When hiring a senior caregiver, your primary concern is probably the safety of an elderly family member. Proactive caregivers aren’t just there to provide basic care; they’re there to be the eyes and ears when you’re not around to make sure that your loved one is safe. Talk to your caregiver about the safety steps that they’re taking, and know that a proactive caregiver should always have the following in mind:

1. Install nightlights – lighting in a senior’s home is crucial for preventing accidents and nightfright. Installing nightlights which have sensors to go on when seniors get up in the night can also improve safety, and are a simple and inexpensive addition to any home

2. Suggest a lifeline – since caregivers are not always there around the clock, a lifeline, or an emergency device that will contact a loved one or emergency help can make sure that seniors receive help when needed

3. Put lights on timers – suggesting lights on timers inside or outside the home can help ensure there is adequate lighting at all times, and it also adds an element of security in the evening hours when seniors are home alone, and helps to conserve electricity

4. Remove hazards – if seniors do have caregiving help 24/7, caregivers should ensure the environment is safe for seniors to get around while on their own. Removing tripping hazards like throw rugs and poorly placed furniture will reduce the likelihood of accidents. Sturdy grab bars can also be placed in bathrooms and along stairwells for added stability

5. Talk to family members – caregivers can also speak to family members about their concerns, and address them specifically, making the home environment safer to put everyone’s minds at ease

The above are some suggestions of what should be included in any home care franchise service for the success of the business, but of course, specific services will depend upon the client, so hiring caregivers that are perceptive to senior’s needs is crucial to franchise well-being.

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

As a geriatric care specialist, I often receive questions from my Phoenix clients; seniors and their families, about what would happen if their loved one had an accident in the home when no one was around. Family members worry that their senior, living alone, might have an accident or fall and remain unattended and without help for hours until someone discovers that something just isn’t right. My recommendation to these individuals is to invest in a Personal Emergency Response System, because while accidents may happen in even the safest home, at least with such a technology someone can be notified once an incident occurs, providing the senior the help they need in response.

Personal Emergency Response Systems allow seniors to press a button once they’ve had a fall or accident to contact a monitoring service that notifies a family member or emergency response. These services can also help remind seniors to take their medication and allow them to communicate directly with someone when an emergency occurs. While I do provide my clients with a number of tips that may help them reduce the likelihood of accidents in the home, unfortunately, they still can happen, but by taking advantage of today’s technology there is an added element of safety so if something does occur, the senior’s needs can be attended to.

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Image: www.health.com

Seniors always need to be on guard to avoid scammers looking to prey upon the vulnerable. Have the senior in your life complete the following exercise to learn if they are exercising due caution when it comes to consumer protection.

• They never give out their credit card, banking information or SSN unless it is to a verified, legitimate source

• Mail is picked up immediately when dropped in an unlocked mail box to avoid identity theft

• Banking and financial statements are carefully reviewed to ensure no suspicious charges appear

• They are aware that telemarketers who phone are not friends, they are calling to make a sale

• They consult professionals, like accountants and lawyers before making investment decisions

• Contractors hired for home repair are checked with the Better Business Bureau or through independent reference checks

• They know you should never have to pay money in order to receive a prize that’s been won

• They seek a second opinion anytime a serious and costly medical decision needs to be made

Even if the senior in your life ticks all the boxes above, unfortunately, scams may still occur. If someone you love has fallen victim to fraud, contact the Administration on Aging or the AARP for resources relating to fraud justice and coping methods.

Sources:            : http://www.safeseniors.org/protecting_seniors_from_fraud.htm
                            http://www.dca.ca.gov/consumer/seniors/senior_scam.shtml
                            http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors/Consumer.shtml