Older Adult - AgingCare.com: Generally, disagreements about money—who is in charge of it and how it will be used

Alzheimer's Navigator an Alzheimer's Association service

Alzheimer's Navigator: Map out a plan to approach Alzheimer's
When facing Alzheimer's disease, there are a lot of things to consider. Alzheimer's Navigator helps guide you to answers by creating a personalized action plan and linking you to information, support and local resources.

You can move at your own pace

Create your private profile and complete the Welcome Survey.

Take short surveys pertaining to your needs with:

Planning for the Future

Working with Doctor/Healthcare Professionals

Caregiver Support

Activities of Daily Living

Home Safety

Driving

Knowledge of Alzheimer's

Review your action plan to get more information, support and local resources.

bidet for the home toilet

c700x420.jpg (JPEG Image, 700 × 420 pixels)



  bidet for the home toilet

Zip Door when all you need to seal is the doorway

 Zip Door is a great way when all you need to seal is the doorway. One person can install it in under a minute. It's also great for residential jobs like kitchen and bath remodeling, or where renovation will disturb lead paint.  

    For  doors up to 4' x 8'

    Flame retardant Made from 4 mil plastic sheeting

    Two heavy duty zippers pre-installed

Eldercare Resource Services - Helping You Help Your Loved Ones

Home: ElderCare Resource Services is a Geriatric Nurse/Social Worker partnership that assists families in investigating, assessing, and recommending the medical and non-medical resources required for the care of Seniors. We are strong advocates for our clients, delivering the information and resources necessary to make them the best consumers and ensuring their relative the best possible care. We are Geriatric Care Managers Linda Sullivan RN and Debbie Gitner Licensed Certified Social Worker.

Quality of U.S. hospices varies, patients left in dark - The Washington Post

Quality of U.S. hospices varies, patients left in dark - The Washington Post

{Q}A boom in the industry allows patients to choose from an array of hospice outfits, some of them excellent. More than a thousand new
hospices have opened in the United States in the past decade. But the absence of public information about their quality, a void that is unusual even within the health-care industry, leaves consumers at a loss to distinguish the good from the bad.

Though the federal government publishes consumer data about the quality of other health-care companies, including hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies, it provides no such information about hospices.

 The reasons that some hospices stint on care may be at least partly financial. Medicare, the chief source of industry revenue, pays hospice companies per day of care — about $155 for a “routine” day — regardless of how much care is actually provided. That means that the less a hospice spends on nursing and other services, the more it can profit.
{EQ}

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/business/hospice-quality  This database shows, among other things, whether the hospice has provided
more intense levels of care for patients suffering a crisis; how much
it spends on nursing visits per patient; and whether it has won approval
from one of three outside accrediting agencies, the Joint Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care and Community Health Accreditation Program, or CHAP

Stairlift Recycling

Stairlift Recycling: The Stairlift Recycling Scheme was pioneered by Major Adaptations Ltd. The recycling scheme for stairlifts donates all income derived from the broking of recycled stairlifts to the Respite for Carers Fund.

The Caregiver’s Bill of Rights | Alzheimer's Reading Room

The Caregiver’s Bill of Rights | Alzheimer's Reading Room: Whether they realize it or not caregivers do have rights – lots of them.



This list has been circulating on the internet for a long time and is attributed to various persons.



This version was taken from www.caregivers.utah.gov, where it is attributed to Jo Horne.



Whether you have seen it previously or not, it is always worth repeating and sharing

• To take care of myself. Caregiving is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.


• To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. Only I can recognize the limits of my endurance and strength.


• To maintain facets of my life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.


• To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.


• To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and/or depression.


• To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.


• To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.


• To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.


• To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically- and mentally-impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

Accepting Alzheimers, Coping in Alzheimers World | Alzheimer's Reading Room

Accepting Alzheimers, Coping in Alzheimers World | Alzheimer's Reading Room: Accepting Alzheimers, Coping in Alzheimers World



Did you ever wonder why most Alzheimer's patients stick like glue to their caregiver? Call out their name when they can't see them? Want to know where you are when they can't see you?



