Lately, my mom has begun to lose her mobility. It’s hard for her to move quickly and her balance isn’t what it used to be. I bought mom a cane which seems to help her, but I am still worried. It would still be very easy for her, even with the cane, to trip and fall. What if she hit her head or broke a bone? I can’t always be there to help her, and when I suggested a home care professional, she laughed it off.

“Dear, I’m not that bad off yet. Why don’t we wait a while to see if that’s really necessary?”

What would happen if there was a fire? Would she be able to move quick enough to get to safety?

Until I can get my mom to agree to have a full time caregiver, I need to make sure her home is as safe a place as it can be. I made up a checklist to help. I hope it can help you to ensure the safety of your mom or dad’s home too.

Checklist: 5 Ways to Improve Home Safety

1 – Rugs and mats:

• Are rugs and mats secured to the floor or do they slide around? If rugs and mats slide they can be secured using double faced adhesive carpet tape. You can also buy special slip resistant rugs that come with a rubber backing. But, make sure to check these periodically as well, as the slip resistant backing can become worn out and lose its stick.

• Do edges and corners of rugs lay flat to the floor or are they curled up? Curled edges are a definite tripping hazard and curled rugs should be replace.

2 – Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors:

• Are all detectors functional? Make sure to, regularly, check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to make sure they are    functioning properly.

• Can your loved ones hear them from all areas of the house? In your tests make sure they are able to be heard in every room of the house and install additional detectors as needed.

3 – Electrical outlets:

• Are any outlets warm to the touch? This may indicate improper wiring and a fire hazard. Unplug all cords from warm outlets and have an electrician analyze them a.s.a.p.

• Do any outlets have smudges around the sockets? If so, this may indicate a past short and, again, a fire hazard. Make sure to have an electrician check the outlet.

4 – Phone and electrical cords:

• Are any cords running across the flow of traffic? This is a blatant tripping hazard. Make sure all cords are well out of the way, preferably running along a wall or behind a piece of furniture.

• Are any cords damaged? Damaged cords pose a fire and shock hazard. Frayed or cracked cords should be replaced.

5 – Space heaters:

• Are all space heaters properly installed? Kerosene, LP gas and gas heaters usually require ventilation. If improperly ventilated, they can cause a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.

• Are heaters well away from drapes, furniture or other flammable materials? Each heater has its own recommended safe distance, make sure to follow all instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer.

These are just a few quick suggestions, but they can cut down significantly on your loved one’s risk. Paying careful attention is often the best way to keep your loved one safe.

A complete list of home safety for seniors can be viewed on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Related articles:

• Tips for your home’s indoor air quality. (progressiveac.wordpress.com)
• Top 10 Unexpected Fire Hazards in the Home (rentersinsurance.com)
• Overlooked Fire Hazards in The Home (homesecuritysource.com)

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: 5 Ways To Improve Home Safety .

Nominate your Hero today!!

Hero (noun): “a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.”

When you read that definition, who comes to mind? Anyone in particular?

Now is the time to recognize a deserving senior volunteer for the Salute to Senior Service award. That’s right, it’s the Senior Heroes Contest 2012. Your nominee could win a donation to the non-profit charity of their choice!

Here are just a few of the great stories we’ve heard so far:

Ruth S. from Ocala, Florida: She has volunteered at the Florida Center for the Blind and the West Marion Hospital Emergency Department for over 10 years! Not only is she a teacher and mentor to others but she provides her love and support to the individuals, whether young or old. The rest of her family lives in Massachusetts. She has stayed in Florida, even though her husband passed away several years ago, because she values the importance of the work she is doing. Great job, Ruth!

Don W. from Jasper, Georgia: Back in 2003, he started the non-profit organization, Mountain Stewards, which creates and preserves an interconnecting network of trails and ecosystem study areas in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This has included handicap accessible trails, storm relief work and conservation efforts. Amazing!

