Senior Helpers Seminar: Paying for Home Care with VA Benefits

As our senior population increases, more families face increasing costs associated with providing personal care for themselves or their loved ones.

There is a little known benefit for Veterans called the "Aid and Attendance" benefit that pays for up to approximately $2,000 per month to help offset these costs.

Almost any veteran that served in a defined period of war and is over 65 can apply for this benefit - as well as their surviving spouses!

Frank Hayes, a veteran and owner of Senior Helpers of Central Texas will be conducting this 1 hour seminar at Mariposa at River Bend in Georgetown, Texas to go over all the details.

Lunch will be provided. There is limited seating available please call our office to reserve your place early.
Sign-up on the Senior Helpers of Central Texas Facebook Page

10 Great Free Activities for Older Adults

From About.com, read the whole article:

Video: Why you shouldn't leave that Christmas tree up too long. Hat tip Instapundit.

http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/

Activity for the Holidays: Create a Family Tree

Great how-to article from the Gilbert Guide!

Creating a Family Tree

Easy Ways to Improve Your Vision

 

A Marvelous Sense

They are two of your most precious possessions, but chances are, you take your eyes for granted. Most of us do. But think for a second what life would be like without being able to gaze on your grandchild or your flower garden or even navigate the kitchen without incident.

Prevent Blindness America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to vision issues, estimates that 50,000 people lose their sight needlessly every year and that 80 million Americans are at risk of eye diseases that can lead to low vision and even blindness.

The good news: The most common diseases -- age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye disease -- are all preventable to some extent. Read on to see (pun intended) how you can get Stealth Healthy protection for your peepers. Before we go any further, we have to tell you that the first step, if you smoke, is to stop. Smoking increases your risk of cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, and age-related macular degeneration.
Read the entire article from Reader's Digest.

Easy Guide to Long Term Care Insurance

Seeing is believing. And as a caregiver, you've seen long-term care up close. The time. The effort. The expense. You know the emotional, physical and financial impact it can have on families. But, in concentrating on the immediate needs of a loved one, believing you too could one day be in the same situation may not yet even be a consideration-especially when you are fairly young.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over the age of 65 will need some services and supports "to meet health or personal care needs over an extended period of time."* So, for the majority of people, it's not as much a question of "if" they'll need long-term care than "when" they'll need it.  However, the sad truth is the need for long-term care can happen at any age. So, what will you do in the future if a chronic illness or disability causes you to need assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, eating or even using the bathroom?

• Are you prepared?
• Are you concerned?
• Have you thought about your future?

Read the whole article at Caring Today.

Senior Helpers In Home Health Care Austin, TX : Agency vs Registry Explained

When considering hiring a caregiver to help with services in your home, make sure you know the facts.  Being well-informed can save you money and protect you from potential legal problems. Below are six components of senior care to consider when evaluating available care plans for your loved one.

Concern #1: Service
 
Registry or By Yourself: You are responsible for knowing what services are needed for your loved one.
Senior Helpers: We are responsible for making sure you get the right services from the right caregiver. We match caregivers to clients based on their personalities.

Concern #2: Taxes&Injuries
 
Registry or By Yourself: You are responsible for reporting and paying taxes, social security, and worker’s compensation (in case of a work related injury in the home) for the caregiver. Failure to do so can result in penalties with extensive fines.

Senior Helpers: The caregivers are our employees—they are not 1099. You pay Senior Helpers directly, and we manage all taxes and expenses related to employment that are required by the state and federal governments.

Concern #3: Supervision

Registry or By Yourself: You are in charge and responsible for managing the caregiver’s performance.
Senior Helpers: We manage all of our employees and will perform unscheduled supervisory visits.

Concern #4: Background Check

Registry or By Yourself: You are responsible for performing a background check.  Neglecting to order and review a background check could place your loved one in danger.

Senior Helpers: All of our employees are screened through criminal background checks and license checks, and are required to provide the proper identification.

Concern #5: Hiring & Scheduling

Registry or By Yourself: You are responsible for the interviewing and hiring process. You will also be responsible for scheduling. If a caregiver calls out or doesn’t show up, you will need to find their replacement.

Senior Helpers: We have extensive experience on hiring compassionate and dependable caregivers. We are also responsible for scheduling and ensuring reliable and consistent care.

Concern #6: Theft

Registry or By Yourself: You will be responsible if the employee steals from you or your loved one.
Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers is licensed, insured, and bonded. All of our employees are bonded.

About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Austin, Texas area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.
If you need Home Care services in Austin, Bartlett, Bertram, Briggs, Burnet, Cedar Park, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Holland, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Killeen, Leander, Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, Pflugerville, Round Mountain, Round Rock, Salado, Spicewood, Taylor and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. For more information, please visit: http://www.homehealthcareaustin.com/.

Caregiving a Grumpy Loved One: 4 Tips to Bring a Smile

Remember that lovable but grumpy donkey, Eeyore, in Winnie the Pooh? He always saw the rain clouds, always had something negative to say. While it’s kind of cute in cartoon form, living with a grump can be exhausting–and caregiving is hard enough–it would really help if our loved ones at least tried to be pleasant.

What do you do if your dad or mom–or spouse is a grump?

Read the whole article at AlzheimersCaregiving.com 

Whether at a Doctor Visit or a Family Gathering, Include Elders in Conversation

I know it can be hard. Your siblings are in town. You visit the nursing home with them so you can all be together with your mom who is living in a care center. The adult children are all jabbering, trying to catch up on each other's lives. Sure, you are physically in the room with your parent. But there's a good chance that your mom is completely left out of the conversation.

Her hearing isn't bad, but the noise of several voices at once is too much. Her worsening dementia makes a lot of commotion confusing. She doesn't complain, and she really does enjoy seeing everyone. Yet, after you all leave feeling satisfied that you visited with mom, she doesn't feel "visited."

Read the rest of the article for insightful inclusion tips.

We Love Client Testimonials! Thank you Bob!

Music can do 'incredible things' for people with dementia

New research shows that singing may slow the progress of dementia.

