iPad for Seniors in Scottsdale /Phoenix, AZ

With new gadgets and gizmos coming out every day, it can be hard to keep up and to know which ones are worth sharing with your elderly loved one.  Laptops are heavy and expensive, the iPhone has numerous useful applications but it’s too small for many seniors to use and desktops are virtually a thing of the past.  But there’s one new gadget that has the power to check your blood pressure and teach you Tai Chi all with the slide of a finger:  the iPad.

The size of the iPad versus the iPhone is an obvious advantage for seniors, but what else does this device offer for your loved one?  Of course, there are the standard brain teaser, scrabble and Tetris games, but there are also thousands of other applications which can help your aging loved one to live at home and enjoy life.

Health Information Applications

The new iPad offers many functional applications regarding your loved one’s health.  In fact, Healthful Apps, a series of medical-related applications, can be downloaded on iTunes.  This application offers Alzheimer’s Apps, Dialysis Apps,Health Tracker Apps and Caregiver Apps, to mention a few.  iPharmacy uses GPS to locate the nearest pharmacy and also provides information on medications and side effects.  The Bones, Joints, and Muscles application offers valuable information about the aches, pains and problems your loved one is facing in easy-to-understand terms.  In addition, WebMD has created an application for the iPad, offering all the same features available on the website, including drug information, medical listings and a symptom checker.

Self-Check Health Applications

Various self-check and tracking applications allow seniors to calm their fears when they notice worrying changes.  Perhaps the most intriguing of these applications is the HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker.  Using illustrations and visualizations, this application tracks your blood pressure, resting heart rate and body weight, identifying any changes and alarming numbers.  With available vision and hearing test applications, your loved one can also keep track of sensory changes between doctors’ visits, alleviating any lingering concerns.  The free Stress Checkapplication not only offers research-based tests to assess your loved one’s stress level, but it also offers videos about Yoga, meditation and other stress relieving activities.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Applications

The Alzheimer’s and Dementia applications are life-changing for those with the disease and their caregivers.  The I Know You application allows the user to upload labeled photos of loved ones to assist with recognition during visits with family and friends.  Another application, Alzheimer’s Cards, offers images that are intended to stimulate memory and help seniors to recognize their surroundings and communicate, even when words elude them.

Functional Applications

In addition to health applications and tracker features, the iPad also features functional applications that offer seniors convenience, particularly when out of the house. For example, many seniors are on restricted diets due to cholesterol, risk of heart disease and other conditions.  This makes it difficult to go out to dinner and enjoy social time with friends and family.  The Restaurant Nutrition application provides nutritional information about nearby restaurants, using GPS, and also allows the user to create a profile to track what he or she eats over time.  This takes away some of the stress of eating out.

Many seniors are also at risk for jet lag when traveling because they already have trouble sleeping under normal conditions.  Jet Lag Fighter is designed to help, using the travel and time zone information.  It tells you when to sleep and exercise in order to lessen the effects of jet lag, making it easier for aging adults to travel to see family and friends across the country and the globe. There are even applications to help seniors learn Tai Chi and Origami.

Doctors often tell their aging patients to walk or maybe even jog, depending on the senior’s current fitness level, in order to maintain heart health and fight off obesity. The Running Trainer Lite application helps your aging loved one to exercise safely, offering interactive GPS maps, information regarding lighting for night walks and planned exercise schedules designed for his or her goals and fitness level.

Accessibility

While these applications are fascinating, they are useless if your loved one can’t use the iPad.  Thankfully, the new iPad is designed for accessibility.  In fact, a 99-year-old woman named Virginia in Lake Oswego, Oregon just got her first iPad and is now using it to read and write poetry again, which she hasn’t been able to do in years because of poor eye-sight due to Glaucoma.  If your loved one has poor eyesight like Virginia, the iPad offers VoiceOver, which names the icons out loud when you touch them on the screen.  The screen also offers a zoom feature to help with visibility and it offers the capability to switch from black-on-white text to white-on-black, which may make it easier to read.

If your loved one has trouble hearing, the iPad offers Mono Audio.  When using headphones, this feature plays all audio in both ears so that nothing is missed due to surround sound audio.

Possibly one of the most innovative applications is Speak it! Text to Speech.  This application allows non-verbal seniors to type what they want to say and choose from four different voices to speak the text.  For the first time, this kind of tool is easily portable, making it fun and engaging for non-verbal seniors to leave their homes for a day of shopping or coffee with a friend.

