Older adults are at an increased risk of falling. With thousands of documented cases of geriatric falls every year, it is imperative that older adults and their loved ones utilize fall risk assessment tools to stay healthy and safe. Falling results in minor or fatal injuries, so it is crucial to have a solid understanding of the different fall risk assessment tools. These tools are readily available for the public to use to evaluate how much of a risk a loved one is at for a fall. Below details three of these necessary tools. Morse Fall Risk Assessment Tool
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Archives for Senior Care Tips
Communicating with Loved Ones with Dementia: Avoiding Distress
Giving Up the Keys: Maintaining Independence When It's Time to Stop Driving
At the age of 16, the ability to drive has traditionally become a rite of passage for many American teens. And getting from one place to the next requires a person to be mobile in order to do so. But even a lifetime of safe driving practices can eventually change over time. It might start out as missing a stop sign while heading to the grocery store. Backing out of the garage starts to result in a few small dents to the rear of the car. Running over barriers in the parking lot becomes a common occurrence when visiting the
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Senior Home Care Hacks: Ingenious Ways To Convert Everyday Items Into Helpful Tools
As we age, a lack of mobility, physical ailments and chronic health conditions can make it more difficult to do things we used to as easily as we used to do them. But that doesn’t mean seniors have to give up on doing everyday tasks either. They just need to find a better way. Freedom Home Care came up with five life hacks that will not only allow older loved ones to exercise their creativity and know-how, but will also take the hassle out of the daily routine. Color-Coded Keys If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably accumulated more
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Keep Your Loved Ones Safe This Summer With These Tips
Summer is a time meant to be enjoyed by everyone, included older loved ones. But oftentimes, a lack of pre-planning can render seniors defenseless during heat waves and high temperatures. According to dripdrop.com, from 1999-2009, statistics showed that more than 40 percent of all-heat related deaths in America involved seniors over 65. And each year, 200 adults age 50 and older die because of high heat and humidity – many of which were preventable. So, how do your keep your older loved one safe while making sure they’re able to make the most out of the hot, summer months? Freedom
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How to Choose a Medical Alert System
One of the most important decisions your loved one will make, is the choice to age in place. But for many family members not receiving around-the-clock care from a home health care agency, the idea of a senior parent or grandparent living alone is a scary thought. But it doesn’t have to be. Today, medical alert systems are offering families real peace of mind, while allowing older loved ones the option of being able to remain safely at home. But investing in a medical device is an important choice. So how do you find the system that’s right for you
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Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors
We’ve all heard the saying, “You are, what you eat.” So, it’s only natural that a healthy diet makes for a healthier you. This is especially true for older loved ones. A well-balanced regimen, rich in vitamins and nutrients, becomes more essential to our overall well-being as we age. Over time, the body begins to go through a lot of physical changes. Our metabolism start to slow down and we don’t burn as many calories as we should. The digestive system no longer absorbs nutrients the way it used to, and we tend to lose much of our appetite. That’s
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What to Look for When Choosing the Right Senior Care
Choosing a home care agency that you are confident in providing quality care for a loved one does not have to be a daunting task. It may involve an assessment of needs, compatibility check, informal interviews, calls and meetings. But searching for the right senior care agency will ultimately benefit both you and your loved one, as they will provide meaningful support that helps both parties enjoy life and relax a little more. Just remind yourself of this anytime the search feels overwhelming. When you start the search for a care agency, here are a few things to consider
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Winterize to Prevent Falls
When the winter weather comes, safe paths can become treacherous. Slick surfaces pose new hazards and everyone has to get a little more careful. Each year, it’s estimated that about one in every four adults over 65 years will fall, with nearly 2.8 million seniors needing treatment in emergency departments. Don’t let the winter be at fault for a fall, instead take the following tips to winterize and prevent falls from happening. Get Your Gear In Order The first order of business is making sure proper footwear is on hand. Shoes with firm soles and good traction are optimal
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How To Make Sure Your Senior Doesn’t Feel Lonely This Holiday Season
For many people, this time of the year means family get-togethers, holiday shopping sprees, gift-giving and holiday merriment. But for many seniors, the same season that elicits feelings of peace and joy in some can bring about a sense of loneliness and isolation in others. According to the AARP’s 2010 Survey on Loneliness, more than half of seniors who had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders said they felt lonely. In fact, 43 percent of older loved ones reported feeling lonely on a regular basis. Loneliness is a subjective feeling of disconnection on a social and emotional
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