Wood shower benches: Top Tips to Care for them By Ivana Williams

Shower benches are useful addition to the shower as aids for the elderly, physically-challenged, or for those who require extra assistance in the shower. The prime issue in taking care of such benches, especially for the wood types, is keeping mold and mildew at bay. If fail to ensure, they can eat away them gradually.

A shower is always a great potential place to supply moisture. Here mold flourishes upon. Uncared for long, the furniture may sag. To protect them, their owners need to follow a few simple maintenance steps.

Wipe down the wood shower benches after use each time. If moisture is left for long period of time, the mold and mildew will form. Keeping the bench dry would be a good idea to prevent the growth of mold. Unless it is kept dry, it will ruin the wood.

Owners may fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and warm water. Make sure they spray down the wooden benches with vinegar cleaning mixture. Sponging would also be a good idea. Wash with warm water. Use a towel to dry the bench. Make sure this way they use the vinegar once in a week to keep mold at bay.

Baking soda paste for visible mold and mildew is a best medicine for their care. Use a cup of baking soda and mix a few tablespoon of water with it to make a paste. Add water to make the paste thicker.

What owners of them should not do is they should not bleach to clean the benches. Bleaching may lead to creating cracks. To wash redwood, cedar, or teak shower benches, use of mild soap and warm water could be the best consideration as they can wipe mold and mildew completely. Make sure the products are dried after use each time.

Add style and comfort to your shower, sauna, bathroom, or outdoor or indoor space. Install such a bench to these places to amp up the beauty and utility. Ensure you are making a purchase of good quality wooden bench. There are a wide variety of woods in the market. Among them, California redwood is the most popular.

Any California redwood furniture, be it indoor or outdoor furniture, usually last a lifetime. They are naturally sturdy. For, redwood trees grow over centuries and their logs are left to season with all climatic conditions. For this reason, while buying them make sure you drill down the redwood furniture market.

At the time of buying a redwood shower bench, focus on the product quality rather than on amount of investment. Plastic, aluminum, ordinary wood shower benches may cost very little, but they may not live up to regular users? expectations. To the contrary, the California redwood furniture might cost a little bit higher, but when you think of longevity and look, you will then surely go in for redwood products. These products outlast and outperform all other product types. Performance of the California redwood furniture is just unbeatable! Owning and using them requires little care and maintenance. Why then would you not buy if you are free from caring persistently?

Sound Advice On How To Stay Young By Stanford Dewey

Many people are fearful about growing older, but aging does not have to be a bad thing, if you recognize the right approaches to keep healthy as you grow older. Like with any kind of health topic, you need to be educated about what you can do to prevent signs and symptoms of aging. This article contains a number of tips about aging that may help you look and feel more youthful.

As with so many areas of life, the secrets of staying young, and aging well, have to do with taking care of yourself. Eat right, drink plenty of water, get 8 hours of sleep each night and maintain a healthy social life. All of these things have been shown to reduce the appearance of aging, as well as keeping you healthier and happier.

Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to keeping your mind fit as you age. For that reason, challenging your mind every day is crucial to keeping it fresh and alert. The quickest and easiest way to do this is simply to try a new version of something you already know and like as often as possible. That could mean cooking a new recipe every night or simply doing a new crossword every morning. Find out about

It is important to treat yourself as often as possible to improve the way that you feel and gain more confidence. The next time you have off, go to the local spa near you and get a facial. This will help to exfoliate the surface of your skin, so that you can look your best and instill a warm glow to your complexion.

Prepare your aging skin before applying makeup, for a more youthful appearance. As skin ages, it loses the ability to retain moisture. Your skin prep routine needs to take as much time as your make up. Try using a moisturizing mask to re-hydrate your skin for 15 minutes, then apply moisturizer to lock in hydration. Your makeup will now glide on and look beautiful.

The older you get the more difficult it will become for you to find and maintain a job. This is for two reasons, first there is a general fear of hiring people who are elderly, but secondly it will actually become more difficult for you to maintain the same level of energy you need for the jobs. So, it is important to stay fit, and to keep up to date with changes in your area of interest or expertise.

Not only will learning about computers help your mind stay nimble, but it can open a whole new world for you. Aging doesn't mean that you have to live in the good old days forever, so ask your friends or family to teach you how to use a word processor to create greeting cards, or how to upload photos to Flickr!

Having a positive outlook on life can give anyone a more youthful vibe and appearance. This article has given a lot of great ways to keep yourself in check when it comes to your age, and also how to be the best that you can be no matter what the number. I really hope all these recommendations will help you stay healthy and fit no matter what your current age. Keep in mind your current age is just a number and actually has absolutely nothing to do with precisely how healthy and balanced you genuinely are.

Integrating a Senior Medical Alert System with Exercises to Help Prevent Falls By Stefanie Jeanne

While the use of a senior medical alert can be instrumental in preventing accidental falls among seniors, there is nothing more effective in falls prevention that helping the senior stay as physically fit as possible. Contrary to what may seem obvious, seniors can actually have a fighting chance against the possibility of figuring in accidental falls. Preventing accidental falls is highly important, especially due to the fact that when it happens to an elderly person, the physical damage can be serious, lasting and, sometimes fatal. So engaging in certain exercises for the specific purpose of regaining your sense of mobility, agility and balance should not only be among your top priorities, but should also become a regular part of your daily schedule.

The following are just some of the simple exercises you can do on your own to protect yourself from accidental falls.

Leg exercises: strengthening your legs and hips is important in enabling you to maintain and control your own stability. This stability is vital, especially when you?re walking, leaning, or standing. Accidental falls occur when, for example, an elderly person stands on a chair to fix a light bulb, and that person momentarily loses their sense of stability.

To do a simple leg exercise, look for a good chair with a back rest that is about the same level as your elbows. With your feet at rest side by side and as you face the back of the chair, slowly lift one of your legs out to the side. Try to lift that leg as high up as possible without having to lean your torso in the opposite direction. Maintain for a few seconds, than slowly lower the leg down. Now do the same with the other leg. Repeat a dozen or more times for each leg.

Other important parts of your legs are those muscles you use for sitting and standing. By strengthening these muscle groups, you further ensure your own stability when you sit or stand. For this strengthening exercise, you should find any chair with arms. Place it in the middle of an open room?the living room would be good as long as it is not so cramped or there is enough leg room. Sit on the said chair, and make sure that both of your feet touch the floor evenly, which also means you should be using a chair with just the right height. As you sit on the chair, slowly try to stand up, using your arms (which should be using the chair?s arms for support) to push up and out of the chair. When you are fully standing up, slowly resume the sitting position in such a way that you are lowering your upper leg muscles onto the seat. Repeat a few more times or until failure.

Another leg muscle that you should work out are the quads, as they are responsible for maintaining your balance and stability while you are walking and in preventing your own legs from turning into rubber, so to speak. A good strengthening exercise for the quads is by the use of a chair. Sit on a chair with your legs naturally bent and your feet on the sides, the soles of your feet evenly planted on the floor as much as possible. Slowly lift your foot off the floor, then extend your leg by straightening it out in front of you and in such a way that the leg is parallel to the floor. Lower it back down then do the same with the other leg. Even better, try to point your toes forward during the peak of your extension so as to further work up the quads. Repeat as you feel necessary or until failure.

Strengthening the ankles: the experts from the American Council on Exercise assert that having a weak ankle is a major factor in increasing one?s risk of falling. The goal, therefore, is to never forget the role of the ankles in helping you maintain stability in standing and walking. The good thing is that, like other leg muscles, the ankles can be fully strengthened with some simple exercises. Get a towel that is sufficiently long to be wrapped around the bottom of your foot?the purpose of the towel is to provide something you can hold onto while you are seated. Tug on the towel to add some resistance as you make figure 8 patterns with your foot. Repeat the same with the other foot as often as necessary or until failure.

You can spend as little as 15 to 20 minutes in doing these exercises. Apart from using an actual senior medical alert to ensure that you?ll get instant medical assistance just in case an accident actually happens, engaging in these exercises daily is a truly great way to safeguard your own well-being.

The Reasons Why You Should Consider Making a Difference as a Hospice Volunteer By Jessica Lane

There are many ways to volunteer and give back to your community, but volunteering at a hospice care center is certainly one of the most rewarding and fulfilling ways. This type of volunteer opportunity isn?t just a way for kind-hearted people to work with ailing patients; it?s a way for all involved to develop real friendships, open their hearts and find inspiration through this transformative experience. It?s an experience that doesn?t just help the patient; it?s rewarding for the volunteer as well.

Anyone who is looking for a life-changing experience should consider giving their time in service to a local end-of-life care program. Here are some additional reasons why.

1. The benefits are out of this world.

While it?s easy to think about what an end-of-life caregiver has to share, it really shouldn?t be all that hard to understand what they have to gain. Sharing the blessing of a smile or simple squeeze of a hand is enough to do wonders and put things in perspective as you give back to your community and humanity. Having someone to do simple things with, like to sit and read, to laugh and cry, to share stories with, to listen to their voice, to bring hope and companionship and to just be there for them, letting them know they are not alone, is one of the most precious gifts you can give to another human being.

2. Almost anyone can volunteer.

You may be surprised to learn that people of all ages and experience levels can volunteer. Quality care centers can boast of volunteer teams ranging in age, gender, ethnicity and education level, including people from all walks of life.

Regardless of the differences that may be present, volunteers do have a few things in common. They are all caring, compassionate and willing to open their hearts to bring joy to people during this difficult time in their lives. There is no need to have any specific medical or professional knowledge or experience working with elderly people to do this important volunteering work. There are, however, special volunteering opportunities available for certain skilled professionals.

