I just spoke with Robert Kimmons of the Austin Fire Department (AFD) this morning. He called to let me know that AFD has a program called ZERO FIRE DEATHS where AFD will go to a Senior's home and install smoke detectors - FOR FREE.
Here is a link to their Website for more info. DO NOT worry about the income requirements, they will install the smoke detectors for anyone who needs them. The only requirement, as far as I understand, is that the Senior be in Austin. And, they do not even need to be a senior! It can be anyone.
Remember, Seniors with dementia [including Alzheimer's] often loose their sense of smell so this program can be a life saver!
The best way to participate is to call 512-974-0290 and leave a message.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Where is your arthritis pain?
Search the area of the body that you find most painful with a NEW & EASY-TO-USE tool.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Looking for a Great B&B in the Hill Country of Texas?
Try the Mt. Gainor Inn in Dripping Springs. We stayed there this past weekend when we went to see Dierks Bentley play at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Both the concert and the Inn were fantastic! Blueberry Pecan Waffles....YUMMMMMMMMM!
Mt. Gainor Inn
2390 Prochnow Rd
Dripping Springs, Texas
512.858.0982
1.888.644.0982
laurie@mtgainorinn.com
Mt. Gainor Inn
2390 Prochnow Rd
Dripping Springs, Texas
512.858.0982
1.888.644.0982
laurie@mtgainorinn.com
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Health Officials Recall 380 Million Eggs Over Salmonella Outbreak: Including Texas!
ATLANTA — Hundreds of people have been sickened in a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs in three states and possibly more, and health officials on Wednesday dramatically expanded a recall to 380 million eggs.
Please pay attention to the recall and if in doubt just discard your eggs. Read the whole article here.
Please pay attention to the recall and if in doubt just discard your eggs. Read the whole article here.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Homecare After Hip Surgery in Seniors Increases Survival Rate, Study Finds
Homecare After Hip Surgery in Seniors Increases Survival Rate, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Aug. 16, 2010) — Seniors who received home care after discharge from hospital for partial hip surgery (hemiarthroplasty) were 43% less likely to die in the three months following the procedure, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). However, less than 16% of elderly patients discharged home after partial hip surgery in the study group received home care.
The study looked at 11,326 men and women aged 65 and older in Quebec who had partial hip surgery between 1997 and 2004. Those who were discharged with home care support were younger, more likely to have been treated in a teaching hospital and lower volume hospitals, and to have stayed more than 7 days in hospital. They were also more likely to have a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure. Men were at higher risk of death compared to women and those who stayed longer in hospital had increased survival rates.
"Comorbidity, with the exception of a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure, did not seem to influence the likelihood of receiving home care after discharge," writes Dr. Elham Rahme, researcher in epidemiology at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre with coauthors. "This indicates perhaps that receiving this care may depend on availability, rather than need of the service."
A report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that Quebec is the Canadian province that spends the least on home services but has the highest number of home care requests.
The authors conclude that their findings that homecare affects survival rates "has significant public health implications and requires further investigation."
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Canadian Medical Association Journal, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
________________
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816122134.htm
ScienceDaily (Aug. 16, 2010) — Seniors who received home care after discharge from hospital for partial hip surgery (hemiarthroplasty) were 43% less likely to die in the three months following the procedure, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). However, less than 16% of elderly patients discharged home after partial hip surgery in the study group received home care.
The study looked at 11,326 men and women aged 65 and older in Quebec who had partial hip surgery between 1997 and 2004. Those who were discharged with home care support were younger, more likely to have been treated in a teaching hospital and lower volume hospitals, and to have stayed more than 7 days in hospital. They were also more likely to have a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure. Men were at higher risk of death compared to women and those who stayed longer in hospital had increased survival rates.
"Comorbidity, with the exception of a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure, did not seem to influence the likelihood of receiving home care after discharge," writes Dr. Elham Rahme, researcher in epidemiology at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre with coauthors. "This indicates perhaps that receiving this care may depend on availability, rather than need of the service."
A report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that Quebec is the Canadian province that spends the least on home services but has the highest number of home care requests.
The authors conclude that their findings that homecare affects survival rates "has significant public health implications and requires further investigation."