Singing For The Brain is a group of singers in Bristol made up of people with Alzheimer's and their spouses. Most of the patients have lost their memory for names, events and people, but many respond to music long after other memories have disappeared.

10 Top Items for Senior Travel

These take-along essentials, including daily living aids, make senior travel enjoyable for everyone.

Whether you’re planning a two-week cruise or visiting out-of-town relatives for a few days over the holidays, senior travel can be great for the whole family. Traveling with an elderly loved one can be more than just manageable—you can all enjoy the time away from your usual routine. The secret to successfully traveling with a senior is taking along the equipment and daily living aids, usually in portable formats, that you depend on at home. Some versions are designed to fit flat in a suitcase to make bringing them even easier. Of course, these aids for seniors can also be ordered and shipped to your destination ahead of time.

Read the whole list!

How to pay for Home Care in Central Texas (TX) – From Senior Helpers – Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A) Program

Senior Helpers wants to make sure Veterans are aware of a little-known benefit that may help Veterans and their surviving spouses pay for home care (and other care services).  If you or a loved one have any questions after reading this, please post your question in the comments area and we will make sure you receive the the answers you need.  Some of this sounds complicated–and it can be.  While our offices can’t help you fill out the application, we can put you in touch with an Accredited Claims Agent that can assist you at no charge.  The Accredited Claims Agents provide invaluable information and will assist with the application process to make sure it is filled out correctly the first time which will help you greatly improve your chances of getting reimbursed in a timely manner!
 

So what is it? Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension. Benefits may be available for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication monitoring or other various activities of daily living. This benefit is available to individuals who reside in assisted living communities, personal care homes, skilled nursing facilities and those receiving personal in-home care.

How can these benefits help and how much is available?
Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, skilled nursing facility, personal care home or an assisted living community. A Veteran may be eligible for up to $19,728 per year, a Veteran with a dependent spouse may be eligible for up to $23,388 per year, a surviving spouse of a Veteran may be eligible for up to $12,672 per year and two Veterans married to each other may be eligible for up to $30,480 per year.

Who is Eligible?
Any War Veteran with 90 days of active duty with at least one day during active War time. A surviving spouse of a War Veteran may be eligible if he/she remained married to the Veteran until his/her time of death and has not remarried. The only exception to this rule is if the remarriage took place after January 1, 1971 and ended before November 1, 1990. The individual must meet medical, service and financial qualifications as described below.

Medical Qualifications

1. The Veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
2. The Veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
3. The Veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
4. The Veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, and concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

Service Qualifications

1. At least 90 days of active duty, but need not have served in combat.
2. One day of active duty during a period of war (table below lists qualifying periods of war)
3. Discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable

War or Conflict
WWII:12/7/1941 to 12/31/1946
Korean Conflict: 6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
Vietnam Era: 8/5/1964 to 5/7/1975; for Veterans who served “in country” before 8/5/1664, then 2/28/1961 to 5/7/1975 is applicable.
Gulf War: At least 24 months, 8/2/1990 until a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Financial Qualifications

1. VA compares gross monthly income to out of pocket medical expenses.
2. Assets are included in the equation for eligibility. Personal property such as the Veteran’s home or vehicle,   are not included in this calculation.
3. A complicated Income and Asset Test must be “passed” in order to qualify. VA does not disclose this special provision to the public. If these are submitted incorrectly the Veteran will be denied the benefit. Therefore, we strongly recommend you contact your Senior Helpers representative who can put you in contact with VA Accredited Claims Agent who can complete the forms for you- at no charge to you.

There is also a “Housebound” benefit that can be paid in addition to monthly pension, and, like A&A, Housebound benefits first require eligibility to pension (different criteria apply). A Veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.

If I am already receiving monthly payments or a service-connected disability can I get a VA pension too?
You cannot receive a VA non-service connected pension and service-connected compensation at the same time. However, if you apply for pension and are awarded payments, VA will pay you whichever benefit is greater.

How do I apply for Veterans non-service connected pension?
Contact your local Senior Helpers office for assistance and they will provide you with the information you need, including referral to an accredited claims agent who can assist you with your application. 

HOLIDAYS SERVE AS BIG WAKE UP CALL THAT OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS NEED HELP

Families unite and for the first time realize loved ones are in desperate need!

11.24.2009 – (Austin, TX - November 2009) - The holiday season may be one of the few times families get together and realize their elderly loves ones are in deep trouble and need immediate help. Adult children who may not live nearby are often shocked to come home to a holiday heartbreak with deteriorating relatives they weren’t prepared to handle. So this holiday, the family might gather around the kitchen table – not only for turkey and treats - but instead for talk, a big talk, that maps out a plan how to care for ailing, elderly relatives.

“This Thanksgiving and Christmas, thousands of adult children will come home to a sight they never expected to find: Elderly relatives who are lethargic and forgetful. A messy house. Bills piling up. The joy of the season is clouded with the realization that your relatives are suffering and can’t make it alone,” says Frank Hayes, Owner of Senior Helpers, the fastest growing provider of in-home care for seniors. “This is often the best time for family members to hash out care solutions everyone agrees on.”

Aiming to provide service and compassion: Senior Helpers opens Round Rock facility

From the Round Rock Leader:



The owner of the Round Rock Senior Helpers location said the services he and his wife provide will become even more invaluable as the over 65 population doubles by 2030.

Frank and Moire Hayes opened the current location of Senior Helpers, off Hesters Crossing, in August.

Senior Helpers offers companion and personal care. Companion care includes having people to help seniors run errands, cook, shop and complete household chores such as laundry. Personal care includes helping lift a senior out of bed and into a wheelchair, bathing and dispensing medication. Senior Helpers offers hourly, 24/7 and live-in care.

"Our No. 1 goal is to provide the best care for the senior and to figure out how all the partners can work together," Moire Hayes said. "We want to improve the quality of life of our seniors and their families."

Humana CEO: No Regrets About Sending Warning Letters To Medicare Beneficiaries

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170856.php

Washington Post: Healthcare Bill would reduce senior care...

Seniors will be greatly affected by the reduction in Medicare funding........