By Bob DeMarco

Alzheimer's Reading Room



Accepting Alzheimer's Coping

When a person has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia they are often difficult to understand. The behaviors they express are often difficult to accept.



It be be very hard to deal with a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease.



It is hard to understand that a person can't remember. Harder to accept that when they can't remember, they will do things that are completely foreign to your frame of reference.



Each of us has emotions and feelings. Alzheimer's has a way of bringing out the worst of these feelings and emotions.



The challenge -- learning to deal with a person living with Alzheimer's on their own terms. Learning to deal with Alzheimer's disease.



 http://tinyurl.com/buqqwxz 



Many caregivers come to the conclusion that the person living with Alzheimer's is not the person they knew. Knew most or all of their life.



Is it possible to deal with a stranger? Is this supposed stranger likable?



Can you like someone that continually makes you angry, frustrated and sad?



See what is happening? You make the situation about you. This is not the person I knew. I knew.



But Alzheimer's caregiving is not only about you. It is also about the person living with the disease.



The "live -R" cannot help or change the way they are acting. But, you can change the way you are acting or feeling.



Sooner or later you have to start by reminding yourself this is my Mom, this is my Dad, this is my Husband, this is my Wife.



Here is something I learned on the Alzheimer's Reading Room. Alzheimer's caregivers want, try hard, to give the person living with AD the highest quality of life possible.



Striving for this goal is difficult. Near the beginning, it seems impossible for most of us.

How to Widen a Doorway • Ron Hazelton Online

How to Widen a Doorway • Ron Hazelton Online • DIY Ideas & Projects: Learn how widen a doorway; includes details on inspection holes, removing wall coverings and installing new framing.

Related Project

In the course of widening this doorway, some damaged flooring was exposed.  view a video that shows how that situation was handled.

.

Microwave Cooking for One What Wattage Is My Microwave Oven?

What Wattage Is My Microwave Oven?: Microwave Cooking for One by Marie T Smith

Fast, easy, and economical, the recipes are ideal for individual cooks, whether they live alone or share busy modern households. With almost 300 recipes for exciting meals

Senior Living Technology Blog

Tools to Keep Your Staff and Residents Happy with Built-in Support
Jerry Grove
Apr 8, 2015
Seniors are not prepared to leave their cell phones, tablets, e-readers, or laptops behind. Dependable high-speed wireless Internet is the bare minimum expected of senior living communities catering to a leisure lifestyle.
Along the same lines, seniors don’t want to depend on their son-in-law or a staff member to help install the latest application or fix a bug. Communities catering to residents should have built-in resident support personnel in place that can get a senior’s technology running in no time.

To Flush or Not to Flush: How Do You Dispose of Expired Drugs

Tips for Safe Drug Disposal  By Lynda Shrager

Published Apr 1, 2014 everydayhealth.com

For the medications you are going to toss, follow these guidelines:

First, organize your medicines, and gather all of the expired drugs (prescriptions have dates on the labels; over-the-counter bottles and boxes are stamped with expiration dates).

Remove identifying information from the prescription label to help maintain your privacy and protect your personal health information. You don’t need the world to know you have acid reflux or are depressed, psychotic, or on birth control

If available, follow specific disposal guidelines noted on the bottle or patient information sheet.

Don’t flush prescription drugs unless the bottle or info sheet says to.

Crush pills or capsules or dissolve them in water.

Before throwing drugs in the trash, take them out of their containers and mix them with an “undesirable substance” such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. To avoid leakage or breakage out of the main garbage bag, put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag before placing it in the trash. The sealed bags will be less appealing to curious children or pets or anyone else who might go through your trash.

