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Emergency Planning: Is Your Loved One’s Long-Term Care Facility Prepared?

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Each year, nature pummels the United States with various natural disasters. Americans find themselves contending with tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, wildfires, floods and heat waves that only seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity.

Individuals who are elderly, disabled or have special needs are particularly at risk during and after these events. Preparedness is crucial for those who are still living in the community and for those who reside in residential care communities like assisted living facilities, memory care units and nursing homes. When disaster strikes, long-term care facilities are responsible for ensuring the safety of all their residents and staff on site. In some cases, evacuation and transportation to another care facility out of harm’s way may be necessary.

Securing the safety of frail elders is a huge undertaking. Many long-term care residents are unable to walk on their own, connected to life-sustaining medical equipment or have severe cognitive impairments due to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Every senior living facility should have a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan in place that establishes protocols for both evacuating and sheltering in place.

It’s beneficial for family members who have relatives in senior living to learn about how these communities handle potential emergencies. This will help families understand exactly what the plan of action is for their loved ones and how it may or may not mesh with their own emergency preparations and plans.

Questions to Ask a Long-Term Care Facility About Disaster Preparedness

The following list highlights crucial information on emergency planning and evacuation procedures provided by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. You can print these questions out and use them to help guide your discussion about emergency procedures with the administrator at your loved one’s long-term care facility.

General Emergency Planning

  • What is the facility’s emergency plan for evacuation and for sheltering in place? (Plans will be different for hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.)
  • How are these plans coordinated with community resources, the city, county and state emergency management?

Emergency Training for Staff Members

  • What staff training procedures are in place for emergency evacuations?
  • Are evacuation drills practiced with both staff and residents?
  • Are there enough staff available to execute emergency plans during all shifts? For example, if a fire breaks out in the middle of the night, will the skeleton crew be able to handle the emergency?

Family Communication

  • How does the facility discuss emergency planning with their residents?
  • How and when will families be notified about a loved one’s status and whereabouts?
  • Is there a phone number for out-of-town family members to call for information before, during and after an emergency event?

On-site Emergency Resources

  • Does the facility have an emergency backup power system or generators? If so, how long can this back-up system provide power? What parts of the facility will have electricity?
  • Are extra medical supplies, equipment and medications (at least a 7-day supply for each resident) stored on-site?
  • How much emergency oxygen is available in portable cylinders?
  • Is the facility prepared with enough potable water and nonperishable food for residents and staff?
  • If the facility is multi-level and the elevators cannot be used, what is the procedure for evacuating physically impaired residents quickly and safely down the stairs?
  • Do residents have emergency supplies and first aid kits in their rooms? (Kits should contain clothing, toiletries, a flashlight, ID and other critical items.)

Evacuation Procedures

  • How will residents be evacuated? Are there contracts in place with transportation providers to relocate residents?
  • Where will residents be evacuated to? Are there contracts in place with other facilities to provide temporary housing for displaced residents?
  • Do family members have the right to evacuate their loved ones on their own if they choose? How would this decision affect a senior’s residency in the facility and associated costs?
  • How are elders who are on life-support or receiving hospice care transported?
  • If the building must be evacuated quickly, what procedures are in place to ensure that no residents are misplaced or left behind?
  • How will residents be identified during and after an evacuation?
  • If the facility is evacuated, how are residents’ charts, medical information, medications and other supplies transported and when?
  • Can family members meet residents at a designated location? Can they assist loved ones at the facility to prepare for evacuation?
  • Will a trained employee ride with residents on each vehicle to oversee their care as needed?

Source: AgingCare by Marlo Solitto

The 4 Most Surprising Bathroom Hazards for the Elderly

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The 4 Most Surprising Bathroom Hazards for the ElderlyBathrooms can be a perilous place in the house, especially for people who are older or living with a chronic condition that can make falls more likely. Much like the kitchen, this is a risky space in the home with slippery surfaces and sharp objects.

One study found that the most common location for fall injuries in the home was the bathroom, including when people are hurrying to the bathroom. A National Institute on Aging statistic states that 80% of falls in the home happen in the bathroom.

Yet these injuries are not just the result of missing grab bars in the shower, and not all of the risk involves a fall. Consider these other risk factors that could lead to a fall in the bathroom:

  1. A bath mat in the tub or shower. In theory, these mats are there to prevent a fall on the slick surface. In reality, they can become a tripping hazard as they bunch up or simply move when stepped on. The solution is to put on non-slip decals to the surface of the tub or shower.
  2. Lack of adequate lighting. It’s not uncommon for people age 65 or older, or those living with certain conditions or taking specific medications, to need to use the restroom in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, being half awake is only going to increase the chances of tripping or slipping and possibly falling in the bathroom. The solution is to install a simple night light that can at the very least make it clear where the light switch is in the dark.
  3. No handheld showerhead. When someone needs to use a chair in the shower or tub, they will also need an easy-to-reach shower head that they can move around without too much twisting and turning. The solution is to add an adjustable shower head that allows the individual to clean themselves while remaining safely seated.
  4. Hot water. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more sensitive to exposure to high water temperatures. At the same time, there is a decreased ability to sense when water is so hot it can scald or burn the skin. The solution is to have an expert set the water heater thermostat between 110 to 120 degrees, which is considered safe by experts.