From the WaPO:

A plan to slash more than $500 billion from future Medicare spending -- one of the biggest sources of funding for President Obama's proposed overhaul of the nation's health-care system -- would sharply reduce benefits for some senior citizens and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others, according to a government evaluation released Saturday.

Read the whole Article.

FREE SEMINAR: Navigating the Health Insurance Maze for Seniors

FREE SEMINAR:

Navigating the Health Insurance Maze for Seniors
Call 512-388-4357 for More Info

Learn about the basics of Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap (Medicare supplemental insurance), Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Saturday, November 14th, from 10AM -11:30AM

3710 Cedar Street, Austin, 78705

Presenter: Mary Koffend, President of Accountable Aging, is a specialist in eldercare services and government-funded programs. Having served elder and disabled clients for more than thirty years with the Social Security Administration (SSA) throughout Texas, Mary is in a unique position to now help clients deal with two of the biggest challenges related to aging: navigating the benefits maze and understanding healthcare options.

Please pre-register for this seminar. To pre-register or for more information,

please call Bruce Kravitz at (512) 451-4611 or email at bkravitz@ageofaustin.org.

Caregiving in America: The Health Consequences on Boomer Women

Notwithstanding the contributions by several organizations and governmental agencies, most experts agree that more needs to be done to support boomer women and other family caregivers. The reliance on family caregivers in home settings has increased relative to formal care in recent years, and larger proportions of care
recipients have high levels of disability. Critical as the situation is, rationally there seems to be little sense of urgency or even awareness of the growing needs of caregivers—particularly of boomer women.

The economic value of family caregiving to American society is in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually, amounting to more than twice the amount spent on paid care—even without taking into account the wages and benefits that are sacrificed when people leave their jobs or reduce their hours in order to care for family
members. The value of care provided by families and friends was estimated to be $350 billion in 2006. The contribution of women accounts for the bulk of this amount—the contribution of women providing care is estimated to be between $207 billion and $263 billion.

This caregiving brief reviews the physical and emotional health consequences of providing care by boomer women. Boomers are quite different from previous generations of women in a number of respects, with the potential for significantly greater negative health outcomes. Financial and social consequences of caregiving
on boomer women are also discussed.

Read the entire Article, very insightful.

Press Release: Senior Helpers Offering Free Respite Care for Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 12, 2009

CONTACT: Frank Hayes, 512-388-4357, fhayes@seniorhelpers.com

Senior Helpers Offering Free Respite Care for Veterans

Local in-home care provider offering free care to veterans through November 15, 2009

Round Rock, TX – November 12, 2009 – In light of Veterans Day and the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, the Senior Helpers office serving Central Texas in Williamson, Travis, Bell and Burnet counties  is offering free respite care to veterans through the end of the week. Senior Helpers is the nation’s fastest growing provider of in-home senior care and provides seniors with the freedom to continue to live independently in their home while still receiving the care they need.

Senior Helpers of Central Texas will provide morning or afternoon respite care for veterans and their family members through Sunday, November 15, FREE OF CHARGE. The only catch is that the office can only continue the program until their resources run out. Also, any requests related to the Fort Hood incident will go to the front of the line. This free service is on a first-come, first-serve basis and Senior Helpers will do everything in their power to honor all requests. Senior Helpers asks that veterans or their families call the office at 512-388-4357 to set up your schedule.

“We are a veteran family ourselves and understand the hardships involved with care,” says Frank Hayes, owner of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “We are pleased to offer this service to show veteran families how much we care and to spread the word about the different options that are available to seniors. We want to take time to thank veterans for all they have done for our great country!”

For more information about this event or to set up an interview with the sponsor, Senior Helpers, please contact the Senior Helpers office of Central Texas at 512-388-4357.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who need extra assistance in the place they call home. The company has 280 franchises in 38 states through the country and offers a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. For more information, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/.

A Tool for Locating a Flu Shot Near You

In addition to free airport Wi-Fi, Google has another gift to you this holiday season — aka this flu season. They’ve been working with the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services to develop a tool for locating flu shot providers near you, located at google.com/flushot.

Happy Birthday U.S. Marines!

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.

As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

Senior Helpers of Central Texas offering Veterans & Families Free Respite Care for the Remainder of This Week

Senior Helpers will, until our resources run out (this is the only string!), provide morning or afternoon respite care for veterans and their family members through Sunday this week at no charge.

Call us to set up the schedule at 512-388-4357. It is first come first serve and we will do everything in our power to honor all requests!

We are a Veteran family ourselves and understand the hardships involved.

One other string to note: All Ft. Hood requests will go to the front of the line.

Thank you Veterans for all you have done for this great country!

Alzheimer's Care: 8 Tips for a Great Holiday Season

Read the whole thing: Alzheimer's Reading Room article

Worried about Alzheimer's? Five Ways to Protect Yourself

Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Editor



Physical Activity -- Exercise

Consider exercises that pump oxygen and blood to the brain. These include running, walking, bicycling. There are at least 18 research studies showing that exercise can improve memory in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Better yet, start exercising now to improve cognitive function.
To read Worried About Alzheimer's? Tip #1 Exercise go here.

Control your Weight

The heavier a person is, the more likely they are to develop Alzheimer's. Scientist found that the brains of older individuals who were obese (with a body mass index over 30) had approximately 8 percent less brain volume than subjects of normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 25). When brain-volume loss reaches about 10 percent symptoms like memory trouble or confusion appear. If you are obese, big belly in middle age, the chances that you could suffer from dementia are tripled.
To read this interesting article on Reuters -- Big belly in 40s raises Alzheimer's risk in 70s -- go here.

Could Coffee be the Micacle Cure for Alzheimer's?

Read pages 661-680 of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease:

Abstract: We have recently shown that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) transgenic mice given a moderate level of caffeine intake (the human equivalent of 5 cups of coffee per day) are protected from development of otherwise certain cognitive impairment and have decreased hippocampal amyloid-β (Aβ) levels due to suppression of both β-secretase (BACE1) and presenilin 1 (PS1)/g-secretase expression. To determine if caffeine intake can have beneficial effects in “aged” APPsw mice already demonstrating cognitive impairment, we administered caffeine in the drinking water of 18-19 month old APPsw mice that were impaired in working memory. At 4-5 weeks into caffeine treatment, those impaired transgenic mice given caffeine (Tg/Caff) exhibited vastly superior working memory compared to the continuing impairment of control transgenic mice.