---
Lynda combines her expertise as an occupational therapist, master’s
level social worker, professional organizer and aging in place
specialist to pursue her passion of providing therapeutic care in the
patient’s home environment and in educating their caregivers. To that
end she is eagerly launching a new initiative called “At Home for Life”
to facilitate a senior’s desire to remain in their own home as they face
the crossroads of diminished physical and cognitive abilities. Lynda
will provide residential assessments and make recommendations to enable
people to safely access and navigate their own homes, thereby allowing
them to age in place.

Defining Non-Medical Home Care for Seniors | In Home Care for Elders

Defining Non-Medical Home Care for Seniors | In Home Care for Elders


Home Care is a service that assists those in need to continue living and celebrating life from the comfort of their own home. Home care is a model of care that includes both professional and informal support networks that include family, neighbors, and friends. To remain independent, these individuals construct your ‘Care Team’ which work together to meet your goals and expected outcomes. At some point, you may determine that a professional Home Care company is needed to join your Care Team.

Considering your options



When selecting a Home Care services company, you will have many questions. The first thing to understand is that Home Care services vary from facility-based options. Chances are if you’re researching senior care you’ve heard a lot about senior housing options such as a nursing home, assisted living community, adult day care, retirement community, or continuing care retirement community (or CCRC). These elderly care options all have unique benefits, however, at home care is often the preferred choice for seniors who wish to age in place at their own home. Your financial, social, and health situation will often determine which environment you choose.




Choosing the right care for loved ones is an important decision and it starts with knowing when to call. Professional care givers can assist your loved one in a number of important ways



Paying for In Home Care | Affordable Quality Home Care: Paying for Home CareWhen it comes time to find non-medical, in-home care for your loved ones, paying for this important service is probably the last thing on your mind.

The 3 P’s of Reducing Elopement Risk: Prevention -

The 3 P’s of Reducing Elopement Risk: Prevention -: The 3 P’s of Reducing Elopement Risk:

 http://www.seniorlivingsmart.com/

Wandering and elopement are common behaviors seen in Alzheimer’s and
other types of dementia. Due to the nature of the disease process, often
judgment and reasoning are impaired, making it critical that the
environment meet the needs of the resident by providing a safe and
secure setting that allows for the residents independent mobility.

Did You Know?

• Nationwide, researchers estimate that 34,000 Alzheimer’s patients wander each year.


• Thirty percent made it more than two miles before they were found, with 15 percent wandering more than 20 miles.


• In 80% of cases, the resident was a known wanderer with prior elopements.

Why We Need To Get Rid Of Senior Centers

Why We Need To Get Rid Of Senior Centers    Kerry Hannon

Time to Make Centers Multigenerational
That’s why I say: Let’s get rid of senior centers.

I’m not suggesting abolishing places for older men and women to get together and to learn things. I’m suggesting turning traditional centers into places where young and old spend time together.

This idea is actually catching on.

 Kerry Hannon is a contributor to Next Avenue and
has spent more than 25 years covering personal finance for Forbes,
Money, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. Her website is kerryhannon.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerryhannon.

Searching Dr. Google: How to Talk to Your Doc About Online Health Info

Searching Dr. Google: How to Talk to Your Doc About Online Health Info:
{Q}


Many current-generation patients prefer to collaborate with their doctors.

The minute we have an ache or a pain or are given a new diagnosis, many of us turn to Dr. Google. Unfortunately the Internet is littered with people and companies that may improperly interpret or manipulate research and lead us to useless or harmful remedies. I am a huge proponent of arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible, which a huge part of the caregiver role.{EQ}
{Q}


You might try to send this new information to the doctor in advance
of your next appointment.  Since no one can be expected to be current on
every last piece of research, this approach should allow the doctor
time to discern whether the information is relevant to your particular
case.
Here are tips for engaging your doctor:

• Rather than challenging him, explain that you found something
  
  interesting online and wondered what he thinks about it.  Your tone
  
  should impart respect for his expertise


• If you can’t get the information to your doctor ahead of time, bring it with you and make a follow-up appointment to discuss it.

