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Aging In Place

The best time to make healthcare decisions is before a medical emergency happens.

When someone you love has a chronic illness, you want answers. What options for care are there? What can you expect? How can you prepare? How can we discuss issues with the family?

Journey is a free service for patients currently on our Home Health care service. Our Journey Counselors are patient advocates who provide guidance on available care options, when it may be time to consider another level of care, advance care planning, and more.

Complete the form to begin a conversation and discover how this unique program can help you get the information you need for mapping your journey.

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Aging In Place

GEN-BLOG-BAN-shower-safety-600x460-141223For aging adults who live independently, adjusting their home environment for reasons of safety or accessibility can feel like an admission of defeat. However, putting off such improvements exposes aging individuals to greater risk of even more serious injuries — the kind that threaten the very self-sufficiency they are protecting. Rather than ignoring the changing needs and capabilities that often come with age, the best way to preserve independence and continue aging in place is to welcome these alterations as a way to stay safely at home.

For caregivers looking to improve the safety of a loved one’s home, the bathroom is a smart place to start. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control once named the shower as the number-one location of home injuries. Fortunately, a wide spectrum of improvements can increase accessibility in of one of the most hazardous areas of the home. Read on to learn about DIY options for a range of skill levels.

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Aging In Place

 

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Elderly adults who live alone may be targeted by scams attempting to gain access to their finances. Elder financial exploitation becomes even more common if they are experiencing the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you are caring for an elderly adult, at some point you may find that your loved one is the victim of financial mistreatment. In fact, financial abuse happens to about one in nine elderly adults. Sadly, only about one in 44 cases is ever brought to authorities. Since nearly 90% of abusers are caregivers or family members, you may find yourself in a tough personal position while doing what is best for your loved one. As a caregiver, it is important to be aware of some of the financial scams that can occur and some ideas to keep your loved one safe.

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Aging In Place

If your loved one needs medical care, it may not be necessary to call 911 — and pay thousands for an ambulance.Some health concerns require the kind of life-saving medical care and urgency that the 911 service is designed for, but others may not. When a loved one needs prompt medical care, consider these points. But if you’re ever in doubt, 911 emergency services are there to help you make the right choice for your loved one.

The consequences of dialing 911

Every medical-related 911 call gets a response from the fire department and an ambulance company. Ambulance response and transportation is expensive, costing thousands of dollars at a minimum, and the injured person is expected to pay that expense (which Medicare and private insurances may or may not help cover). Availability is another factor; each service area has a limited number of ambulances. If patients over-use 911 for medical transportation, then response times can lengthen and other people may not get the timely care they need.

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Aging In Place

If you or your loved one is coping with low vision, know that there are resources available to help resume or continue favorite pastimes such as reading and watching television.Whether caused by glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration, side effects of regular medication, or other reasons, low vision affects many seniors. Impaired eyesight can interfere with leisure activities such as reading and watching television, which has the potential to disrupt day-to-day living, hinder engagement, and even lead to depression.

If you or your loved one is coping with low vision, know that there are resources available to help resume or continue these favorite pastimes. Read on for some common alternatives to traditional print and film media, and discover how consulting with an in-home occupational therapist may be your best resource of all. (more…)

Aging In Place

In the most essential but hazardous rooms in the home, increase safety and independence with an in-home occupational therapist and alterations.The kitchen and bathroom rank among the most hazardous rooms of the home, yet they are essential to daily life — thus, when considering modifications for yourself or your loved one, these key areas deserve the utmost attention. The following suggestions are just some of the options available. With a better understanding of possible home risks and adjustments, as well as the guidance of an in-home occupational therapist, you can drastically improve not only your loved one’s safety from falls or other injuries, but also his or her independence and quality of life. (more…)

Aging In Place

Having a pet in the home can be dangerous for seniors.Pet ownership has been shown to have numerous benefits for emotional health and quality of life, especially in seniors. However, having a pet in the household can pose disadvantages and dangers that are also important to consider.

Whether you or your loved one already has a trusty animal companion, or is merely considering bringing a pet into the home, adoption and caretaking decisions should always be carefully weighed. Read on to explore the risks and rewards of pet ownership for seniors, and learn how expert help and advice from an in-home occupational therapist can help ensure that the experience is a happy one. (more…)