It’s not always easy to come up with ways to entertain a senior with Alzheimer’s, but by getting creative and trying some of these activity ideas you can make sure that they don’t just get through life simply surviving, they get to live a little along the way.

1. Reintroduce old favorites – reintroducing seniors to games and activities that they once enjoyed can activate old memories and nostalgia, and they are generally enjoyable. Try tic tac toe, checkers, cards, or large piece jigsaw puzzles.

2. Bond over magazines – looking through magazines like Reminisce or Good Old Days are a great way to share stories; or simply pick up any publication a senior enjoys  for an entertaining way to pass the time and create conversation

3. Reminisce with photos – get out the family photo albums to remind seniors of cherished memories or family members. This is also a great way to start sharing stories and memories of great times with loved ones

4. Get online – for a senior who loves to learn, get online and browse travel destinations, look up information about activities or facts that interest the senior, or simply use it to look at pictures. If your senior is feeling really adventurous, you can even get them signed up on Facebook or Twitter

5. Share a treat – a great activity can be as simple as going to a local bakery or ice cream shop to bond over a sweet treat. Or, it can be made at home and enjoyed there

6. Get outside – don’t underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine for a senior, get out there!

Via: Suite101

jupiterimages.com

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.

1.) How should this outbreak be handled?

2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?

Please comment below with your opinions!

Image Source:
-New York Times

For many seniors, their necessary prescription drug costs can be as great as half of their annual incomes, but by investing in prescription drug cards some of the financial burden of their medications can be alleviated without ever having to sacrifice healthcare. However, for many of these programs, offered primarily by major pharmaceutical companies, the discount available varies for each prescription medication and ranges anywhere from a 1% to 20% savings; which forces seniors to pay into multiple discount card programs and shop around for the best price every time they are ready to fill a prescription.

According to an examination completed by Susan Dentzer for NewsHour, by making use of multiple prescription drug programs, an elderly couple with senior drug costs of $16,000 per year could save anywhere from $500 to $1,600 per year. The discount may seem insignificant when compared to the total annual drug cost, however, the annual savings can add up to a substantial nest egg for seniors who feel the efforts are worth the prescription savings. Recently, a $4 discount prescription program was released by Walmart; to offer even more substantial drug savings for seniors, with hundreds of prescription drugs available at $4 for a 30-day supply.

Seniors can benefit from using discount prescription drug programs, including Medicaid’s prescription subsidies for the elderly who have reached their $4,000 quota. However, the US still has a long way to go to catch up to other countries, like Canada, which have provincial drug subsidy programs automatically available to all senior residents who face the financial reality of retirement.

Sources:

1. Online NewsHour

2. Walmart.com

3. Makoa.org

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Most Americans understand the importance of saving money to fund their retirement once they stop working, however, most do not know just how much they’ll need to pay for their basic living expenses or fund the retirement lifestyle they desire.

There is no magic retirement amount that will allow seniors to survive financially during their retirement. According to financial planners, the amount of savings needed for retirement all depends on lifestyle, standards of living and goals during retirement. Since life expectancy rates are increasing in North America, seniors should estimate their retirement funds based on life expectancy to age 90.

So how much do seniors need to put away for their retirement during their careers? Retirement financial planners say that 15 times your regular income should fund your bare bones expenses up until age 90; however, you can’t expect to have any money left in the bank or live the luxurious retirement lifestyle you’ve dreamed of. For those seniors who hope to travel, or maintain a less-modest lifestyle during retirement, and still have money left over; at least 22 times your regular income is required.

Financial planners say that retirement planning should start as early as the 20’s or 30’s, so that a sufficient amount of money is available to fund retirement when the time comes, and only a small portion of monthly income needs to be put aside in order to reach retirement goals.

Source:  Retirement Cash: Will You Have Enough? (Stuart Foxman)

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

“Longevity risk” is the term used to describe the increased lifespan of baby boomers which can ultimately result in them outliving their assets and funding for retirement. Not only are baby boomers living longer into their senior years than previous generations, but unlike their parents who had pensions to support them into old age; only 70% of baby boomers will retire with pensions today. Is it possible for seniors to live longer with fewer assets and income available to them?