3. Support is in place for the volunteers as well.

If you are considering volunteering for a care-giving program like those provided by LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care, for example, remember that you will not be going it alone. Quality hospices will offer an extensive Volunteer Orientation Program ending with certification, but the training doesn?t end there. Centers can offer continued support and training for volunteers, even for alternative services such as aromatherapy and healing touch. Whether you offer your time and skills as an administrative, bereavement, general patient care or specialized project volunteer, you will be ready to provide the services necessary and have the support you need as you continue.

Medical Alert Systems and In Home Care Can Combat Rising Healthcare Costs By Kristin Palardy

A medical alert system can bring children of aging parents the peace of mind of knowing that their parents, who may live alone, can reach help if they experience a fall or other accident. The most common reason for purchasing a medical alert is wanting to make sure that an elderly loved one who is generally able to live independently is able to reach help when they need it. But can this tool for independent living also be a weapon in the fight against rising healthcare costs in the United States?

The population of the United States includes 39 million individuals over the age of 65 as of 2008, and by the year 2030, this number is expected to skyrocket to 72 million, as "Baby Boomers" reach the age of 65.

So, the aging population is growing. The individuals of the "baby boom" generation are reaching senior age, causing the senior population to increase dramatically. Not only that, but healthcare advances have allowed people to live longer; there are many more people reaching their 80?s, 90?s and even past 100. Those who reach these ages are, on average, suffering a large number of physical ailments and as a consequence, they consistently incur high medical expenses.

More seniors, fighting more physical ailments means a higher healthcare cost amongst our increasingly senior population. In fact, by the year 2030, health care for seniors is predicted to account for 25% of all the nation?s health care expenditures.

This is where a medical alert system can help. The price of equipment rental and monitoring can be less than $1 per day; a long hospital stay costs much more than that. The longer a senior waits to receive help after a fall, the more complications they will experience.

If a senior citizen falls, and is unable to summon help within the first hour, they are extremely likely to lose their independence, and most in this situation are ultimately placed in nursing homes.

With a medical alert system, an individual can get quick help, which often eliminates the need for a lengthy hospital stay, and prevents seniors from experiencing complications from their fall that land them permanently in a nursing home or care facility.

In conjunction with in-home care provided either by a professional service or a member of the senior?s family, a medical alert system can keep an elderly individual out of a hospital, out of a nursing home, and can extend the amount of time in which he or she can live at home safely.

The average cost of nursing homes can top an average pricetag of $83,585/year, or $229/day. A medical alert system rental and monthly monitoring service costs less than $1/day.

While the rapidly rising population of seniors in the United States as well as recent changes to Medicare almost certainly guarantee a drastic spike in healthcare costs, this increase can be slowed. Preventative measures are the key to lowering healthcare costs in the United States, as it decreases the amount of costly emergency care and the many expenditures that come when an individual is no longer able to live in their homes.

The 64-dollar Question for Seniors: Is Social Networking Good for You? By Stefanie Jeanne

A couple of years ago, the first batch of the so-called baby boomers turned 65 years old. The baby boomers are not a demographic group to be trifled with?they have money, education, and therefore, much spending power. What the industry knows is that the boomers control about 70% of the total net worth of all American households, which can be roughly translated into something like $7 trillion. Considering that half of adults 65 years old and older are online or are regular users of the Internet or online services, seniors are particularly a huge force online. One in three of such online seniors are identified as avid users of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

And in First World countries such as the USA, we?re speaking of tens of millions of people belonging in this particular demographic group. What?s more, the number of seniors that regularly use social networking sites continues to grow by leaps and bounds?from April 2009 to late 2011, the percentage of seniors using such sites grew from 33% to 150%.

But why? The answer may be complicated for some, but it is still more or less plain and simple: seniors need to connect with other people, and social networking sites are giving them a chance to stay "in society" and a new sense of purpose.

Social interaction?s benefit to seniors

According to a recent article that appeared in the Science Times, a third of seniors 75 years old and older live alone or independently. But not because we have grown older that we no longer seek out social interaction, especially with other like-minded peers. In fact, the results of several studies suggest that social and mental stimulation can be good for the over-all well-being of seniors. And this opportunity to interact?albeit on a global scale, where national boundaries are more or less non-existent?is what?s encouraging seniors to flock to social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace or Twitter and "hit it with the gang."

One of the hard "facts of life" that a senior has to face as he grows older is the reality of his own diminishing circle of friends and acquaintances?friends get sick and die, our spouse pass on, our own children leave to start their own families and lead their own lives. Before the internet, most seniors basically had no other means of forging a new social network other than, say, going to the public park striking friendship with that other guy playing chess in the morning fog. But with social networking sites, seniors suddenly find themselves in a new play ground where their physical limitations basically do not matter?just as long as you have internet connection, can type and use a pointing device, you?re in. And the task of getting online has even become much easier with touch-screen tablet devices such as the iPad?even seniors who are averse to gadgets can quickly find their way into the internet without the usually painful learning curve associated with the use of conventional computers.

The "one-click and you?re there" magic

Online forums or Facebook groups can feel like their real-world counterparts in terms of how people share information or exchange friendly banter with one another. The online version, however, are much easier to organize or assemble?a webcam "meeting" can be setup in a few minutes, and there are no restrictions on what kind of topic you might want to discuss. In essence, the experience is like the daily chit-chat at the local cafe, except more people from all over the world can participate. Moreover, the opportunity to meet other people from different cultures can also bring in a fresh new perspective on the often jaded outlook of most seniors?the delight in discovering that there appears to be things they have yet to discover may stimulate their enthusiasm in the sheer business of living.

Virtual reality?especially the kind that elevates social interaction to hitherto unrealized levels?is said to be the future of aging in our society. More and more seniors are enthusiastically discovering how to send an email, interact with others through chat or by blogging. You may be living alone, regularly assisted by a visiting caregiver and armed with your own medical alarm device, but you?re not really isolated. And as long as the hours spent online are balanced with real-world physical efforts such as engaging in stretching exercises and eating the right food, you?re in good company.

Medical Alert Systems and Signs Your Aging Parents Need Help: What you Need to Know By Kristin Anne

Parents, to us, have always been the people who took care of us. When we were kids, they were unflappable, and there wasn?t a crisis (yours or theirs) they couldn?t handle. Now they?re getting older, and you can see their weaknesses start to show through. Our parents are human, and now that we?re visiting family for the holidays, we may notice that something?s different about mom or dad.

When you see signs of declining health in your parents?, that is when taking action will be the most effective. The best action is to find a method of preventing accidents before they happen in your aging parents? homes. This may mean looking into medical alert systems, nursing homes, retirement communities or in-home care. The discussion may be difficult, but is so much easier than dealing with the aftermath of an accident at home. So what is there to look for?

Changes in Health:
- You notice bruises on your loved one?s arms, legs, or face
- Your loved one has trouble balancing, sitting down, or standing up
- There is evidence of weight loss, or eating habits become less healthy. (Over eating, under eating, eating only candy, refusing to cook)

Changes in Attitude/ Behavior:
- Your once sweet and kind mother has snapped at you or another family member.
- Your parent seems disoriented, not as "sharp" as they once were, or slow to react.
- Your Parent has begun to slur their words in conversation.
- Your parent has received speeding tickets, and gotten into more accidents than is normal.

Changes in Routine:
- Hygenic habits such as brushing teeth, showering/bathing, and hand washing seem to have stopped (You smell odors in the home like urine, or body odor)
- Your mother who was once super-tidy has stopped cleaning, and clutter has started to build up in every corner of her home.
- Your father, who once took great pride in his appearance, has stopped combing his hair, ironing his clothes, etc.

So, now in this holiday season when we?re seeing our parents for the first time in months in some cases, pay attention to the subtle cues that perhaps your once young and strong parents may need your help.

Have the talk with your parents, if you suspect they need help, and discuss your concerns, and ideas for a solution. A medical alert system, home care, nursing facilities, and medical attention can all help, but the first step for those that think these solutions are necessary is to talk.

How to Choose the Right Home Care for Your Loved One in Kansas City? By Kevin Schmiterson

Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. The metropolitan area encompasses four different counties - Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte, and is home to more than 2.1 million people. Close to 11 percent of the population in the area is over the age of 65. This number is expected to double by 2030, especially in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties. Government agencies and healthcare facilities expect a significant increase in demand for support services for the elderly population in the region. These include nursing homes, hospitals and in-home care providers. Several recent surveys have indicated that more than one-third of the seniors prefer to live independently for as long as possible. In-home caregivers can help them realize this dream.

There are several home care providers in Kansas City. You may be overwhelmed by the choice. However, you should consider all the factors before finalizing the home care provider. Your first step should be to analyze your medical and non-medical needs. Make a list of all the care providers in your city, and learn more about them through web reviews and websites. Zero in on a few names you like. Conduct a thorough interview and make sure their working style matches your preferences.

Your home care provider should visit you personally and assess your needs. They should answer your questions and concerns. If you require medical care, make sure the aides have the required qualifications and certification. You may also have other preferences. For example, some of you may prefer soft spoken people, while others may thrive well with outgoing and talkative individuals. Make sure your in-home care provider company considers these personality preferences before assigning an aide to you. Try to minimize the number of people your family would work with in the long run. This will simplify things for you, and help you avoid confusion in the future. Check the cancellation policy of the company, and the payment terms before signing the final contract.