Aging at Home

So, what does all this mean for aging at home?  It means that your aging loved one can have access to tools and information to function alone while you are out of the home.  It means that you can squelch your fears about your loved one with a simple self-check test.  It means that your loved one doesn’t have to feel disconnected from the rest of the world just because he or she is aging, and can have a little independence.  And that means your loved one can enjoy life, even though it’s changing.

Right at Home is a national in home care and assistance agency that provides trained, insured, and bonded caregivers for a variety of senior home care services. Whether it’s for extra assistance after a stay in the hospital, an aging parent who needs extra help, or as a respite for a husband or wife who cares for an ailing spouse, we can help with your senior home care needs.

(With thanks to Will Flavel for this post on http://www.rightathome.net/blog/)

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Total Body Strength for Seniors in Maricopa County, Arizona

Total Body Strength for Seniors

This total body workout is a great way for seniors to get started with strength training.  The exercises focus on building total body strength with an emphasis on improving balance, stability and flexibility.  See your doctor before trying this workout if you have any pain, injuries or other conditions you’re dealing with.  Take your time with the moves and only add weights or resistance when you feel comfortable with the exercises.

Precautions
See your doctor before trying this workout if you have any injuries, illnesses or other conditions and modify any exercise that causes pain or discomfort.

Equipment Needed
Various weighted dumbbells, an exercise ball, a resistance band a medicine ball, a chair and a step or staircase.

How To

• Begin with a 5-10 minute warm up of light cardio (walking in place, etc.).
• Perform each exercise as shown for 1 set, using no weight or light weights to get used to the exercises.  Weights are suggested for each exercise, but modify according to your fitness level and goals.
• To progress, add a set each week until you’re doing a total of 3 sets of each exercise with 30 seconds of rest in between each set.
• Click on the links or pictures for a larger picture and more detailed instructions.
• Do this workout 1-2 non-consecutive days a week, taking at least one day of rest between workouts. For best results, combine this workout with regular cardio and a healthy, low-calorie diet.

Chair Squat Stand in front of a chair with feet about shoulder-width apart. Sit down and, as soon as you make contact with the chair, stand back up and try to do so without rocking back or using momentum. You can place your hands on your thighs if you need to. Hold weights for added intensity.  Repeat for 12 reps.

Ball Taps Sit in a chair and place a ball front of both feet (a mid-sized ball works best). Sit straight up and try not to rest against the back of the chair, keeping your back straight and your abs contracted. Lift your right foot and tap the top of the ball and take it back down to the floor. Switch sides and do the same with your left foot, alternating each foot for all repetitions. Repeat for 30-60 seconds.

Step Ups You can do this exercise on a staircase with rails or on a step if you have one. If you’re on a staircase, stand at the bottom step and step up with your right foot. Bring your left foot up onto the stair next to your right and then step back down on the floor (hold onto a rail if you need to). Perform all reps by stepping up and down with the right foot. Then switch sides and start with your left foot. You can use a resistance band under the working leg (as shown) or hold weights for added intensity. Repeat for 1 set of 12 reps on each leg.

Hamstring Curls Stand in front of a chair and hold onto it for balance if you need to. Loop a resistance band around your ankles (optional), keeping it looped under the standing foot.  Bend your right knee, bringing your foot up behind you (like you’re kicking your own butt) and keeping the right knee pointing towards the floor and right next to your left knee. Slowly lower back down and repeat for 12 reps on each leg.  You can also use ankle weights instead of a resistance band.

Knee Lifts with a Med Ball Hold a light weight or medicine ball (e.g., 2-5 lbs) straight up over your head in both hands. Lift the right knee up to waist level while bringing the arms down, touching the weight to the knee. Return to start and repeat on the left side. You can add intensity by speeding the movement up (while still maintaining control of the weight and your body) and lifting the knees as high as you can. Alternate each side for 30-60 seconds (or more). If you have back or knee problems, you may want to avoid the upper body portion of the move and just do the knee lifts.

Side Leg Lifts Stand sideways to a chair or wall for support and tie a resistance band around your ankles (optional).  Lift the left leg out to the side, foot flexed and hips, knees and feet in alignment. Try to lift the leg without tilting at the torso–hold the torso upright as you lift the leg a few inches off the ground. Lower back down and repeat for 12 reps on each leg. You can also use ankle weights if you don’t have a band.