80 Min Exercise Per Week Prevents Visceral Weight Gain

Sign me up!

Fat around your internal organs is thought to be a much bigger risk factor for heart disease than fat near the surface of the skin. Well, if you go on a diet, exercise, get your weight down, and then eventually go off the diet continued exercise will prevent the resulting weight gain from happening where the risk factor is greatest.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A study conducted by exercise physiologists in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Human Studies finds that as little as 80 minutes a week of aerobic or resistance training helps not only to prevent weight gain, but also to inhibit a regain of harmful visceral fat one year after weight loss.
The study was published online Oct. 8 and will appear in a future print edition of the journal Obesity.
Unlike subcutaneous fat that lies just under the skin and is noticeable, visceral fat lies in the abdominal cavity under the abdominal muscle. Visceral fat is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it often surrounds vital organs. The more visceral fat one has, the greater is the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

80 minutes per week of either aerobic or resistance training prevents any fat weight gain around the internal organs. This is good news.

"What we found was that those who continued exercising, despite modest weight regains, regained zero percent visceral fat a year after they lost the weight," Hunter said. "But those who stopped exercising, and those who weren't put on any exercise regimen at all, averaged about a 33 percent increase in visceral fat.

It takes at least an hour a day of exercise to prevent weight gain. But 80 minutes per week to prevent the harmful form of weight gain is only 19% of the hour per day amount. So this is a lot easier.

Learn+About+Home+Health+Care+in+Austin+and+Central+Texas

Learn+About+Home+Health+Care+in+Austin+and+Central+Texas

Grandma and Grandpa Can Use the Net!

Helping Grandpa Get His Tech On - good article from the NY Times.With the advent of easy to use computers and smart phones it is easier than ever to stay in touch.

Even Small Amount of Exercise has Dramatic Benefits

From the Daily Express

Home Safety and Security for Older Adults

Did you know that of the three million Americans age 65 and older who are involved in accidents every year, a majority were injured right in their own homes?

The good news is that many of these accidents can be prevented. With a small investment of time and effort, you can help protect yourself or your loved one from dangers in the home.

A Five Step Plan for Protecting Against Accidents

There is no magic formula for avoiding mishaps in the home. But advanced planning and taking proactive steps can lower the risk. Here is a simple plan to follow for making safety a greater priority:

1. Make a conscious effort to understand the special risks and vulnerability of older adults. Take into consideration changes in balance, strength, and eyesight, as well as use of medications that might cause dizziness or drowsiness.

2. Perform a home safety assessment. Do a careful walk-through of the home, making note of what needs to be repaired or modified. (Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Senior Fall Prevention project to download the "Home Safety Checklist for Older Adults").

3. Be sensitive to potential problems. For example, spilling water on the floor or leaving small toys around can be safety issues anywhere. In the home of an older friend or relative, such carelessness can be especially dangerous.

4. Follow up by dealing with the risks found during the inspection. This could be as simple as doing some home improvements or repairs yourself. It might involve arranging for some professional help. Put high-risk problems at the top of the list for immediate action.

5. Perform a periodic follow-up inspection. Needs and situations change, so don't take safety for granted.

Home Security

Unfortunately, older adults are easy targets for burglary and assault. Statistically, they are victimized more often than other age groups. Here are several ways to make the home more secure:

• All doors and windows should lock securely.
• Exterior lighting should be ample. Cut back shrubbery if necessary to improve visibility from the street and neighboring homes.
• All exterior doors should have view holes so occupants need not open the door if they don't know who is on the other side.
• There should be at least one phone on every floor in the home and a phone by the bedside for emergencies; keep cell phone charged.
• Emergency numbers should be clearly written out and taped on or next to the phone.

Eight Reasons to Choose Home Care

As tough as it may be to enlist the help of a "stranger" when it comes to caring for your parents, sometimes it's for the best. For one thing, it will take the strain off of you, but your parent will also benefit from professional care in the comforts of home. Whether it's being attentive to special medical needs of assisting with personal care or homemaking, having a home health care professional will provide a variety of benefits to both the patient and the family.

1 - Home Care promotes healing.
"I know that our clients enjoy a much better quality of life which many families have said helped to extend the lives of their lived ones.," says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. "We focused on healing the mind, not just the body." Maxine Hochhauser, CEO of Visiting Nurse Regional Health Care System adds that in many circumstances the person rehabilitates better in the home. "They are in a familiar environment and are more comfortable. This is particularly true with individuals suffering from dementias."

2 - Home Care is safe.
"Many risks such as infection are eliminated or minimized when care is given at home," says Ross. Quality home care by professional caregivers can help prevent issues that may become very serious within the home. One example includes preventing falls in the home since seniors may be too weak or dizzy from medication since they fall when they're cleaning or bathing.

3 - Home care allows for maximum amount of freedom for the individual.
Patients at home may be engaged with their typical daily activities as their health permits plus it allows patients to receive care in the least restrictive environment. "This is the most conducive to patient-centered care which allows individuals the most control over the care they'll receive and the manner in which they receive it," notes Hochhauser. "Plus, it allows individuals to remain in the community."

4 - Home care gives them some control.
As baby boomers age the home care option gives them more control over the type of care they'll get to choose. Hochhauser explains, "They want more choices and want to be a more active participant in their own care. Home care allows them the most say in their care as they are in the least passive situation."

5 - Home care is personalized.
According to Milca Pabon, RN, a home health care nurse with Adventist Home Health, "the best reason to choose home care is because the care that will be received in the home will be individualized to each patient according to their specific needs." Essentially home care is tailored to the needs of each patient as they receive one-on-one attention.

6 - It eases burdens on the family.
Pabon explains, "With the length of stay in the hospital decreasing patients are going home earlier and many of them do not choose to go to a rehabilitation center to recover," explains Pabon. Rather, they want to go home to their own environment with their loved ones and have someone provide them with care they'll need to reach their maximum level of function. She continues, "Families are willing to have their loved ones with them, but may feel inadequate or unable to provide their loved ones with the help that they might need."

