Elder Care Articles

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Friday, 10th October 2008 @ 8:51 AM

There are many accessories that can be added to your wheelchair to make it more personal or to make your life more convenient. They may seem insignificant, but you will surprise to find out that they are indeed useful. The first wheelchair accessory that you want to consider is a small tote attached to the side of the chair. You can put magazines and books in it so they are always close at hand. A holder for glasses or bottles would be a valuable addition as well so you do not need to go ... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Friday, 10th October 2008 @ 8:46 AM

It is believed that the wheelchair is originated from England in 1670s. As its name, a wheelchair is a chair with wheels. It can be propelled either manually or using electrical power. Transporting people who have walking problems is the main function of the wheelchair. A standard wheelchair has a seat, a back, two small front wheels, two large wheels, and a footrest. Along the years, wheelchairs were customized to meet the requirements of their users. Various accessories are also availab... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Friday, 10th October 2008 @ 8:28 AM

Wheelchairs have provided mobility to many people who have walking problems since a very long time ago. Unfortunately, the availability of wheelchair access is still not widespread. The article provides some tips that you should consider if you want to put wheelchair accesses. Placing wheelchair accesses Getting up and down the stairs is perhaps the biggest challenge in the house for a wheelchair user. There are two ways that you can choose to solve the situation. First, you can bu... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Friday, 10th October 2008 @ 8:10 AM

Electric wheelchair is applicable for both indoor and outdoor uses. This is an excellent device that gives freedom of movement without the necessity of others to help push around the wheelchair. Electric wheelchair comes in different types and sizes, each has different uses. If you want to use the wheelchair indoors, you should choose a tight turning radius electric wheelchair because maneuverability is important to access doorways and corners. The power should be sufficient to climb ramp... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Wednesday, 8th October 2008 @ 11:15 AM

One of caregivers' biggest fears is that the care-receiver will die on their shift. Most people have never watched someone die. It doesn't always happen the way it is portrayed in the movies. Every death is unique. How your loved-one enters the dying phase will depend on a lot of variables. Even though there is not a specific sequence of events, there will be noticeable changes to be aware of. Here are a few. 1. Increased sleeping usually occurs in the days or hours b... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Thursday, 2nd October 2008 @ 8:05 AM

Did you know that the average senior takes two to seven daily medications? As we age our bodies change, affecting the way medications (and foods) are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. All of these can create a greater risk of drug interactions and side effects. The more medications the care-receiver takes daily, the easier it is lose to track of how many to take and when they should be taken. Caregivers should use a medication organizer for their care-recei... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Wednesday, 1st October 2008 @ 11:07 AM

Just because you need a caregiver doesn't automatically mean you cannot travel. If your situation permits, travel can be very enjoyable. When traveling, try to follow the routine that is followed at home. Even minor changes in routine can be distressing and may cause unexpected delays in the delivery of care. Be sure to allow plenty of time for everything. Plan for rest periods throughout the day. 1. A few more travel tips to keep in mind: When searching the In... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Wednesday, 24th September 2008 @ 11:19 AM

If you are a family caregiver or a care-receiver, it is important that you understand your legal rights. Use this article to help start a discussion with your attorney or with the appropriate representative. 1. What is guardianship? Guardianship is a legal process used to insure that a person who is unable to make decisions on their own has someone specifically assigned to make decisions on their behalf. Usually, as a last resort, a judge decides if the care-receiver is no longer ... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Andy West @ Sunday, 21st September 2008 @ 10:12 AM

Proper home care training is more important than ever for those who work with the elderly, as increasing numbers of older Americans are staying in their own homes or moving to some sort of assisted living environment. And today's training isn't just for practical care nurses or those who work in nursing homes. More and more in-home care providers, from family members to volunteers, are taking the time to train properly in order to offer the older individuals they care for the best c... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Andy West @ Saturday, 20th September 2008 @ 10:43 PM

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, elder abuse has increasingly become a problem in North America, with caregiver neglect, psychological and physical abuse and financial abuse the most common forms. Proper elder abuse resources, however, can not only educate caregivers and health care professionals but family members as well so that they will know how to spot the signs of abuse and know when to intervene. Types of Elder Abuse Resources There are many resources tha... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Monday, 15th September 2008 @ 4:38 PM

