Home Instead Senior Care sponsors Jim Miller's Savvy Senior column

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you write a column on fall prevention tips for elderly seniors? My 81-year-old father, who lives alone, has fallen several times over the past year. What can you tell us?

Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned,

Falls are a big concern for millions of elderly Americans and their families. In the United States, roughly one-third of the 65-and-older population will suffer a fall this year, often with dire with consequences. But many falls can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to help keep your dad up on his feet and reduce his risk of falling.

Check his meds: Does your dad take any medicine or combination of medicines that make him dizzy, sleepy or lightheaded? If so, gather up all the drugs he takes – prescriptions and over-the-counter – and take them to his doctor or pharmacist for a drug review.

Schedule an eye exam: Poor vision can be another contributor to falls. If your dad wears glasses, check to see if he’s wearing the correct prescription and beware of bifocals. Multifocal glasses can impair vision needed for detecting obstacles and judging depth.

Check his balance: Balance disorders – which can be brought on by a variety of conditions like inner ear problems, allergies, a head injury or problems with blood circulation – are also a common cause of falls. If you dad is having some balance issues, make an appointment with his doctor to get it checked and treated.

Start exercising: Improving balance through exercise is one of the best ways to prevent falls. Strength training, stretching, yoga, tai chi are all great for building better balance. Some simple exercises that he can do anytime are walking heel-to-toe across the room, standing on one foot for 30 seconds or longer, or getting up from a chair and sitting back down 10 to 20 times. For more balance exercise tips, call the National Institute on Aging at 800-222-2225 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            800-222-2225      end_of_the_skype_highlighting and order their free exercise DVD and free exercise book or you can see it online at go4life.niapublications.org.

Modify his home: Because about half of all falls happen around the home, some simple modifications can go a long way in making your dad’s living area safer. Start by picking up items on the floor that could cause him to trip like newspapers, books, shoes, cloths, electrical or phone cords. If he has throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them. In the bathroom put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet. Also, make sure the lighting throughout the house is good, purchase some inexpensive plug-in nightlights for the bathrooms and hallways, and if he has stairs, consider putting hand rails on both sides. And in the kitchen, organize his cabinets so the things he uses most often are within easy reach without using a step stool. For more tips, call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            800-677-1116      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  and order a free copy of their “Preventing Falls at Home” brochure.

Other pitfalls: Believe it or not, the improper use of canes and walkers sends around 47,000 seniors to the emergency room each year. If your dad uses a cane or walker, be sure it’s adequately adjusted to his height and that he’s using it properly. A physical therapist can help with this, or see the Mayo Clinic slide show on how to choose and use a cane (mayoclinic.com/health/canes/HA00064) and a walker (mayoclinic.com/health/walker/HA00060). Another possible hazard is pets. If your dad has a dog or cat, he needs to be aware that – because they can get under foot – pets cause a lot of falls. Shoes are another issue to be aware of. Rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes are the best slip/trip proof shoes for seniors.

Savvy Tip: Consider getting your dad a home monitoring system which is a small pendent-style “SOS button” that he wears that would allow him to call for help if he fell. Available through companies like lifelinesys.com and lifealert.com these systems cost around $1 per day.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

About Jim Miller

Jim Miller, creator of the syndicated Savvy Senior column

Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a syndicated information column for older Americans and their families that is published in more than 400 newspapers and magazines nationwide. Jim is also a contributor on NBC’s “Today” show, and is the author of The Savvy Senior, The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and Finances for Senior Citizens, (Hyperion, 2004).

Jim is frequently quoted in articles about issues affecting senior citizens and has been featured in numerous high profile publications, including Time magazine, USA Today and The New York Times.  In addition, he has made multiple appearances on CNBC, CNN, Retirement Living Television and national public television.

The Savvy Senior column is brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and Tappahannock

Home Instead Senior Care provides extraordinary senior home care, personal care and companionship services to seniors in the Richmond area which includes the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and Powhatan.  We also serve all of the Northern Neck out of our Tappahannock office.  For more information, please visit our digital brochure or call our office at    804.527.1100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            804.527.1100      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  anytime.

Seniors and driving is always a sensitive issue.  Adult children often worry about their parents not being able to be safe on the road, both for their parents own safety as well as for other drivers.