Present research from verifiable sources. Web sites dedicated to the

disease in question and run by nonprofits, such as those of the

Arthritis Foundation or the American Heart Association,  tend to be

accurate and informative; I recommend you start with those.{EQ}

- Specialized Care Co, Inc.for individuals who need dental care

- Specialized Care Co, Inc.

Specialized Care Co, Inc. designs, markets and sells products that facilitate the delivery of oral health services. Our products include Rainbow Stabilizing Systems (some people refer to these generically as Papoose Boards), Airway Positioners and Cushions for knee-to-knee exams; Open Wide mouth props (bite blocks) and mouth rests; Stay N Place pillows for the dental chair, chair liners and booster seats; Surround 3-headed toothbrushes, and training DVDs for delivery of dental care to people with special needs.


Specialized Care Co, Inc. markets products that facilitate the delivery of oral health services. Our products assist dental professionals, nurses and at-home helpers as they provide care for individuals who need dental care, but who are unable to cooperate for safe and effective dental treatment. You may call us toll-free at 800/722-7375 (U.S. and Canada) if you'd like further assistance. For our international visitors, our phone number in the U.S. is 603/926-0071 and our fax number is 603/926-5905.

Resources For Caregivers | AssistedLiving.com

Resources For Caregivers | AssistedLiving.com: Government and Nonprofit Resources For Seniors

How to Message LinkedIn Group Members | @StacyZapar's Blog

How to Message LinkedIn Group Members | @StacyZapar's Blog





You used to be able to message fellow group members via a link right on their profile. That went away many years ago and it's now much more convoluted and you really have to know what you’re doing to figure it out. It’s not intuitive in the least (in my opinion) and it even took me a while to find the feature after this latest change to the functionality and user interface. (Note: This could be a sign that the feature is in the process of being phased out… Much easier to do away with something that no one could find recently anyway.)

Stacy Donovan Zapar is a 16-year recruiting veteran for Fortune 500 tech companies and CEO of Tenfold Social Training, a B2B Social Recruiting training company for talent acquisition and staffing teams around the world. She is also the Most Connected Woman on LinkedIn with more than 40,000 1st-level connections, making her the #5 most connected person out of 259 million users worldwide. She is a monthly contributor to LinkedIn's Talent Blog and served as Technical Editor for Wiley's LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day. Stacy speaks regularly at HR / Recruiting conferences globally, including #truLondon, LinkedIn Talent Connect and Sourcing Summit Australia. She is #6 on Huffington Post's Top 100 Most Social HR Experts on Twitter and #7 on ERE.net's 50 People Most Retweeted by Recruiters on Twitter. Feel free to connect with Stacy on LinkedIn and Twitter (@StacyZapar).

Specialized Grab Bars |

Specialized Grab Bars |: Specialized Grab Bars
January 20, 2013

Many options are now available for decorative designer grab bars in the home that provide a great option for both beauty and safety. Designer grab bars are available at a variety of costs and styles.

Memory Lapses That Are Normal

Retirees NewsBasket: Memory Lapses That Are Normal - Mary A. Fischer is an award-winning journalist and contributing editor to AARP The Magazine.

Adding Geriatric Care Management to Private Duty Home Care 3

Exploring the Potential of Digital Technology to link AHPs and People in Remote, Rural Hubs

Let's Talk about Dementia | Never in the history of mankind did not talking about something scary make it disappear. 13Nov2014

Living it Up Creatively by talkingdementia

Exploring the Potential of Digital Technology to link AHPs and People in Remote, Rural Hubs

Since June 2014, a group made up of people living with disabilities and health problems, carers and Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s) have been actively learning about the benefits of digital inclusion. In August, we established a steering group to drive forward a Living it Up Creatively digital project that links Helmsdale, a remote rural community in East Sutherland, to New Craigs, the main Mental Health Hospital supporting the Highlands from Inverness.













How will we use digital technology to connect professionals and people in the future?