Wall Push Up Stand a few feet away from a wall or stair rail (as shown) and place hands on wall at shoulder level, a few inches wider than shoulders. Pull the abs in and, keeping back straight, bend elbows and lower body towards the wall until elbows are at 90 degree angles. Push back to start and repeat. The further away from the wall you are, the harder the exercise. Make sure you don’t sag in the middle–keep the abs tight and the back flat.

Chest Squeeze with Med Ball Sit on ball or chair, back straight and abs in. Hold a medicine ball (suggested weight:  4-6 lbs) or any type of ball at chest level and squeeze the ball with the palms of hands to contract the chest. While continuing to squeeze the ball, slowly push the ball out in front of you at chest level until elbows are almost straight. Continuing the pressure with your hands, bend the elbows and pull the ball back to chest. Repeat for 12 reps.

Lat Pulls With Bands Stand or sit holding a resistance band in both hands up over your head. Hands are wider than shoulder-width apart and back is flat, abs engaged. Keep the left hand in place and contract the lat muscles (at the sides of your upper back) to pull the right elbow down towards the ribcage. Press back up and switch sides, alternating right and left for all repetitions.

Lateral Raises Stand or sit holding dumbbells (suggested weight:  3-8 lbs) in both hands at the sides. Keeping the elbows slightly bent and wrists straight, lift the arms up to the sides only to shoulder level (palms face the floor). Lower back down and repeat for 12 reps.

Bicep Curls Sit or stand holding dumbbells (suggested weight:  5-10 lbs) in both hands, palms facing out. Contract the bicep (front of the arm) and curl the weight up towards your shoulder (without touching the shoulder). Lower back down, but keep a slight bend in the elbow at the bottom–don’t swing the weight and keep the elbows in place as you curl the weights. Repeat for 12 reps.

Tricep Extension Sit or stand and hold a dumbbell (suggested weight:  5-10 lbs)  in the right hand straight up overhead and directly over your shoulder. Your palm should face the front and you can use your other hand to support the right arm. Bend the elbow and lower the weight down a bit behind your head (the elbow should be facing the right side of the room) to about 90 degrees. Contract the back of the arm to pull the weight back up and repeat for 12 reps.

Bird Dog Begin on hands and knees with the back straight and the abs pulled in. Lift the right arm up until it is level with the body and, at the same time, lift the left leg up and straighten it until it is parallel to the floor. Hold for several seconds, lower and repeat on the other side, this time lifting the left arm and right leg. Continue alternating sides for 12 reps. Modify by lifting the arm and leg a few inches off the ground until you’re able to balance.

Seated Rotations Sit tall on a ball or chair and hold weight (I’m using 8 lbs) at chest level, shoulders relaxed. Keeping the hips and knees facing forward, rotate the torso to the right as far as you comfortably can. Focus on squeezing the muscles around your waist. Rotate back to center and then to the left, keeping the movement slow and controlled. Continue alternating sides for 1-3 sets of 10-16 reps. Borrowed from the wonderful folks at http://exercise.about.com For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more. For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

The latest issue of CARING RIGHT AT HOME provided for Seniors and their Loved Ones in the Phoenix / Scottsdale, AZ area

The latest issue of CARING RIGHT AT HOME is here:

http://www.poststat.net/rightathome/pub.59/issue.1348/

In This Issue:

June 2010

» “Wandering” in Dementia Patients: the Home Care Perspective

» New Research Demonstrates Connection Between Physical Activity and Healthier Aging

» This Father’s Day, Remind Dad About Health Screenings

» Social Security Adds Early-Onset Alzheimer’s to “Compassionate Allowance” Program

» Travel Health and Safety Tips for Seniors

For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Right at Home Phoenix Conducts Free Blood Pressure Clinics for National High Blood Pressure Education month

Right at Home of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek and Fountain Hills, Arizona is available to perform FREE Blood Pressure Clinics at Senior Facilities in our area as a service to the senior community.  So far this month, we’ve done several clinics that have been very well received.