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Canadian Medical Association Journal, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
________________
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816122134.htm
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Caregivers: Making the transition from hospital to home easier
By (ARA)
(ARA) - Coming home from the hospital or other care setting after an illness or surgery can be worrisome for both patients and the friends and family members who care for them. Planning ahead can make the process much easier. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has advice that is useful to the millions of Americans who are actively involved in caregiving. Through its caregiver initiative, Ask Medicare, CMS recommends the following steps to prepare for a transition:
* Plan ahead: You can - and should - start thinking about the discharge process well in advance, even as early as at the time of admission. CMS has a helpful checklist of key points in its "Planning for Your Discharge" guide, available at the "Medicare Basics" link on the home page of the Ask Medicare website at www.medicare.gov/caregivers. This checklist will help you prepare for the next steps in care.
* Get ready for new responsibilities: Talk to hospital staff about what you will need to do at home, who will show you how to properly carry out any new tasks you will be taking on, such as administering medication, using medical equipment, changing bandages or giving shots.
* Make needed changes to your home: You might need to rearrange your home to have room for items such as a hospital bed, walker or a wheelchair. You might need to consider installing a ramp in place of stairs - be sure to ask the hospital staff what will be needed. You should also remove area rugs and other items that may cause falls and group electrical cords together with ties or clips to keep them clear of high-traffic areas.
* Prepare for extra costs: The person you are caring for may need new medical services or medicines after coming home. Medicare may cover some of these costs, but not all. You can learn about services and care that are covered by Medicare at the "Help With Billing" and "Is It Covered?" links at the Ask Medicare home page.
* Keep a list of key contacts: Put contact information for doctors, pharmacists, home care agency staff and others involved in the care process where you can easily find them.
* Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you're overwhelmed, don't hesitate to ask a friend or family member to lend a hand. If paid home health services are needed, you can learn more about home health services in the "Medicare and Home Health Care" booklet, which is also accessible at the Ask Medicare home page.
It's also important to keep a file of resources on hand and to bookmark useful web sites, including Ask Medicare, the United Hospital Fund's "Next Step in Care" initiative at www.nextstepincare.org and AARP's caregiving site at www.aarp.org/caregivers. More information can be accessed through www.healthcare.gov, a new web portal offered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Coming home from the hospital or other care setting after an illness or surgery can be worrisome for both patients and the friends and family members who care for them. Planning ahead can make the process much easier. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has advice that is useful to the millions of Americans who are actively involved in caregiving. Through its caregiver initiative, Ask Medicare, CMS recommends the following steps to prepare for a transition:
* Plan ahead: You can - and should - start thinking about the discharge process well in advance, even as early as at the time of admission. CMS has a helpful checklist of key points in its "Planning for Your Discharge" guide, available at the "Medicare Basics" link on the home page of the Ask Medicare website at www.medicare.gov/caregivers. This checklist will help you prepare for the next steps in care.
* Get ready for new responsibilities: Talk to hospital staff about what you will need to do at home, who will show you how to properly carry out any new tasks you will be taking on, such as administering medication, using medical equipment, changing bandages or giving shots.
* Make needed changes to your home: You might need to rearrange your home to have room for items such as a hospital bed, walker or a wheelchair. You might need to consider installing a ramp in place of stairs - be sure to ask the hospital staff what will be needed. You should also remove area rugs and other items that may cause falls and group electrical cords together with ties or clips to keep them clear of high-traffic areas.
* Prepare for extra costs: The person you are caring for may need new medical services or medicines after coming home. Medicare may cover some of these costs, but not all. You can learn about services and care that are covered by Medicare at the "Help With Billing" and "Is It Covered?" links at the Ask Medicare home page.
* Keep a list of key contacts: Put contact information for doctors, pharmacists, home care agency staff and others involved in the care process where you can easily find them.
* Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you're overwhelmed, don't hesitate to ask a friend or family member to lend a hand. If paid home health services are needed, you can learn more about home health services in the "Medicare and Home Health Care" booklet, which is also accessible at the Ask Medicare home page.