7 - Home care is comfortable.
"Every study done has shown that people would prefer to stay in their home," says Constance Row, executive director of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians. There is familiarity and comfort of being in one's own environment surrounded by their loved ones. She notes, "It's a type of quality care that people would want for their senior relatives."

Glaucoma: Some facts and ways to treat

Glaucoma – the “Sneak Thief of Sight” – Can Lead to Vision Loss

Although not preventable, glaucoma can be treated if detected early

St. Louis, MO (January 7, 2009) – Glaucoma – often called “the sneak thief of sight” because it can strike without pain or other symptoms – is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans – 91 percent – incorrectly believe glaucoma is preventable, according to the newest survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA). Although glaucoma is not preventable, if diagnosed and treated early, doctors of optometry can help a patient control the disease. Medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss.

Approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma, according to National Glaucoma Research; of these, as many as 120,000 are blind because of the disease. The number of Americans with glaucoma is estimated to increase to 3.3 million by the year 2020, as baby boomers age.
According to the AOA, glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that occur when internal pressure in the eye increases enough to cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to loss of nerve tissue, resulting in vision loss.

Preventing financial elder abuse by family

The guilty verdicts on Brooke Astor's son, handed down yesterday by a Manhattan jury, highlight a sad fact about financial elder abuse: All too often, it's the children who are at fault.

“We see a lot of cases where the kids help themselves with the intention of paying the money back," says Bernard Krooks, an elder law and estate attorney in New York City. "It becomes a bad habit.” In other situations a nearby child, who is the caregiving relative by default, feels justified taking money from a parent’s accounts. But “you don’t have an entitlement to dip into Mom’s bank account just because you’re taking care of her,” Krooks says.

How to prevent it

Ideally, adult children should include their elderly parent in a family meeting to determine who will look after him or her physically and financially. Family members can write up an agreement outlining how much the caregiver should receive for that service from the parent’s accounts. While that set-up involves some complications--including FICA withholding and payment of income tax--it helps reduce stress among siblings, Krooks says. And because a salary is not a gift, the arrangement also reduces the likelihood that Medicaid would later deny the parent benefits for drawing down assets.

Paul Greenwood, a deputy district attorney in San Diego and head of the office’s elder abuse prosecution unit, advises caution in assigning power of attorney to a relative. “Even the person who you think is the nice relative can turn on you in desperation,” he says. Greenwood recommends appointing a bonded, licensed professional such as an estate attorney with expertise in elder law, a financial planner, or a bank officer. 

The National Association of Geriatric Care Managers (www.caremanager.org) says 30 to 40 percent of its members do that kind of work. For less than half of what an attorney would charge, they can pay bills, monitor repairs on a property, deal with insurance claims, and so on.

For no extra cost, the power-of-attorney document can be drawn up with limits, such as assigning a relative or friend to monitor the relative with power of attorney, mandating a periodic written report of finanicial transactions, or assigning joint powers of attorney, which requires two signatures on every check.

For more on this subject, click here, and check out our featured article on financial elder abuse in the November Consumer Reports Money Adviser.–Tobie Stanger

Eldercare 911 Safety for Alzheimer's

Video

Great Turnout at the Grand Opening Yesterday

Thank you to the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and all of our Good Friends and Neighbors in attendance!

Senior Helpers National In Home Care Talks About Overcoming Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation for Seniors

Did you know that research shows that loneliness is bad for your health? Studies demonstrate that a sense of isolation contributes to higher blood pressure, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.
 
Unfortunately, feelings of loneliness, isolation or boredom are common for many older adults. A large part of aging is dealing with change:

• children growing up and moving away
• retirement
• adjusting to physical limitations
• selling the family home
• dealing with the illnesses or deaths of close family and friends.

Some of these changes may result in loneliness, especially the major transitions like illness and death. The common thread is that the relationships and interests you’ve grown to trust and enjoy are no longer available, at least not in the same way they once were.

Here are some ways to help an older adult reconnect with the parts of life that contribute to better physical and mental health.

1. Get ready physically. There is an important link between how they are doing physically and how comfortable they are with taking on new challenges. Help them eat good food, get adequate rest, and (with the advice of a doctor) start a regular exercise program. No matter what their health condition, increasing activity is a plus.
2. Get necessary information. If you they in a retirement community or assisted living facility, recommend that they read the newsletter or bulletin boards for news of upcoming events and ongoing programs. They can also talk to the social services and activities professionals on staff. If they live at home, reading the newspaper and subscribing to recreational, social service, and/or hobby organization newsletters can help. Also have them try listening to the radio or even checking local information on the Internet. You might come across opportunities you haven’t noticed before.
3. Be willing to learn. Enourage the senior in your life to be curious and willing to try out something new. You can find amazing programs at the local library, senior center, or community college. They can take a computer class, learn new ways of keeping in touch with family and friends, and make new friends from around the world on the Internet.
4. Establish a personal routine. Loneliness sometimes grows out of too much empty time. Talk to older adults about getting up and starting the day at a regular time; starting their morning by reading or tuning in to the day’s events through newspapers, radio or television; connecting with one or more friends by telephone each day, just to “check in;” going to exercise class or for a walk; arranging to eat a meal or snack with a friend.
5. Include service to others. No matter who you are, where you live, or where you are in your life, there are ways for you to help others. Opportunities for seniors in your community may include reading to children at the local library, telephoning people who cannot get out, filling shopping bags at a food bank, or talking to a lonely neighbor. There are so many places and people who need help!

You won’t change their life overnight, and it is probably best to take things one step at a time. But feelings of loneliness and isolation can be overcome, and seniors can find satisfying new patterns and relationships in their lives!

At Senior Helpers, our Companion Caregivers are the perfect solution to keep your loved one company. Our Companion Caregivers will play games with your loved one, read to your loved one, accompany them on walks… and much, much more! To find out more about the types of services our caregivers can provide go to http://seniorhelpers.com/senior-care-service-list.