According to the CDC, normal blood pressure for adults is when the systolic pressure is less than 120 and the diastolic is less than 80. Someone who’s blood pressure is slightly higher than normal has prehypertension and those numbers are systolic pressure between 120 and 139 and diastolic pressure between 80 and 89. Someone with hypertension will have a systolic pressure greater than 140 and a diastolic pressure greater than 90.

Seniors often feel that, since they are on blood pressure medicines, checking their pressure is not necessary.  This could not be further from the truth.

High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the United States and stroke, the third leading cause of death in the U.S. About one in three adults have high blood pressure and many are not even aware of it. Undetected and untreated high blood pressure can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).

If you operate, are employed by or reside in an Senior, Adult, Independent or Assisted Living Facility in any of the above-named areas, please contact Right at Home at 602-569-7240.

For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Latest FREE Newsletter for Arizona Seniors

Please click on link below for your free Newsletter.  Add the bottom of the newsletter, you can sign up for the Caring – Right at Home Newsletter to arrive in your email inbox every issue FREE!

http://www.poststat.net/RightAtHome/

http://www.poststat.net/RightAtHome/

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Better nutrition can mean better health for seniors in the Scottsdale / Phoenix, AZ area

Researchers have developed a modified food pyramid for seniors.                         Click on the pyramid to learn more.

March is National Nutrition Month!

Better nutrition can mean better health for seniors.

If your older loved one’s nutrition habits aren’t supporting good health, it might be time to sit down over a good meal and bring up the topic. And when seniors need help getting back on the nutritional track, a trained home health aide can help.

While good nutrition is important for people of every age, the special dietary needs of older adults make healthy eating more important than ever. Poor nutrition can cause confusion, undesirable weight gain or loss, and can worsen heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and a host of other health conditions.

If you are concerned about the eating habits of an older loved one, this may be the time to have a conversation about his or her dietary choices. Discuss whether your loved one is:

Eating a well-balanced diet. A nutritious diet provides sufficient vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fat—a good balance of foods from all the food groups. The best way to get the nutrients we need is to eat a variety of foods every day.

Maintaining a healthy weight. As we grow older, changes occur in the way our bodies use food. Our metabolism slows down and our activity level often decreases, which means most of us need fewer calories to stay at a healthy weight. But the need for nutrients remains the same—so we need to “eat smart” and avoid junk foods that have many calories but few nutrients. Losing too much weight is also a red flag that a senior needs help with nutrition needs.

Limiting fat and cholesterol. Our bodies need a certain amount of fat—and yes, even cholesterol—to stay healthy. But high fat/high-cholesterol diets are linked with a greater chance of heart disease, stroke and other disorders. And easy-to-prepare meals and junk foods are notoriously high in both.

Watching sodium intake. We all need some sodium (salt) in our diets, but the salt that naturally occurs in food is usually enough. Most Americans consume too much salt, leading to an increase in high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart problems.

Getting enough calcium. Calcium is necessary for good nerve function and helps prevent osteoporosis. Dairy products and foods such as broccoli and kale are good sources of calcium.

Home Care Supports Senior Nutrition

Older adults can experience a dangerous cycle: health problems lead to loss of appetite, difficulty eating, and difficulty preparing nourishing meals, all of which then make health problems even worse. If you suspect this is happening to your loved one, encourage him or her to seek help. Talk with the person’s healthcare provider. Consult with a dietitian or nutritionist who is knowledgeable about the nutritional needs of older adults. And consider how home care can help. For many elders and families, the presence of a home health aide provides supports senior nutrition in several important ways:

Meal Planning and Preparation. A professional home health aide will work with family and healthcare professionals to plan meals according to your loved one’s specific needs. Then, the caregiver will grocery shop (with your loved one, if he or she enjoys the outing), prepare delicious meals and healthy snacks—and even clean up afterwards.

Ensuring Compliance with Special Diets. If your loved one’s healthcare provider has prescribed dietary restrictions for diabetes, heart disease or other health conditions, the home health aide can help assure that the menu meets those needs. This might include low-sodium, low-sugar, lactose-free, or high-fiber choices.

Assistance with Eating. Home health aides can provide eating assistance for clients who have Parkinson’s disease, stroke or other physical limitations that make it difficult to eat unattended. Preparing easy-to-swallow but appetizing foods help tempt the client’s appetite.

Managing Nutritional Supplements and Vitamins. If your loved one’s healthcare provider has suggested vitamins, minerals or nutritional supplements (such as Ensure), it’s important that your loved one takes those as recommended—at the right time, and the right amount. Some vitamins can actually be toxic in large quantities.