For further information contact Sarah Muir (AHP Lead NHS Highlands) at sarah.muir2@nhs.net or Ann Pascoe (Dementia Friendly Communities, East Sutherland) on ann@dementia-friendly.com .













And follow us on twitter: @sarahahpmh and @a_carers_voice.

Free "Long Distance Caregiver Checkli

Download Our Free "Long Distance Caregiver Checkli: Reduce stress, save time and money - "Long Distance Caregiver Checklist"

DOWNLOAD  FREE "LONG DISTANCE CAREGIVER CHECKLIST"!

It is hard being apart from an aging parent and worrying about his or her safety and well-being. When you visit, you need to make the most of your time. Our experts share a valuable checklist to improve your visits!

Why are caregiver spouses so relectant to hire help? | LinkedIn

Brett Frankenberg 2nd Founder at The Institute for Quality in Senior
Living, Greater San Diego Area participated in  an interesting discussion on
Home Care and Healthcare Advocacy  concerning "Why are caregiver spouses so
reluctant to hire help?

" I am paraphrasing from his discussion:”
One cannot stress enough the need for caregiver education. The problem is many family members think they learn by watching caregivers in the hospital.

Brett: Have you ever worked an overnight shift in a hospital with a
Senior who has dementia?

Brett If you have, I doubt you would assert that observing highly trained professionals who care for patients in the hospital would suffice as sufficient training.

Brett believes the biggest mistake is assuming that a caregiver is absorbing the necessary information simply by observing the clinical activities that take place when the patient is an inpatient. Further, we have no idea what the baseline of the caregiver is most of the time.

Brett Frankenberg

Online Tools | Caregiver Center | Alzheimer's Association

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's raises many questions. The Alzheimer's Association has several free, online tools to help you find answers, local resources and support.

Alzheimer's Navigator®

ALZConnected® (Message Boards)

Caregiver Stress Check

Care Team Calendar

Comfort Zone®

Community Resource Finder

E-Learning Workshops

essentiALZ Individual Certification

TrialMatch®

Virtual Library



Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-online-tools.asp#ixzz3ST9Bt8Q1

AMERICA’S EMERGENCY CARE ENVIRONMENT ... American College of Emergency Physicians

ACEP 2014 EM Report Card: AMERICA’S EMERGENCY

CARE ENVIRONMENT


 About ACEP

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), founded in 1968, is the oldest and largest national medical specialty organization representing physicians who practice emergency medicine. With more than 32,000 members, ACEP continually monitors trends in the health care environment and analyzes issues affecting emergency physicians and their patients

transfer devices: electric hoyers, mechanical floor lifts

transfer devices: electric hoyers, mechanical floor lifts

4 Key Things to Know about Trusts and Medicaid Planning - AgingCare.com

4 Key Things to Know about Trusts and Medicaid Planning - AgingCare.com

 There are many types of trusts that can be helpful in protecting your assets while allowing you to qualify for Medicaid. This article is a brief overview of the things you need to know when setting up a trust.

It must be irrevocable: An irrevocable trust cannot be altered or amended, and are thus the only type of trust that offers any benefit for Medicaid planning.

Home Health Aide Certification and Certificate Programs

Home Health Aide Certification and Certificate Programs

 Each state has its own requirements for home health aide certification. Some states only require that the employing agency be certified, while others require home health aides to pass a certification exam following completion of an educational program. Besides a skills assessment examination, certification may also require a state administered criminal background check. Some states maintain a registry database of certified home health aides that can be accessed by the public
===============
Home Health Aide Training Requirements in MA

Massachusetts does not require a State issued certification, nor is
there a State exam required to be eligible to work as a Home Health
Aide.  Instead the State recommends national certification through the
National Association for Home Care and Hospice. The NAHC requires a 75 hour training course and a competency test before you are eligible to apply for their certification.

Who would come to take your place in a crisis | emergency

What would you do if you had a crisis and had to leave in an ambulance in the middle of the night?



Who take your place to help your/our loved ones?