This video news story appeared on the TODAY show this morning:

If you have any questions about seniors and safety, please call your local Home Instead office – http://homeinstead.com.  In Richmond, you can call 804.527.1100 anytime day or night.  Our caregivers are trained and available to help seniors with transportation, safety and other home care needs.

In its worst forms, compulsive hoarding can cause fires, unclean living conditions because of rat and roach infestations, injuries from tripping over clutter, and other health and safety problems, including death.

On this blog, we previously examined the effects of compulsive hoarding on a family and their daughter. These parents’ dysfunctional lifestyle showcased the unsanitary and sometimes dangerous impact hoarding can have on a family.

Extreme Case of Hoarding

The following account brings to light the grim reality of what can happen to an elderly person living alone and suffering from a compulsive hoarding disorder.  Source: NBCWashington.com

When Eunice Workman disappeared seven years ago, a search was launched but turned up nothing.

Then in March of 2009, investigators believed they found the elderly woman’s bones right inside her own home.

Investigators were called to a home in the 700 block of 47th Street in Oakland at about 8 p.m. Wednesday where workers hired to clean an abandoned home had discovered a cache of human bones that are now believed to Workman’s, an officer from the Oakland Police Department said.

The home was reportedly filled from floor to ceiling with hoarded belongings. Preliminary reports indicated that the victim may have died by being crushed or trapped by collected piles of junk, and was simply never found, police said.

Her children reported her as missing several years ago and people looked for her but she was never found.   The thought was that she might have left town.

Her next-door neighbor told NBC that she was nice and quiet but a little eccentric given the amount of junk she had collected inside her home.

This extreme example highlights the importance of a regular presence in the life on an elderly person. Home Care assistance, such as employing a Home Instead Caregiver, can help with such ordinary aspects of daily living as sorting through and cleaning out clutter and garbage from the home, and providing communication with out-of-town family members who may be unable to physically help care for their aging relative. 

Be sure your elderly loved one is safe and clutter-free at home.

If you know of a senior or have an elderly loved one in Richmond or Tappahannock that may have hoarding tendencies, simply call our Home Instead Senior Care office at 804.527.1100 for assistance.

Safety of loved ones is a top concern for caregivers, especially those caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Memory loss and confusion can set in without warning.  For example, a loved one might set out on a walk or errand alone, wander off and not be able to return home safely.

Currently scheduled for retail sale this summer, the Aetrex Ambulator® GPS Shoe by GTX Corp will provide millions of caregivers the means to help easily find those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia who wander and become lost.

How does it work?

A miniaturized GPS chip and cellular device is embedded in the shoe. The shoe then continuously tracks the location and movement history of its wearer, relaying the information to a monitoring center through cellular networks.

Authorized parties are able to instantly log-on, or receive alerts, via a secure Internet portal and pinpoint the current location of the targeted user on an interactive map.

How much will it cost?

GTX Corp is projecting the cost will be around $200 to $300. The company is anticipating availability for purchase in the spring of 2010 through the Aetrex-owned website www.gpsshoe.com and a select group of assisted living facilities.

If you would like more information on these shoes, visit GTX Corp’s site at www.gpsshoe.com.

For information on how Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGivers can provide companionship and services that nourish the mind, body, and spirit, and help seniors remain living independently longer in their homes, please contact our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 or our Tappahannock home care office at 804.443.4885.

 Dear Savvy Senior,

What tips or products can you recommend to make a bathroom more senior-friendly. My husband and I are looking to adapt our home for our elderly years and would like to start with the bathroom. What can you tell us?

Aging Gracefully

Home Instead Senior Care sponsors Jim Miller's Savvy Senior column

Dear Aging,

Because more accidents and injuries happen in the bathroom than any other room in the house, this is a great place to start seniorizing.

Here’s what you should know.

Small Changes

To avoid hygiene hardships as you get older, let’s start with some simple tips and a few low-cost add-ons that can make a big difference in making your bathroom safer and easier to maneuver.   