Source: HomeWatch Caregivers

WHEN IT’S TIME TO SEE A GERIATRICIAN

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If you’re in your 60s or 70s, you may have wondered if you should start seeing a geriatrician instead of, or in addition to, your primary care provider. These are family doctors or internists with special training in the health needs of older adults. About 30 percent of people over age 65 need one, according to the American Geriatrics Society.

But you might not need to book an appointment at the same time you sign up for Medicare. “Geriatricians specialize in the care of people with multiple chronic medical conditions that cause challenges with their day-to-day physical and mental functioning,” explains Michael Steinman, a geriatrician at the University of California San Francisco. And so the reason for using this specialist is not determined by just age. “A 65-year-old with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes may benefit, but an 80-year-old who walks five miles a day and is only on one or two medications doesn’t need one.”

Usually, you see a geriatrician  for an initial consult, with follow-up as needed, says Mary Tinetti, M.D., chief of geriatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine. Most geriatricians work in centers and have a team-based approach; for example, besides meeting with the doctor, you’ll see a social worker, hearing specialist, nutritionist, and even physical or occupational therapists in the same visit. You’ll still see your primary care physician for day-to-day matters, like blood pressure checks or visits when you’re sick. If there isn’t a geriatrician near you and it’s hard for you to travel, Tinetti suggests seeing if a geriatric center will do a telemedicine consult. (You can check the American Geriatrics Society’s online locator serviceto find out if any of the nation’s 7,000 certified geriatricians practice near you.)

Reearch shows that it’s best to make an appointment sooner rather than later. Adults who see a geriatrician are less likely to end up in the hospital, possibly because these physicians are more likely to be on the lookout for warning signs such as frailty and appetite loss, and also are more likely to avoid prescribing potentially risky medications.

Here are four signs that you may need a geriatrician.

  • You’re on multiple medications. More than a third of adults over age 62 are taking at least five prescription drugs. Over 60 percent use some type of herbal or dietary supplement. But the more meds you’re on, the more likely you are to experience side effects, have cognitive problems or even end up in the hospital. “The older you get, the harder it is to metabolize and clear medicines from your body,” says Steinman. “And the more drugs you’re on, the more likely you are to experience drug-drug interaction.” A geriatrician can review all your meds and determine which ones you really need and which you can shelve.
  • You’re having trouble with your memory. Almost 60 percent of people over age 65 with probable dementia are undiagnosed or unaware that they have it, according to a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study published last year in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. A geriatrician can screen you for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is a precursor to dementia, as well as for depression, which can be more subtle in older adults, says Veronica Rivera, a geriatrician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
  • You’re less mobile. If you don’t feel as steady on your feet as you used to or are having trouble getting around, it’s a good idea to see a geriatrician who can assess your balance and gait, says Tinetti. (Falls are the leading cause of injuries and death from injuries among adults over age 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A geriatrician can also give you balance-strengthening exercises to do at home and/or prescribe a course of physical therapy, as well as send a physical therapist or occupational therapist to your home to do a fall-risk assessment. All these steps can help keep you independent — and in your home — longer.
  • You’re hospitalized. Research shows that older adults who get care from a geriatrician in the hospital do better once they’re discharged. People over age 65 who got a geriatric consult while hospitalized for a traumatic injury such as a broken rib, head injury or fracture were able to resume about two-thirds more of their daily activities (like shopping, walking across a room, managing finances and self-care) than those who didn’t, according to a University of Michigan study published in JAMA Surgery. 

Written by: Hallie Levine, AARP

Source: agegracefullyamerica.com

New Medicare Card Mailing Complete

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Important Update – New Medicare Card Mailing Completed
New Medicare Card Mailing Completed
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has now finished mailing new Medicare cards to people with Medicare across all mailing waves, including Wave 7 states and territories and also to people with Medicare, Parts A&B who live in Canada and Mexico.
To ensure that people have access to their new number before the transition period ends, providers can now individually look up all Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs), if they have access to their Medicare Administrative Contractor’s (MAC) secure provider portal.  Likewise, people with Medicare can access their new Medicare number or print an official card within their secure MyMedicare.gov account.
If someone with Medicare says they didn’t get a card, you should instruct them to:
  • Look around their house for old or unopened mail. We mailed new Medicare cards in a plain white envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Sign into MyMedicare.gov to get their new number or print an official card. They’ll need to create an account, if they don’t already have one.
  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) where we can verify their identity, check their address and help them get their new card.
  • Ask their health care provider, who may be able to securely look up their new number at the point-of-service.
  • Continue to use their current card to get health care services until they get their new card. They can use their old card until January 1, 2020.
Medicare patients are using their new cards in doctors’ offices and other health care facilities.  For the week ending January 11, 2019, more than half (58%) of total claims health care providers submitted to CMS use the new MBI, showing that many providers are already successfully submitting claims with the MBI.  While providers and suppliers can continue using the former Social Security number-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) during the transition period, we encourage you to use the new MBI for all Medicare transactions.
We’ve posted some new resources for beneficiaries and partners on our websites: medicare.gov/newcard; Beneficiary blog accessible from theMedicare.gov homepage; and CMS.gov updates including: Updated mailing wave chart and Social media toolkit (partners can use these graphics/language to amplify our outreach on Facebook and Twitter).
We’ll continue to share updates throughout the transition period.  Please send feedback and questions on the New Medicare Card Project to:NewMedicareCardSSNRemoval@cms.hhs.gov.