According to a recent study by Ernst & Young, there is a very real risk that baby boomers and future generations who live longer will outlive their retirement funds. The study showed that 3 in 5 seniors middle-class retirees who maintain the lifestyle they have prior to retirement will run out of money before they die. While many seniors may dream of vacationing during the winter months and living extravagantly to celebrate their senior years; they may in reality have to sacrifice these dreams in lieu of a more modest lifestyle, saving the hard-earned money they made during their working years to provide for the regular costs of living both before and during retirement.

Younger generations should start planning today to provide for their senior years by saving a percentage of their earned income in a retirement plan to provide for retirement living; and some baby boomers who have yet to save need to act fast and adjust their lifestyles so they have the money to fund their futures.
ConsumerAffairs.com: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/10/longevity_risk.html (Fred Yager)
Consumer Affairs.com: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/07/retirement_savings.html

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Q1 – What is hybrid long-term care insurance?
A1- Hybrid long-term care insurance helps seniors fund their long-term care costs as they age with more flexibility and affordability than typical long-term care benefits. Seniors can invest a lump sum into their hybrid benefits in order to fund any future needs in LTC.

Q2 – How do seniors benefit from investing in hybrid long-term care insurance?
A2 – Seniors pay a lump sum amount based on what they can afford, so when it comes to funding any future long-term care costs, they don’t have to pay unaffordable rates out of pocket when staying at long-term care facilities. Unlike with LTC insurance, where seniors are forced to pay expensive monthly premiums even if long-term care or custodial is never needed; hybrid insurance sits in wait until the need for long-term care arises; and funds can be returned if they are never used.

Q3 – How are hybrid long-term care benefit amounts determined?
A3 – Seniors determine how much they want to invest into their hybrid long-term care insurance, and the benefit amount available to fund long-term care under the policy is determined based on age and health at the time it is purchased. Hybrid long-term care benefit amounts are always greater than the initial investment; for example, an $85,000 investment could turn into $120,000. Life insurance benefits also work the same way; a greater amount than initially invested could be returned to the senior’s airs at the time of death.

Q4 – How much does hybrid long-term care insurance cost?
A4 – With hybrid long-term care insurance, seniors determine how much they can afford to pay. However, typically hybrid long-term care insurance is a better investment for the elderly with a large lump sum amount of funds available; since the idea is that the amount of the policy funds all or of the majority of their long-term care needs. Typical hybrid long-term care insurance policies start around $50,000; with some insurance carries enforcing minimums and others making recommendations based on funding projected costs at long-term care facilities.

Sources: http://youandyoursblawg.blogspot.com/2008/06/hybrid-long-term-care-insurance.html
http://personalinsure.about.com/od/longtermcare/a/aa082006a_2.htm

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

For many seniors, a trip to the doctor’s office for a checkup or prescription refill can be a laborious task. Physical limitations, illnesses, aches and pains and lack of access to transportation can make even a routine doctor’s visit a challenge. For these older adults, home visits by a physician can be the best way to get the medical care that they require. Many healthcare agencies around the United States specialize in home doctor’s visits for elderly patients. The staff of these house call organizations are medically trained doctors and nurses, who often have had specific expertise in geriatric care. The idea of in home doctor’s visits is to bring all the medical services a senior would typically receive at their physician’s office, without ever leaving home.

When physician’s and nurses pay house calls to seniors who are homebound, they are prepared to complete routine checkups to assess the elderly patient’s health. They are also able to write prescriptions, manage IV’s, complete lab work, administer x-rays and EKG’s and assess and monitor illnesses.

Medicare does offer coverage for in home medical care for those who receive Part A benefits. In order to receive Medicare benefits for doctor’s visits at home, seniors must be classified as homebound, due to specific limitations that relate to physical and mental capabilities. In some cases, Medicare will provide coverage for patients who are not isolated to their homes, provided their situation justifies in home care by a medical practitioner. Doctors who also specialize in providing house calls to the elderly also mention that Medicare covers services documented due to immobility, the need to assess in home caregiving and safety in the home, and other reasons that may prevent a senior from going to a medical office.