Lynda G. from Morton, Illinois: For 27 years, she has volunteered for the Central Illinois Riding Therapy organization. This is a non-profit that helps people with disabilities through horseback riding. She is a board member, an instructor, a fund raising chairman and also does speaking engagements on behalf of the organization. Very cool!

Thomas B. from New Orleans, Louisiana: He has volunteered at the National World War II Museum for 10 years, putting in over 11,000 hours doing such things as setting up a table with photos and maps of the area and giving first hand history lessons to those who walk through the door. (He served with the 82nd Airborne division in the European theater of war, with some 30 parachute jumps into enemy territory.) He loves giving school children a personal tour of the European theater floor, explaining in great detail the artifacts, how they were used, their greatness, their innovation, and their flaws. Thank you for your hard work, Thomas!

There are so many wonderful people who put their heart and soul into helping others. Nominate your Hero today!

Contest Rules:

• The contest is open only to legal U.S. and Canadian residents, excluding Quebec residents, who are 65 or older as of Jan. 15, 2012.
•  The nominee must volunteer at least 15 hours a month.
•  The contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on March 15, 2012.

Nominate online: http://www.salutetoseniorservice.com/senior-heroes/nominate-senior-hero

Entry Deadline:

• March 15, 2012

Finalists Notified by Judge’s Panel:

• April 7, 2012

Winners Announced:

• May 1, 2012 (in the U.S.)
• June 1, 2012 (in Canada)

Prize Description:

National winners will receive a $5,000 donation to support their volunteer activities, courtesy of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network. All Senior Hero℠ winners will receive a plaque and a spot in the Salute to Senior Service℠ Wall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding service.

For full details, please visit: Salute to Senior Service.

Do you think your mom or dad would enjoy volunteering? These great organizations here in Dallas would love to have your help:

• CitySquare
• Susan G. Komen Dallas County Affiliate
• Readers 2 Leaders
• American Hospice
• Other oppurtunities

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: Nominate Your Dallas Hero for the ‘Salute to Senior Service’ Contest .

As we grow older, we find that many of our senses like hearing, eye sight and smell, diminish. When our mom or dad  show symptoms of any of these issues, we take them to their physician to try and slow the process. What if there are no symptoms?

Enter Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide, behind cataracts, and is most common in people over the age of 60. According to the National Eye Institute, it is more common in those of African-American and Hispanic descent.

Risk factors include:

• Family history
• Diabetes
• Prolonged use of steroids
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Injury to the eye
• Hypertension

There are several different types of glaucoma, all of which can cause optic nerve damage. Once this happens, the peripheral vision begins to fade. Eventually, if left untreated, it begins to damage the central vision, leading to complete and permanent blindness.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma? Well, that is a big part of the problem. Some people can experience blurred vision, headaches and red eyes. However, most do not. Often referred to as the “sneak thief of sight”, according to Prevent Blindness America, it does not cause noticeable symptoms until the later stages of the disease. Due to this, most people are not even aware they have it. Once the disease has taken full effect, the damage is irreversible, and there is no cure.

With all of this in mind, you are probably wondering: “How do I protect my loved one?”

The key is prevention!

Make sure your loved one is scheduled to have regular eye exams. With early detection and treatment, vision loss can be minimized or even prevented.

If your loved one has already been diagnosed with glaucoma, be sure they are taking their medication exactly how it is prescribed. Those who suffer from memory loss have increased risk of missing doses of medication, which would be detrimental. Be sure a family member or a trained caregiver assists them in taking their medication EVERY DAY.

If your loved one is currently suffering from vision loss, a Home Instead CAREgiver could assist them with chores around the home, meal preparation, medication reminders and errands. Check out our list of In-Home Care Services for Seniors.

For more information on Glaucoma, please visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

Related articles:

• National Glaucoma Awareness Month (lvnfamilyeyecarecenter.wordpress.com)
• Often referred to as “the cree… (totheprovinggrounds.com)

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: What You Should Know About Glaucoma .

Congratulations, Brenda!!