Fraud Prevention Checklist

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New technology & communication, while opening the door for many positive avenues of progress, also makes us more susceptible as targets for scammers.  These individuals reach out to as many people as possible under some guise until they find someone who falls for their tricks.  The range of tricks being used by such scammers is always growing and evolving.  While you cannot know the details of each one of them, you can get a sense of the general types of scams out there.

Today’s seniors came from a generation raised to accumulate savings, to trust others, and to feel ashamed if they make any mistakes that feel “foolish”.  Because of their advanced age, it may take awhile for seniors to remember the events associated with the fraud and, when they finally do, the memories are somewhat faded.

Additionally, because advanced age can cause increased reliance on caregivers, family, and friends, abuse and fraud can happen with those individuals as well, breaking trust and taking advantage of need.  The answer is absolutely not to resist asking for help, but to educate yourself so that you can recognize the signs of any problems and intervene appropriately.

Based on the National Council on Aging’s “Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors,” we’ve assembled a checklist of steps you can take to prevent falling prey to fraud. Review this list with your loved ones, checking off items as you complete them and making notes for future steps.  It might be a good idea to print out this list and keep it by the phone/mail spot in the house.

On a personal note, this story hits very close to home: my husband’s grandmother was recently conned out of $9,000 when a caller from Vegas pretended to be her grandson – with whom she hadn’t spoken on the phone for awhile – and claimed to have run into some financial trouble, such that he now needed both a plane ticket back home as well as some money wired over.  This caller begged the grandmother “not to tell anyone” about what he was going through since it was so embarrassing. – MV

 Table of Contents

  1. “Hi Grandma, it’s me…” – The Grandparent Scam
  2. “I’d like to help you deal with your loss…” – Death scams
  3. “Let’s reassess your home” – Real estate scams
  4. “Hi, I’m a Medicare Representative…” – Medicare fraud
  5. “Affordable prescriptions available here…” – Drug scams
  6.  “With modern science, who needs wrinkles?” Fake anti-aging products
  7. “Update! Click here…” – Internet fraud (including email/phishing)
  8.  “I am a Nigerian prince…” – Financial schemes
  9. “You’ve won the lottery!” Contest scams
  10. “Hello there, we need your help!” – Bogus Telemarketers

1.  “Hi Grandma, it’s me…” – The Grandparent Scam

As described above, scammers will call seniors claiming to be a grandchild in distress, requesting assistance and also discretion – both easy to obtain from the loving grandparent eager to help.

[  ] Make a list of family contacts, and if you ever receive a distress call, make sure you’re able to confirm the distress through contact initiated by you.

[  ] Never give out your personal information.

[  ] Never wire money except through a bank wire transfer, which requires confirmation of identity from the recipient.
 
More information:

2.  “I’d like to help you deal with your loss…” – Death scams

There are many potential avenues for death scams, from claiming a fraudulent outstanding debt on behalf of the recently deceased through overcharging individuals for funeral costs.

[  ] Always ask for a written price list in advance of your visit.

[  ] Never consult with just one funeral home. Shop around to better understand the services and products offered.

[  ] Check your state laws on embalming, autopsy, and other issues concerning death.

[  ] Make sure you read through and understand all of the details of the contract, including cancelation and refund policies.  Do not hesitate to ask for more time to read through, to take the documents home and process.  If anyone tries to pressure you to sign right away, leave; you should never be forced to sign a document under pressure.

 More information:

3.  “Let’s reassess your home” – Real estate scams

Using fake letters from the local assessor’s office promising reassessment with potential reduction in annual tax burden for the homeowner, scammers will artificially alter the value of a home to then encourage the homeowner to take a reverse mortgage.

[  ] Always be wary of unsolicited phone calls or other contact.

[  ] Always ask for references on the person/group contacting you, and be sure to research them online using sources like Google, Yelp, etc.  Ask for help from a family member, friend, or even your local librarian.

[  ]  Never pay for any services in advance.

[  ]  Never sign any documents without reading and understanding them in their entirety, as well as running them past your most trustworthy contact.

More information:

4.  “Hi, I’m a Medicare Representative…” – Medicare fraud

A phone call from someone claiming to be a Medicare representative to a senior aged 65 or older is too often enough to obtain personal information, which can then be used to file false claims and extort money from the system.

[  ] Don’t give anyone your Medicare or Social Security number or card, outside of your doctor/authorized Medicare provider.

[  ] Keep track of your doctor’s appointments and check that your Medicare statements line up with the services you were provided.

[  ] Don’t bend to pressure to buy any products or services on the spot; always ask for literature and time to think it over, then research on your own, in your own time.

[  ] Be skeptical of medical products or services that are advertised as being cheaper than usually offered.  These are usually scammers seeking to prey on the financially responsible.

