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

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

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

Right at Home informational video for Seniors / Elders in Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley)

Please click to view the Right at Home video here ====>   http://www.rightathome.net/RAHMovie/index.html

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

Great Resources for Coping With Emotions of Alzheimer’s in Arizona

Brought to you by Right at home, Senior In-Home Care for Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and vicinity.

As a family caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you may find yourself  feeling overwhelmed and often times, angry.  The anger probably stems from being exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated.  To make matters worse, it is also very difficult to make sense of the situation and your changing relationship with your loved one–and worse yet, no one to really target your anger towards.

The Duke Family Support Program offers a wide variety of well-written resources for caregivers who are trying to manage their emotions by helping them understand them.  One particular resource, “Pressure Points: Alzheimer’s and Anger” helps caregivers navigate through their emotions in a compelling booklet.  The booklet can be ordered for $8 through the  site.

The Duke Family Support Program is a state-level, nationally recognized technical assistance clearinghouse for families and professionals caring for chronically ill older persons.  For two decades program staff have provided services for families and professionals caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease.  They offer training manuals and resources both nationally and internationally.

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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

Understanding Depression in Senior / Elder Arizonans

Depression is one of the most common illnesses faced by Americans. It affects all age groups, including seniors. Yet depression often goes undetected. Right at Home recognizes the challenges of identifying and treating this medical condition, and we also know that in many cases, dealing with depression in a positive, medically appropriate way can make a tremendous difference in a senior’s quality of life.

It can be characterized by a wide variety of symptoms, including:

• Lack of energy
• Withdrawal or an unusual lack of interest in friends and/or usual activities
• Inability to concentrate, or memory lapses
• An unusual lack of interest
• Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns
• Neglect of physical appearance
• Unusual preoccupation with aches and pains.

What Causes Depression?

Sometimes it is triggered by a specific event in a person’s life (such as a loss, a change in circumstances, or a health problem that limits activities and mobility). A number of illnesses, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or hormonal disorders, may cause physical changes that can also result in depression. Or, it may even be a side effect of certain medications or combinations of medications.

Just as it is important to determine whether depression is caused by certain physical problems, it is also vital to make sure that the person’s symptoms aren’t confused with other medical disorders, since depression may resemble other medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is that depression is treatable. Treatment may involve one of several possible approaches, or a combination. Talking with a mental health professional can help the person understand the origin of the depression and work to improve self-esteem and mental outlook. Several medications have proven effective against physiological causes. And an increase or change of activities can also help. It is important to take signs of depression seriously. Sometimes individuals are hesitant to talk about depression or to be treated; they prefer to “keep the problem inside.” But support from family members, friends and the person’s healthcare provider plays an important role in helping a senior with depression return to a happier, more fulfilling life.

Sign up for our free Caring Right at Home online newsletter to receive more information, advice, and support for adult caregiving.

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 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

Popular Myths vs. the Facts on Long-Term Care in Phoenix, Arizona

Popular Myths vs. the Facts on Long-Term Care  from http://www.rightathome.net/seniorhomecare/?p=421

Myth Fact Most long-term care is provided in a nursing home. Most long-term care is provided at home. Medicare, health insurance and disability insurance pay long-term care expenses. Long-term care insurance is the only form of private insurance that pays long-term care expenses. You can immediately qualify for Medicaid to pay for long-term care by transferring assets to family. Upon application, the state will “look-back” over five years to see if assets were transferred for less than fair market value. If so, application may be denied. Family history, income and age are all primary factors in calculating long-term care insurance premiums. Age is the primary factor in calculating long-term care insurance premiums.

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 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

Scamming the Elderly in Arizona – Info from Right at Home Senior Care Phoenix

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

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<<Thank you to the Great Folks at Sheriff’s Posse in Sun City West (link below)>>

In the US alone, there are almost 15,000 criminal organizations that are trying to scam the elderly. Each year that passes, these thieves and con artists will net more than $40 billion dollars from their victims and that amount continues to rise. Everyone is susceptible to a scam of some kind, but seven out of ten of these criminal acts will be geared toward senior citizens.

Most men will die long before their wives, and these older women will sometimes have to take care of their finances alone. If the husband dealt with the financial work by himself, these women will be at a high risk for being contacted and scammed by con artists.