You should also decide how you will pay for the care. Medicaid recipients receive some coverage through their policy. Medicare rarely pays for in-home care but you may be considered under special circumstances. Check with Medicare before ruling it out. Certain private medical insurance and long term care policies may also pay for in-home care, especially if it involves medical care. Choosing the right in-home care provider is crucial for maintaining your lifestyle. Take your time and consider all the options carefully before making the final decision.

Alarm Services Help Seniors Stay Independent By James Davies

No one said ageing was easy but just like taxes is something most of us cannot avoid.

For many, the biggest frustration once we officially cross the threshold of middle-age to old-age is growing physical infirmity.

The mind may still be active but the body can let us down. Thankfully, due to medical advances and more information on healthy lifestyles, generally people are staying fitter for longer, but nevertheless, there may come a time when we struggle with once easy day-to-day activities.

But for many, it's no longer a case of having relatives hectoring you to head into a home in your twilight years.

Elderly people are in fact able to retain their independence longer thanks to personal alarm monitored services.

These personal alarm systems allow the elderly to have an alarm button worn as a pendant around their neck, or as a wristband or on their belt, so should anything untoward happen, like a fall in the bathroom, then help is at hand at any time day or night.

Pendant alarm systems carry a unique id so that any 24/7 care response teams immediately knows who it is using the remote alarm.

What's more, they will have any relevant medical information at hand about the person using the alarm. They will immediately call back on the alarm unit to speak to the person but if they are unable to get to the unit, the care response team then alert predefined key holders that the person may be in distress.

Additionally, they then alert emergency services should medical attention be required. The upshot of these pendant alarm monitored services is clearly peace of mind, not only for elderly individuals but their relatives too. It allows people to prolong their independence but always have help at hand when it is needed.

And, unlike entering a home, they are relatively lo-cost options that similarly are easy to install. That's not to say a home can always be avoided.

This depends on the general well-being of each individual but for many who remain relatively mentally and physically active, it's simply a precaution especially should an elderly individual be living alone, that at the press of their pendant alarm, help will be at hand almost immediately.

With people living longer, and being healthier for longer, alarm monitored systems are a way of helping to facilitate such independence longer, which is surely a good thing for added security, and allowing us to live the way we want to live for longer.

Why Caregivers and Doctors Recommend Medical Alert Systems By Stefanie Jeanne

Doctors know the importance of having round-the-clock medical monitoring, especially for high-risk patients. Any serious medical emergency could occur anytime, and because doctors have no accurate way of predicting when it would happen, the only logical way to manage it is by conducting 24-hour monitoring of the patient. However, such kind of monitoring is not particularly cost-effective, especially for patients or seniors who are still able to get around.

Caregivers, on the other hand, could only do so much. Such as attending to the ache and pains of the senior, helping them with bathing, and assisting them with their daily activities, but their attention is limited. Unless we?re speaking of multiple caregivers who alternate shifts in 24-hour periods, caregivers would go home at the end of the day, leaving the senior on their own.

Obviously, there is a gap in attention, and unfortunately, it is through those gaps that accidents happen. Caregivers and doctors recommend medical alert systems primarily because the service could accomplish things that they could not. Usually, caregivers have other responsibilities and concerns?they also have a life, a family to attend to, and a job that demands their professional attention. That?s why giving all the obligations on the caregiver?s shoulders is essentially risking eventual neglect of the senior.

These days, medical alerts are advanced and efficient. Back during their early days in the 1970s, medical alerts were bulky, and it was hard for seniors to wear the devices. Worse, the early medical alerts were not waterproof, so they could not be worn in the bathroom. This was a crucial weakness: most accidents involving seniors occur in the bathroom?a slip on the tiled floor or the bath tub can be fatal when not immediately attended to.

Fortunately, like other in-demand and important technologies, medical alerts have evolved in terms of sophistication and efficiency. No longer are such devices bulky and a hassle to use. The medical alerts you?ll find being offered by different providers these days are built and designed for daily durability?they are waterproof and can be worn at all times, even when the wearer is in the bathroom. The medical alerts are also small, lightweight and designed compactly enough that it is easy for the wearer to be no longer self-conscious about it.

Using a medical alert system is so simple that even seniors who find trouble understanding technical instructions will be able to quickly use the system. Basically, there are no technical instructions?the senior only needs to "wear" the device (either as a bracelet or as a necklace pendant) and press the button whenever a need arises. Whether the seniors is plagued with?a heart attack, a dizziness spell?and they?re alone in the house with the caregiver miles away, they simply press that button and a professionally trained response center responder will speak to them from the loudspeaker of the system?s base unit. Other types of medical alerts can also be set to automatically call 911 or the nearest neighbor or medical facility whenever the device "detects" that the senior has an accident in the home?a slip on the floor, a fall, or some sudden inactivity that may indicate loss of consciousness.

A medical alert system can enable doctors or caregivers to have a better control of their loved one?s situation?the devices and the 24/7 monitoring associated with their use can easily fill in what the common caregiver could not do, which is remain with their aging loved one at all times. After all, a medical alert system, thanks to technological advances in manufacturing and wireless communication, is now very affordable, with a minimal monthly fee of around $20. For the breadth and scope of a medical alert system?s service, along with its other perks, we?d say that the monthly service fee is indeed a very small price to pay for ensuring the safety of a loved one.

Elements of an Easy, Safe Modern Living: Medical Alarm and Other Advanced Products for Seniors By Stefanie Jeanne

Aside from the more common senior-targeted products such as the medical alarm and other medication-related automatic dispensers, there are several other products that can help you ensure a happy, safe modern living for your aging parent.

Apple?s iPad: well, aside from being a highly popular gadget, Apple?s iPad (the touch-screen tablet computer that has revolutionized and pumped new vigor into what used to be a lack-luster market) has also been found by researchers in Tokyo, Japan to be particularly very helpful for seniors. The iPad is so easy to use, and its interface is highly intuitive?even people with no prior experience with computers can delight in using the tablet. With currently hundreds of thousands of applications that can be downloaded on the iPad, the functionalities of this tablet computer are further extended?there is practically an application out there for everything a person might need, and there is a category of apps that are designed specifically for the usage of seniors.

Automatic medication management: a common challenge for seniors is the increasing difficulty in managing a growing number of daily maintenance medications. The situation is serious enough (any simple mistake in taking the wrong pill or taking the right pill in incorrect dosages could mess up a senior?s fragile physical constitution) that it has warranted many products that provide assistance in this area. One such product is the E-pill Cadex 12 Alarm Medication Reminder Watch and Medical ID. Yes, it is a digital watch with so many other useful functionalities designed to help the senior to always do the right thing when it comes to medication. Wearing the E-pill Cadex 12 watch means the senior can keep tabs of which medicine to take at what time of the day?its alarm reminder is easy to program and can accept up to 12 medication alarms a day. Not only that, the watch?s face also displays the name of the pill to take. It also serves as a medical ID, which allows the user to store vital medical information such as existing allergies, blood type, phone numbers for health insurance, and existing medical conditions?such information can be very handy in the event of an emergency.

"Talking" devices: "talking" devices are gadgets or tools that inform the user audibly. Such devices are especially useful for seniors whose sense of vision is diminishing or at least not as sharp as it used to be. A good example of such a talking device is a digital talking thermometer?the good ones can "say" the temperature reading while providing a clear visual display. There is also a Talking Rx Prescription Reader, which is basically a self-contained unit that records the patient?s prescription instructions (as provided by the caregiver, doctor or pharmacist), and all the user has to do is press a red button to listen to the recording. This "talking" functionality is also extended in certain devices in the kitchen?there is a talking microwave oven, for example, that features a speaking countdown timer to ensure accurate timing for any possible purpose.

Grip extension tools: accidental falls is becoming increasingly common among seniors, and one good way to avoid it is by giving seniors the option to not physically try too hard. This is where products like the Ettore Grip ?n Grab comes in?by extending a person?s reach, seniors would not have to stand on a stool in order to get to hard to reach places in their house. The grabber features a pivoting rubberized head, and gripping can work both ways?it can be used to get things in high location, as well as pick up things from the floor (if bending down is difficult for the senior).

Medical alarm: as we?ve said, this is a device that is simply a must-have for all seniors, especially for those who live alone. A personal alarm device?wearable as a bracelet of necklace pendant?makes it possible for the wearer to get instant help in the event of any emergency, medical or not.

Thanks to the countless advances in technology and the innovation of product designers, there are many products available in the market now that significantly extend a senior?s capabilities and help ensure their safety.

Medical Alert: Enabling Seniors to Connect Instantly to Caregivers By Stefanie Jeanne

To fully appreciate the efficiency of a medical alert system in the context of complementing the work of caregivers, let us consider an actual real-world case. Madelyn is a subscriber to one of the leading medical alert system companies. She is 60, with narcolepsy, and lives alone at her own home in California. One day, she decides to change the light bulb in her kitchen. As there is no one else to do the job, and because it is supposedly a simple job of unscrewing the old bulb and replacing it with a new one, she gets up on the short ladder and begins removing the old bulb. At one point, however, the table slightly moves and Madelyn loses her balance and she ends up on the floor, writhing in pain, her hips probably shattered. The phone is on the other side of the house, and if not for the medical alert device she?s wearing around her neck, Madelyn?s situation could have been worse. She presses the panic button, contact is made with the medical alert system?s response center, and within minutes one of Madelyn?s registered responders (whose numbers she registered with her medical alert device) arrive to give her assistance as they waited for the ambulance?s arrival. And while Madelyn subsequently endures months of hospitalization (her age and the location of the bone fracture made her condition complicated), it is obvious that things could have been a lot worse if not for the timely response of the medical alert system?s monitoring center.