Too bad this is going to affect the dollars available for Elderly Care

Swine Flu Unusually Deadly for Young People

From the CDC

Top Safety Products for Seniors

Safety devices for your parents’ home can help you delay or avoid hiring personal caregivers. The best also help seniors steer clear of residential dangers deemed most common by the Home Safety Council: falls, poisoning, and fires and burns. Experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested a variety of home-safety products in its laboratories as well as with elderly consumers at the Carter Burden Center for the Aging in New York City. Here are their top choices.

Read the article in Good Housekeeping

Senior Helpers Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Our Grand Opening and Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting is Thursday 10/22 @ 10AM. Stop by for a Continental Breakfast and a Meet n Greet. We're at 301 Hesters Crossing, suite 206B in Round Rock.


Directions.

Olive Oil May Help Alzheimer's

 Extra Virgin, of course!

Olive oil transforms Alzheimer's studies

Breakthrough Discovery Could Lead to New Treatment for Alzheimer's

From: Elements4Health.

The results of a mouse study could lead to a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease that actually removes amyloid plaques from Alzheimer's brains.

Amyloid plaques are clumps of protein fragments that accumulate between the brain’s nerve cells and are considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

This breakthrough discovery is based on the unexpected finding that when the brain's immune cells (microglia) are activated by the interleukin-6 protein (IL-6), they actually remove plaques instead of causing them or making them worse. The research was performed in a model of Alzheimer's disease established in mice.

The researchers made this unexpected discovery when they initially set out to prove that the activation of microgila trigger inflammation, making Alzheimer's disease worse. Their hypothesis was that microglia would attempt to remove the plaques, but would be unable to do so, and in the process cause excessive inflammation. To the surprise of the researchers, when microglia were activated by IL-6, they cleared the plaques from the brains.

To do this, the researchers over-expressed IL-6 in the brains of newborn mice that had yet to develop any amyloid plaques, as well in mice with pre-existing plaques. Using somatic brain transgenesis technology, scientists analyzed the effect of IL-6 on brain neuro-inflammation and plaque deposition. In both groups of mice, the presence of IL-6 lead to the clearance of amyloid plaques from the brain.

Researchers then set out to determine exactly how IL-6 worked to clear the plaques and discovered that the inflammation induced by IL-6 directed the microglia to express proteins that removed the plaques. This research suggests that manipulating the brain's own immune cells through inflammatory mediators could lead to new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

References:
1. Pritam Das, et al. Massive gliosis induced by interleukin-6 suppresses A deposition in vivo: evidence against inflammation as a driving force for amyloid deposition. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.09-141754.

How Senior Helpers Can Help You and Your Aging Loved One

Our New TV Advertisement:

Hearing Aid Awareness Week turns up the volume on hearing loss issue

Every day thousands of people turn up the volume on their television and ask their family members to speak up because of hearing loss.
But most don’t really believe they have a problem.
“Hearing loss is an invisible injury,” said Margaret Dean, Ph.D., CC-A, section chief in Audiology. “There is no visible reminder that something is wrong and the condition is easily denied.”

How sick is too sick to go to work?

Advice on when you should just stay home.

CDC Podcast on Fighting the Flu

New CDC Podcast explains steps you can take to help you fight the flu. Take 3 Actions to Fight Flu: http://is.gd/48ybA

Home Health Care Industry Is Booming, According to New Report

From FRANdata:

October 10, 2009 - (ARLINGTON, Va) – The home health care industry is rapidly growing according to a new industry report released today by FRANdata. What’s more, demand for in-home care service is only expected to grow over the next decade as baby boomers continue to age and require assisted living services.

The industry grew by 13% each year between 2006-2008, adding hundreds of more units that provide non-medical assistance, home care, and other assistance such as shopping, cleaning and companionship services. Other services may include bathing and hygiene support or 24-nurse care. Significantly, the “Booming Growth: Franchises Serving the Growing Home Health Care Need” reports that the majority of brands have been in business for less than five years and no brand has emerged as the clear leader of the industry.

Should a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia stay home alone?

From the Examiner

Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias at some time will need to consider whether their loved one can stay home alone. This is an issue to discuss with your health care provider or with a professional who specializes in dementia care. Here are some points that might help guide your discussion.

Is Technology Keeping Up with The Needs of Today's Seniors?

 Watch the Interview

Laurie Orlov, the founder and senior analyst of Aging in Place Technology Watch, and the author of our Aging in Place Technology column recently sat down with Jill to discuss what she thought were the major components to the aging in place market—and where she thought our aging boomers would drive the industry as they begin to want and demand the technology and societal structures that mean they can safely stay in their homes.
In Orlov’s opinion there are four main components to the aging in place market:

1. Communication & Engagement. Staying connected to each other, their families and the outside world.
2. Home Safety & Security. As individuals become frail they will want products and services which allow them to stay in their home.
3. Health & Wellness. These boomers will want the technologies that can be used in the home for safety and convenience. Orlov also mentions how the landscape of healthcare will change as telehealth becomes more common.
4. Contribution & Learning. We will need to figure out ways to help elders stay sharp by ensuring their environment is changing and they can learn something new.

The Facts about How Ground Beef is Made: Cook well!

 I must admit, I'll be cooking my hamburgers well from now on!

 E. Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection

Scott and White Hospital Fundraiser

We attended the fundraising event benefiting the  Healing Garden at Scott & White Hospital last evening.

It was a great time. Plenty of food, live music and dancing. And my favorite  - a Texas Hold'em tournament! Made it to the final table with my eye on the prize - a very nice Resistol Beaver hat. Alas, my AQ with an Ace on the flop did not hold up! Nonetheless a great time was had by all - and for a great cause.

4 Ways French Women Stay Thin (Without the Gym)

By Mireille Guiliano

Editor’s Note: Mireille Guiliano is the internationally bestselling author of French Women Don’t Get Fat. Her latest book, Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility will appear in October. She can be reached at mireilleguiliano.com and frenchwomendontgetfat.com.