Medicare will not cover home visits by a physician for senior assistance with Activities of Daily Living or for those who are chronically ill. Those who do not qualify for coverage of home visits by a doctor should consider hiring an in home, non-medical caregiver for assistance with the Activities of Daily Living that they’re finding to be too much for them.

Sources: http://www.aahcp.org/homebound.shtml
http://www.seniorresourcesonline.com/articles.iml?category=Medicare
http://www.drshomevisits.com/services.html
http://www.housecalldoctorstexas.com/services.asp

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

What is Cancer?

Although cancer falls under more than 100 different disease related categories, it can still be simplified as out of control cell growth.  Serious illness and even death can occur if left untreated.

Early on in a person’s life, body cells grow, divide, and die in an organizied manner.  Normal cells also divide more quickly in a youthful person, verses an aging adult.  Upon reaching adulthood, cells throughout most of the body divide, only to replace worn-down or dying cells and to restore damage caused by injuries.

Damage to DNA is the reason cancer cells develop and this substance is in every cell and is responsible for directing all of the cell’s activities.  A cell will either die or repair itself, once DNA becomes damaged in a younger or older person. Although cancer can affect people of all ages, seniors are more susceptible because of prolonged exposure to harsh environmental factors. Cancer cells, whether in the body of a young or elderly person, are the outcome of damaged DNA not repaired.  Although many times a person’s DNA gets damaged as a result of enviornmental issues such as, excessive sunlight, viruses, tobacco smoke, and chemicals, hereditary DNA is also justification for cancers.

Cancer cells are different from normal cells.  Cancer cells outlive normal cells, and instead of dying, continue to grow and make new abnormal cells.  Some cancers form as a tumor while others travel through the blood stream or lymph system of an elderly loved one.  Cancer cells travel through other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue. Metastasis refers to the spreading process of cancer cells.

Regardless of what parts of the body are affected, cancer is always named based on its origin.  For example, cancer that originates in the lungs and spreads to the brain is considered metastasis lung cancer.

In conclusion, there are many different types of cancer which grow at different rates and require different treatments. It is very important to get the proper treatment for your particular kind of cancer.

Source:  www.cancer.org

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Today we are continuing our discussion about ways to organize a senior’s home if they have memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s.  We last talked about easy changes to make around the bedroom and bathroom where a lot of confusion and accidents can take place - this post will focus on the kitchen.

Here are some great home safety ideas for the kitchen:

1)Store dangerous items in another room or put safety locks on drawers- anything that is sharp or could be confused as something to eat or drink that is toxic.

2)We often see medications spread out on the kitchen counter - these need to be put out of sight to avoid being taken mistakenly.  Many people with memory problems over medicate because they have forgotten that they actually already took their dosage for the day.

3)Install a hidden on and off switch in a cabinet for an electric stove or remove handles and knobs.

4)Avoid the stove, oven, electric coffee pot or toaster - anything electrical-when they are in the kitchen.

Source:  Home Instead Senior Care - Alzheimer’s CAREGiver Training Program.

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Today we are continuing our discussion about how to organize your home for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Our last post focused in making sure the bathroom was organized well to prevent injuries, confusion or falls, today we will focus on bedrooms.  The goal here is to maximize functioning, so that your elderly loved one can take out and put away clothes, dress and do other daily functions in the bedroom for as long as possible.

Solutions for the Family:

1)Only use drawers at waist level for easy access.  If possible, latch them to the chest so they cannot tip all the way out.

2)Make sure the closet clothes bar is at chest level for easy access. Encourage your senior to fold items over the bar if they can no longer use hangers.

3)Limit the amount of clothing in the closet and in drawers.  This avoids confusion.  Store less frequently used items in another room.

4)Encourage a spouse who shares the bedroom to put their personal items in a different room to reduce  confusion.

5)Store items they like to use in drawers with easy access.  Bed rails are usually unsafe for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease because they may try to climb over them and possibly fall.

6)Put a railing along a wall beside the bed if this would help them get in or out.

Source:  Home Instead Senior Care - Alzheimer’s CAREGiver Training Program.