I have have a plan "b" in a closed plastic file folder with compartments in my car. It has our POA's, medical stuff, and health care proxy. I have also sent copies of POA and med proxies to the local hospitals' medical records.

Here is a early copy of the plan-B document {medial information for responders} which is in a "File of Life" folder.

Medic Information for responders
Our phone number:

Our home address:

--

Emergency call 911

Preferred Hospital:

Local hospital:

--

MedicAlert Services (med information) 800 432 5378

caregiver ID xxxxxxxxxxxxx ALZ Safe Return ID SRxxxxxxxx

--

In-Home Health Services Provider:

--

Insurance: Medicare & Medx (BXBS) Medex phone 800 678 2265

---

Housebound 's name

DOB MO/Day/Year

PCP; Dr name/phone/location

Alzheimer’s; Dr name/phone/location

Current medications: {list of meds and instructions}

--

My name:

DOB MO/Day/YEAR

PCP: Dr name/phone/location

Current medications: {list of meds and instructions}

--

Individuals to call to come in response to emergency

{FIRST CALL} name,phone, location

{Immediately call} Home Instead  508 393 8838

--

(if you can’t get first person others: possible calls)

list of trusted people.

--

other contacts:

Dentist :

--

Individual holding Durable Power of Attorneys: {holders names and their contact information}

--

Records (directives etc) on file at Family Attorney  Contact information:

How to help if someone you care for has a fall | Stroke4Carers

How to help if someone you care for has a fall | Stroke4Carers: How to help if someone you care for has a fall

Video running time: 07.13 minutes. The film may take time to download depending on your broadband speed.
To enlarge to full screen click on the arrows at the bottom right of the frame.

If you are having problems playing the video, download the clip here [.mp4, 28.6 MB] (Right click this link, and “Save As”).  http://www.stroke4carers.org/wp-content/uploads/GETTING_UP_AFTER_A_FALL.mp4

Book list, this information and all links were active 8/20/2013

"A
Common Sense Guide to Alzheimer's Care Kisses for Elizabeth is
written for both family and professional caregivers of people with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementia’s. It is a practical
resource for anyone experiencing difficulty with significant
behavioral issues but is also helpful to caregivers who simply want
to provide the best possible care.

The author has developed 15 common sense guidelines which address a wide
variety of concerns by helping caregivers to solve problems or even
prevent them. The guidelines also address negative behaviors such as
wandering, combativeness, paranoia and sundowning. The book explains
what dementia is, how it affects people who suffer from it and why
these behaviors occur.

Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were
applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals
quality of life

Since one of the best ways to learn is by example, Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN
has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients
with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied to help
resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of life."

​FYI ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

​

Stephanie
is one of my on-line friends.

We are both active on
http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx

Stephanie
on abuse: READ TODAY

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?tid=2147495522&g=posts&t=2147495517

Another
excellent book I quote from often:

Jolene
Brackey "Creating Moments of Joy" Perdue University Press.

Stephanie
offerred this list, his information and all links are active
8/20/2013

 This
is a list of links about information you will need. Most helpful for
you right now will be "Understanding the dementia experience"
which will give you an idea of what your LO is going through; and
"Communication skills"  Which will help you to
communicate in ways which will avoid or  decrease your LO
negative behaviors.

Understandingthe dementia experience: 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580 

Anosognosiaexplains why dementia patients are unaware of their problem
http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/reading/Anosognosia.pdf 

Communicationtechniques for dementia caregivers:

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147497924 

Guideto diagnosing and treating dementia: What your doctor should do:http://dementia.americangeriatrics.org/ 

Bathingand Showering 
http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147491802 

Helpwith brushing teeth and oral care:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=138 