It's also important to keep a file of resources on hand and to bookmark useful web sites, including Ask Medicare, the United Hospital Fund's "Next Step in Care" initiative at www.nextstepincare.org and AARP's caregiving site at www.aarp.org/caregivers. More information can be accessed through www.healthcare.gov, a new web portal offered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Senior Helpers is Hiring Caregivers!
Senior Helpers, Central Texas’ premiere In-Home Care Agency, is hiring!!!
301 Hesters Crossing
in the Westridge Office Park
Suite 206B (middle Courtyard)
Round Rock, TX 78681
Fax 512-597-3109
Please Go to this link and fill out the application: http://seniorhelpers.com/roundrock/apply-online
Alternatively you may print out the application and fax or mail it to us:
http://seniorhelpers.com/files/4828/Caregiver_Employment_Application_MH.pdf
We will call you to set up an interview if your qualifications meet our requirements.
Senior Helpers serves Williamson, Travis, Burnet and Bell Counties.
Senior Helpers provides in home, non-skilled services, that care for a variety of people with various needs and disabilities. Our mission is to provide a full range of private pay in-home services by trained and qualified staff in a professional, courteous, and caring manner. We offer our caregivers FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES
Caregiving is as rewarding for the caregiver as it is for the person receiving the care. Our caregivers have the support of our trained staff and we provide on-going state-of-the-art education. We provide our caregivers at the skills to ensure professionalism, enthusiasm, and compassion for seniors. We offer our caregivers consistent cases where they establish a relationship with the client and family. Caregiving in the home is very rewarding enabling our clients to remain in control of their own lives with you as their personal assistant.
We are currently looking for applicants with the following skills:
If you're compassionate towards the elderly and would enjoy the satisfaction of helping them remain independent while living at home AND are a licensed caregiver (CNA) or a qualified Home Health Aide, a caregiving opportunity may be for you!
We require at least 1 year of experience working with the elderly in a companion and/or personal care assistance environment and a valid driver’s license with a dependable mode of transportation.
We are anxious to help you put your skills to work in the personal care field. We have flexible schedules ranging from short visits to live-in cases. Come join our team to become a part of a new and rewarding career.
You may also visit our website at www.seniorhelpers.com/roundrock to read about our agency.
301 Hesters Crossing
in the Westridge Office Park
Suite 206B (middle Courtyard)
Round Rock, TX 78681
Fax 512-597-3109
Please Go to this link and fill out the application: http://seniorhelpers.com/roundrock/apply-online
Alternatively you may print out the application and fax or mail it to us:
http://seniorhelpers.com/files/4828/Caregiver_Employment_Application_MH.pdf
We will call you to set up an interview if your qualifications meet our requirements.
Senior Helpers serves Williamson, Travis, Burnet and Bell Counties.
Senior Helpers provides in home, non-skilled services, that care for a variety of people with various needs and disabilities. Our mission is to provide a full range of private pay in-home services by trained and qualified staff in a professional, courteous, and caring manner. We offer our caregivers FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES
Caregiving is as rewarding for the caregiver as it is for the person receiving the care. Our caregivers have the support of our trained staff and we provide on-going state-of-the-art education. We provide our caregivers at the skills to ensure professionalism, enthusiasm, and compassion for seniors. We offer our caregivers consistent cases where they establish a relationship with the client and family. Caregiving in the home is very rewarding enabling our clients to remain in control of their own lives with you as their personal assistant.
We are currently looking for applicants with the following skills:
If you're compassionate towards the elderly and would enjoy the satisfaction of helping them remain independent while living at home AND are a licensed caregiver (CNA) or a qualified Home Health Aide, a caregiving opportunity may be for you!
We require at least 1 year of experience working with the elderly in a companion and/or personal care assistance environment and a valid driver’s license with a dependable mode of transportation.
We are anxious to help you put your skills to work in the personal care field. We have flexible schedules ranging from short visits to live-in cases. Come join our team to become a part of a new and rewarding career.
You may also visit our website at www.seniorhelpers.com/roundrock to read about our agency.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Things Your Butcher Won't Tell You
The Readers Digest Version.
1. Don’t be fooled by supermarket brand names like Butcher’s Brand, Rancher’s Reserve, and Blue Ribbon. The label to look for is USDA Quality Grade. Prime is the best (and most expensive), followed by choice, select, then standard.