Finding the right caregiver to take care of your loved is not always an easy task. Here are some key interview questions to help you get started. Be sure to take notes during the interview. Always check the references of at least two final applicants. Do not wait too long to make the offer, as good applicants may find another job. If the offer is accepted, the caregiver and the in-home helper should set a date to sign the contract and begin work. Both employer and employee should keep a copy of ... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Art Gib @ Thursday, 4th September 2008 @ 12:45 PM

The time has come for you to place your loved one into a senior living community, but finding the right one in Prescott, Arizona can be a daunting and stressful task. Prescott, Arizona is a great place to leave and a great place for seniors to enjoy their golden years. Finding a good senior living community in Prescott, Arizona is something that can easily be done due to the fact there are several to choose from. Aside of names in the phone book or a referral agency, you will need... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Art Gib @ Thursday, 4th September 2008 @ 10:34 AM

If you have found it to be the time to consider placing your loved one into an assisted living facility, you are not alone. Every year there are countless numbers of families who have to make the decision to place their loved ones in an assisted living facility. Henderson, Nevada has several assisted living facilities and assisted care companies that are available to help those who need some help with their day to day living functions. What is assisted living? Assisted living is ... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Saturday, 2nd August 2008 @ 5:58 PM

A good place for those who love sunshine and retirement communities is Florida. In this place, middle-aged people share time together under the sun. The right age to be there goes from fifty five to sixty two years old, as a minimum age, which is usually applied to one of the members in a couple. It is okay if one spouse is younger than the minimum age. The purpose for having a minimum age is that the activities, lodging, and facilities are especially designed for that age. Florida retir... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Art Gib @ Thursday, 31st July 2008 @ 6:06 AM

When caring for an elderly loved one becomes too much, a Mesa Arizona assisted living center can relieve that burden without the need for guilt, as the staff at assisted living centers are medically trained and can accommodate better around the clock care than you might be able to offer. Having said that, not just any Mesa Arizona assisted living center will do for your loved one. Shop around. Look carefully at all the feasible options before selecting an assisted living facility. Visit ... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Art Gib @ Friday, 25th July 2008 @ 3:32 PM

The idea of nursing homes, retirement homes, convalescent homes, etc., has always left a bad taste in people's mouths. The very concept of leaving your loved one in a drab, dreary, home and taking them away from their homes, cars, and lives still doesn't settle well with many people, but to people who have faced the situation, there is a different perspective. But that doesn't mean that there is any guilt-free way to handle such a difficult situation. It's definitely n... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Art Gib @ Wednesday, 23rd July 2008 @ 11:01 PM

Arizona is a desert. It's hot and it's dry. That kind of climate, in conjunction with its beautiful landscapes, makes it a perfect place to live out the retirement years in peace. If you have loved ones that are reaching a point where they have difficulty living on their own, or if you yourself feel like you could use a little assistance now and then, then you might want to consider retiring to a Prescott, Arizona assisted living facility. The words "assisted living" mig... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Wednesday, 23rd July 2008 @ 2:09 PM

Moving through the caregiving world with grace and ease is no simple skill. However, having good manners will carry you a long way.As a caregiver we spend our day interacting with family members, friends, and everyone on the Care Team. Common sense tells you that the people you are closest to warrant an extra measure of consideration. It takes good manners to sustain the love and respect between caregiver and care-receiver. Dos 1. Encourage family members and friends to sho... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Rebecca Sharp Colmer @ Wednesday, 16th July 2008 @ 9:30 PM

Communication goes on in many ways: exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing or behavior. It is no surprise that most families develop a special and unique communications style. When we talk to our family members, not only do we search for signs of love, but we also look for signs of disapproval. When families come together for making decisions about the care of their parent, they may need to develop or reframe their communication skills. Here are fiv... more...

Family » Elder Care | By Cindy Heller @ Wednesday, 16th July 2008 @ 5:14 AM

Asking your elders to move to a senior citizen home can be a very complicated situation. Most elders dislike the idea as they prefer to stay at their old home. If the elders are suffering from Alzheimer's, it may make the situation much simpler as their memory has lost gradually. In normal condition, it is often for children to enroll their parents or grandparents in one of these places under terrible feelings of guilt. Unfortunately, sometimes senior citizen housing is the only choi... more...