Thieves will create highly sophisticated schemes that can reel in educated adults and war veterans in a way that is simply shocking. Criminals will move quickly and try to pull off the scam before a family member can notice that something is wrong. By the time the police have been contacts, the con artists will have moved on to a new victim.

Con men will use many different tricks to get an elderly victim to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars, merchandise, and jewelry. In a few cases they will even trick their victims into handing over their lives and everything in it, via a new power of attorney document. The abuse against the elderly, physical as well as financial, can go on indefinitely, for the victim may be too afraid or embarrassed to alert the police or their family members.

Almost all of the schemes and scams committed have been classified as “transient crimes”. The reason for this description is the fact that they use home repair and diversionary tactics, such as asking a victim to allow them into their home to call a tow truck for their car.

Why Are the Elderly Most Susceptible to Fraud?

Elderly victims generally grew up in an era that bred trust. Most of them could have a verbal contract, and trust that the other will hold fast to their word. Baby boomers knew their neighbors, and although it was not a perfect world, most people felt safe.

Senior citizens are also targeted because they might happily begin a relationship with an honest looking stranger when they become lonely. As their kids grow up and move away to create their own families, elder parents may live in a big house that suddenly feels empty.

Memory is another factor for the increase in elderly fraud. As we grow older, our memories may begin to fade or we may simply begin to remember things incorrectly. The American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a study and found that the elderly are ten times more likely create a memory of data that is false, and they will also believe that the information they received is true.

As we age, our bodies will begin to deteriorate over time and diseases such Alzheimer’s and dementia could cause a senior citizen to hand over bags of money without realizing it. These mental diseases can also leave these victims open to new scams and fraud. Consumers assume that con artists work alone, but in most cases they are a part of a larger network. Once one of them has successfully scammed a victim, they will alert another group and new criminals will take the place of the old. Scammers, who work alone, may even contact their previous victims to get more money from new schemes, and some senior citizens have been tricked into handing money over to the same group or criminal repeatedly.

Too much pride can hurt us all, but in an effort to maintain their need to be self reliant, an elderly victim may try to hide that they have emptied their bank accounts into the hands of a criminal. They may also fear that family members will place them in a group home.

What Scams and Schemes Do Con Artists Use?

Shady Telemarketers

Senior citizens have been scammed out of billions of dollars by less than honest telemarketers. There are many different scams and tricks that are used and some phone calls are received from real telemarketers trying to get a commission any way they can, even if it’s illegal and others are fake con artists.

Prize Scams – The con artists will call or send a letter claiming that you have won a prize. However, to receive the prize, you will first need to send in a fee for shipping and handling or to cover any tax that is accrued. You should never give out your credit card or checking account numbers to anyone over the phone and if you really have won a prize, it’s illegal for a company to ask you to pay for it.

Recover Stolen Money – This scam is pulled by the same people who stole your identity and personal information. They will make a phone call asking for a fee so that they can help you to recover any money that was lost or stolen.

Free Medical Card – Some elderly victims have been scammed by crooks that call to offer them a free medical card. All they have to do is give them their checking account number.

Free Cab Ride for the Elderly

A criminal, usually female, will stop at bus terminals or pick up a senior citizen taking a stroll and they will promise them a free ride. By the time the elderly individual exits the car, the thief will have stolen their wallet or purse. Once inside the car, other con artists will drive around the neighborhood, forcing the senior citizen to make withdrawals at different banks. Family members should remind the senior citizens in their lives to never get into a car with a stranger, even if they are female.

Home Repair/Improvement Scam

Another billion dollar scam involves tricking the elderly into paying for home repair work that they may not need. Sometimes a con artist will knock on the door offering paving work and they will claim that everyone else in the neighborhood have signed up to get their driveways and sidewalks paved, in an attempt to pressure elderly victims into agreeing. Once a check is written, the thieves will get away with the money or they will provide the unnecessary work that will be subpar.

They may also call or come knocking to say that the roof needs to be replaced, or they will trick a victim by claiming that they were the construction company for the previous home owners and that the house is still under contract.

In many home repair scams, con artists will have to move quickly if they want to avoid friends or family members of their elderly victims. They will proceed with high pressure tactics to get them to agree. Potential victims should let them know that they will think about it, and speak to friends and family before making a decision. This answer has scared away many home repair criminals.