Now, the abovementioned story is not a fairytale?it is actually based on a case file from a medical alert system provider. The lesson here is simple: a medical alert system is designed to allow further flexibility for caregivers. In fact, it smoothly complements?and even extends?the duties of a caregiver in order to give the senior the best care possible.

Most medical alert systems can be programmed to register the numbers of the persons that you want to be notified first in the event of an emergency. Most people register the neighbors that they trust, while others register relatives, or their grown children if they happen to live nearby. While notifying next of kin or caregivers, the response center will also send the necessary medical help from the medical facility that is located nearest the patient?s address. The whole system is set up with emphasis on efficiency and speed: in a few minutes, barring other mishaps, able hands are arriving to help.

Seniors can connect much faster to caregivers in an emergency with a medical alert, thanks to the device?s single push-button action: there is nothing to confuse the senior wearing the device because there are no other options. You just press it. Also, the wearer does not have to worry about pressing the button by mistake when they don?t even need medical help, the response center understands that such harmless mistakes can occur and, after all, it is better to be mistaken than to be sorry about failing to respond quickly to a real issue. In fact, most medical alert companies want you to test the device periodically by pressing the button and making sure you are comfortable using the system.

The medical alert system?s design is so simple. That is why you will never find a medical alert system accompanied with pages and pages of how-to guides. The medical alert system itself is pretty much direct to the point: the package contains nothing but the wearable medical alert device and the base unit.

In the end, a medical alert system provides so many benefits and advantages to both the senior and the caregiver that there is hardly any argument against using it. To top it off, the monthly service fee is very reasonable, especially when one considers that the monitoring service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Indeed, ordering a medical alert is one of the best proactive decisions a caregiver can make to bring back quality to a senior?s life.

How Utilizing A Hoyer Lift Is Actually Better For Patient Care By Stephen Sexton

In relation to home healthcare, there are several things that can be helpful and a Hoyer lift is certain one of them. There are many reasons to use a lift, but perhaps two of the more important reasons are for comfort and safety.

The caregiver has the responsibility of maneuvering or transferring a patient while inflicting as little pain as possible and doing it in the safest manner possible. In such instances, a Hoyer lift can be helpful when it comes to transferring patients securely and safely. A Hoyer lift doesn't just protect the patient, it allows the caregiver to avoid serious strain or trauma. It doesn?t really matter how strong a health worker thinks they are, it may be a good idea to use the lift to guard against possible future injuries to themselves like back strain or pulled muscles. Properly lifting a patient, a lift will basically take the place of the health professional, avoiding straining back muscles. All through the transfer, the patient is also able to feel far more secure and safe because of the added stability. The lift may also help the patient relax, as they will not have to be in such close physical contact with the caregiver during this time, which can alleviate some uncomfortable feelings.

The process of utilizing a Hoyer lift is rather simple, especially compared to not using one whatsoever. When the caregiver is ready to begin, it may a good idea for them to clarify exactly what they are going to do. Sometimes it can be very nerve racking for a patient to know that they are going to be raised. The degree of stress may be reduced if the health worker takes a few minutes to reassure the patient and inform them of what can be expected in the process.

Raising the bed to the maximum level may be a good place to begin. As you prepare yourself for the transfer, the pad could be slipped under the patient a lot easier. If there are side rails on the bed it may be a good idea to make sure they are both up so the patient has something to grip as they sit up. Rolling the patient to one side while they grab the railing can allow the caregiver to put the padding underneath the patient comfortably. Then having the patient roll the other way to get the other half of the pad underneath the patient is the next thing to do. The next step would be to position the leg straps and set them under each thigh area. After the patient and pad is in position, lowering the bed to a more suitable level is necessary where the patient does not feel too high once picked up with the Hoyer.

Once the loops from the pad are properly secure on the lift the caregiver can carefully begin to lift the individual off of the bed. The lift will move the patient into a sitting position. Having the base spread apart for proper balance of the patient is one thing to watch for. Once the patient is directly over the item where the transfer needs to end, and then the care provider can lower the lift. If it is a wheel chair, ensuring the brakes are locked before setting the patient down is advisable. Once lowered, the loops can be unhooked and the pad extracted. For both the patient and the caregiver, this kind of transfer using a Hoyer lift can be made safe and comfortable.

Non-medical Ways Medical Alarm Systems Can Save Your Life By Stefanie Jeanne

Contrary to the popular misconception, a medical alarm system?s use is not actually limited to medical emergencies. But rather, thanks to its compact design, wireless technology, and the fact that it runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is perfect for a variety of other life-saving purposes. If you or your aging loved one already has one of these alarms, then you should know these top secondary uses for the device you?re probably wearing around your neck.

Regaining access to a locked house: a personal emergency alarm system can be used if, say, you suddenly find yourself outside your own locked house with no key. It happens to the best of us. But how can such an alert system provide solution in such a situation? This is so because most alarm system companies provide a secure lockbox for an extra key to your house. The lockbox is just designed for cases in which an emergency occurs and the medical response team arrives at a locked house and could not gain entry?with a spare key safely stored in the secure lockbox, the medical personnel would not have to waste any time fumbling around flower pots looking for the spare key or trying to bring down the door with a battering ram.

An intruder is in your house: imagine this scenario: it is late at night, and you feel or hear that somebody?s in the living room. You are alone in your house, and the phone is in the kitchen. Fortunately, you are wearing a medical alert. Such a system is very convenient?as you are wearing the panic button at all times, anyway, you do not have to find a phone. All you need is press the button, and it should work even if you?re hiding in your room or in your closet. There are also cases when, upon activation, the response center attendant speaking through the speakerphone of the home base unit is enough to scare away the intruder, mistaking the voice as that of a responding police personnel.

Natural calamities: Scientists say that our changing climate is making severely destructive inclement weather more and more common. And by "common," we do not mean "acceptable." If anything, we have to be more vigilant regarding our health and safety, especially those who belong in a vulnerable demographic, such as seniors, young children, or persons with certain disabilities. An alarm system can serve one in such situations because it operates wirelessly. Say, for example, you wake up one night with several feet of flood water raging around your house. Or maybe there?s a fire and there?s no way you could reach the home?s phone. In such unfortunate situations, the thing that could provide the silver lining?and one that can actually save your life or that of your loved one?is a personal emergency response system whose panic button you?re wearing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The round-the-clock availability simply ensures that you are fully covered?you never know when a disaster hits, anyway.

Domestic violence: there is a growing number of otherwise young, healthy women who are using such personal alert systems to protect themselves from an abusive spouse. Many of these women are trapped in an abusive marriage, whereas others are being stalked by an obsessed ex-lover. In any case, they use a wearable alert system to get instant help when danger shows up at the door reeking of booze and looking for someone to hurt. A single press of the panic button is all it takes to get well-qualified assistance.

Other special emergencies: what if something happens and you must reach your loved ones as quickly as possible? Because any modern personal alarm system allows the user to input the contact numbers of the people closest to them, contacting these people can be done in a single press of the panic button.

As you can see, a medical alarm system can be used not only in situations that are strictly "medical" in nature. Anytime you need assistance, all you need is press the panic button?you don?t need to hesitate whether or not pressing it is justifiable or is actually included in the device?s terms of usage contract. If you need any help and you must speak with someone who is professionally trained to help you any hour of the day, any day of the week, there is perhaps nothing more efficient than a modern personal alarm system.

Caregiving - A Stressful Calling By Cheryl Hitchcock

Approximately 65 million Americans are caregivers to loved ones. These people, who care for loved ones without training as health care professionals, are in many cases forced to do so due to our aging population and changes in health care system. Whether an ill partner or child, or an aging parent without adequate insurance coverage for ongoing elder care, these family members may experience very high levels of caregiver stress.

While caring for a loved one who is unable to care for them self can be very fulfilling, it can also take a great toll on the caregiver, with a great deal of emotional and physical strain, known as caregiver stress. This stress can become debilitating to the caregiver as well, leading to the same stress related symptoms that all stress-out people feel: headaches, anxiety, depression, muscle tension or pain, restlessness, fatigue, over- or under-eating, sleeping problems, drug or alcohol abuse, social withdrawal, and emotional extremes ? especially irritability or anger.

Symptoms of caregiver stress

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of caregiver stress, borrowed from the Mayo Clinic:

- Feeling tired most of the time

- Feeling overwhelmed and irritable

- Sleeping too much or too little

- Gaining or losing a lot of weight

- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy

One of the most pernicious results of caregiver stress is ? anger at the loved one for whom you are caring; the irrational feeling that he or she is denying you of a more fulfilling life because of their need for you to take care of them. This is a very dangerous symptom of caregiver stress, as it may lead to the neglect, or outright abuse, of your loved one.

How to deal with caregiver stress

The effects of out-of-control stress are dangerous for anyone, leading to a variety of health problems. For the caregiver though, this stress can be even more dangerous, as it may directly impact the care of the loved for whom to whom you?ve pledged your support. This can lead to even more stress, as you realize the care you?ve promised to give has been compromised.

Again from the Mayo clinic, there are things you can do to help yourself deal with the stress of being a caregiver:

- Accept help. Be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what he or she would like to do.

- Focus on what you are able to provide. Don?t give in to guilt. Feeling guilty is normal, but understand that no one is a "perfect" caregiver. And you don?t have to feel guilty about asking for help.