Hooray! Our caregiver for the month of February is Brenda Janis. Sometimes we wonder how we ever provided service to our clients without her. Brenda has been with Home Instead Senior Care for almost seven years. She heard about our company from a friend who was employed by us. We often find that some of our most outstanding caregivers come to us by referral from another caregiver.

It is impossible to think about Brenda without picturing her smiling face. Whenever we are with her, we are always struck by her upbeat attitude. She is simply a lot of fun to be around. This virtue is a blessing to her clients as well as all that are in her life. Seniors often need a breath of fresh air and something or someone to brighten their day. Brenda never fails to accomplish this with each and every client. She is so popular that some clients will not accept a substitute!

Brenda grew up in Dallas. She has had a variety of work experiences prior to working with Home Instead in the business field as well as the healthcare field. She is devoted to her family and enjoys spending time with them. We appreciate all that she does for our company and her clients. She is truly our Ambassador of Happiness.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

View the Story on our blog: Meet Our CAREGiver Of The Month For February! .

A hot cup of herbal tea, preparing and enjoying one can be such a comfort; a daily ceremony bringing nothing but pleasure. There are benefits to drinking herbal teas:They are caffeine free, nearly calorie free, taste delicious without added sugar; they are a wonderfully guilt-free habit in which to indulge.

Herbal teas rarely have side effects when consumed in small amounts, and can be consumed without complications with most drugs. But be safe – always be sure to consult your loved one’s doctor first, especially if he or she has a serious condition or is on blood thinning medication.

In addition to finding commercially made teas with these ingredients, many of these herbs are easy to grow at home. To make tea with fresh herbs, you’ll need either a teapot with strainer or a simple tea infuser (available at most grocery or household retailers for under five dollars).

Try a few of these herbs to begin with:

• Peppermint – A refreshing, soothing tea. Great for calming digestion, sore throats, fresh breath, easing congestion.
• Lemon Balm – A soothing and calming tea. Good for digestion and relaxation. Combines nicely with mint.
• Sage – A warming, spicy tea. Excellent for sore throats and to promote fresh breath.
• Rosemary – A zesty, aromatic tea. Helpful for headaches and aiding digestion.

To make a single serving of hot tea, snip 2 teaspoons of herbs and insert into the tea infuser. Place the infuser into your mug, and steep in one cup of boiling water for 5-15 minutes.* Add a slice of fresh lemon or a spoonful of honey for flavor, if desired.

Feel free to adjust the recipe to make a full pot; it is easy to prepare herbal tea as a single serving, but it tastes best when enjoyed with a friend.

* Be careful when serving hot liquids to those in your care.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: The Benefits Of Drinking Herbal Tea .

According to the American Heart Association: More women die of Heart Disease than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

February Is American Heart Month:

• A time to fight cardiovascular disease
• A time to educate the American people on what can be done to live a heart-healthy life

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

• Chest pain: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for some time – more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Upper body pain: Symptoms can include – pain or discomfort in the arms (one or both), back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath: may have chest discomfort
• Additional signs – Cold sweat, nausea or feeling light-headed

Higher risk factors of heart disease:

•  Woman 55 or older
•  Man 45 or older
•  Family history of early heart disease

DIAL 911 – if you are experiencing any of these symptoms!!

• Heart attacks are life and death emergencies – not to be taken lightly – every second counts!!

Heart disease is preventable – Become heart healthy by:

•  Maintain a healthy weight
•  Quit smoking & avoid secondhand smoke
•  Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
•  Drink alcohol in moderation
•  Be active & eat health meals
•  Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin every day if you are a man over the age of 45 or a woman over 55
•  Manage stress

Information contained in the article comes from the American Heart Association website. For more information about Heart Attacks, please, visit the American Heart Association Website.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: Hey Dallas: February Is American Heart Month!! .