Read the Whole Thing.
1. Don’t be fooled by supermarket brand names like Butcher’s Brand, Rancher’s Reserve, and Blue Ribbon. The label to look for is USDA Quality Grade. Prime is the best (and most expensive), followed by choice, select, then standard.
Read the Whole Thing.
Monday, August 9, 2010
I chatted with KLBJ Today Regarding Heat Dangers for the Elderly
Officials with a local personal assistance service warn that triple-digit temperatures can take a big toll on a vulnerable segment of the population, even when they avoid the sun.
Frank Hayes, president of Senior Helpers of Central Texas, says senior citizens are aware of heat warnings. That message is getting out. “But they don’t, a lot of times pay attention to them, because they don’t think that they belong to the group being targeted.”
But that's not the only problem. Due to cost considerations, Hayes says many seniors run their fans with the air-conditioner turned off and the windows closed. He says that leads to rapid dehydration. Hayes say there are more deaths due to oppressive heat than all other disasters combined.
Link Here.
Frank Hayes, president of Senior Helpers of Central Texas, says senior citizens are aware of heat warnings. That message is getting out. “But they don’t, a lot of times pay attention to them, because they don’t think that they belong to the group being targeted.”
But that's not the only problem. Due to cost considerations, Hayes says many seniors run their fans with the air-conditioner turned off and the windows closed. He says that leads to rapid dehydration. Hayes say there are more deaths due to oppressive heat than all other disasters combined.
Link Here.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Local Seniors Often Ignore Heat Warnings
Study finds heat warnings targeting the elderly are largely dismissed
For Immediate Release
August 6, 2010
Media Contact:
Frank Hayes, fhayes@seniorhelpers.com
(512) 388-4357
(Round Rock, TX) - August 6, 2010 – This summer has been brutally hot across most of Central Texas, and while heat alerts warning of specific dangers to the local elderly population are being widely issued – they seem to be largely falling on deaf ears.
A recent study out of Kent State University polling major U.S. cities found that nearly 90 percent of respondents over the age of 65 were aware that heat warnings had been issued in their area, but only half of those people did anything about it. The survey found that most seniors thought the messages were targeted toward “older Americans,” a group to which they did not think they belonged.
According to Central Texas senior care experts from Senior Helpers, the fastest growing provider of in-home senior care across the nation, this disconnect can pose a significant problem when temperatures reach dangerous levels – especially for elderly loved ones living on their own.
“It really is a matter of perceived vulnerability, which is a common issue that we all have to face as we get older,” said Frank Hayes, President with Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Nobody wants to admit that they simply aren’t as physically capable of dealing with factors like extreme heat as they once were. This is why it’s so important to have a second set of eyes available to check in on older friends, family and neighbors when temperatures are consistently as hot as they have been.”
“Elderly individuals might not realize they are over-exerting themselves by doing things they used to be able to do easily on their own, even in the middle of the day,” Hayes added.
By taking some very basic precautions, seniors can decrease their potential for heat-related health issues, whether they decide to acknowledge official heat warnings or not.
Top 5 Ways for Local Seniors to Beat the Central Texas Heat:
- Stay well hydrated – keep drinking water throughout the course of the day, even if you’re not thirsty.
- Stay out of the sun – Do chores in the morning and evening, and if you venture out for anything longer than a couple minutes, use plenty of sunscreen.
- Keep the shades pulled – closing blinds and curtains can go a long way to keeping the house cool, even in triple digit temperatures.
- Hunker down in the afternoon – the hottest part of the day is from 3-5 p.m., and taking a nap or watching a good movie during this time is a great way to pass the most dangerous hours.
- Eat plenty, but eat light – heavy foods like lots of meat and cheese tend to make your body work harder to digest them, which uses more water and generates more body heat.
“Seniors are more at-risk than other age groups for most heat-related health problems, but taking these simple steps can reduce the risks dramatically,” says Hayes. “It’s important for seniors to be smart in these hot summer conditions. Having someone available to check on them, even for an hour per day, can make a huge difference.”
For more information on Senior Helpers and to find out more about local in-home care services, visit www.seniorhelpers.com.
# # #
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has over 300 franchises in 42 states and one in Canada offering 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.
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