- Get connected. Organizations such as the Red Cross and the Alzheimer?s Association offer classes on caregiving, and local hospitals may have classes specifically about the disease your loved one is facing.

- Join a support group. A support group can be a great source for encouragement and advice from others in similar situations. It can also be a good place to make new friends.

- Seek social support. Make an effort to stay emotionally connected with family and friends. Set aside time each week for socializing, even if it?s just a walk with a friend.

- Set personal health goals. For example, set a goal to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, or set a goal for getting a good night?s sleep. It?s also crucial to eat a healthy diet.

- See your doctor. Get recommended immunizations and screenings. Make sure to tell your doctor that you?re a caregiver. Don?t hesitate to mention any concerns or symptoms you have.

If you?re the caregiver in your family, you must remember to set aside time for yourself ? for self-care. Do not try to be perfect. Do not try to be all things to all people. Do the best you can for the ones you love, and ask for, and accept, help when needed.

And that?s good enough.

The Reasons Why You Should Consider Making a Difference as a Hospice Volunteer By Jessica Lane

There are many ways to volunteer and give back to your community, but volunteering at a hospice care center is certainly one of the most rewarding and fulfilling ways. This type of volunteer opportunity isn?t just a way for kind-hearted people to work with ailing patients; it?s a way for all involved to develop real friendships, open their hearts and find inspiration through this transformative experience. It?s an experience that doesn?t just help the patient; it?s rewarding for the volunteer as well.

Anyone who is looking for a life-changing experience should consider giving their time in service to a local end-of-life care program. Here are some additional reasons why.

1. The benefits are out of this world.

While it?s easy to think about what an end-of-life caregiver has to share, it really shouldn?t be all that hard to understand what they have to gain. Sharing the blessing of a smile or simple squeeze of a hand is enough to do wonders and put things in perspective as you give back to your community and humanity. Having someone to do simple things with, like to sit and read, to laugh and cry, to share stories with, to listen to their voice, to bring hope and companionship and to just be there for them, letting them know they are not alone, is one of the most precious gifts you can give to another human being.

2. Almost anyone can volunteer.

You may be surprised to learn that people of all ages and experience levels can volunteer. Quality care centers can boast of volunteer teams ranging in age, gender, ethnicity and education level, including people from all walks of life.

Regardless of the differences that may be present, volunteers do have a few things in common. They are all caring, compassionate and willing to open their hearts to bring joy to people during this difficult time in their lives. There is no need to have any specific medical or professional knowledge or experience working with elderly people to do this important volunteering work. There are, however, special volunteering opportunities available for certain skilled professionals.

3. Support is in place for the volunteers as well.

If you are considering volunteering for a care-giving program like those provided by LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care, for example, remember that you will not be going it alone. Quality hospices will offer an extensive Volunteer Orientation Program ending with certification, but the training doesn?t end there. Centers can offer continued support and training for volunteers, even for alternative services such as aromatherapy and healing touch. Whether you offer your time and skills as an administrative, bereavement, general patient care or specialized project volunteer, you will be ready to provide the services necessary and have the support you need as you continue.

Medical Alert: Enabling Seniors to Connect Instantly to Caregivers By Stefanie Jeanne

To fully appreciate the efficiency of a medical alert system in the context of complementing the work of caregivers, let us consider an actual real-world case. Madelyn is a subscriber to one of the leading medical alert system companies. She is 60, with narcolepsy, and lives alone at her own home in California. One day, she decides to change the light bulb in her kitchen. As there is no one else to do the job, and because it is supposedly a simple job of unscrewing the old bulb and replacing it with a new one, she gets up on the short ladder and begins removing the old bulb. At one point, however, the table slightly moves and Madelyn loses her balance and she ends up on the floor, writhing in pain, her hips probably shattered. The phone is on the other side of the house, and if not for the medical alert device she?s wearing around her neck, Madelyn?s situation could have been worse. She presses the panic button, contact is made with the medical alert system?s response center, and within minutes one of Madelyn?s registered responders (whose numbers she registered with her medical alert device) arrive to give her assistance as they waited for the ambulance?s arrival. And while Madelyn subsequently endures months of hospitalization (her age and the location of the bone fracture made her condition complicated), it is obvious that things could have been a lot worse if not for the timely response of the medical alert system?s monitoring center.

Now, the abovementioned story is not a fairytale?it is actually based on a case file from a medical alert system provider. The lesson here is simple: a medical alert system is designed to allow further flexibility for caregivers. In fact, it smoothly complements?and even extends?the duties of a caregiver in order to give the senior the best care possible.

Most medical alert systems can be programmed to register the numbers of the persons that you want to be notified first in the event of an emergency. Most people register the neighbors that they trust, while others register relatives, or their grown children if they happen to live nearby. While notifying next of kin or caregivers, the response center will also send the necessary medical help from the medical facility that is located nearest the patient?s address. The whole system is set up with emphasis on efficiency and speed: in a few minutes, barring other mishaps, able hands are arriving to help.

Seniors can connect much faster to caregivers in an emergency with a medical alert, thanks to the device?s single push-button action: there is nothing to confuse the senior wearing the device because there are no other options. You just press it. Also, the wearer does not have to worry about pressing the button by mistake when they don?t even need medical help, the response center understands that such harmless mistakes can occur and, after all, it is better to be mistaken than to be sorry about failing to respond quickly to a real issue. In fact, most medical alert companies want you to test the device periodically by pressing the button and making sure you are comfortable using the system.

The medical alert system?s design is so simple. That is why you will never find a medical alert system accompanied with pages and pages of how-to guides. The medical alert system itself is pretty much direct to the point: the package contains nothing but the wearable medical alert device and the base unit.

In the end, a medical alert system provides so many benefits and advantages to both the senior and the caregiver that there is hardly any argument against using it. To top it off, the monthly service fee is very reasonable, especially when one considers that the monitoring service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Indeed, ordering a medical alert is one of the best proactive decisions a caregiver can make to bring back quality to a senior?s life.

Non-medical Ways Medical Alarm Systems Can Save Your Life By Stefanie Jeanne

Contrary to the popular misconception, a medical alarm system?s use is not actually limited to medical emergencies. But rather, thanks to its compact design, wireless technology, and the fact that it runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is perfect for a variety of other life-saving purposes. If you or your aging loved one already has one of these alarms, then you should know these top secondary uses for the device you?re probably wearing around your neck.

Regaining access to a locked house: a personal emergency alarm system can be used if, say, you suddenly find yourself outside your own locked house with no key. It happens to the best of us. But how can such an alert system provide solution in such a situation? This is so because most alarm system companies provide a secure lockbox for an extra key to your house. The lockbox is just designed for cases in which an emergency occurs and the medical response team arrives at a locked house and could not gain entry?with a spare key safely stored in the secure lockbox, the medical personnel would not have to waste any time fumbling around flower pots looking for the spare key or trying to bring down the door with a battering ram.

An intruder is in your house: imagine this scenario: it is late at night, and you feel or hear that somebody?s in the living room. You are alone in your house, and the phone is in the kitchen. Fortunately, you are wearing a medical alert. Such a system is very convenient?as you are wearing the panic button at all times, anyway, you do not have to find a phone. All you need is press the button, and it should work even if you?re hiding in your room or in your closet. There are also cases when, upon activation, the response center attendant speaking through the speakerphone of the home base unit is enough to scare away the intruder, mistaking the voice as that of a responding police personnel.

Natural calamities: Scientists say that our changing climate is making severely destructive inclement weather more and more common. And by "common," we do not mean "acceptable." If anything, we have to be more vigilant regarding our health and safety, especially those who belong in a vulnerable demographic, such as seniors, young children, or persons with certain disabilities. An alarm system can serve one in such situations because it operates wirelessly. Say, for example, you wake up one night with several feet of flood water raging around your house. Or maybe there?s a fire and there?s no way you could reach the home?s phone. In such unfortunate situations, the thing that could provide the silver lining?and one that can actually save your life or that of your loved one?is a personal emergency response system whose panic button you?re wearing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The round-the-clock availability simply ensures that you are fully covered?you never know when a disaster hits, anyway.

Domestic violence: there is a growing number of otherwise young, healthy women who are using such personal alert systems to protect themselves from an abusive spouse. Many of these women are trapped in an abusive marriage, whereas others are being stalked by an obsessed ex-lover. In any case, they use a wearable alert system to get instant help when danger shows up at the door reeking of booze and looking for someone to hurt. A single press of the panic button is all it takes to get well-qualified assistance.

Other special emergencies: what if something happens and you must reach your loved ones as quickly as possible? Because any modern personal alarm system allows the user to input the contact numbers of the people closest to them, contacting these people can be done in a single press of the panic button.

As you can see, a medical alarm system can be used not only in situations that are strictly "medical" in nature. Anytime you need assistance, all you need is press the panic button?you don?t need to hesitate whether or not pressing it is justifiable or is actually included in the device?s terms of usage contract. If you need any help and you must speak with someone who is professionally trained to help you any hour of the day, any day of the week, there is perhaps nothing more efficient than a modern personal alarm system.