From the 15th floor windows of my New York City apartment, I have a clear view of a big and many windowed "health center," (aka a four-story gym complex). September is one of the gym’s busiest months. Right after Labor Day, active women, who I hope are incorporating daily outdoor activities with a seasonal summer flavor into their daily routines, flock indoors to the gym and an artificial routine of treadmills, exercise bikes and medieval torture devices. I see them sweating early mornings and late at night from my windows. I see them going and coming from my daily walk as I pass the gym.
  
It is a sign of the times — but also our American culture — that many women seem to have only two modes: sitting or spinning. They’re either avoiding even the slightest heart rate increase (like those women in my apartment building who take the elevator to the second floor) or they’re sentencing themselves to hours at the gym as punishment for their indulgences throughout the day. So often I see the begrudging look on women’s faces and hear the phrase, "I don’t want to go to the gym, but I have to." Pourquoi? If you are eating mindfully, and eating the correct portion sizes, you don’t have to torture yourself on those metal contraptions or run a marathon to stay trim. French women reject the notion of "no pain, no gain," opting for a more pleasurable notion of mild, sustained exertion. We prefer all-day movement, what I like to call "the slow burn," and we practice it as second nature instead of attacking it like boot camp.

Sleeping Beauty? 10 Sleeping Tips from the French

Lifestyle can cut Alzheimer's risk

From The Hereld of Monterey County:

The bad news is that every 70 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease. The good news is you can lower your odds of being one of them.

"There are no guarantees in this game, but by addressing lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, you can decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer's," said Dr. Richard Restak, Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C.
In Restak's book, "Think Smart," he lays out the key points of his "optimal brain health" plan, aimed at keeping a "healthy functional brain" into old age. The same recommendations are given by the Alzheimer's Association for people diagnosed with the disease.

H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Guidance from The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has prepared a web page with links to important influenza information provided by DSHS and CDC.

You can access the page, which is frequently updated, at:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm

Information essential to congregate facilities can be found at:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/Guidance-CongregateFacilities.shtm

The following link is to assist professionals in the decision-making process as it relates to the flu:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/DCHHS-H1N1.pdf

Under “Families and Individuals,” please read the following web page:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/flu-families.shtm

Under “Related Links,” at the bottom on the left-hand column, please refer to the following links for a listing of local health departments with their addresses and phone numbers:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/lhds.shtm
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/nonlhd.shtm

The CDC has several pages of information on seasonal flu, H1N1 and infection control:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol

Senior Helpers on the Local Austin TV News

For the work we are doing locally on Swine Flu prevention:

Watch the TV News Clip

Free flu prevention might help seniors

Kits were distributed in Round Rock

Updated: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2009, 5:39 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 30 Sep 2009, 4:38 PM CDT

• David Scott

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - Senior Helpers have been providing in-home assistance to seniors across 38 states since 2002. Now they have added a new service in senior care.
They are offering free flu prevention kits, that include a tip sheet with precautions, latex gloves, multivitamins, hand sanitizer and baby wipes. Anyone may procure a kit for the senior citizen in their life.
The kits were passed out Wednesday at the Alan Baca Senior Activities Center in Round Rock, where Flora Sule was grateful.
"For somebody to give this out for people freely, is quite appreciated," said Sule.
Folks at the center are taking the flu threat seriously, wiping down every public area every day and leaving sanitizer on every countertop. For more on the kits, go to the Senior Helpers Web site.

Distributing Swine Flu Prevention Packets

at The Round Rock Senior Center Today. And talking about prevention methods and precautions for the upcoming flu season. We want to make sure that every senior gets the word to take extra precautions as we enter a 'predicted' violent flu season.

14 Signs That an Aging Parent May Need Your Help

From: MyOptimumHealth

Children of aging parents should trust their instincts. If you think a parent needs help, take action before the situation gets worse.

Nancy knew that her parents were not getting around as well as they used to. Her mother was becoming forgetful and needed to be reminded to take her medication. Her father had recently fallen on the steps. Whenever she suggested getting a home health aide to assist them since she lived far away, they insisted they were fine.

But when Nancy got a call from her parents' long-time neighbor that their lawn hadn't been mowed in weeks and her mother was acting confused, she knew it was time to step in.

An older person's health can change without warning. Your 77-year-old dad who has never had a traffic ticket drives through a stop sign. Your highly organized mother neglects to pay the phone bill or feed the cat. Professionals in elder care advise children of aging parents to trust their instincts when they see danger signs and take action before the situation gets worse.


Signs that your parents might need help
The prospect of losing one's independence can be terrifying. Older adults can be proud and reject that they need help, despite appearances. Concerned adult children may need to look beyond what their parents are saying...and to clues that their caring attention is needed.

Your parents may need your help if...

1. They are not taking medication as prescribed.
2. Their driving skills have slipped.
3. They are neglecting bills or not depositing checks.
4. They fall prey to a financial scam or high-pressure sale.
5. Their clothes are not clean.
6. They are not brushing their teeth or shaving.
7. They have dropped their hobbies and friends.
8. They are eating poorly.
9. Their house and yard are not being tended to.
10. They are not taking proper care of pets.
11. They have limited contact with the outside world.
12. They seem confused or depressed.
13. They have lost bowel or bladder control.
14. They trip often or have trouble with stairs.

What to do?
If one of your parents appears to need help, make an appointment with a health care professional who is trained in evaluating the medical, emotional and lifestyle needs of the elderly. This expert could be a physician, home care professional, nurse or geriatric social worker.

A comprehensive assessment should include your parent's mental and physical health, living space and daily lifestyle. The purpose is to identify risks and determine what assistance or preventive measures could improve the parent's quality of life. The recommendations could include medication; home health care; home safety modifications; strategies for managing loss of bladder or bowel control; vision loss; or treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Involve your parent in any decisions that need to be made. By addressing age-related problems early, there is a much greater chance that an older parent can continue to live independently for more years than would be possible otherwise.

Flow by Author & Speaker Dan Thurmon

I recently listened to a superb motivational speech by Dan Thurmon. Here is an article on "Flow" that is very motivating too:

Don’t you just love it when things go smoothly? At such times, events, tasks, and conversations seem to happen naturally, and in a way that flows with perfect timing and seamless execution? We have all enjoyed these wonderful occasions. But we are also familiar (perhaps, more so) with the opposite experience, when obtaining progress seems to require supreme effort.