Psychics and Miracle Cures

These less than honest conmen will convince an elderly victim that their deceased family member or friend is reaching out to them from beyond the grave. They are willing to give them the message for a “small” fee that will eventually add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars before the police or family members put a stop to the crime. Even after that, some senior citizens will still believe in their “magic”.

Elderly citizens who may be in poor health are highly susceptible to miracle cure sellers. They will pretend that they have a tonic that can cure everything from arthritis to cancer and they will lure their victims into believing that they will be cured if they pay up. Eventually, the victims will be tricked into buying thousands of dollars worth of different fake medicines.

Diversionary Tactics

Senior citizens are highly susceptible to diversions and con artists will frequently use them. They will knock at the door asking for a glass of water, help with a broken car, or a request to make a phone call. Elderly victims should not allow anyone into their homes, because once inside, they can easily be over powered.

Thieves will let them go to the kitchen for a beverage, while they quickly attempt to steal cash, jewelry, purses and small equipment. Many con artists will use females or young people to make their victims feel safe in allowing them into their homes.

Who Are the Scammers?

While we often look over our shoulders to make sure that we are not the victims to criminal stranger, the sad truth is that 60% of all financial crimes against senior citizens are done by their adult children, according to the The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study. Second on the list are in home providers.

Other scammers include the fake and sometimes real telemarketers, false lottery sellers and strangers on the street. Victims can also be tricked into opening their doors for cable, electricity and phone repair men.

How to Prevent Elderly Scams

Many of the scams and tricks that are used can be prevented by having family members, friends and neighbors keep an eye on the elderly in your lives. Close contact can help fight the loneliness that many will feel after the death of a spouse or adult children who no longer lives at home.

When hiring a caregiver to watch over senior citizens, you should give them a thorough background search and check any references that they should provide. If someone has financial problems in their past, it may be appropriate to pass them over for another nurse or worker. Those problems could be innocent but they may also be signs of a worker who may steal money from their patient’s accounts.

Pay attention to your loved one and check to see if there have been any changes in their behavior. Some elderly victims may be too afraid to speak up against a care taker who are abusing them and others who have a mental disease will not be able to make or complaint or defend themselves.

Let an elderly family member know that they should not open the door for any “repair men” unless they have personally called the company to make the appointment themselves.

If they receive any phone calls from individuals claiming that they work at a bank or another company that they are a member of, tell them to hang up and call the company themselves to make sure that it is not a scammer on the other end of the phone.

Any phone calls claiming to provide great financial opportunities and prizes should met with a message alerting the caller that they will talk to a friend and family member and call them back. Elderly parents can also tell the caller that they are good friends with a law enforcement officer or a lawyer and that they will talk to them first. Most thieves will run the other way.

The best way to prevent crimes against the elderly is through education. Sign them up for free classes for senior citizens. These classes can be found for free through a police department, the AARP and special elderly organizations.

From:  http://www.sheriffspossesuncitywest.net

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 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

Study Finds More Disabilities in Baby Boomers – Info for Boomers & Seniors in Scottsdale / Ft Hills Arizona

Baby Boomers in their 60s may be suffering more disabilities than did previous generations, according to a new UCLA study. In the study, which will be published in the January 2010 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, geriatric researchers assessed disability trends in four areas: basic activities associated with daily living, instrumental activities, mobility, and functional limitations.

They found that during 1988–94 and 1999–2004, disability among those in their 60s increased between 40% and 70% in each area studied except functional limitations, independent of sociodemographic characteristics, health status and behaviors, and relative weight.

By contrast, the researchers found no significant changes among the group age 70 to 79, while the 80-plus group actually saw a drop in functional limitations.

One theory is that disabilities are linked with the changing racial and ethnic makeup of the group, with the most rapid growth projected to be among blacks and Hispanics — groups with significantly higher rates of obesity and lower socioeconomic status, both of which are associated with higher risk for functional limitations and disabilities.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging.

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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 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

Making Your Home Safer for Dementia & Alzheimer’s Patients in Arizona

Tens of thousands of us are living with and/or caring for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or advanced Dementia.  Right at Home of Phoenix found this wonderful list at http://www.alzheimers-in-your-home.com.   This list may be printed and used to ensure your home is as safe as possible for your loved one.