It usually takes my dad quite a while to fall asleep after he goes to bed at night. The other night, I thought I heard him coughing a bit, but after a few moments, he quieted down. Just to be sure he was asleep, I peeked into his room. I was horrified to find his body wedged between the mattress and bed rail. He didn’t have the strength to free himself, and because he was gasping for breath, couldn’t even cry out for help. I always thought that the bed rails gave my dad extra safety and security. Sadly, I found that not to be the case. My dad was alright this time, but I was determined not to let it happen again.

The FDA cites that from January 1, 1985 to January 1, 2010, there were:

• 828 reported incidents of patients caught, trapped, entangled, or strangled in hospital beds
• 493 deaths, 141 nonfatal injuries, and 194 cases where staff needed to intervene to prevent injuries
• Most patients were frail, elderly or confused.

In order to reduce and eliminate the risk, the FDA partnered with many excellent organizations to form the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup.

According to the FDA, beds with rails should be assessed when:

• There is reason to believe that some components are worn (e.g., rails wobble, rails have been damaged, mattresses are softer) and could cause increased spaces within the bed system
• When accessories such as mattress overlays or positioning poles are added or removed
• When components of the bed system (e.g., new bed rails or mattresses) are changed or replaced

A list of bed rail safety guidelines can be found on Page 11 of the document “Clinical Guidance For the Assessment and Implementation of Bed Rails In Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, and Home Care Settings,” written by the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup, in partnership with the FDA.

The FDA’s site is very informative. After looking over its safety guidelines, we were able to fix the bed so the mattress was firmly in place. Now, when my dad sleeps quietly in his bed at night, I can rest easy.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: Bed Rails – Keeping Dad Safe .

I was curled up on the couch, deep in a good book, when Grandma Carol returned home. As usual, her pink cheeks and snow-white hair made her look the part of the quintessential grandmother.

“How was your afternoon?” I asked, thinking how happy she looked.

“Lovely!” she replied. “I finally finished weeding the garden at the senior center, and I added a new row of petunias to the flower bed.”

“I didn’t know you gardened there.”

Gardening was Grandma Carol’s passion. Her own front yard was filled with a profusion of daffodils, petunias, roses, and other beautiful flowers, and I wasn’t surprised that she had brought her hobby to the senior center as well.

“I volunteer there once a week,” she explained as she sank into a comfy chair. “I enjoy my Wednesday afternoons there so much!  I’ve been teaching the staff members about different kinds of flowers, and today one of them even asked me if I could give some lectures on gardening.”

I smiled. I could easily picture Grandma Carol holding forth on the importance of proper sunlight and regular weeding. I was intrigued by the fact that she was volunteering too. She seemed so delighted to be contributing to the community.

Personally, I volunteered at the local soup kitchen for a few hours each month, and I knew that they were regularly short on staff. Finding reliable volunteers to help was a genuine challenge, and it occurred to me that our searches were perhaps overlooking a segment of the population that might genuinely want to be useful, and that might have some time to spare. We were overlooking the senior population. I asked Grandma Carol what made volunteering such positive experience for her.

“There are so many reasons that I enjoy it,” she explained. “When I was younger, I didn’t have time to volunteer. I had kids, and a job, and husband to look after, and there was no time for anything else. So last year, when the staff at the senior center was looking for someone to help out with the garden, I thought how nice it would be if I could finally help the community, now that I have more time on my hands. I get to help others and meet new people, and I feel as though I’m doing something useful. I’ve even learned a few new things from the staff members.”

Her last comment made me laugh. I couldn’t imagine anyone teaching Grandma Carol about gardening. Her comment made sense, though. Volunteering really did have many benefits. It gave people opportunities to help their fellow citizens, share their skills and talents, make a difference in the community, and interact with others. It also makes them feel needed. So many seniors, I reflected, might benefit themselves as well as others by giving of their time.

I decided that when I went back home, after this visit with Grandma Carol had ended, I would talk to the local senior center and ask the staff knew of anyone who might be interested in volunteering at the soup kitchen. Perhaps one of the local seniors would have a passion for cooking! We could use a few senior heroes.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• CitySquare
• Susan G. Komen Dallas County Affiliate
• Readers 2 Leaders
• American Hospice
• Other oppurtunities

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: How Dallas Seniors Can Benefit From Volunteering .