Urinaryinfections in people withdementia

http://www.disabled-world.com/health/aging/uti.php 

Pickingat skin/scabs:  http://www.alzcompend.info/?p=233 

PainScale to use when your LO is experiencing pain:     

http://prc.coh.org/PainNOA/Abbey_Tool.pdf 

Eatingproblems  

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147489263 

Caregiverkitchen   http://caregiver.com/kitchen/index.htm 

“Uncompensated Pending Medicaid Beneficiary Payment Relief Act,”

A3928

An Act providing compensation relief to long term care facilities when Medicaid eligibility determinations are delayed, designated the “Uncompensated Pending Medicaid Beneficiary Payment

     1.    The Commissioner of Human Services shall make an advance payment to a nursing facility, an assisted living residence, or a comprehensive personal care home licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), at the facility’s request, whenever the facility is providing uncompensated services to one or more residents whose eligibility for Medicaid has not been determined more than ninety days after an application has been filed.  Any such advance payment shall not exceed fifty percent of the estimated amount due for the uncompensated services.  No later than 30 days after any such application is granted and payment has been made to the facility, or after any such application has been denied, the commissioner shall:  provide reimbursement for any balance due to the facility; or recover any advance payments made on behalf of an applicant deemed ineligible for Medicaid by reducing any payments due to the facility.

     2.    The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program.

     3.    The Commissioner of Human Services shall, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules and regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

     4.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the fiscal year next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Human Services may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for >the implementation of the act.

/>

STATEMENT

     This bill, designated the “Uncompensated Pending Medicaid Beneficiary Payment Relief Act,” would provide payments to certain long term care facilities for residents who have applied for Medicaid but whose eligibility has not been determined more than 90 days after the initial application.  The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to make advance payments to a nursing facility, an assisted living residence, or a comprehensive personal care home, at the facility’s request, whenever the facility is providing uncompensated services to one or more residents whose eligibility for Medicaid has not been determined more than ninety days after an application has been filed.  Any such advance payment would not exceed fifty percent of the estimated amount due for the uncompensated services.  No later than 30 days after any such application is granted and payment has been made to the facility, or after any such application has been denied, the commissioner would be required to:  provide reimbursement for any balance due to the facility; or recover any advance payments made on behalf of an applicant deemed ineligible for Medicaid by reducing any payments due to the facility.

Dementia Behavior Can Seem Like Manipulation - AgingCare.com

Dementia Behavior Can Seem Like Manipulation - AgingCare.com:

"Sometimes caregivers assume that (their loved ones) are being manipulative because they just can't believe their behavior," she explains. But in reality, people with dementia aren't able to think through the process of manipulation.

Denial: When it helps, when it hurts - Mayo Clinic

Denial: When it helps, when it hurts - Mayo Clinic

Refuse to acknowledge a stressful problem or situation

Avoid facing the facts of the situation

Minimize the consequences of the situation

In its strictest sense, denial is an unconscious process. You don't generally decide to be in denial about something. But some research suggests that denial might have a conscious component — on some level, you might choose to be in denial.

Common reasons for denial

You can be in denial about anything that makes you feel vulnerable or threatens your sense of control, such as:

• A chronic or terminal illness
• Depression or other mental health conditions
• Addiction
• Financial problems
• Job difficulties
• Relationship conflicts
• Traumatic events

Free Information Download on Stroke

Free Information Download on Stroke: How Do I Know It's a Stroke?
bigstock-Asthma-Disabled-Senior-6268943.jpg
Top 5 Signs of a Stroke
Preview of Your Free Download on Stroke

Approximately 795,000 people in the United States have a new or recurrent stroke each year (American Stroke Association [ASA], 2012a).

Here are some signs and symptoms:

SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body.
SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause (National Stroke Association, 2013)


Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Post Stroke Rehabilitation available with FREE download.

How do Alzheimer’s and dementia cue cards help communication? Video content included. « Caregiver Cards Caregiver Cards

How do Alzheimer’s and dementia cue cards help communication? Video content included. « Caregiver Cards Caregiver Cards: Caregiver Cards Communication Cues for Alzheimer's & Dementia Care

"Let's Continue the Communication"

A Sense of Calm DVD

  "A Sense of Calm" is being used in over 600 care homes and schools, as well as by family carers at home, to help relax adults and children with a range of conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, strokes, autism, Down’s syndrome and other learning difficulties, where the nature of their condition can lead to frustration, agitation, anxiety and sometimes rage.



