Parkinson’s Disease Summer Travel Tips

Many people feel that Parkinson’s disease limits their ability to travel. The truth is that people living with Parkinson’s disease can still travel, but a few extra planning steps are necessary in order to make traveling enjoyable. Here are a few tips to consider:

• If you’re flying, arrive at the airport earlier than usual to compensate for movement difficulties that may arise as you navigate the security checkpoints and allow for last-minute gate changes by the airlines.
• Double-check your medication to make sure that you have more than you’ll need for the trip. If you’re stranded a few days at your destination before you can return home, having extra medication is not only handy – it’s a necessity.
• If you can’t bring extra medication, check to see if your pharmacy is available in the town where you’ll be traveling. Make sure that you have enough refills in case you need to pick one up while you’re away.
• Keep emergency numbers stored in more than one place; having them in the suitcase only, for example, can be a problem if your luggage takes a sudden detour while en route to your destination. If possible, carry a small bag with extra medication and emergency phone numbers, including your physician’s.
• Plan extra time on your vacation for rest. In the excitement of the trip, it’s easy to overdo the amount of activity that is packed into one day. Schedule rest time to make sure that your body isn’t being overtaxed.

We caregivers can do much to help our loved ones keep the disease as manageable as possible. By helping with medication management, doctor’s and clinical trial appointments, keeping a consistent diet and exercise plan, and even managing vacation getaways, we can inject a feeling of hopefulness into an area of life that could quickly become too stressful. Reducing stress is also a key area to consider with Parkinson’s disease, since stress has been known to aggravate Parkinson’s symptoms.

There is no known cure for Parkinson’s, although researchers are working every day to find one. The effectiveness of any treatment program relies a great deal on the amount of planning and communication that takes place at home, as well in the doctor’s office.

Credit: http://www.caregiver.com/eblast/parkinsons_travel_tips.htm

The Financial Health of Aging Seniors

With our current economic challenges, those of us looking forward to retirement need to be well-informed about our financial needs in coming years. And not only pre-retirees, but individuals already in retirement need to be wise to the changing economic environment. The good news is there are trained professionals who keep abreast of changes in the current economy, changes in laws and changes in government programs for the elderly. Professionals in this field are equipped to handle everything from help with retirement savings accounts, investment advice, guidance on government programs, estate planning or even new funding options such as reverse mortgages. A little planning prior to retirement will allow you to maintain your current lifestyle; whereas, a lack of planning may require you to live on an extremely tight budget. For those already retired, taking time right now to deal with financial problems instead of waiting for a crisis to happen is well advised.

A large number of retired individuals feel that they have planned well for the future only to find that rising medical costs, damage done to investment portfolios (by the current economy) and many other factors have caused them to go into debt. According to an article in “USA Today” seniors are racking up debt like never before. Elderly individuals who are in debt live with a constant burden over their heads. Most of these people are on fixed incomes and have no way of paying off credit cards and home equity loans that continue to mount to cover household budget deficits. In order to meet ongoing payments, seniors often forego purchasing medications and skimp on food budgets. They live like hermits — never going out and pinching every penny — in order to pay their obligations.

Most of these people worked hard their entire lives and managed their debt. They never anticipated the rising costs of prescriptions, expensive medical care or depletion of savings by living too long. The good news is there is help for these individuals. Here are just a few examples of some relief options that could be available. There are many more besides these.

Reverse mortgages – A Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), also known as a reverse mortgage, is a risk-free way of tapping into home equity without creating monthly payments and without requiring the money to be paid back during a person’s lifetime. Instead of making payments the cash flow is reversed and the senior receives payments from the bank. Thus the title “reverse mortgage”. For those seniors who are less fortunate financially but own a home, a reverse mortgage can allow them to remain in the home by creating extra income.

Life settlements — A life settlement enables older individuals, businesses and other organizations to sell life insurance policies they currently own – but no longer want or need – for an amount greater than the cash surrender value. In some cases the value can be 2-3 times the cash surrender value. Even some term life insurance policies with a conversion option to permanent coverage can qualify for a life settlement.

Government Programs — Some government programs such as food stamps provide temporary financial help for food. Other programs provide subsidized housing, help with medical expenses and provide tax credits. For veterans there is free health care, inexpensive prescriptions and disability income. Area agencies on aging offer individual counseling, legal help and advice with Medicare costs. (National Care Planning Council)

For some, living on a fixed income and dealing with debt can be an overwhelming burden. There are knowledgeable professionals and debt relief strategies that can assist in easing this burden. The National Care Planning Council keeps a list of financial advisers and attorneys who specialize in this area of planning at www.longtermcarelink.net.

Credit: http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2010-5-5.htm

Instant Care System Review

Which senior emergency medical alert is best? In this video, Howard reviews the Instant Care’s medical alarm system with the 24-hour Nurse advice line.