Outside the House:

Yes or No

___ ___the top and bottom of the stairs are marked with bright yellow or white tape?

___ ___a handrail on both sides of the stairs?

___ ___ locks on windows and doors (a spare key hidden outside the home or give one to a nearby friend or neighbor)?

___ ___extra outdoor lighting for good nighttime visibility, especially on stairs and walkways?

___ ___all poisonous plants removed from the house and yard?

 

Inside the House

Yes or No

___ ___the top and bottom of the stairs are marked with bright yellow or white tape?

___ ___a handrail on both sides of the stairs?

___ ___ adequate lighting throughout the home?

___ ___entryways, halls and floors free of clutter, extension cords and scatter rugs?

___ ___childproof covers over plugs?

___ ___computers and information stored on them protected ( password protection)?

___ ___doors labeled such as bedroom and bathroom?

___ ___furniture arranged to allow easy movement through room?

___ ___cushioning added to sharp corners on furniture and cabinets?

___ ___monitors or intercoms in house?

___ ___a telephone and flashlight where they are easily available?

___ ___all hazards that might lead to tripping have been removed?

___ ___firearms are removed from the house or stored in a locked cabinet?

___ ___answering machine on and set it to turn on after the fewest number of rings possible?

___ ___decals at eye level on sliding glass doors, picture windows, or furniture with large glass panels toidentify the glass pane?

 

Kitchen:

Yes or No

___ ___there is a working fire extinguisher?

___ ___ childproof door latches on storage cabinets and drawers?

___ ___all household cleaning products locked away?

___ ___matches, knives, scissors, blades, small appliances, and anything valuable locked away?

___ ___a drain trap in the kitchen sink to catch small items?

___ ___knobs removed from the stove or safety covers on?

___ ___smoke alarm istalled (check batteries monthly)?

___ ___a night-light in the kitchen?

___ ___ garbage disposal dismantled?

___ ___junk drawers are emptied (small items may be mistakenly eaten)?

___ ___emergency contact numbers posted in plain sight?

___ ___area rugs in front of sink or under the table are removed?

___ ___handles of pots and pans facing towards the back of the stove?

 

Bathroom:

Yes or No

___ ___ door locks that can be opened from both sides?

___ ___ safety grab bars in the tub or shower?

___ ___ non-slip mats in the bath tub or on the shower floors?

___ ___ water heater to 120 degrees or less?

___ ___ all small rugs removed?

___ ___ a raised toilet seat with handrails, or install grab bars beside the toilet (assist in lowering and liftingoff the toilet)?

___ ___ a light on in the bathroom at night?

___ ___ medicine cabinet empty of all medicines (including over the counter medicines such as cough syrup)?

___ ___ all razors removed (An electric razor is the safest to use, best used with a mirror outside the bathroom to avoid water contact)?

___ ___ a foam rubber faucet cover (often used for small children) in the tub to prevent serious injury?

___ ___ plastic shower stool and a hand-held showerhead to make bathing easier?

___ ___ all cleaning products removed from under the sink, and locked them away?

___ ___all small electrical appliances removed from the bathroom?

___ ___all electrical outlets covered?

___ ___ use a single faucet that mixes hot and cold water in the shower, tub, and sink to avoid burns?

___ ___drain traps in sinks to catch small items that may be lost or flushed down the drain?

 

Bedrooms:

Yes or No

___ ___ a smoke detector in the patient’s bedroom?

___ ___childproof covers over plugs?

___ ___an intercom device (often used for infants) to alert you to any noises indicating falls or a need for help?

___ ___a nightlight?

___ ___corner of nightstand cushioned?

___ ___all throw rugs removed?

___ ___clear straight path to doorway?

 

Living/ Dining Rooms:

Yes or No

___ ___all electrical cords out of sight?

___ ___all throw rugs removed?

___ ___furniture arranged to allow easy walkway?

___ ___all furniture is stable and does not move when leaned on?

 

Basement/ Laundry Rooms:

Yes or No

___ ___stairs marked wtih bright white or yellow tape?

___ ___all cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet?

___ ___small appliances locked up?

___ ___walkway free of clutter?

 

Garage/Sheds:

Yes or No

___ ___power tools and other dangerous equipment where they are not accessible?

___ ___car keys safely locked away?

___ ___doors have double locks on them?

 

The Home Safety Checklist For People with Alzheimer’s Disease

This Alzheimers home safety checklist can be printed out. If you have someone living in your home with Alzheimer’s Disease it would be a good idea to do this as soon as possible.

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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