More information:

5.  “Affordable prescriptions available here…” – Drug scams

With prescription drugs adding to the long list of high medical costs, it’s no wonder that cheaper options would be tempting.  In addition to conning people out of money, such scams are dangerous because the ‘medicine’ being sold is often expired or some other substance altogether, posing risks to the patient who takes them.

[  ] Be skeptical of door-to-door salesmen, because solicitations at your home without a previous appointment are illegal.

[  ] Only buy medicine from reputable pharmacies.

[  ] Know your prescriptions: names, doses, and appearance (size, color, etc.).  This is useful not just for avoiding fraud, but also for confirming your pharmacy’s product as well as for any doctor or hospital visits you may encounter, where you will surely be asked to list the medicines (and dosages!) you’re takingn. 

More information:

6.  “With modern science, who needs wrinkles?” Fake anti-aging products

Similar to the prescription drug scams, these scams involve charging patients for procedures using unregulated, privately manufactured drugs that pose serious risks.

[  ] Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, or that purports to act as a cure-all.

[  ] Research a product extensively before trying it, including checking with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to find out if there have been any complaints against it.

[  ] Always check with your doctor before taking any sort of supplement.

More information:

7.  “Update! Click here…” – Internet fraud (including email/phishing)

Seniors are particularly at risk for such scams due to their reduced comfort with computers and the internet.  From fake anti-virus programs through phishing scams that harvest personal information through a request for updates.

[  ] Be careful about opening attachments (which often can contain viruses) as well as clicking links in emails (scammers can use letters/symbols that mimic actual letters/symbols to build a fake site that can lure you into entering your password details).

[  ] If you haven’t reset your password and receive any emails about resetting your password, independently visit the site in question and check your account.  Change your password immediately; consider calling the site’s customer support line to report the incident and make sure there are no further security measures you can take.

[  ] Monitor your bank statements vigilantly for fraudulent charges. Often, scammers will start with a small charge, just to confirm that the account is active (and also so that it is less easily spotted).  Call your bank immediately if you see anything strange.

More information:

 8.  “I am a Nigerian prince…” – Financial schemes

Seniors might be tempted to invest their money if it means increasing the longevity of their savings, and so myriad scams exist to draw them in, promising yields on their investments.

[  ] Do not ever send money to someone you don’t know.

[  ] If you receive an email claiming to be from a Nigerian prince or some other comparable obvious scam, mark it as Spam.  Often, it will have some sort of “sob story” designed to get you to feel bad for the sender and want to help them in any way you can; do not fall for this.

[  ] If you receive a letter in the mail claiming to be a from a Nigerian prince (or something comparable), or requesting your banking information, take it to the FBI office nearest you or to the US Postal Inspection Service.

More information:

9.  “You’ve won the lottery!” Contest scams

An announcement of a sweepstakes win is here linked with a need to invest to ‘unlock’ the prize.  Victims quickly send the money and receive a check, which bounces several days later.

[  ] Sweepstakes are free; there should never be a ‘buy-in’, especially if it promises you increased odds at winning – that should be a clear red flag for potential scam activity.

[  ] Be particularly wary of contests that you did not enter but announce that you are a winner.

[  ] Always read the terms and conditions for any contest in which you participate or from which you receive correspondence, as they should lay out the rules, procedure for entry, and even the probability of winning.

 More information:

10. “Hello there, we need your help!” – Bogus Telemarketers

Because of their comfort in using the phone for transactions and communication, seniors are a prime target for fake telemarketers, who maximize on the opportunity to use voice-only means.  Some of the scams include raising money for fake charities and fake accidents.

[  ] Register your phone on the National Do Not Call Registry.

[  ]  If you are being rushed through a call or asked to give/confirm your account information – don’t.  You can even hang up in the middle of the call.  These telemarketers are just trying to get you to say ok so that they can later claim that you allowed them to charge you.

[  ]  Click on the resources below (under “More information”) to see the types of “lines” that are most commonly used by telemarketers.

 More information:

Preparing Your Business for the Aging-in-Place Boom

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Preparing Your Business for the Aging-in-Place BoomAmerica’s population is aging. The number of U.S. residents 65 or older is expected to reach nearly 73 million by 2030, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And as many of America’s homeowners approach old age, the skills and knowledge needed to help them prepare for aging in place are becoming increasingly important.

According to HomeAdvisor’s Aging in Place Report, only 38 percent of home professionals offer their clients informational materials about aging-related projects. Staying up to date with the many options and benefits associated with aging-in-place projects will differentiate you from other home professionals and help you offer tremendous value to your clients. Here’s what you need to know:

Aging in Place Makes Financial Sense

As reported by the 2015 Longtermcare.gov analysis, it can cost as much as $7,000 per monthfor a private room in a nursing home — or $6,000 for a semi-private room — and about $3,000 per month for lodging in an assisted living community. Fortunately, many homeowners over the age of 65 have paid off their mortgages, leaving them the additional income to forego steep nursing home costs and stay in their own homes for the long term.

But, regardless of more disposable income, many aging homeowners aren’t actively preparing their homes for aging in place. This gives home professionals the opportunity to help homeowners develop aging strategies and begin updating their homes for in-home aging.