The 64-dollar Question for Seniors: Is Social Networking Good for You? By Stefanie Jeanne

A couple of years ago, the first batch of the so-called baby boomers turned 65 years old. The baby boomers are not a demographic group to be trifled with?they have money, education, and therefore, much spending power. What the industry knows is that the boomers control about 70% of the total net worth of all American households, which can be roughly translated into something like $7 trillion. Considering that half of adults 65 years old and older are online or are regular users of the Internet or online services, seniors are particularly a huge force online. One in three of such online seniors are identified as avid users of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

And in First World countries such as the USA, we?re speaking of tens of millions of people belonging in this particular demographic group. What?s more, the number of seniors that regularly use social networking sites continues to grow by leaps and bounds?from April 2009 to late 2011, the percentage of seniors using such sites grew from 33% to 150%.

But why? The answer may be complicated for some, but it is still more or less plain and simple: seniors need to connect with other people, and social networking sites are giving them a chance to stay "in society" and a new sense of purpose.

Social interaction?s benefit to seniors

According to a recent article that appeared in the Science Times, a third of seniors 75 years old and older live alone or independently. But not because we have grown older that we no longer seek out social interaction, especially with other like-minded peers. In fact, the results of several studies suggest that social and mental stimulation can be good for the over-all well-being of seniors. And this opportunity to interact?albeit on a global scale, where national boundaries are more or less non-existent?is what?s encouraging seniors to flock to social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace or Twitter and "hit it with the gang."

One of the hard "facts of life" that a senior has to face as he grows older is the reality of his own diminishing circle of friends and acquaintances?friends get sick and die, our spouse pass on, our own children leave to start their own families and lead their own lives. Before the internet, most seniors basically had no other means of forging a new social network other than, say, going to the public park striking friendship with that other guy playing chess in the morning fog. But with social networking sites, seniors suddenly find themselves in a new play ground where their physical limitations basically do not matter?just as long as you have internet connection, can type and use a pointing device, you?re in. And the task of getting online has even become much easier with touch-screen tablet devices such as the iPad?even seniors who are averse to gadgets can quickly find their way into the internet without the usually painful learning curve associated with the use of conventional computers.

The "one-click and you?re there" magic

Online forums or Facebook groups can feel like their real-world counterparts in terms of how people share information or exchange friendly banter with one another. The online version, however, are much easier to organize or assemble?a webcam "meeting" can be setup in a few minutes, and there are no restrictions on what kind of topic you might want to discuss. In essence, the experience is like the daily chit-chat at the local cafe, except more people from all over the world can participate. Moreover, the opportunity to meet other people from different cultures can also bring in a fresh new perspective on the often jaded outlook of most seniors?the delight in discovering that there appears to be things they have yet to discover may stimulate their enthusiasm in the sheer business of living.

Virtual reality?especially the kind that elevates social interaction to hitherto unrealized levels?is said to be the future of aging in our society. More and more seniors are enthusiastically discovering how to send an email, interact with others through chat or by blogging. You may be living alone, regularly assisted by a visiting caregiver and armed with your own medical alarm device, but you?re not really isolated. And as long as the hours spent online are balanced with real-world physical efforts such as engaging in stretching exercises and eating the right food, you?re in good company.

Medical Alert Systems and In Home Care Can Combat Rising Healthcare Costs By Kristin Palardy

A medical alert system can bring children of aging parents the peace of mind of knowing that their parents, who may live alone, can reach help if they experience a fall or other accident. The most common reason for purchasing a medical alert is wanting to make sure that an elderly loved one who is generally able to live independently is able to reach help when they need it. But can this tool for independent living also be a weapon in the fight against rising healthcare costs in the United States?

The population of the United States includes 39 million individuals over the age of 65 as of 2008, and by the year 2030, this number is expected to skyrocket to 72 million, as "Baby Boomers" reach the age of 65.

So, the aging population is growing. The individuals of the "baby boom" generation are reaching senior age, causing the senior population to increase dramatically. Not only that, but healthcare advances have allowed people to live longer; there are many more people reaching their 80?s, 90?s and even past 100. Those who reach these ages are, on average, suffering a large number of physical ailments and as a consequence, they consistently incur high medical expenses.

More seniors, fighting more physical ailments means a higher healthcare cost amongst our increasingly senior population. In fact, by the year 2030, health care for seniors is predicted to account for 25% of all the nation?s health care expenditures.

This is where a medical alert system can help. The price of equipment rental and monitoring can be less than $1 per day; a long hospital stay costs much more than that. The longer a senior waits to receive help after a fall, the more complications they will experience.

If a senior citizen falls, and is unable to summon help within the first hour, they are extremely likely to lose their independence, and most in this situation are ultimately placed in nursing homes.

With a medical alert system, an individual can get quick help, which often eliminates the need for a lengthy hospital stay, and prevents seniors from experiencing complications from their fall that land them permanently in a nursing home or care facility.

In conjunction with in-home care provided either by a professional service or a member of the senior?s family, a medical alert system can keep an elderly individual out of a hospital, out of a nursing home, and can extend the amount of time in which he or she can live at home safely.

The average cost of nursing homes can top an average pricetag of $83,585/year, or $229/day. A medical alert system rental and monthly monitoring service costs less than $1/day.

While the rapidly rising population of seniors in the United States as well as recent changes to Medicare almost certainly guarantee a drastic spike in healthcare costs, this increase can be slowed. Preventative measures are the key to lowering healthcare costs in the United States, as it decreases the amount of costly emergency care and the many expenditures that come when an individual is no longer able to live in their homes.

How Utilizing A Hoyer Lift Is Actually Better For Patient Care By Stephen Sexton

In relation to home healthcare, there are several things that can be helpful and a Hoyer lift is certain one of them. There are many reasons to use a lift, but perhaps two of the more important reasons are for comfort and safety.

The caregiver has the responsibility of maneuvering or transferring a patient while inflicting as little pain as possible and doing it in the safest manner possible. In such instances, a Hoyer lift can be helpful when it comes to transferring patients securely and safely. A Hoyer lift doesn't just protect the patient, it allows the caregiver to avoid serious strain or trauma. It doesn?t really matter how strong a health worker thinks they are, it may be a good idea to use the lift to guard against possible future injuries to themselves like back strain or pulled muscles. Properly lifting a patient, a lift will basically take the place of the health professional, avoiding straining back muscles. All through the transfer, the patient is also able to feel far more secure and safe because of the added stability. The lift may also help the patient relax, as they will not have to be in such close physical contact with the caregiver during this time, which can alleviate some uncomfortable feelings.

The process of utilizing a Hoyer lift is rather simple, especially compared to not using one whatsoever. When the caregiver is ready to begin, it may a good idea for them to clarify exactly what they are going to do. Sometimes it can be very nerve racking for a patient to know that they are going to be raised. The degree of stress may be reduced if the health worker takes a few minutes to reassure the patient and inform them of what can be expected in the process.

Raising the bed to the maximum level may be a good place to begin. As you prepare yourself for the transfer, the pad could be slipped under the patient a lot easier. If there are side rails on the bed it may be a good idea to make sure they are both up so the patient has something to grip as they sit up. Rolling the patient to one side while they grab the railing can allow the caregiver to put the padding underneath the patient comfortably. Then having the patient roll the other way to get the other half of the pad underneath the patient is the next thing to do. The next step would be to position the leg straps and set them under each thigh area. After the patient and pad is in position, lowering the bed to a more suitable level is necessary where the patient does not feel too high once picked up with the Hoyer.

Once the loops from the pad are properly secure on the lift the caregiver can carefully begin to lift the individual off of the bed. The lift will move the patient into a sitting position. Having the base spread apart for proper balance of the patient is one thing to watch for. Once the patient is directly over the item where the transfer needs to end, and then the care provider can lower the lift. If it is a wheel chair, ensuring the brakes are locked before setting the patient down is advisable. Once lowered, the loops can be unhooked and the pad extracted. For both the patient and the caregiver, this kind of transfer using a Hoyer lift can be made safe and comfortable.

Wood shower benches: Top Tips to Care for them By Ivana Williams

Shower benches are useful addition to the shower as aids for the elderly, physically-challenged, or for those who require extra assistance in the shower. The prime issue in taking care of such benches, especially for the wood types, is keeping mold and mildew at bay. If fail to ensure, they can eat away them gradually.

A shower is always a great potential place to supply moisture. Here mold flourishes upon. Uncared for long, the furniture may sag. To protect them, their owners need to follow a few simple maintenance steps.

Wipe down the wood shower benches after use each time. If moisture is left for long period of time, the mold and mildew will form. Keeping the bench dry would be a good idea to prevent the growth of mold. Unless it is kept dry, it will ruin the wood.

Owners may fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and warm water. Make sure they spray down the wooden benches with vinegar cleaning mixture. Sponging would also be a good idea. Wash with warm water. Use a towel to dry the bench. Make sure this way they use the vinegar once in a week to keep mold at bay.

Baking soda paste for visible mold and mildew is a best medicine for their care. Use a cup of baking soda and mix a few tablespoon of water with it to make a paste. Add water to make the paste thicker.

What owners of them should not do is they should not bleach to clean the benches. Bleaching may lead to creating cracks. To wash redwood, cedar, or teak shower benches, use of mild soap and warm water could be the best consideration as they can wipe mold and mildew completely. Make sure the products are dried after use each time.

Add style and comfort to your shower, sauna, bathroom, or outdoor or indoor space. Install such a bench to these places to amp up the beauty and utility. Ensure you are making a purchase of good quality wooden bench. There are a wide variety of woods in the market. Among them, California redwood is the most popular.

Any California redwood furniture, be it indoor or outdoor furniture, usually last a lifetime. They are naturally sturdy. For, redwood trees grow over centuries and their logs are left to season with all climatic conditions. For this reason, while buying them make sure you drill down the redwood furniture market.