The concept of “flow”—this elusive and wonderful mode of operation—fascinates me, and I have always been drawn to questions surrounding the subject, such as:

• What is the state of flow, and how does it relate to human performance?
• Does flow happen accidentally or intentionally?
• How can we recapture or reproduce this state when it matters most?

When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert

A great article from the NY Times:

CARING for an elderly parent is emotionally and mentally draining. There are diagnoses to decipher, housing issues to consider, health aides to vet and a raft of legal documents to complete. It can seem overwhelming, even when families are in complete agreement on how to care for an elderly relative. And often they are not.

Read the rest of the article.

Swine Flu Prevention Tips

At Senior Helpers we care about every senior and their well-being. Here are some tips we have to help seniors better understand what the swine flu is and how to prevent infection to you and your loved ones.

Q: What is swine flu?
A: It's a common respiratory disease in pigs that doesn't usually spread to people. When pigs catch this flu, many get quite sick, and 1% to 4% die, according to the World Health Organization. In the past, people have sometimes caught swine flu if they worked directly with pigs.

Q: How is this swine flu virus different?
A: This strain appears to be a subtype not seen before in humans or pigs, with genetic material from pigs, bird and humans, according to experts. Unlike most cases of swine flu, this one can spread from person to person. One of the confirmed cases in the USA caught swine flu from a spouse, who had been to Mexico.

Q: Were pigs the carriers of this virus?
A: It's closer to say that pigs were the mixing bowl for this virus. Birds can't pass bird flu to people. But pigs are uniquely susceptible to getting flu viruses that infect birds. Experts have long worried that a pig would catch a bird strain of the flu and then the virus would mutate inside the pig to a form that could also infect other mammals. That may be what happened in this case. Pigs can also be infected with more than one influenza virus at a time, allowing the viruses to share genes, called "genetic re-assortment," creating new and potentially much more virulent viruses.

Q: Can you catch swine flu from eating pork?
A: No, according to experts. Pigs coming in to slaughter facilities are monitored for flu symptoms, and those that are ill are not allowed to enter the food supply. Cooking also kills the virus. People who work with pigs, however, can catch the virus. The Department of Agriculture is conducting tests to confirm that the food supply is safe.

Q:Is there a vaccine against swine flu?
A:No, but government scientists could try to create one. They've identified the virus, should they decide to create a vaccine they can work toward that goal very quickly. CDC scientists don't know if this year's flu vaccine offers any protection.

Q:What about anti-virals? Can they prevent swine flu?
A:This strain of swine flu does appear sensitive to the antiviral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu, but not to amantadine, or Symmetrel, and rimantadine, or Flumadine, Besser said. With normal seasonal flus, if taken within the first 48 hours after symptoms appear, anti-virals can help people recover a day or two sooner. Doctors sometimes prescribe anti-virals to household members of people with the flu to prevent them from getting sick.

Q:What are the symptoms?
A:The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing, although some people also develop a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the official diagnosis.

Q:What should you do if you have these symptoms?
A:Stay home from work or school, to avoid spreading your illness to other people. Don't get on an airplane. People should call their doctors to ask about the best treatment, but should not simply show up at a clinic or hospital that is unprepared for their arrival.

Q:How can people protect themselves?
A:As always, people should wash their hands frequently. In the past, there isn't conclusive evidence to support using face masks. Surgical masks are designed to prevent the wearer from spreading germs, but may also catch large respiratory droplets if someone sneezes nearby.

All seniors should be constantly aware of any sickness that is spreading around them since they are the most prone to becoming more ill than most. Senior Helpers can provide clean and efficient services to sharply reduce the chance of you or your loved ones attaining the swine flu virus.

Give a Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package

Let's all take care of our Senior family members and friends during this flu season:

Experts urge families to protect elderly after seniors left off vaccination priority list. Almost 10% of U.S. Swine Flu deaths occurred in people over age 65.

Holly Springs, NC, September 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Remember all those care packages your parents sent you to heal a broken heart, feed you at college or make your birthday memorable? Now children/grandchildren can send aging relatives a care package of their own with the Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package. Some senior groups complain senior citizens did not make the government's priority list for Swine-Flu vaccinations. So senior care experts warn relatives it's their job to keep elderly loved ones safe.

"This season's flu outbreak is a constantly changing dynamic situation and families must be vigilant, especially with seniors," says Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers. "If you have aging out-of-town relatives, send them a prevention care package and/or hire a caregiver to go into their home and help them take precautions. In- home caregivers are trained to spot symptoms and get seniors immediate help."

This year, The White House advised Swine Flu could infect half the U.S. population, hospitalize 1.8 million people and lead to as many as 90,000 deaths. The government's vaccination priority list that left off seniors did include pregnant women, health care workers, people caring for infants, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years and people age 25 - 64 with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes. Seniors are not as likely to get Swine Flu because they have some immunity, having been exposed to multiple flu outbreaks. Still, since April, the CDC reports more than 9 thousand U.S. hospitalizations from Swine Flu (not broken down by age). Swine Flu has killed 593 people - 171 deaths in adults age 50-64 and 57 deaths in adults ages 65 and older. So Senior Helpers, the fastest growing provider of in-home care for seniors, says families should not take chances.

"In this massive outbreak, we don't want families to get lackadaisical about looking out for elderly loved ones," says Ross. "If your aging relative gets really sick from Swine Flu, you'll wish you had done something. The kit is one way to help protect seniors from Swine Flu and even seasonal flu, especially if you live apart from your aging relatives."

You can assemble the Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package for less than $20. For other prevention suggestions, go to www.Flu.gov.

The Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package includes:

• Senior Swine Flu Tip Sheet (available to download at www.seniorhelpers.com)
• Latex gloves - to wear when opening doors, shopping, etc. to avoid picking up germs.
• Vitamins
• Hand Sanitizer - Pocket size bottles can easily be kept in purses, cars, briefcases and desks.
• Baby Wipes - Seniors should wipe down hands, door knobs, car doors, pens, etc..