Wheelchair Safety

A little common sense will help protect your elder

A few years ago, I had a fresh-faced batch of geriatric care management students in my program. For their first training mission they had to spend an entire day in a wheelchair and try to get around town as if it were a regular day. They had to get to my class, make a phone call from a pay phone, get in and out of an elevator, use a public restroom, drink from a water fountain, eat at a restaurant, shop in a convenience store, and so forth. Boy did that mission awaken them to the realities of a wheelchair-bound life. I suggest that if you are working with an elder in a wheelchair, you try to do the same so you have a real understanding of what your elder endures.

Work Options for Caregivers

Six ways to be both a caregiver and a valued employee

Today's business world is full of working singles, working couples, working parents, and now, working caregivers. These working caregivers are often dealing with a dramatic change in personal circumstances, as senior relatives who were once independent now need attention. Caregiving takes time and energy, so it’s important to be flexible so you can meet all of your commitments while you remain employed.

Preparing Your Elder for Rain or Shine

Take protective measures before going outside

Your Parents Need Protection!

Stand between your parents and con artists

Occasional news stories sadden and disturb me, as elderly, well-meaning people continue to fall victim to clever scams and schemes. About a year ago, I gave my blog readers the following suggestions about protecting our parents and other elderly relatives. Please review these suggestions, and pass this information along to others, so together we can protect our elderly family and friends.

Understanding Hospice Care

Hospice also supports family members

Clients often ask me to explain what hospice care is, as well as when it can be implemented. Hospice is a specialized program of palliative care for patients and/or residents who have less than six months to live. This period can vary from state to state.

Falling Among Seniors: Studied but Not Solved

Fear of falling makes it happen?

Falling among older adults—it's a problem. You would think that with all of the available information and technology, there would simply be fewer falls among older adults each year. But you would be an optimist. According to the CDC, each year 40% of seniors fall (up from 30% ten years ago). I was thinking about this during a few visits to assisted living communities this past week when the tour guide mentioned the personal, carefully designed "chair exercise" program.

Elderly Drivers: Warning Signs and Safety Tips

Don’t wait for an accident to occur

Getting Help: Part 2

Experience is a huge factor

Once you’ve made the decision to hire someone to help take care of your elder and determined what level of help is required, the next step is to interview applicants. Always consider several candidates for the job. It’s the best way to find a good match. When interviewing prospects, ask the following questions:

Preventing Falls

Protecting your elderly loved ones

Preventing falls starts with being proactive. It’s important to get your elder physically stabilized. Most falls occur when they are stressed and tired or if their environment and/or mind are cluttered, so you have to make sure they stay as active as they can. Their mind, muscles, and bone structure all need to be working together.

To Drive or Not to Drive

That is the question. . . .

More than any other activity, driving is directly linked to seniors’ sense of independence. It takes them back to their youth and days of freedom. But the time may come when you, as a caregiver, will have to decide whether your elder should continue driving.