Helpful Home Projects to Facilitate Aging in Place

According to HomeAdvisor survey data, the most common aging-in-place projects include the installation of grab bars, the addition of disability ramps, stair lifts and the widening of doorways. Other popular projects include adding more natural lighting to increase visibility, installing carpet to prevent falls, installing wood or laminate flooring for better wheelchair access, adding full baths on the first floor, making appliances easier to reach, replacing bathtubs with showers, installing comfort-height toilets and replacing doorknobs with levers.

When homeowners install aging-in-place technology, 14 percent of homeowners request assistive technology (automatic countertops and shelves), while 10 percent install in-home health monitoring (heart rate tracking and fall monitors).

Prepare to Discuss Additional Resources

Homeowners look to home professionals to educate them about aging in place. As a home professional, it’s a good idea to have the necessary information to talk to homeowners about aging-in-place improvements. According to HomeAdvisor, while most professionals feel prepared to discuss aging-related projects with homeowners, over 70 percent of professionals don’t have marketing materials directed toward aging-in-place discussions. Additionally, more than 80 percent of professionals are unaware of the Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

Keep materials about aging in place on hand to help prepare for aging-related conversations. Information outlining which aging-related projects to tackle first or one-sheeters outlining additional resources like Medicare or Medicaid benefits go a long way in helping your aging client make the right decisions.

Source: Home Advisors

4 Technology Solutions Long-Distance Caregivers are Talking About

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4 Technology Solutions Long-Distance Caregivers are Talking About

Long-distance caregivers have the especially challenging task of ensuring their loved ones’ health and well-being even when they don’t see them in person each day. Unfortunately, consistent phone calls and check-ins with health care providers and neighbors do not paint a complete picture of your loved one’s physical and mental health. Thankfully, technology advancements empower long-distance caregivers to provide better care from afar. We explore some of the technology solutions long-distance caregivers are talking about so you can choose those that will be most helpful for your situation.

1. Face-to-Face Mobile Apps

Seniors use smartphones and tablets more today than ever before. In addition to email and games, face-to-face mobile apps should be loaded onto your loved one’s devices so you can see him when you talk to him. Digital Trends reviewed some of the best face-to-face video chat apps for Android smartphone and iPhone users and found that Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Google Duo, and Skype are among the best. These apps are the next best thing to talking to your loved one in person.

2. Ohmni Telepresence Robots

But, you don’t have to limit yourself to face-to-face mobile apps for checking in with your loved one, especially if he is in cognitive decline or has difficulty using a smartphone or tablet. Ohmni is a technology solution that delivers a completely different experience from a face-to-face mobile app. In fact, Ohmni is a robot that transforms communication between long-distance caregivers and their loved ones because it makes calling possible at all times, even when video chat would be unreliable. The robot sits in a corner of your loved one’s home and does not require him to answer the call in order for you to check in. Caregivers also can drive Ohmni and look around to make sure your loved one is safe and well.

3. Web-Based Services

If you are concerned about your senior loved one having difficulty getting to the grocery store or walking her dog, you should take advantage of reliable web-based services.

First, you should look into grocery delivery services that are available in your loved one’s area. Web-based grocery delivery services are ideal for loved ones who cannot drive to the grocery store. Options such as Instacart put you in touch with freelance personal shoppers who purchase and deliver groceries from your loved one’s store of choice, and Instacart Express members get grocery delivery at least three times a month and free delivery if the order is over $35. Amazon Prime members who are long-distance caregivers to loved ones in Seattle, northern and southern California, New York City, and Philadelphia prefer Amazon Fresh because it only costs an additional $14.99/month and includes free delivery on orders over $40.

Web-based dog-walking services also help seniors with mobility challenges keep pets they otherwise would be forced to give away or put up for adoption. Studies show that having a dog helps seniors maintain better physical and mental health, but it can be too difficult to keep a dog when the senior cannot walk him and give him the exercise he needs. One option is for long-distance caregivers to hire dog walkers and allow their loved ones to keep their dogs.

4. Ride-Sharing Technology with Work-Around Options

Finally, long-distance caregivers can solve the problem of getting loved ones to appointments with doctors by taking advantage of ride-sharing technology from Uber and Lyft. These companies now offer work-around options for seniors who don’t own smartphones or can’t use apps themselves to arrange for transportation. Third-party companies like GreatCall and RideWith24 provide operator services for Lyft and Uber so seniors can speak to a person and get a ride.

Technology is making long-distance caregiving more manageable for families. Solutions such as face-to-face mobile apps, Ohmni, web-based services, and ride-sharing technology with work-around options make it easier to manage your loved one’s care from afar.

Source: Caringy From Afar by Claire Wentz

Tech Gadgets and Older Adults: What Helps, What Doesn’t

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Tech Gadgets and Older Adults: What Helps, What Doesn'tSpecialized gadgets–and accessibility features on smartphones–can enhance a senior’s quality of life

New technologies, even successful ones, often seem more like toys than tools—for most of us, telling a smart speaker to turn on the lights is fun but not really life-changing. But digital advances can make a big difference to older adults, making it easier for them to maintain social contacts, monitor their health, and preserve their independence.

Experts in aging say that caregivers sometimes hesitate to introduce new devices to seniors, assuming they’ll resist learning how to use them. But it’s often untrue.