Managing Other Medications. A home health aide can provide medication reminders and pick up prescriptions. And did you know that some medications may change the way our bodies process food, block the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, or decrease the appetite? The caregiver will report any of these side effects.

Encourage Socialization and Physical Activity. Seniors who are lonely and inactive often experience appetite loss. Others may overeat out of boredom. Ahome health aide can help your loved one participate in favorite activities, go for a walk or the local Senior Center, go shopping, or whatever activities he or she enjoys.

Is your loved one reluctant to accept assistance? Right at Home offers a comprehensive, no-obligation senior care evaluation to accurately assess whether senior home care services can make a difference in your loved one’s quality of life.

Right at Home is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned, franchised providers of in-home care and assistance services.

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Employer Support for Care Giving Employees in Phoenix, Arizona

Employer Support for Care Giving Employees

“There are only four kinds of people in this world. Those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in the year 2010, 54% of workforce employees will provide eldercare for a parent or parents and that nearly two-thirds of caregivers will experience conflict between demands at home and demands from employers.

Today’s employed Baby Boomers are the caregiver generation for their parents. They are finding themselves juggling care responsibilities around their employment obligations. Sometimes employees find they have no option but to take leave from work or use sick time to meet their caregiving demands.

Employers also feel the toll it is taking on their employees. A report by the AARP describes the cost to employers:

“Companies are also seeing the emotional and physical toll that caregiving takes on their workers. In one study, 75% of employees caring for adults reported negative health consequences, including depression, stress, panic attacks, headaches, loss of energy and sleep, weight loss, and physical pain. Businesses suffer, too, by having to pay high health insurance costs and in lost productivity. That doesn’t count the promotions or assignments workers turn down that require travel or relocation away from aging relatives.”

Businesses that don’t offer benefits or address eldercare wind up paying for them. A recent study by the MetLife Market Mature Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving states that U.S. companies pay between $17.1 billion and $33.6 billion annually, depending on the level of caregiving involved, on lost productivity. That equals $2,110 for every full-time worker who cares for an adult.

Eldercare cost businesses:

• $6.6 billion to replace employees (9% left work either to take early retirement or quit)
• Nearly $7 billion in workday interruptions (coming in late, leaving early, taking time off during the day, or spending work time on eldercare matters)
• $4.3 billion in absenteeism” AARP

Typically, human resource departments work with employees on many issues that may affect their work productivity.  There are programs for drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, illness, absenteeism and child care; but, help with eldercare issues is not normally provided.

The AARP report follows several companies who are providing help with eldercare issues and what they are doing for their employees.

• “Freddie Mac has a free eldercare consultant and access to subsidized aides for a relative up to 20 days.
• Verizon Wireless offers seminars on eldercare issues and allows full-time workers 80 hours a year in back-up care, 40 hours for part-time, and $4/hour for in-home help.
• At the Atlanta law firm Alston & Bird LLP, workers can donate vacation time to colleagues who have used up theirs to care for family members. “ AARP

A growing number of companies nationwide are directing their HR departments to provide resources, education and group help for caregiving issues by:

• Providing materials from community resources such as phone numbers to their local Senior Centers or Area Agencies on Aging.
• Making available brochures and booklets on specific programs and services by eldercare experts
• Providing speakers to educate employees on caregiving options
• Allowing options to use paid sick leave, employee job sharingand flexible hours
• Allowing employee caregivers to use business computers for caregiving research
• Contracting with companies who provide eldercare services to help employees

Eldercare service providers are also reaching out to help employee caregivers by providing informational presentations at the work place during lunch time or other times set up by employers. One such presentation provided information on reverse mortgages. Jason, who had been trying to help his parents pay for home care, learned at a work site presentation that a reverse mortgage was one way to cover caregiver expenses.

The HR Department of a local business in Utah, invited the Salt Lake Eldercare Planning Council to present a “Brown bag, Lunch and Learn” during their employees’ lunch hour. In 30 minutes time, those who attended learned how the services of a Care Manger, Home Care Provider, Elder Attorney, Medicaid Planner and Financial Consultant can help with caregiving decisions. Problems were discussed, questions answered and employees left armed with information and the names of professional people they knew could help them.