Falling Risks for Seniors

What should I know about my senior parent and the risk of accidents?

Falling Seniors is an increasing threat to our population. Because of recent medical advances, more and more people can live into the golden age of retirement. But aging comes with risks. The risk of falling for seniors has increased over the last two decades. Here are some statistics that have been gathered to put the problem in proportion:

What are the leading risk factors for falling? Here is a partial list:

• Past history of a fall
• Mental difficulties (dementia)
• Older women – especially Caucasians and Asians
• Weakness in the feet or legs
• Problems with walking, balancing, vision, or hearing
• Arthritis or Parkinson’s disease
• Living alone

Thankfully, despite the woeful numbers or warning signs there is good news! Here are recommendations to reduce the risk of falling and to reduce the severity of falls.

The CDC recommends four things to reduce falls:

• Start exercising (like Tai Chi)
• Review your medications (some cause blurred vision)
• Have your vision checked
• Make your home safer and softer (70% of falls occur at home)

The American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation recommends six additional things:

1. Increase the lighting in your home and have a night light.
2. Remove things from the floor and make sure rugs are well secured.
3. Secure showers and baths with handrails and non-slip floors
4. Restrict pet movements to areas of your home.
5. Wear good shoes with non-skid soles
6. Maintaining a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D

If you do fall, and do not have a medical alarm, here are instructions from the National Institute of Health on what to do:

A sudden fall can be startling and frightening. If you fall, try to stay calm. Take a few deep breaths to help you relax.

1. Roll over onto your side and push yourself up into a seated position.
2. Rest while your body and blood pressure adjust.
3. Slowly get up on your hands and knees, and crawl to a sturdy chair.
4. Put your hands on the chair seat and slide one foot forward so that it is flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent so the knee is on the floor.
5. From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body to sit in the chair.

If you’re hurt or can’t get up, ask someone for help or call 911. If you’re alone, try to get into a comfortable position and wait for help to arrive.

As you already knew, falls pose a serious risk to seniors. If a senior receives help in the first hour, the “golden hour” there is a 90% chance that they will return home. If a senior is does not receive help within six hours, there is a 90% chance they will require a nursing home. We are here to help. Getting help as soon as a senior falls is the absolute best thing that can be done. The sooner they are helped, the less likely they are to sustain serious injuries and need long term nursing. Medical Alarms also give seniors and their family peace of mind. You want the assurance that help is on the way for a senior you know and care for, rather then letting them stay on the floor helpless.

See the Fall Prevention handbook produced by the CDC for more information on the risks of seniors falling.

Visonic Medical Alarm Review

Which senior emergency medical alert is best? In this video, Howard reviews the Visonic medical alarm system.

Is it a Medical Alarm or a Medical Alert?

What is the difference between a Medical Alert and a Medical Alarm?

Our Medical Alarms or Medical Alerts will call the paramedics, not just help them once they arrive!

The answer is that they are one in the same. Both Medical Alarms and Medical Alerts are systems for Seniors to call help during an emergency. Medical Alerts, however, also refer to a type of jewellery worn around the wrist to alert the EMS of conditions like diabetes or Alzheimers. Other Medical Alert Jewellery services include a numberfor EMS to call to learn more about the pateint and to notify the family. While we do not sell the jewellery, our Medical Alert Systems can do much more than a simple jewelery.

That is because our Medical Alarms will call fo the paramedics, not just help them when they arrive.

For a long time I have felt that people, no matter what their age, should have a reliable method of contacting emergency help. This was dramatically proven when my active 95 year old sister-in-law, living alone, 3000 miles away, sustained a fall in her home. She was able to use her “First Alert” by pressing the button that automatically alerted a designated neighbor to call for an ambulance. It was fortunate that she was taken to a hospital quickly, where it was found that she had bleeding and edema in her brain. Without the rapid delivery of care she might not have survived. I would urge people, living alone, to have one of these medical devices to be used in the event of a medical emergency.

– Helen B. Canin Berkeley, California

5 Warning Signs for Seniors with Falling Risks

1. Loss of balance – A loss of balance occurs before a fall. If you are having a hard time balancing then you should start using a walking aide like a walker.
2. Problems with discerning distance - Eye sight problems occur commonly in seniors. These may make it difficult to balance properly and to tell how far away a tripping hazard is.
3. Muscle weakness - Losing muscle in the legs is particularly problematic. Exercise may help regain lost muscles.
4. Glaucoma - This common eye problem may make it difficult to see properly.
5. Previous falls - The best indicator that a senior will fall in the future is if they have fallen in the past. This may be a sign that more intensive care is required, or maybe a medical alarm will suite the seniors needs best.

If you think it is time for you or your loved one to get a medical alarm, call us today. We offer great service at an affordable monthly rate.