“I’ve seen the opposite,” says Michael Wasserman, M.D., a geriatrician and CEO of Rockport Healthcare Services, which provides clinical and professional support to nursing homes. “Older adults can easily embrace a lot of tech resources.”

The key, according to Wasserman, is finding the right devices. Some general-use electronics, such as smartphones, feature impressive accessibility functions. Other devices, designed specifically for older adults, can ease both physical and social challenges.

However, experts say, a number of gadgets designed for seniors overpromise and underdeliver.

Wasserman and others in his field offered some tips for finding the best electronic assistance, for yourself or for older friends and relatives.

Look for Mainstream Devices

Seniors don’t always need specially designed technology. Mainstream gadgets are a good place to start because they’re often economical, easy to find, and designed for customization.

Smartphones are a prime example. Some phones, like the Jitterbug, are marketed specifically to older users, but ordinary Android devices and iPhones include a variety of powerful accessibility features, combined with high-quality screens and great performance. And they don’t have to be expensive: There are many good, affordable phones in CR’s ratings (available to members), and you can often find discounts on models from previous years.

On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Accessibility and you’ll see many options, such as closed captioning on apps that support it and a built-in magnifier that uses the phone’s camera. You can also reduce the potentially confusing animations that play when apps open and close, boost the screen contrast or type size to make things easier to read, and more.

Android phones have a menu of similar functions, including TalkBack (a function that enables the device to speak user-interface commands), which can be found under Settings > Advanced > Accessibility.

Check out other settings, as well, to adjust factors such as the size of icons and the brightness of the screen and to create contact lists for close relatives and medical providers.

Beyond phones, these can range widely, from a Fitbit to monitor activity levels, to a smart speaker such as an Amazon Echo to introduce some voice-activated home automation, to cars with advanced safety features such as lane-departure warning. An electronic tracker, like a Tile, can help people keep track of their keys or a TV remote.

And, Wasserman says, the greatest benefit of today’s technologies may be to address the isolation that often accompanies aging. “One of the most important things is socialization,” he says. “There’s nothing like FaceTiming with your grandson.”

Focus on What’s Really Useful

Something like a smartphone or Fitbit may have obvious utility, but how do you decide among the many other technologies clamoring for attention, many of them designed specifically for use by seniors?

“It’s difficult to know what’s going to be the most viable,” says Nancy Avitabile, board president of the Aging Life Care Association, a national group of geriatric-care managers. But, she says, you can start by asking, “Will this enhance the user’s quality of life?”

Wasserman says the most useful products targeted to seniors tend to be those designed for a specific task. He points to practical devices like a stabilizing spoon for patients with hand tremors, or an inexpensive smart blood pressure cuff that reports readings directly to the doctor’s office instead of requiring the patient to keep a log.

On the other end of the spectrum, according to the experts, are devices that are promised to deliver broad, ill-defined benefits—say, a robotic puppy marketed as a device to keep grandma company.

And as in any area of technology, a even a good idea can yield a poorly executed gadget.

“A lot of design for older adults hasn’t been all that good,” says Bruce Leff, director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at Johns Hopkins University. “They don’t understand the needs of adults with physical impairment or cognitive impairment.”

It can be a positive sign if a company already had a solid track record of making elder-care devices—such as ADT and Philips, which are known for their personal emergency response system devices—but it also pays to carefully consider a gadget’s controls and features and imagine how well a product will work for the specific person using it.

“We talk a lot about delivering ‘person centered’ care,” Wasserman says. “We need to understand that everyone is an individual and one size does not always fit all. You need to be willing to try things and see how the individual responds.”

Further, a device a senior finds useful now may become frustrating as his or her condition changes.

Avitabile reminds caregivers to also consider low-tech solutions. For instance, a GPS tracking device could be a vital tool for a loved one with memory loss, but users can forget to charge the devices—or forget them altogether. She encourages caregivers to supplement these beacons with a low-tech “safe support bracelet” with the patient’s address and phone number printed on it.

Finally, she warns against becoming too dependent on the devices. “Technology isn’t a replacement for individual care.”

Safeguard Seniors’ Privacy

Experts say there’s one more thing to consider as you weigh the benefits of technology, for yourself or someone you’re caring for: the delicate question of privacy. This arises with many devices that caregivers may use to monitor the safety and well-being of older adults.

Avitabile notes that many seniors have expectations of privacy—especially as it relates to sharing personal information—that are different from, say, their grandchildren’s expectations.

An obvious privacy challenge comes if there’s a security camera with a motion detector in a senior’s home to help family members monitor their well-being—it may not be obvious to everyone that these cameras can continuously beam video across the internet to other people’s phones or computers.

You may face subtler privacy challenges, too, ranging from how to keep prying eyes from seeing personal information displayed in large type on a tablet, to how delicate information is reported to a medical caregiver.

As an example, Avitabile points to a newly developed urinary tract infection sensor. The device analyzes a patient’s urine and can detect some signs of infection before symptoms appear. (For purely medical reasons, it’s smart to consult a physician before using such a device, Wasserman says, because they have the potential to lead to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.)

Avitabile says that the sensors could be a godsend for some patients. But for others, a UTI means TMI: too much information.