At the time of buying a redwood shower bench, focus on the product quality rather than on amount of investment. Plastic, aluminum, ordinary wood shower benches may cost very little, but they may not live up to regular users? expectations. To the contrary, the California redwood furniture might cost a little bit higher, but when you think of longevity and look, you will then surely go in for redwood products. These products outlast and outperform all other product types. Performance of the California redwood furniture is just unbeatable! Owning and using them requires little care and maintenance. Why then would you not buy if you are free from caring persistently?

How to Choose the Right Home Care for Your Loved One in Kansas City? By Kevin Schmiterson

Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. The metropolitan area encompasses four different counties - Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte, and is home to more than 2.1 million people. Close to 11 percent of the population in the area is over the age of 65. This number is expected to double by 2030, especially in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties. Government agencies and healthcare facilities expect a significant increase in demand for support services for the elderly population in the region. These include nursing homes, hospitals and in-home care providers. Several recent surveys have indicated that more than one-third of the seniors prefer to live independently for as long as possible. In-home caregivers can help them realize this dream.

There are several home care providers in Kansas City. You may be overwhelmed by the choice. However, you should consider all the factors before finalizing the home care provider. Your first step should be to analyze your medical and non-medical needs. Make a list of all the care providers in your city, and learn more about them through web reviews and websites. Zero in on a few names you like. Conduct a thorough interview and make sure their working style matches your preferences.

Your home care provider should visit you personally and assess your needs. They should answer your questions and concerns. If you require medical care, make sure the aides have the required qualifications and certification. You may also have other preferences. For example, some of you may prefer soft spoken people, while others may thrive well with outgoing and talkative individuals. Make sure your in-home care provider company considers these personality preferences before assigning an aide to you. Try to minimize the number of people your family would work with in the long run. This will simplify things for you, and help you avoid confusion in the future. Check the cancellation policy of the company, and the payment terms before signing the final contract.

You should also decide how you will pay for the care. Medicaid recipients receive some coverage through their policy. Medicare rarely pays for in-home care but you may be considered under special circumstances. Check with Medicare before ruling it out. Certain private medical insurance and long term care policies may also pay for in-home care, especially if it involves medical care. Choosing the right in-home care provider is crucial for maintaining your lifestyle. Take your time and consider all the options carefully before making the final decision.

Alarm Services Help Seniors Stay Independent By James Davies

No one said ageing was easy but just like taxes is something most of us cannot avoid.

For many, the biggest frustration once we officially cross the threshold of middle-age to old-age is growing physical infirmity.

The mind may still be active but the body can let us down. Thankfully, due to medical advances and more information on healthy lifestyles, generally people are staying fitter for longer, but nevertheless, there may come a time when we struggle with once easy day-to-day activities.

But for many, it's no longer a case of having relatives hectoring you to head into a home in your twilight years.

Elderly people are in fact able to retain their independence longer thanks to personal alarm monitored services.

These personal alarm systems allow the elderly to have an alarm button worn as a pendant around their neck, or as a wristband or on their belt, so should anything untoward happen, like a fall in the bathroom, then help is at hand at any time day or night.

Pendant alarm systems carry a unique id so that any 24/7 care response teams immediately knows who it is using the remote alarm.

What's more, they will have any relevant medical information at hand about the person using the alarm. They will immediately call back on the alarm unit to speak to the person but if they are unable to get to the unit, the care response team then alert predefined key holders that the person may be in distress.

Additionally, they then alert emergency services should medical attention be required. The upshot of these pendant alarm monitored services is clearly peace of mind, not only for elderly individuals but their relatives too. It allows people to prolong their independence but always have help at hand when it is needed.

And, unlike entering a home, they are relatively lo-cost options that similarly are easy to install. That's not to say a home can always be avoided.

This depends on the general well-being of each individual but for many who remain relatively mentally and physically active, it's simply a precaution especially should an elderly individual be living alone, that at the press of their pendant alarm, help will be at hand almost immediately.

With people living longer, and being healthier for longer, alarm monitored systems are a way of helping to facilitate such independence longer, which is surely a good thing for added security, and allowing us to live the way we want to live for longer.

Elements of an Easy, Safe Modern Living: Medical Alarm and Other Advanced Products for Seniors By Stefanie Jeanne

Aside from the more common senior-targeted products such as the medical alarm and other medication-related automatic dispensers, there are several other products that can help you ensure a happy, safe modern living for your aging parent.

Apple?s iPad: well, aside from being a highly popular gadget, Apple?s iPad (the touch-screen tablet computer that has revolutionized and pumped new vigor into what used to be a lack-luster market) has also been found by researchers in Tokyo, Japan to be particularly very helpful for seniors. The iPad is so easy to use, and its interface is highly intuitive?even people with no prior experience with computers can delight in using the tablet. With currently hundreds of thousands of applications that can be downloaded on the iPad, the functionalities of this tablet computer are further extended?there is practically an application out there for everything a person might need, and there is a category of apps that are designed specifically for the usage of seniors.

Automatic medication management: a common challenge for seniors is the increasing difficulty in managing a growing number of daily maintenance medications. The situation is serious enough (any simple mistake in taking the wrong pill or taking the right pill in incorrect dosages could mess up a senior?s fragile physical constitution) that it has warranted many products that provide assistance in this area. One such product is the E-pill Cadex 12 Alarm Medication Reminder Watch and Medical ID. Yes, it is a digital watch with so many other useful functionalities designed to help the senior to always do the right thing when it comes to medication. Wearing the E-pill Cadex 12 watch means the senior can keep tabs of which medicine to take at what time of the day?its alarm reminder is easy to program and can accept up to 12 medication alarms a day. Not only that, the watch?s face also displays the name of the pill to take. It also serves as a medical ID, which allows the user to store vital medical information such as existing allergies, blood type, phone numbers for health insurance, and existing medical conditions?such information can be very handy in the event of an emergency.

"Talking" devices: "talking" devices are gadgets or tools that inform the user audibly. Such devices are especially useful for seniors whose sense of vision is diminishing or at least not as sharp as it used to be. A good example of such a talking device is a digital talking thermometer?the good ones can "say" the temperature reading while providing a clear visual display. There is also a Talking Rx Prescription Reader, which is basically a self-contained unit that records the patient?s prescription instructions (as provided by the caregiver, doctor or pharmacist), and all the user has to do is press a red button to listen to the recording. This "talking" functionality is also extended in certain devices in the kitchen?there is a talking microwave oven, for example, that features a speaking countdown timer to ensure accurate timing for any possible purpose.

Grip extension tools: accidental falls is becoming increasingly common among seniors, and one good way to avoid it is by giving seniors the option to not physically try too hard. This is where products like the Ettore Grip ?n Grab comes in?by extending a person?s reach, seniors would not have to stand on a stool in order to get to hard to reach places in their house. The grabber features a pivoting rubberized head, and gripping can work both ways?it can be used to get things in high location, as well as pick up things from the floor (if bending down is difficult for the senior).

Medical alarm: as we?ve said, this is a device that is simply a must-have for all seniors, especially for those who live alone. A personal alarm device?wearable as a bracelet of necklace pendant?makes it possible for the wearer to get instant help in the event of any emergency, medical or not.

Thanks to the countless advances in technology and the innovation of product designers, there are many products available in the market now that significantly extend a senior?s capabilities and help ensure their safety.

Sound Advice On How To Stay Young By Stanford Dewey

Many people are fearful about growing older, but aging does not have to be a bad thing, if you recognize the right approaches to keep healthy as you grow older. Like with any kind of health topic, you need to be educated about what you can do to prevent signs and symptoms of aging. This article contains a number of tips about aging that may help you look and feel more youthful.

As with so many areas of life, the secrets of staying young, and aging well, have to do with taking care of yourself. Eat right, drink plenty of water, get 8 hours of sleep each night and maintain a healthy social life. All of these things have been shown to reduce the appearance of aging, as well as keeping you healthier and happier.

Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to keeping your mind fit as you age. For that reason, challenging your mind every day is crucial to keeping it fresh and alert. The quickest and easiest way to do this is simply to try a new version of something you already know and like as often as possible. That could mean cooking a new recipe every night or simply doing a new crossword every morning. Find out about

It is important to treat yourself as often as possible to improve the way that you feel and gain more confidence. The next time you have off, go to the local spa near you and get a facial. This will help to exfoliate the surface of your skin, so that you can look your best and instill a warm glow to your complexion.

Prepare your aging skin before applying makeup, for a more youthful appearance. As skin ages, it loses the ability to retain moisture. Your skin prep routine needs to take as much time as your make up. Try using a moisturizing mask to re-hydrate your skin for 15 minutes, then apply moisturizer to lock in hydration. Your makeup will now glide on and look beautiful.

The older you get the more difficult it will become for you to find and maintain a job. This is for two reasons, first there is a general fear of hiring people who are elderly, but secondly it will actually become more difficult for you to maintain the same level of energy you need for the jobs. So, it is important to stay fit, and to keep up to date with changes in your area of interest or expertise.

Not only will learning about computers help your mind stay nimble, but it can open a whole new world for you. Aging doesn't mean that you have to live in the good old days forever, so ask your friends or family to teach you how to use a word processor to create greeting cards, or how to upload photos to Flickr!

Having a positive outlook on life can give anyone a more youthful vibe and appearance. This article has given a lot of great ways to keep yourself in check when it comes to your age, and also how to be the best that you can be no matter what the number. I really hope all these recommendations will help you stay healthy and fit no matter what your current age. Keep in mind your current age is just a number and actually has absolutely nothing to do with precisely how healthy and balanced you genuinely are.