“This was the most productive lunch I have ever attended”, related Mary, one of the attendees.

“I had been very hesitant to contact an attorney to discuss my parents’ estate, because of the cost involved.  The attorney at our ‘lunch and learn’ answered my few basic questions which will allow me to prepare what I need before I meet with him to finalize my parents’ estate planning.”

Besides workplace help for employers and employees dealing with caregiving, the internet is also a great research tool.  The National Care Planning Council website at http://www.longtermcarelink.net is a comprehensive resource for eldercare, senior care and long term care planning.  It contains hundreds of articles on all aspects of eldercare.  Professional providers list their services on the NCPC website.  Each of their listings provides unique information on specific eldercare services and how to obtain help.

Employers, employees and eldercare service providers working together can make parent or senior caregiving a workable solution for all.

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Talk to Senior Loved Ones About Safe Social Networking in Arizona

Talk to Senior Loved Ones About Safe Social Networking in Arizona

In the February 2010 issue ofCaring Right at Home, we looked at some of the ways seniors are using new technology to enhance social connections. Email, social networking sites like Facebook and online communities are all growing in popularity, allowing seniors to keep connected like never before. But many older adults hesitate to go online because they feel apprehensive about hackers, scammers and identity theft.

It’s true that scammers, who often target older adults, have moved into the online realm. What should older adults know about safe social networking? And how can families talk to senior loved ones about the subject without scaring them away from these new socialization tools? When it comes to online security, knowledge is power. Here are 10 ways to stay safe:

1. Get to know the privacy settings of social networking sites where you participate. You can choose who can and can’t see your information.
2. Don’t post information or photos that you wouldn’t want shared with the world. Even if you intend for only a select group to see a post, someone in your network might pass something along that you would rather keep private.
3. On Facebook and other social networking sites, don’t indiscriminately “friend” everyone who asks. Verify the identity of people who want to see your information, or who request to join an online community where you discuss personal matters.
4. If you are in doubt that an email or post is really from a person you know, pick up the phone and verify it. Hackers can set up a fake account or even take over the account of someone you know. And it is very easy to create a false “persona” online. Be cautious about giving out personal information or meeting in person with an acquaintance from a chat room or online community.
5. If you receive an email or post from a friend that seems to be selling something or just doesn’t sound right, don’t feel hesitant to ask them about it; your friend’s account may have been hacked without them realizing it.
6. Never respond to a request for money from someone claiming to be a friend or a stranger in need. Scammers can pretend to be someone you know, or may create a false identity to appeal to your sympathy.
7. In email, online community and social networking sites, be cautious clicking on links, even from friends. If you click on a link that asks you to download a “viewer” or other software, don’t!
8. Use a hard-to-hack password for Facebook, Twitter, email and other accounts. Don’t select your birthday, your pet’s name, or anything else that could be easily guessed. Be sure to include a combination of numbers, letters and special characters.
9. The creators of viruses and other malware (malicious software) are constantly refining their attacks, so be sure to install anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.

10.  Learn about some of the most common scams you might encounter. See the websites at the end of this article for some good resources.

Talking to Older Loved Ones about Online Security

With all the publicity about keeping children safe online, it’s easy to forget that people of any age can fall prey to hackers, identity theft and fraud—and seniors who are just starting beginning to go online may be less aware about the pitfalls of online social networking. So if your parent or other senior friend is new to online communication, it’s a good idea to have a conversation about security. But remember: the goal is to empower older adults, not to scare them offline. Here are some ideas for having a productive conversation:

• Talk about “we” rather than “you.” Anyone can fall prey to online con artists. Open the discussion with, “Here are some things I’ve learned to keep myself safe that I’d like to share with you.”
• Remind your loved one that the same cautions he or she practices in everyday life will also be useful online. Do a bit of role playing: “What would you do if someone asked you for money? What if they told you that you’d won a contest and only needed to send a ‘fee’ to collect?”
• Establish a no-judgment zone. Reassure your loved one that if something seems suspicious or just doesn’t feel right, it’s fine to give you a call for advice, without embarrassment.
• Think intergenerational! Many families report that grandkids and grandparents bond over tech support. Grandparents benefit from the abilities of the younger generation, and grandkids can feel good about helping their senior loved ones.
• Encourage your loved one to share what he or she has learned with other seniors in the community. Many older adults have volunteered with AARP and other groups to spread the word and keep the online world safe for the millions of seniors who are enjoying friendship and healthier aging in this new way.