• Floor: To avoid slipping and tripping, get non-skid bath rugs for the floors or secure existing floor mats or rugs with double-sided rug tape. 
• Lights: The older we get the more light we need, so install the highest wattage bulbs allowed for your fixtures, and get a plug in nightlight that automatically turns on when the room gets dark.
• Entrance: If the doorway into the bathroom is not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker, you can easily widen your doorways (two inches) with inexpensive offset door hinges.
• Bath/shower: To make bathing safer, buy a non-slip rubber mat or put down self-stick strips on the tub/shower floor, and install grab bars for support. If you use the shower, it’s a good idea to put in a shower curtain rod that screws or bolts into the wall (versus a tension-mounted rod), so that if you lose your balance and grab the shower curtain, the rod won’t spring loose. Another safety precaution is to put in a water-resistant, wall-mounted phone in or near the bath/shower in case of a fall. And many seniors with mobility or balance problems need to shower sitting down. If this applies to you, install a hand-held, adjustable-height shower head, and buy a portable bath/shower chair.
• Toilet: Install grab bars next to the toilet too if possible, or purchase a toilet seat riser. This adds two-to-four inches of height making it easier to sit and rise. 
• Faucets: If you have twist handles on the sink, bathtub or shower faucets, replace them with lever handles. They’re easier to turn, especially for seniors with arthritis or limited hand strength. Also be aware that it takes only 130-degree water to scald you, so turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees or get anti-scald devices for your faucets.

Bathroom Products

If you’re thinking about remodeling, there are a variety of practical and stylish products on the market that can make your bathroom more age-friendly.

For bathing, prefabricated “curbless showers” and “walk-in bathtubs” are two popular options today. Curbless showers have no threshold to step over so access is a breeze and ideal for wheelchair users. Theses showers also typically come with a built-in seat, grab bars, an adjustable hand-held shower head, and a slip resistant textured floor. Or, if you like to take baths, a walk-in bathtub with a front door may be the way to go. You can find these products at sites like Accessible-Showers.com and Premier-Bathrooms.com. 

If you’re interested in getting a new toilet, go with an ADA compliant “comfort height” toilet that’s 17 inches high, versus a standard toilet that’s only 15 inches. Kohler (Kohler.com) and American Standard (AmericanStandard-us.com) make a nice variety.

And if you’re putting in a new sink, install it at a level that reduces bending. For wheelchair access wall-mounted or pedestal sinks, or a sink built into a cabinet that’s open underneath will let you roll in nice and close. And if you get a new faucet, the single lever handle style is great for those with arthritis.

Savvy Tips: For more information on senior-friendly modification tips visit aarp.org/families/home_design/bath and Homemods.org. Also contact your nearby independent living center (ilru.org, 713-520-0232). These are nonprofit centers that provide modification information, and many even offer free or low-cost home assessments. Your Area Agency on Aging (800-677-1116) is also a good referral resource.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit http://SavvySenior.org.

About Jim Miller

Jim Miller, creator of syndicated The Savvy Senior column

Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a syndicated information column for older Americans and their families that is published in more than 400 newspapers and magazines nationwide. Jim is also a contributor on NBC’s “Today” show, and is the author of The Savvy Senior, The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and Finances for Senior Citizens, (Hyperion, 2004).  

Jim is frequently quoted in articles about issues affecting senior citizens and has been featured in numerous high profile publications, including Time magazine, USA Today and The New York Times.  In addition, he has made multiple appearances on CNBC, CNN, Retirement Living Television and national public television. 

The Savvy Senior column is brought to you by Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and Tappahannock

Home Instead Senior Care provides extraordinary senior home care, personal care and companionship services to seniors in the Richmond area which includes the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and Powhatan.  We also serve all of the Northern Neck out of our Tappahannock office.  For more information, please visit our digital brochure or call our office at 804.527.1100 anytime.

P.S. There are more helpful hints like this in the book, Stages of Senior Care.  Call us to inquire about how to get a copy.

Home Instead CAREGivers can be there to help elderly loved ones when family can't

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), simply falling at your own home is the leading fatal injury for people 65 and older. Nearly 50 percent of all fall-related fatalities are caused by traumatic brain injury. 

In 2008, nearly 8.6 million Americans of all ages suffered accidental falls. 