 DVD is 60 minutes long and features 6 video tracks of specially-created, flowing images, set to specially-composed music, designed to promote relaxation through sensory stimulation. We also include a booklet on how to get the best from your DVD.  A Sense of Calm DVD:

Comfort Care Order (CCO-DNR) program Plus MOLST

EMS Comfort Care Order Do Not Resuscitate Program | doh

The
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Comfort Care Order-Do Not Resuscitate
(CCO-DNR) program allows patients diagnosed with a specific medical or
terminal condition to express their wishes regarding end of life
resuscitation in the pre or post-hospital setting.





The program requires that a patient’s attending physician certify and sign a Comfort Care Order

(CCO) that states the patient (adult or child) has a specific medical

or terminal condition. The patient, or his or her authorized decision

maker or surrogate, must also consent and sign the CCO (verbal orders

are not valid). The physician then places a Comfort Care bracelet on the

patien

Caregiver Cards Cue Cards & Prompts for Alzheimers & Dementia Caregiver Cards

Caregiver Cards Cue Cards & Prompts for Alzheimers & Dementia Caregiver Cards:

 <QUOTE>



Caregiver Cards provide essential visual picture cues that improve communication, promote independence and reduce anxiety for adults with memory, cognitive, or speech challenges due to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, deaf or hard of hearing, and other disabilities. An essential aid for helping adults understand and engage in activities at home or in residential care or memory care settings.

 

This easy-to-use, compact set of 76 cards includes simple, clear illustrations that prompt your loved one to understand and participate more independently in self-care and social activities.



The deck includes 146 picture cues covering 6 subject categories:

tivities of Daily Living



Instrumental 

Activities of Daily Living


Activities


Command and Prompts


Emotions and Feelings


Events, People and Places


Packaged as a deck of 76 cue cards, double sided, ring bound so it opens
easily to the desired color-coded section. Cards are glossy, heavy card
stock so they can be wiped clean. Blank cards are provided so you can >
add other specific center or activity cues. Binder rings allow for
versatility of Caregiver Cards, allowing you to add or subtract
illustrations that are important for your caregiving needs

http://tinyurl.com/prbgcnq



Caregiver Cards - Communication Cue Cards | Visual Picture Cues That

Improve Communication, Promote Independence... by Caregiver Cards <END QUOTE>

BayPath Elder Services | Caregiving MetroWest

Caregiving MetroWest –is a program of BayPath Elder Services, Inc. information, resources, and support for MetroWest caregivers.
The site offers Information on all aspects of caregiving; "Caregiving is a complex and demanding undertaking. There are many elements involved in the caregiving role, and we’ve assembled some helpful information on a variety of areas of importance to caregivers.}

BayPath Elder Services, Inc
BayPath Elder Services, Inc. administers programs offering  home care and related services enabling people to live independently and comfortably in their homes while promoting their well-being and dignity.
Many BayPath services are free, others are based on one's ability to pay, and some are offered on a fee-for-service basis.
 “This non-profitcorporation is organized to plan, develop and implement the coordination and delivery of services and supportive programs   for persons sixty years of age and over unless otherwise restricted by conditions of grants or contracts, in the City of Marlborough, and the townships of Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Dover, Sherborn, Natick, Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Hudson, Northborough , Southboro ugh and Westboro ugh , Massachusetts. The corporation shall endeavor to assist older persons to obtain services including but not limited to information and referral, homemaker and chore assistance, housing services, health maintenance and rehabilitation, nutritional services, legal and advocacy assistance , transportation, emergency assistance, and whatever medical or supportive services may be needed to prolong the life and well - being of older persons in the community and to prevent premature institutionalization.