Integrating a Senior Medical Alert System with Exercises to Help Prevent Falls By Stefanie Jeanne

While the use of a senior medical alert can be instrumental in preventing accidental falls among seniors, there is nothing more effective in falls prevention that helping the senior stay as physically fit as possible. Contrary to what may seem obvious, seniors can actually have a fighting chance against the possibility of figuring in accidental falls. Preventing accidental falls is highly important, especially due to the fact that when it happens to an elderly person, the physical damage can be serious, lasting and, sometimes fatal. So engaging in certain exercises for the specific purpose of regaining your sense of mobility, agility and balance should not only be among your top priorities, but should also become a regular part of your daily schedule.

The following are just some of the simple exercises you can do on your own to protect yourself from accidental falls.

Leg exercises: strengthening your legs and hips is important in enabling you to maintain and control your own stability. This stability is vital, especially when you?re walking, leaning, or standing. Accidental falls occur when, for example, an elderly person stands on a chair to fix a light bulb, and that person momentarily loses their sense of stability.

To do a simple leg exercise, look for a good chair with a back rest that is about the same level as your elbows. With your feet at rest side by side and as you face the back of the chair, slowly lift one of your legs out to the side. Try to lift that leg as high up as possible without having to lean your torso in the opposite direction. Maintain for a few seconds, than slowly lower the leg down. Now do the same with the other leg. Repeat a dozen or more times for each leg.

Other important parts of your legs are those muscles you use for sitting and standing. By strengthening these muscle groups, you further ensure your own stability when you sit or stand. For this strengthening exercise, you should find any chair with arms. Place it in the middle of an open room?the living room would be good as long as it is not so cramped or there is enough leg room. Sit on the said chair, and make sure that both of your feet touch the floor evenly, which also means you should be using a chair with just the right height. As you sit on the chair, slowly try to stand up, using your arms (which should be using the chair?s arms for support) to push up and out of the chair. When you are fully standing up, slowly resume the sitting position in such a way that you are lowering your upper leg muscles onto the seat. Repeat a few more times or until failure.

Another leg muscle that you should work out are the quads, as they are responsible for maintaining your balance and stability while you are walking and in preventing your own legs from turning into rubber, so to speak. A good strengthening exercise for the quads is by the use of a chair. Sit on a chair with your legs naturally bent and your feet on the sides, the soles of your feet evenly planted on the floor as much as possible. Slowly lift your foot off the floor, then extend your leg by straightening it out in front of you and in such a way that the leg is parallel to the floor. Lower it back down then do the same with the other leg. Even better, try to point your toes forward during the peak of your extension so as to further work up the quads. Repeat as you feel necessary or until failure.

Strengthening the ankles: the experts from the American Council on Exercise assert that having a weak ankle is a major factor in increasing one?s risk of falling. The goal, therefore, is to never forget the role of the ankles in helping you maintain stability in standing and walking. The good thing is that, like other leg muscles, the ankles can be fully strengthened with some simple exercises. Get a towel that is sufficiently long to be wrapped around the bottom of your foot?the purpose of the towel is to provide something you can hold onto while you are seated. Tug on the towel to add some resistance as you make figure 8 patterns with your foot. Repeat the same with the other foot as often as necessary or until failure.

You can spend as little as 15 to 20 minutes in doing these exercises. Apart from using an actual senior medical alert to ensure that you?ll get instant medical assistance just in case an accident actually happens, engaging in these exercises daily is a truly great way to safeguard your own well-being.

Why Caregivers and Doctors Recommend Medical Alert Systems By Stefanie Jeanne

Doctors know the importance of having round-the-clock medical monitoring, especially for high-risk patients. Any serious medical emergency could occur anytime, and because doctors have no accurate way of predicting when it would happen, the only logical way to manage it is by conducting 24-hour monitoring of the patient. However, such kind of monitoring is not particularly cost-effective, especially for patients or seniors who are still able to get around.

Caregivers, on the other hand, could only do so much. Such as attending to the ache and pains of the senior, helping them with bathing, and assisting them with their daily activities, but their attention is limited. Unless we?re speaking of multiple caregivers who alternate shifts in 24-hour periods, caregivers would go home at the end of the day, leaving the senior on their own.

Obviously, there is a gap in attention, and unfortunately, it is through those gaps that accidents happen. Caregivers and doctors recommend medical alert systems primarily because the service could accomplish things that they could not. Usually, caregivers have other responsibilities and concerns?they also have a life, a family to attend to, and a job that demands their professional attention. That?s why giving all the obligations on the caregiver?s shoulders is essentially risking eventual neglect of the senior.

These days, medical alerts are advanced and efficient. Back during their early days in the 1970s, medical alerts were bulky, and it was hard for seniors to wear the devices. Worse, the early medical alerts were not waterproof, so they could not be worn in the bathroom. This was a crucial weakness: most accidents involving seniors occur in the bathroom?a slip on the tiled floor or the bath tub can be fatal when not immediately attended to.

Fortunately, like other in-demand and important technologies, medical alerts have evolved in terms of sophistication and efficiency. No longer are such devices bulky and a hassle to use. The medical alerts you?ll find being offered by different providers these days are built and designed for daily durability?they are waterproof and can be worn at all times, even when the wearer is in the bathroom. The medical alerts are also small, lightweight and designed compactly enough that it is easy for the wearer to be no longer self-conscious about it.

Using a medical alert system is so simple that even seniors who find trouble understanding technical instructions will be able to quickly use the system. Basically, there are no technical instructions?the senior only needs to "wear" the device (either as a bracelet or as a necklace pendant) and press the button whenever a need arises. Whether the seniors is plagued with?a heart attack, a dizziness spell?and they?re alone in the house with the caregiver miles away, they simply press that button and a professionally trained response center responder will speak to them from the loudspeaker of the system?s base unit. Other types of medical alerts can also be set to automatically call 911 or the nearest neighbor or medical facility whenever the device "detects" that the senior has an accident in the home?a slip on the floor, a fall, or some sudden inactivity that may indicate loss of consciousness.

A medical alert system can enable doctors or caregivers to have a better control of their loved one?s situation?the devices and the 24/7 monitoring associated with their use can easily fill in what the common caregiver could not do, which is remain with their aging loved one at all times. After all, a medical alert system, thanks to technological advances in manufacturing and wireless communication, is now very affordable, with a minimal monthly fee of around $20. For the breadth and scope of a medical alert system?s service, along with its other perks, we?d say that the monthly service fee is indeed a very small price to pay for ensuring the safety of a loved one.

Caregiving - A Stressful Calling By Cheryl Hitchcock

Approximately 65 million Americans are caregivers to loved ones. These people, who care for loved ones without training as health care professionals, are in many cases forced to do so due to our aging population and changes in health care system. Whether an ill partner or child, or an aging parent without adequate insurance coverage for ongoing elder care, these family members may experience very high levels of caregiver stress.

While caring for a loved one who is unable to care for them self can be very fulfilling, it can also take a great toll on the caregiver, with a great deal of emotional and physical strain, known as caregiver stress. This stress can become debilitating to the caregiver as well, leading to the same stress related symptoms that all stress-out people feel: headaches, anxiety, depression, muscle tension or pain, restlessness, fatigue, over- or under-eating, sleeping problems, drug or alcohol abuse, social withdrawal, and emotional extremes ? especially irritability or anger.

Symptoms of caregiver stress

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of caregiver stress, borrowed from the Mayo Clinic:

- Feeling tired most of the time

- Feeling overwhelmed and irritable

- Sleeping too much or too little

- Gaining or losing a lot of weight

- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy

One of the most pernicious results of caregiver stress is ? anger at the loved one for whom you are caring; the irrational feeling that he or she is denying you of a more fulfilling life because of their need for you to take care of them. This is a very dangerous symptom of caregiver stress, as it may lead to the neglect, or outright abuse, of your loved one.

How to deal with caregiver stress

The effects of out-of-control stress are dangerous for anyone, leading to a variety of health problems. For the caregiver though, this stress can be even more dangerous, as it may directly impact the care of the loved for whom to whom you?ve pledged your support. This can lead to even more stress, as you realize the care you?ve promised to give has been compromised.

Again from the Mayo clinic, there are things you can do to help yourself deal with the stress of being a caregiver:

- Accept help. Be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what he or she would like to do.

- Focus on what you are able to provide. Don?t give in to guilt. Feeling guilty is normal, but understand that no one is a "perfect" caregiver. And you don?t have to feel guilty about asking for help.

- Get connected. Organizations such as the Red Cross and the Alzheimer?s Association offer classes on caregiving, and local hospitals may have classes specifically about the disease your loved one is facing.

- Join a support group. A support group can be a great source for encouragement and advice from others in similar situations. It can also be a good place to make new friends.

- Seek social support. Make an effort to stay emotionally connected with family and friends. Set aside time each week for socializing, even if it?s just a walk with a friend.

- Set personal health goals. For example, set a goal to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, or set a goal for getting a good night?s sleep. It?s also crucial to eat a healthy diet.

- See your doctor. Get recommended immunizations and screenings. Make sure to tell your doctor that you?re a caregiver. Don?t hesitate to mention any concerns or symptoms you have.

If you?re the caregiver in your family, you must remember to set aside time for yourself ? for self-care. Do not try to be perfect. Do not try to be all things to all people. Do the best you can for the ones you love, and ask for, and accept, help when needed.

And that?s good enough.