Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Protecting Your Senior against Scams

Seniors are, unfortunately, targeted by con artists, thieves, and other criminals with scams on a regular basis. It seems as though there is always a new approach to trying to take advantage of elderly individuals—and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest methods employed by these dishonest fraudsters. To help you protect your senior, elder care professionals at the National Council on Aging have compiled the following list of scams for which you should be on the lookout.1


  1. Fraud: Senior care professionals warn that fraud is among the most prevalent of these cons, as it can take many shapes and forms. Medicare and insurance fraud occur when individuals pretend to be associated with healthcare organizations and gather sensitive information from seniors. Additionally, con artists may try to get seniors to buy into fraudulent anti-aging products, such as fake Botox. Finally, Internet fraud occurs when software steals personal information, such as financial and other details. 
  2. Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals: These scams normally take place online, where individuals are lured in by low prices and are provided pills that are not what they are said to be. 
  3. Funeral Scams: This type of con can take place in two ways. The first is the scammer taking advantage of widows and widowers by claiming the deceased owed them money. The second is the unethical practice of adding to the bills of families who are unfamiliar with the funeral process. 
  4. Telemarketing: There are several scams that occur over the phone, as seniors are more likely to conduct purchases this way than other generations. It is important to encourage your elderly loved one not to make a donation or purchase over the phone without researching the cause first. 
  5. Investment Schemes: These scams take advantage of the need for seniors to save for retirement by encouraging them to invest in businesses and other initiatives, such as pyramid schemes.  
  6. The Grandparent Scam: In this situation, individuals call seniors and ask something akin to, "Hello Grandpa, do you know who this is?" When the senior names a name, scammers adopt that identity and ask for money. 

Unfortunately, these are just a few of the many scams out there right now. It is a good idea to do a bit of research to keep your senior protected against con artists.
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1 http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/economic-security-Initiative/savvy-saving-seniors/top-10-scams-targeting.html

Monday, August 19, 2013

Advantages of Home Care

Home care occurs when an individual dedicates a set amount of time to caring for the needs of a senior. Whether you personally see to your elderly loved one's needs or hire a professional to do so, this is an activity that can greatly benefit your loved one. When it comes to quality home care, Always Best Care Asheville encourages you to explore your options and choose the provider that will best meet your senior's needs. While doing so, it is important to keep in mind the many ways in which this form of elder care can benefit your elderly loved one.

Facilitating Aging in Place
Many seniors want to retain as high a degree of independence as possible, and this means living out their golden years in their own home. In most instances, though, this can prove dangerous for elderly individuals who have mobility limitations, suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other conditions, or are not able to keep up with the demands of managing a household. If seniors are not in need of extensive medical care, they can stay in their homes without compromising their safety with the assistance of an elder care provider. As such, home care offers the opportunity for these seniors to age in place while staying as safe and secure as possible.

Medication Administration
As individuals age their bodies start to function less efficiently, resulting in the need for medications. If your senior also has an illness that requires pharmaceuticals, it can become incredibly difficult to manage all of their prescriptions. Home care providers can help elderly individuals by keeping track of when medications need to be taken and the correct dosage—and making sure that they are taken as prescribed.

Companionship
Seniors often become lonely, especially if they have chosen to age in place and are not able to drive. In many cases, elderly individuals who have outlived their friends and do not live near family members can become incredibly isolated. Having the companionship of a home care provider can go far in helping seniors to maintain positive spirits and a higher degree of mental wellbeing.
Home care is a wonderful option for many situations. Talk to your local senior care professionals to learn more.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Keeping Seniors Hydrated During the Dog Days of Summer

With summer in full swing, the issue of proper hydration is an important one to consider as you care for your loved one. Whether you offer around the clock support to your senior or you have a home care professional assist with your elderly loved one's senior care, Always Best Care Asheville-Hendersonville knows that it is crucial that your loved one gets enough water to keep them healthy during the summer months.

Many people are dehydrated and they are completely unaware of the fact, as few individuals who are not consciously drinking water during the day get the full eight cups that are recommended. For seniors, it can be quite easy to forget to drink water or to grab a more convenient beverage, such as a soda or juice out of the refrigerator, if there is no cold drinking water available. To help you keep your elderly loved one hydrated as temperatures continue to soar, keep the following tips in mind.


  1. Always make sure that your senior has cold drinking water on hand. Water filtration systems that are imbedded in the front door of the refrigerator are fantastic resources. If your senior doesn't have access to this form of water filtration, invest in a pitcher with a filter in the top. The pitcher can be stored in the refrigerator so the water is always cold and it only takes a minute or so to filter the water, making it easy to access clean, refreshing drinking water at any time. 
  2. Buy your loved one a water bottle that they can carry around with them. This way they can have drinking water available when they are out and about or even when they are just sitting on the couch, as this is a convenient way to carry around enough H2O for seniors to stay hydrated. 
  3. Create a system for your senior to track their water intake. Some water bottles have counters built in, allowing individuals to keep up with the number of cups they have had each day. If this isn't an option, put a piece of masking tape on the bottle and have your senior make a tick mark for every time they refill it. 

Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy during the summer months. With these tips, you should be able to help your senior drink enough water to keep their bodies functioning effectively.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Aging in Place: Keeping Your Senior's Home Safe

Aging in place is a common choice for elderly individuals who either own their homes or live with family members. This particular decision provides a long list of benefits, as eldercare providers note that seniors are often more comfortable and feel more fulfilled if they are living in their home; however, it is important to remember that elderly individuals need a safe living environment and that, in many cases, their homes need a few updates to create a more secure living space.

When it comes to home care, Asheville-Hendersonville's Always Best Care is a wonderful resource. The senior care professionals at this organization are ready and willing to help you in providing for the needs of your elderly loved one. To assist you in determining the necessary home improvements for your senior's house, here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Since falling is a very dangerous issue—one that can lead to injuries ranging from mild to fatal—it is crucial that you minimize the things over which your loved one might trip. Start with the flooring. Are there any cracked tiles, warped hardwoods, or loose carpets? Make sure that you repair anything that might cause your senior to step uneasily. Also look out for rugs that are curling up or that slip when stepped on by either applying a non-stick backing or replacing them with rugs that are in better condition.
  • Walk through your senior's home and make sure that your loved one is able to easily move from one room to the next. Any cluttered walkways should be cleared and any awkward furniture arrangements should be addressed. If your senior has a lot of stuff in their home, think about constructing shelving to help with storage. 
  • Update your loved one's bathroom to create a safer space. One of the most common places in which falls happen is the restroom, as seniors often slip on the tile floor or in the tub. Install hand rails by the toilet and in the shower to ensure that your loved one has something sturdy to hang onto as they are moving about the room. 

Maintaining a safe living environment is key for seniors who are aging in place. With these tips, you can start making the home improvements necessary to keep your loved one safe.