“It’s a very personal” device, she says. “After all, it’s in your underwear.”

Source: Consumer Report

Why It’s Important to Treat Dry Eyes

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Why It's Important to Treat Dry EyesIf you’re like many people, you may not take dry eyes seriously—but that could be a big mistake. Left untreated, dry eye syndrome can cause discomfort and bouts of blurry vision. It can interfere with your activities—for example, making it hard to use a computer for long periods or travel comfortably in the dry cabin of a plane.

What you might not know is that untreated dry eyes can also damage your cornea, the clear, dome-shaped outer layer covering the front of the eye. In severe cases, this damage can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness. Fortunately, such problems usually can be averted by getting treatment for dry eyes.

The Importance of Tears

Unlike other parts of your body, the cornea doesn’t contain any blood vessels. Rather than getting oxygen and nutrients from blood, it receives them from tears. These tears also cleanse your eyes and wash away dust and germs. The healthy tear film is essential to the optics of crisp vision. Dry eyes are blurry eyes.

When you have dry eye syndrome, the quantity or quality of tears is insufficient, so the health of your cornea may suffer. In some cases, the cornea also becomes inflamed. If left untreated, this inflammation may lead to painful open sores and scarring of the cornea. If corneal sores (ulcers) aren’t treated, vision loss can be permanent.

A film of tears over the cornea also helps keep it clear and smooth. This is crucial for good vision, because it’s the point where light is first focused as it enters the eye. When the tear film is inadequate, vision isn’t as sharp as it otherwise would be.

Two Important Cornea Conditions

These two cornea conditions may result (or worsen) due to ignoring eye dryness:

Corneal ulcer

This is an open sore on the cornea. It can result from eye inflammation or an eye infection—and the risk of infection is increased in people with insufficient tear production. Possible symptoms include:

  • Eye redness
  • Severe eye pain or soreness
  • Gritty feeling in the eye
  • Excessive watering
  • Pus or other discharge
  • Blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Swollen eyelids
  • White spot on the cornea

If you develop such symptoms, call your ophthalmologist right away. Without prompt treatment, a corneal ulcer may lead to scarring and severe vision loss that can be chronic. Antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops may be prescribed for an infection depending on the causative organism. Steroid or anti-inflammatory eye drops help prevent scarring, and oral pain medicine helps relieve pain.

Corneal abrasion

This is an injury to the outermost layer of cells on the corneal surface. Dry eyes make these exposed cells highly vulnerable to trauma (epithelial defects). Among other things, it can result from vigorous rubbing of your eyes. It can also be caused by a foreign object in the eye, and a lack of tears means you’re missing the eye’s natural defense for washing away dust and debris. Possible symptoms include:

  • Eye pain, which may worsen when you open or close your eye
  • Gritty feeling in the eye
  • Excessive watering
  • Eye redness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
  • Headache

Contact your eye doctor if you think you may have a corneal abrasion. Depending on the situation, steroid eye drops, antibiotic eye drops or ointment, or a pain reliever may be prescribed. Your eye might also be patched to make you more comfortable while the abrasion heals.

Source: healthgrades

How to Make Life Easier and Safer for Seniors with Low Vision

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How to Make Life Easier and Safer for Seniors with Low VisionMany people would consider losing their eyesight one of the worst losses they could endure. While most of us will not suffer from complete blindness, millions currently live with some form of visual impairment.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), older adults represent the majority of the visually impaired population in the United States. While vision loss later in life is common, it can be particularly difficult for seniors to accept and adapt to as other senses like hearing, smell and taste also tend to weaken with age. Use the following tips to ensure an aging loved one properly cares for their eyes and takes advantage of all resources at their disposal to help them remain active in spite of vision loss.

Keeping an Eye on Visual Health

One of the first steps to leading a safe and active life with impaired vision is understanding the degree and underlying cause of this loss.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends individuals age 65 and older get a dilated medical eye exam every year or two, or as recommended by their ophthalmologist. During a routine eye exam, the ophthalmologist will evaluate a patient’s eyesight and assess the overall health and function of both eyes. Screening for new or worsening eye conditions and maintaining a current prescription for eyeglasses and/or contacts are crucial for optimal visual function at any age.

For most people, vision loss is a very gradual process, so seniors (and their family members) may not be aware of how compromised their eyesight has become. Caregivers can help keep tabs on a loved one’s vision by looking for an increase in:

  • Squinting or tilting their head when trying to focus.
  • Bumping into things or knocking objects over.
  • Discontinuing everyday vision-based activities like reading or writing.
  • Missing objects when reaching for them.
  • Falling or walking hesitantly.

If a loved one is still driving, an increase in accidents and risky maneuvers may also indicate visual changes. It is important to discuss these noticeable changes with your loved one and make an eye appointment to ensure early detection and treatment of any eye diseases and prevent lasting damage.

Helping a Senior Accept Visual Changes

Eye diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can have a significant impact on a senior’s functional abilities and quality of life. For some, impaired vision may even result in depression, withdrawal and inactivity.

According to Pris Rogers, program manager of VisionAware.org, an informational website for individuals living with vision loss, caregivers are often equally confused and overwhelmed by their loved ones’ visual changes. They do not know where to turn or how to help their elders who are struggling to accept new limitations.