Gail L. Rosseau, M.D., AANS spokesperson and a Chicago neurosurgeon, states “Many head injuries occur at one’s residence – whether it is a home or a nursing home facility – and involve falling and bumping one’s head, resulting in mild concussions to severe and even fatal traumatic brain injuries.” 

Among people ages 55 and older, most head injuries were related to flooring, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers. But falls can happen in so many ways — stumbling on stairs, slipping in bathtubs, falling off ladders and step stools, and tripping over garden hoses, dog leashes, and household appliance cord. It’s really easy to accidentally fall — at any age. 

And, you must be extra careful with any head injury. What seems like no big deal can turn out to be something much more. Consider actress Natasha Richardson, who fell during a skiing lesson in March 2009. Her fall was not “big” or unusual, and her head hit snow. Although she did not appear to be injured at the time, she died soon after from a fatal brain injury. 

Some easy changes around the home can help Seniors prevent falls and head injuries: 

• Secure loose electrical cords
• Remove articles on the floor that someone could trip on (rugs, footstools, grandchildren’s toys)
• Buy bath mats and rugs with slip-resistant backing
• Install grab bars and handrails for the frail and elderly
• Improve lighting in the home (this is so very important as vision worsens as we age)
• Check all stair railings and steps
• Wear proper shoes with slip-resistant soles
• Do not wear clothing that can interfere with your vision

Another way to help Seniors avoid falling is through fall prevention programs, which typically include a review of the person’s medications, reduces risk factors in their home and provides safety modifications, education, and an exercise program. Studies show fall prevention programs reduce falls by 30-50%. 

Tai Chi, a martial art using slow movements, also helps Seniors lower the risk of falling. Tai Chi teaches people to relax, slow down, coordinate their mind and body, and improve posture. The strength and balance that Tai Chi and other exercises make seniors feel stronger and more confident as they move.  You can read more about how Tai Chi can help at this article:  Tai Chi May Combat Seniors’ Fear of Falling 

Home Instead Senior Care provides in-home care to Seniors in the Richmond and Northern Neck areas.    While we can’t always be there to prevent a fall, we can help Seniors live more independently by being there when they need a hand, by helping them with meal preparation or light housekeeping so they don’t have to, by driving them to a doctor’s appointment or shopping so that they don’t have to go alone.  

And we can be there when it’s just not possible for family members to be there and that can easily reduce stress on the family caregiver(s).  If you are caring for an elderly loved one — or if you perhaps are a Senior yourself — and you could use an extra pair of caring hands, simply call our Richmond senior care office at 804.527.1100.  We’ll be there when you can’t because…  to us, it’s personal.

Help ensure seniors stay warm in the winter months with an extra blanket, a warm coat, scarf and gloves if they must go outside.

Freezing temperatures in Florida. Artic air sweeping down to Cuba. Snow in Mexico. Even snow and cold temperatures here in the Greater Richmond area.

Much of the country has been in the grip of a surprisingly cold winter this year. Cold weather is hard on everyone, but it can be especially hard on seniors. It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors when it is so cold.

In general, it is best to encourage Seniors to just stay out of the cold. Ice and snow can be dangerous for those with poor eyesight or balance, and broken bones can be seriously detrimental to a Senior’s health. Help Seniors by running errands for them — like picking up groceries and prescriptions. If they must get out, volunteer to drive, and help them safely in and out of their destination. Add rubber tips to walkers and canes to increase stability.

Another problem for Seniors is frostbite and hypothermia — elderly people are more susceptible to hypothermia because they don’t always realize they are becoming cold. Seniors should keep their home well heated and dress in layers to stay warm, and add a hat and gloves to their jacket if they must go outside. Symptoms of frostbite include numbness and a white cast to the skin. Hypothermia is signaled by confusion, sleepiness, reduced breathing and heart rate, and extreme shivering.

Other tips to help Seniors include keeping space heaters at least three feet from furniture and draperies, and making sure railings are secure. It can be hard to drink water when it’s cold, but Seniors should try to remain well-hydrated at all times.

If you need assistance caring for a senior especially during the winter months when the cold weather can be a challenging time for staying warm and safe, please call for a free no-obligation consultation with Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond at 804.527.1100.  Our CAREgivers can help check on your elderly loved one and can help run errands, set medication reminders or simply help them get around both in and outside the home.