To Learn More

AARP’s “Social Networking: Make the Right Connections” includes information about scams and cons that target seniors, and how to protect your privacy.

On Guard Online is sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission, Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The site includes easy-to-understand information and fun interactive quizzes to help users stay safe.

Another good U.S. Government site is the Internet Crime Complaint Center, where users can file a complaint and learn more about avoiding common forms of Internet crime.

Right at Home is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned, franchised providers of in-home care and assistance services.

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Astronaut Training Benefits Seniors in Arizona

From Zero Gravity to Zero Falls

Astronaut Training Offers Clues to Senior Balance Problems

When astronauts return from challenging long-duration missions, they face one more challenge when they get back to Earth: standing up and walking.

The NASA Adaptability Training System provides a variety of balance challenges as the user walks. This research promises to offer insight into senior balance disorders.

Upon returning to normal gravity, astronauts often suffer from balance problems that lead to dizziness and difficulty standing, walking and turning corners. Dr. Jacob Bloomberg is leading a group of National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) scientists in a project to develop techniques to help astronauts adapt quickly to a new gravity environment and to overcome balance disturbances. This concept will also have benefits for non-astronaut populations—including seniors and others who are dealing with balance disorders.

Bloomberg and his colleagues at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Neurosciences Laboratory use a system that consists of a treadmill mounted on a base that can be actively moved in different directions to simulate balance disturbances. Called an Adaptability Training System, the treadmill has a projection screen in front of it that shows an image of a room or hallway that moves as the user walks. Disturbances are simulated by tilting the treadmill in one direction as the image is tilted in another.

“At first, people find it difficult to walk on the treadmill since its movement and images are out of sync,” explains Bloomberg. “But over time, they learn to walk on it efficiently. We call this concept ‘learning to learn.'”

In order to perform everyday activities, the brain interprets information provided by the body’s sensory systems: the eyes, the inner ear balance organs, the skin, and muscle movement receptors. After returning to Earth, astronauts experience problems while re-adjusting to Earth’s gravity. And of course, future astronauts would experience similar problems adjusting to the gravity of the Moon or Mars.

Former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao experienced balance disturbances following his four space flights, one of which was a six-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). He compared the effects to those experienced after stepping off a fast-spinning playground merry-go-round. “After a merry-go-round ride, the effects go away pretty quickly,” Chiao said. “But after a space flight, they linger.”

Bloomberg explains, “In space, information from the sensory systems is different, particularly when you take away gravity. The brain reinterprets that information, makes adjustments and allows you to do the activities you need to do in space. The downside to that is when you return to Earth, the sensory systems are not used to a normal gravity environment.”

Earthbound patients may also benefit from the adaptability training concept. Bloomberg points out that this training method could help prevent falls in the elderly. “For astronauts, the sensory systems are working just fine, but the information is being interpreted differently. For the elderly, it could be a combination of issues: the sensory systems may be deteriorated or the information may not be integrated by the brain as well as before,” Bloomberg said. “We might use this training to improve some of the deficits that the elderly experience. There are definitely applications in the clinical world in terms of fall prevention with the elderly population.”

Source: National Space Biomedical Research Institute. To learn more about the adaptability training research, visit the NSBRI website.

Photo: National Space Biomedical Research Institute/NASA

Senior Playgrounds – Good Idea for Elders in Arizona?

I found this article in http://www.about.com and wondered how these would “play” in our backyard of Arizona.

Senior Playgrounds: Exercise Areas Built Especially for Older Adults

Friday February 12, 2010

London’s Hyde Park will soon see its first senior playground, an exercise area designed specifically for adults over age 60, according a story from the Associated Press (AP).

Exercise equipment in the senior playground will include a stationary bike, cross-trainer, a sit-up bench, and other equipment designed to help older adults improve balance, flexibility and muscle tone.

The AP says that these specially-designed senior playgrounds are already popular in Asia and other parts of Europe, and there’s one other older adult playground in the British town of Manchester.

This is such a great idea; I hope it catches on in the U.S.

Many seniors can’t afford to join a gym, and while there are exercises you can easily do at home, senior playgrounds offer free, accessible locations for older adults to improve their fitness, get some fresh air, and even meet some new people.

For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240