“Many older adults believe that there is no way they can cope with this loss, since it affects almost all aspects of daily life,” Rogers explains. “But, caregivers and persons with visual impairment need to know that there is hope, and life, after vision loss.”

Tips and Products for Helping a Senior with Low Vision

It is best for caregivers to learn as much as possible about their care recipients’ visual condition and the limitations they experience. This information will help you suggest appropriate modifications to their environment and behavior as well as products that can enhance their functional abilities.

While individual conditions affect eyesight differently, the following tips are an excellent starting point for helping a blind or visually impaired senior safely maintain their independence.

Good Lighting is Key

Keep surroundings well-lit but be mindful of glare. Use specialized lamps/bulbs to increase contrast and reduce glare and cover reflective surfaces when possible. Ensure that appropriate lighting is provided for all activities your loved one engages in. For example, direct task lighting is best for things like reading, playing cards or crafting. Consider a small gooseneck or clip-on lamp for these tasks. Under-counter lighting is another type that works well for illuminating the kitchen and other larger work areas.

Avoid large discrepancies in lighting, such as a bright lamp shining into a dark room. As task lighting is increased, the surrounding room lighting should also be increased. Keeping lights on during daytime hours helps to equalize lighting from both indoor and outdoor sources.

Take Steps to Minimize Fall Risks

Use nightlights in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms to reduce the risk of tripping and falling at night. Eliminate clutter and remove hazards such as throw rugs and electrical cords. Consider replacing or relocating short or difficult to see furniture, such as a glass coffee or side table. Create wide, clear and level walking paths that lead to all areas of the home for easy and safe navigation.

You may have to reposition some furnishings to make the home easier to navigate. This can be disorienting initially, so make sure to provide your loved one with extra assistance getting around until they have memorized the new layout. Larger-scale rearrangements may be inadvisable for some seniors, especially those with memory issues.

Improve Household Organization

Designate spots for commonly used items and be sure to return objects to the same place every time so that your loved one always knows where things are. Sometimes using a basket to store like objects can make it easier to find things like keys, remotes to electronics and other items.

Combining tactile and visual systems can help seniors more easily navigate their environment, too. Tactile systems are helpful for those with limited or no vision, or for those whose visual abilities change from day to day. An example of a tactile system is placing rubber bands, felt, raised plastic dots or sandpaper cutouts on items to mark their placement or differentiate similar objects. Visual systems make use of any remaining vision to identify and organize things. Common examples include large labels or colored stickers or tapes to differentiate individual items or identify collections of items.

Embrace Contrasting Colors

The juxtaposition of light and dark colors can make daily activities much easier for a person who still has some remaining vision. Like colors can make it difficult for those with visual impairments to detect doorways, stairs and furniture and especially smaller objects that blend into their surroundings.

For example, providing a white cutting board for preparing darker foods like apples and a dark board for lighter foods like onions can help extend independence and promote safety. This concept especially applies in settings like bathrooms, which tend to be monotone. Choose towels, washcloths and bath mats that contrast sharply with the color of the tub/shower, counters and flooring. Painting door jambs a contrasting color and using brightly colored tape to highlight the edges of steps are other modifications that can be used to improve safety in the home.

Think Bigger

Magnification is an essential tool for those with low vision, and magnifying devices range from very simple to technologically advanced. Look for items that come with larger print/buttons, such as books, checkbooks, calendars, calculators, remote control units, clocks, watches, appointment books and playing cards.

For items that do not come in low-vision versions, magnifiers can be very helpful. Electronic magnification units use a camera to capture an image and project it onto a built-in monitor, a television screen or a computer screen. These units can be used to read bills and write checks, read books, look at photos, and complete intricate tasks like filling an insulin syringe. Available through low vision supply companies, they can be chosen with preference for image size, degree of contrast, and color or black and white. They range in size from large models to small portable devices. For more technologically savvy seniors, adaptive equipment, such as screen enlargement software, large-lettered keyboards and near telescopic systems are available to facilitate computer use.

Work with a Low Vision Specialist

Low vision specialists have the knowledge and experience to devise personalized solutions for a visually impaired individual’s specific needs. Vision rehabilitation can help with mobility training as well as methods of organizing, marking and labeling household items. These specialists are also familiar with resources for obtaining low vision aids and can instruct their clients on how to use them properly. Many vision rehabilitation programs even offer mental health services to help participants cope with the anxiety or depression that often accompanies vision loss.

Provide Moral Support

It’s important to create a strong support system for those with new or worsening visual impairments. Encourage your loved one to remain active with their friends and stick with the hobbies and pastimes they enjoy. Offer to accompany or assist them with these things so they can be more confident in their ability to participate.

Encourage open and honest communication as well. Some people with low vision experience hallucinations known as Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS). This is often confused with dementia but is very different. Although these hallucinations are harmless, they can be unsettling. Let your loved one know they can talk to you about new symptoms and if something seems to be amiss.

Seniors often worry that sight impairments will affect their ability to live independently. Put your loved one at ease by suggesting resources that will allow them to remain independent, and help them implement the tips above to improve their ability to complete day-to-day tasks on their own.

Source AgingCare.com – CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK