Do You Know How to Perform The Heimlich Maneuver?

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver in 6 Different Situations

When They Won’t Spend the Money

Sometimes resistance couched in financial terms has little to do with money at all. Maybe a parent can’t accept his need for help, dreads dependency and loss of control, fears mortality itself. “I can’t afford it” provides a good all-purpose excuse.

Or maybe, Ms. Moscowitz points out, what connects busy children to their parents are tasks and obligations, leaving the elders to wonder: “If I hire someone to do what my daughter does for me, will I see my daughter?”

Having money and not spending it may be a problem lots of caregivers wish their families had, but it’s a problem nonetheless. “Money is a very emotionally charged issue,” Ms. Modigliani said. “It’s hard for rationality to rule.”

Read the whole article

Senior Helpers Says You’re Never Too Old for Skin Cancer Awareness

In light of new FDA sunscreen guidelines, seniors and their families are encouraged to be sun smart

(July 2011) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Each year, nearly a million people in this country will learn they have skin cancer…and the risk continues to rise as you get older. Senior Helpers of Arkansas, AR, one of the leading in-home care providers of senior care in the Arkansas area, is raising awareness about new FDA guidelines regarding sunscreens, which apply to people of all ages, not just young children and adults.

“Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes, according to the American Cancer Society,” says Moire Hayes with Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “Most skin cancers appear after the age of 45 and it’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun. We encourage seniors to get some fresh air and exercise to stay active, but their skin is more sensitive than others. Even if they’re going outside for a short 15 minute walk, caregivers are there to help them apply their sunscreen as needed.”

What We’ve Learned From the FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines:

Sun protection is an important public health issue for people of all ages. The FDA just released their new guidelines when it comes to proper product labeling and UVA protection:

• . . . There is no such thing as “sweat proof” and “waterproof” sunscreens. These words are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.

• . . . Sunscreens can claim to be “water resistant,” but the company has to put a label on their product stating the sunscreen only offers 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating.

• . . . You must reapply sunscreen every two hours for continued sun protection.

• . . . Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, also known as “broad spectrum” protection.

• . . . Only broad spectrum sunscreens with 15 SPF or higher provide any type of sun protection (15 – 30 SPF is recommended).

“The sun doesn’t discriminate against age,” say Hayes of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “When seniors are exposed to too much sun, they risk being severely dehydrated. Our caregivers can make sure the seniors are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water or taking a cold bath to help prevent and/or recover from dehydration. They can also provide ways for seniors to socialize without having to be out in the sun, such as taking their daily walk inside malls or museums or making sure they’re in the shade and properly protecting themselves while spending time outside.”

Give Your Senior the Gift of Sun Protection:

• . . . Special UV radiation-absorbing clothes — the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.

• . . . Wrap-around sunglasses that offer UV protection.

• . . . A hat with at least a three-inch brim all the way around — sun hats provide protection for not only your head, face and ears, but also your neck, shoulders and upper back.

• . . . Look for products that have earned the Skin Cancer Seal of Recommendation.

Sources: American Cancer Society, The Skin Cancer Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide 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. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .

Senior Helpers in the Austin Business Journal

Demand growing for In Home Senior Care.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide 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. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .

The Fight Against Shingles Falters

By PAULA SPAN

From The New Old Age

When last we discussed why so few older people take advantage of the vaccine against shingles — a nasty viral disease with sometimes debilitating consequences that afflicts one million Americans each year — a number of New Old Age readers asked a logical question.

Because the risk of shingles rises with age, and so do the severity of the symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends the vaccine, Zostavax, only for those over age 60. “I have wondered, why wait for age 60 to get the vaccine?” commented Eric from Sacramento. “I know of multiple people who got shingles in their 50s.”

“I was in my late 50s when I heard about the shingles vaccine a couple of years ago,” added Janem from Port Richmond, Calif. “Although I pleaded with my Kaiser doctor to give me the vaccine, she refused, citing the protocol.”
The good news, kind of, is that the Food and Drug Administration has since approved Zostavax for people aged 50 to 59. But the vaccine remains hard to find, cumbersome to get reimbursed for, and not nearly as widely used as researchers had hoped.

Read my article about it in Tuesday’s Science Times, and please share your thoughts in the comments section.

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Paula Span is the author of “When the Time Comes: Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions.”

SENIOR HELPERS’ AFFORDABLE CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW/NO COST IN-HOME SENIOR CARE

SENIOR HELPERS’ AFFORDABLE CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW/NO COST IN-HOME SENIOR CARE

Hospitals, Care Providers and Seniors Benefit from Reduced Costs and Medicare Savings

(Round Rock, Texas) – Living at home can often be seen as a luxury for senior citizens because not everyone can afford to pay for care.  Senior Helpers of Central Texas, a leading in-home provider of senior care in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown and surrounding locales, is helping to make that a more affordable option for our aging loved ones.  Senior Helpers is now working with area hospitals, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies to provide seniors with affordable or no cost access to home care.  These partnerships will ultimately produce more positive outcomes for seniors who are discharged to their homes.

“Many of our patients need more consistent care than we are able to provide due to Medicare guidelines,” says Traci Boyle, R.N. Clinical Team Manager at Home Care Dimensions. “This program allows for those patients who need more assistance in their homes to be able to have a peace of mind knowing there are more sets of eyes and helping hands available to help keep them safe and at home.  One of the largest obstacles facing the vast majority of our senior citizens today is living on a fixed-income.  The Affordable Care Program allows us to target the patients with the highest needs and risk of re-hospitalization.”  

The Affordable Care Program is funded solely by Senior Helpers.  10 percent of the services Senior Helpers receives from a health care provider’s referrals are donated to the Affordable Care Program.  Those funds can then be directed by the local health provider who can determine how to best help their respective patient base. Some patients may receive Pro Bono services and some may receive a highly discounted rate.

“Home Care Dimensions is able to select the patients who do not qualify for government assistance due to making too much money, but yet are clearly in need of care,” says Boyle.  “We refer to these people as the “lost middle”.   We are very grateful to Senior Helpers for creating this innovative program and working with us to serve our community.”

In addition to helping seniors improve their individual outcomes, the Senior Helpers’ Affordable Care Program can save hospitals and rehabilitation facilities tens of thousands of dollars in Medicare reimbursements and penalties. 

“Facilities we work with are sometimes charged by Medicare if their patients return to the hospital or a skilled nursing facility within a certain time frame after discharge,” says Frank Hayes, President of Senior Helpers of Central Texas. “The Senior Helpers program can provide more Aides in the home to ensure the senior is better taken care of and has the best chance for recovery.  We look forward to working with many health care facilities in Central Texas to expand the program to a wider audience.”

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About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers Provides in home senior care services throughout Central Texas servicing Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and all surrounding areas. We provide 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. Home care services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a thorough background check. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock .

New Quiz Helps You Decide If Dear Ol’ Dad Needs Help

Research shows dads won’t ask for help 

Quiz helps adult children have that ‘oh-­‐so tough’ talk

(June 9, 2011) - It’s one of the most difficult conversations adult children can have with aging parents, especially those stubborn dads. Can your parents live independently? Or is time to reach out for help? Just in time for Father’s Day, Senior Helpers, a leading in-­‐home care provider, has created a new quiz for adult children to determine their father’s self-­‐sufficiency. The Stay At Home Score Quiz (www.stayathomescore.com) has eight easy questions that help families make difficult decisions about the independence of their aging loved ones.

“It’s a common scenario for aging parents, especially independent dads, to insist they’re well enough to live in their own homes even if they’re not,” says Dr. John Bowling, senior care and positive aging expert, and creator of the Senior Helpers’ Stay At Home Score Quiz. “After years of research, I developed this quiz to give adult children a guideline to determine their parents’ needs, if they are self-­‐sufficient, if they can live at home with help from an in-­‐home caregiver, or if it’s time to move them to a place where they get round-­‐the-­‐clock care.”

Stay At Home Score Quiz

The quiz was developed after decades of working with the elderly and studying the aging process that may suddenly make it unhealthy and unsafe for a senior citizen to live alone.

Sample Quiz Questions:

• Does your dad have easy access to a caring support system of family and friends whom he can rely on for daily assistance with physical, financial, and emotional needs?

• Does your dad regularly cook for himself, shop for groceries without assistance, and keep the home well-­‐stocked with fresh and healthy foods?

• Does your dad maintain the same level of social activity and friendships that he did five years ago?

After taking the quiz, Dr. Bowling says adult children will have at least a good discussion point about the self sufficiency of dad or any aging loved one.

“This quiz would’ve been a great tool to help my mom focus on our dad’s condition instead of her own emotions about not wanting to bring in outside help,” says Susie Thomas of Madison, Alabama. Susie’s father is 74 years old with a neurodegenerative disease called ALS. “When my siblings and I were all trying to talk my mom into hiring a caregiver for Dad, I think she felt like we were ganging up on her. It would’ve been nice to sit down and show her this quiz and use it as a mediator to provide an unbiased opinion. Now, we have such a peace of mind knowing my dad is in good hands.”

Six Telling Signs (regarding your father) That You Should Take the Stay At Home Score Quiz (Source: the Council on Aging):

• Poor eating habits -­‐ resulting in weight loss, no appetite or missed meals.
• Neglected hygiene -­‐ wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth.
• Neglected home -­‐ it’s not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up.
• Scorched pots and pans -­‐ shows forgetfulness for dinner cooking on the stove.
• Unopened mail, newspaper piles, missed appointments.
• Mishandled finances -­‐ losing money, paying bills twice or hiding money.

The Stay At Home Score Quiz would have been a big help for a Senior Helpers client, Arnie, a 78-­‐year-­‐old veteran with mild dementia. He was suffering from depression and not eating well, until he began receiving care from Senior Helpers. “I wish this quiz had been available years ago,” says licensed, clinical social worker, Anne Grasee, who cares for Arnie. “I could have introduced Arnie to Senior Helpers that much earlier.” She says Arnie’s life has turned around since he realized he needed outside help from a caregiver. He now has a companion who visits him and gets him out of the house on a weekly basis.

Other Study/Survey Findings About Dads:

• Dad will overwhelmingly choose to live at home and may try to prove he’s independent, even when he’s not. In a newly released national survey, 94% of fathers surveyed say they would rather live in their own home as they age instead of moving in with any of their children or to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

• Since men are competitive and success oriented by nature, Senior Helpers suggests to approach Dad by acknowledging the courage it takes to ask for and accept assistance and then pointing out why it is a good idea.

• The contrast between men’s and women’s help-­‐seeking behavior is a “growing concern,” according to a 2008 study from the University of Cincinnati and the Medical University of South Carolina. It found that in the U.S., boys learn at an early age that men should be strong, independent, tough and self-­‐ reliant.

TAKE THE 8 QUESTION QUIZ www.stayathomescore.com

About Senior Helpers of Central Texas 

Senior Helpers Provides Senior In Home Care Services in the Central, 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. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Austin Home Health Care Company. Learn more about Senior Helpers at www.HomeHealthCareAustin.com or www.SeniorHelpers.com/RoundRock

Senior Helpers Client Referral Form

Need to refer a Senior to Senior Helpers? Fill out as much information as you know and fax or email the Referral Form (below) to Senior Helpers of Central Texas.Fax: 512-597-3109  Senior Helpers Client Referral Form

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Mean old girls: Seniors who bully

Bullying doesn't always end in high school — it also happens in retirement communities

By Diane Mapes
When Nancy Murphy moved into a retirement community near Portland, Ore., she didn't realize she'd actually traveled back in time.

"I came into breakfast one morning and this woman sitting at a nearby table sees me and says, 'Well, would you look at the new girl? She has WET HAIR!'" says Murphy, a 75-year-old retired schoolteacher. "She did this three mornings in a row. Then I found a flyer in my mailbox with a copy of the house dress rules. I know she tucked it in there."

Murphy, who's lived at the facility just under two months, says she ignores the woman's jabs — "I refer to her as Harriet High School" — but others at the nursing home have confided they're afraid of her.

"I had dinner with two gentlemen the other night and they said she terrifies them," she says. "That she's dictatorial, demanding, critical — classic bully behavior."

While much scrutiny and study has been devoted to bullying in grade school and high school these last few years, less attention has been paid to another category of bullies: those with gray hair, false teeth, hearing aids and canes. But according to experts, gray-haired bullies do exist and, as with their younger counterparts, their behavior can run the gamut from verbal intimidation to physical violence.

"It's kind of an institutional thing," says gerontology expert Robin Bonifas, an assistant professor at Arizona State University School of Social Work, who's currently researching senior-to-senior bullying. "It tends to take place in senior centers or nursing homes or assisted living facilities, places where they're spending a lot of time and need to share resources, whether it's chairs or tables or TV stations or staff attention."

Mary Noriega, a 64-year-old from Phoenix, says she has had run-ins with a group of "mean girls" at the senior complex where she and her husband moved a year and a half ago.
"I've endured a lot of bullying," she says. "There's a clique here of probably 20 women and they feel they control the property. I'm their kicking stone."

Story: Mickey Rooney gets order against bullying stepson

Aging Without Children

If you don’t have someone who has strong ties to you, who is younger enough to be alert, at some point you are subject to whatever happens. Prepare in advance as much as possible!

How independent is my senior parent?

This 8-question quiz can help you find out.

Developed by senior care expert Dr. John Bowling, the quiz will help determine whether your parent can live independently in his or her own home. 

The questions address a variety of factors that are critical to your parent's safety and well-being, including family support, mobility, memory, social interactions, and personal hygiene. 

Each question can be answered on a sliding scale from "ALWAYS" to "NEVER." Simply move the slider to indicate your response. 

Upon completion of the quiz, you will receive a quantifiable score that will indicate your parent's level of at-home independence and self-sufficiency.

 Take The Quiz Now.

In a Graying Population, Business Opportunity

Now that the oldest baby boomers are turning 65, he says, their sheer numbers may attract industries that had earlier shied away. “If you are a Fortune 100 company, or an inventor in a garage, where are you going to find another demographic that is that large, that robust in spending power, that open to new possibilities, and that underserved?” he asks. “There’s nothing to rival it.” Read the NY Times article

Senior Helpers' President Joins Austin Groups for the Elderly Board of Directors

This month Frank Hayes, President of Senior Helpers of Central Texas, was asked to join the Board of Directors for Austin Groups for the Elderly (A.G.E.) and he graciously accepted.

A.G.E. provides many services to the senior community in Austin and also in Williamson County: Elderhaven Adult Day Centers (Austin & Round Rock); The Caregiver Resource Center (serves the elderly, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families and health care providers with information, consultation, guidance and support); The SeniorNet Computer Learning Center (offers basic to advanced hands-on educational computer classes for older adults taught by volunteers in a peer to peer setting). 

"I hope that I will be of assistance in my new role as a member of the Board of Directors to help ensure that A.G.E. continues to be able to provide the services that our Senior Community in Central Texas requires", said Frank Hayes, President Senior Helpers.

A.G.E. is funded primarily by donations along with grants from Federal, State and private sources. If you would like to support the efforts of Austin Groups for the Elderly in Travis and Williamson Counties please visit their website to make a contribution or volunteer! 



You can also support A.G.E. by buying your Christmas gifts through this Amazon Link. It costs you nothing extra and a six percent proceed goes 100% to helping support the elderly programs offered by A.G.E.

AGE is a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing support to seniors, caregivers and their families since 1986. AGE is committed to empowering caregivers, the elderly and their families through education, advocacy, resources and support. Our programs include Elderhaven Adult Day Centers, the Caregivers Resource Center, SeniorNet Computer Learning Center, Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet and the AGE non profit tenancy program.

Your Home Health Care Aide: Establishing A Positive Relationship

You've made the decision to let an aide come into your home to assist. That was hard enough. Now you re getting apprehensive about what to expect when the aide arrives for work. If you don't have experience with in-home assistance, all sorts of "worst case scenarios" are whirling about in your head. And then there are the questions. What should you do if you don't like the aide?

How should you approach problems? Who supervises the aide? Assuming that you have hired an aide from a home health care agency, you can expect a lot of support in easing your anxieties. It is the agency's job to answer your questions in advance and resolve any issues that arise. The key to facilitating your satisfaction and comfort is good communication with the agency management and with your aide.

Here are a few tips for establishing positive relationships with your home health care professionals:

Be completely honest about your needs

Overcome any embarrassment or guilt associated with describing why you need help and what kind of help you need. Remember that you are dealing with professionals who have helped a variety of clients. They are experienced in meeting the needs of people just like you. Home Health Care professionals are prepared to deal with tough situations such as Alzheimer's, alcoholism, Parkinson's, strokes, incontinence and stressful family circumstances.

State your preferences from the start

The best way to get exactly what you want is to be specific. Give a detailed request to the agency so that the aide they send will meet your needs. Items to include are your household rules, such as "no smoking" or "kosher kitchen". Also express your daily routines and how to follow the, such as "up at 7 a.m.", "breakfast first, medicine second, shower last" , "I need privacy from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.", "transportation to salon every Friday, using employee's car".

Give feedback to the agency on a timely basis

"Nip it in the bud," is good advice. Most problems start out small and can be best resolved when addressed promptly. If you are experiencing a problem with the aide, call the agency. This benefits you in two ways: you do not have to be involved in reprimanding the aide, and it prompts the agency to diplomatically resolve the problem. Employee supervision is the responsibility of the agency. If the problem cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, request the agency send a different aide. The agency will handle the hiring and firing for you.

If you start off with honesty and communication, having a home health care aide will be a successful and beneficial experience.

by Kim Champion 

http://www.caregiver.com/articles/homecare/home_healthcare_aide.htm