Volunteers give of themseelves tirelessly!

According to research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care^® network, 52 percent of seniors volunteer their time through unpaid community service. Nearly 20 percent (one in five) of seniors surveyed started volunteering when they reached the traditional age of retirement – 65 or older. Furthermore, 20 percent of seniors who volunteer say that their community service is the most important thing they do.

Dr. Erwin Tan, director of the Senior Corps, a national organization that links more than 400,000 Americans 55 and older to service opportunities, says, “The one thing that I hear constantly from the seniors in our programs is that volunteering gives them a purpose in life – they say that it’s the reason they get up in the morning. In addition, it’s a great way for them to learn new things – whether a skill or just something about an issue in which they have an interest,” Tan said. “Volunteering is just a great way to expand their horizons and feel like they’re still a valuable part of their community.”

 The Home Instead Senior Care^® office has announced the Salute to Senior Service^SM program to honor senior volunteers for the tireless contributions they make to their local communities.

• The program will include a search for the most outstanding senior volunteer in each state and culminate with the selection of a national Salute to Senior Service^SM  winner during Older Americans Month in May.

• Nominees must be 65 years of age or older and volunteer at least 15 hours a month. Nominations will be accepted at www.SalutetoSeniorService.com through March 15, 2012.

• State Senior Hero^SM winners will receive plaques, and their stories will be posted on the SalutetoSeniorService.com website. In addition, $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s nonprofit charity of choice.

For more information about the Salute to Senior Service program or Home Instead Senior Care, please call our office at 225-819-8338.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

View the Story on our blog: Central Dallas – Honor Senior Volunteers! .

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease. Are you concerned that your mom may have PD?

The Doctor’s Visit:

I watched as Dr. Lyman attached two devices, which he called accelerometers, to my mom’s arms.

“Okay, now walk across the room,” he instructed.

“What will those do?” I asked, referring to the accelerometers. We had made the doctor’s appointment last week, after Mom began experiencing some unusual symptoms. Her hands had acquired mild, but continuous tremors, and she was having muscle aches. Worried, and hoping fervently that she was not developing Parkinson’s as her mother had before her, we had called the doctor for an appointment.

“The accelerometers measure the speed and frequency of arm swings,” the doctor explained.  ”Doctors have known for a long time that people with Parkinson’s swing their arms less when they walk than other people do, but there have been some new studies at Penn State that indicate that people with Parkinson’s disease have asymmetric arm swings. In other words, they tend to swing one arm less than they swing another. This symptom usually shows up early in the progression of the disease, so I can use the data from the accelerometers to aid in a diagnosis.”

I watched as Mom crossed the room. Her arm swings look approximately equal to me, but obviously I knew that the accelerometers might show differences that I couldn’t detect. I took a deep breath.

“Are there any other tests that you can do, just to be sure?” I asked.

“Certainly,” the doctor replied. “We’ll also do a  smell test. Smell is commonly one of the first senses affected by Parkinson’s, but because other factors can also affect it, the smell test isn’t quite as definitive as the arm swing test. We’ll run a few tests to check for other causes as well.”

Mom and I waited impatiently for the results of the tests. When they came back, we were relieved to discover that not only was her sense of smell still incredibly sharp, but her arm swings were also symmetric! Dr. Lyman told us to remain on the alert for other symptoms in the future, such as slow or infrequent blinking, constipation, difficulty balancing while walking, stiff muscles, and slowed speech, but confirmed that Mom’s current tremors were the result of a reaction to her medication. We were so relieved!

Related articles

• Early Sign Of Parkinson’s Disease Signaled by Increased Arm Swing Asymmetry (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary? (zocdoc.com)
• Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Breakthrough Stem Cell Treatment at Integra Medical Center (prweb.com)

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.

 Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library

View the Story on our blog: Is It Parkinson’s or Something Else? .