safety Archives - Ella Home Care

June 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Ways to Be Proactive About Senior Heat Safety in the Summer

If you’ve stepped outside lately, you know that summer is heating up. We’ve already had some days creep to the 90 degree mark, and this is only the beginning. In Pennsylvania, our summer months get dangerously hot and this heat is especially dangerous for our aging senior adult population.

Far too many injuries and deaths occur each summer due to the heat. This summer, in order to beat the heat, we urge you to be proactive with how you and your loved ones prepare for the coming weeks. Here are five steps to help get your started.

Make sure air conditioning and fans are in working order.

Imagine on a hot day, your senior parents going to turn on their air conditioning unit and nothing happens. The temperatures are quickly rising and you may not be able to track down a repair man for hours, if not days. What do you do? This is the scenario you want to avoid and you can do so by making sure all air conditioning units and fans are in working order right now. Ideally, you would even do this in the spring months to allow time for repairs. Checking these things early and often will prevent the panic of being without cool relief in the hottest months.

Limit time outside during the hottest hours.

The next thing you can do to be proactive about summer heat safety for your aging loved ones is to limit their time spent outdoors between 10am and 2pm. These are the hottest hours of the day and also when the sun is most direct. You can avoid unnecessary heat exhaustion and sunburn by planning your outdoor activities accordingly.

Make it easy to stay hydrated.

When preparing for the summer, also check the home to be sure there are ample opportunities to get water and stay hydrated. Make it easy and enjoyable for your loved ones to drink liquids. Are water glasses easy to get to? Are there water bottles to make it more portable? Are there some low-calorie drinks that offer some taste to add variety? All of these things will help make proper hydration possible.

Switch out the wardrobe.

For many senior adults, getting dressed each morning is a challenge all on its own. When summer comes around there is also the challenge of locating weather-appropriate clothes. If all the light-weight tops and shorts are packed away in storage, or on high shelves, it’s not going to be as easy as it should be to dress smart for the heat. Before summer sets in help your loved ones unpack their summer wear and remind them of the best outfits for the hottest days.

Check in regularly.

Finally and most importantly, on hot days you should check in just a bit more frequently with your senior parents and grandparents. Not only is this a great opportunity to remind them of summer heat safety, you will also be able to hear how they are feeling and if they are staying cool and hydrated. This small act to keep seniors safe in the summer is well worth the effort!

This summer, be sure to be smart about the sun and the heat. The best defense is to be proactive with how you dress, the time you spend outside, and staying hydrated. We hope you’ll take these five actions and put them into practice for you and your loved ones this summer!

February 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

Both technology and healthcare are changing at rapid rates for our country. With these changes come opportunity for growth and development, especially for in-home care. As we move into 2019, there are some important new trends that are sure to change the way we view and use in-home care. The good news is these trends are likely to make in-home care more accessible for our aging loved ones so that they can fulfill their desire to age gracefully and comfortably in their home. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Embracing the Use of “Wearables”

Home monitoring devices or “wearables” will increasingly provide a broad range of health care options for older adults, their caretakers, and their health care providers. Beyond basic medical alert devices, like Life Alert, technology has advanced into the monitoring of chronic conditions. For example, EKGs have been implanted in smartphones and can be activated along with pocket-sized electrodes when patients begin to experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Additionally, diabetes monitors can provide patients with real-time glucose levels. Technology is now looking to expand into a next level of sensors that may provide physicians with information about diet, activity levels and stress to provide a complete picture of a patient’s condition.

Interacting with Technology

With the recent surge of in-home, interactive technology such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, more and more seniors are benefitting from the use of this technology. Through a variety of apps, they can track and record their own daily health notes, have easier access to call a family member or alert 911 in a time of need, and can use the device for entertainment. While technology will never replace the need for interaction with other people, Alexa and Google Home can provide just one more way aging adults can feel connected to the world around them, even if they may not be able to get out as frequently as they would like.

Increasing Value for In-Home Care

Hospitals and health systems now, more than ever before, have realized the extreme value that in-home care provides. Patients who have the support of in-home care are less likely to have an accident or medical emergency when they have the oversight of regular in-home care. In return, this reduces the patient’s risk of needing to receive emergency care from a hospital. Even when a patient does need to seek care from a hospital, upon return to their home, they have a better chance of smooth recovery with help at home. For these reasons hospitals and health systems realize the value in-home care plays in the full spectrum of continuing care.

Growing Demand for Caregivers

And with the increased value of in-home care, demand is on the rise as well. As a result, the demand for professional caregivers is also growing. This demand is sure to re-shape in-home care as organizations who provide such care must change the way in which they recruit and retain quality caregivers. Additionally, for those passionate about pursuing a career as a caregiver, there will be more opportunity to work in this field and help serve others.

Combined, these trends stand to have a large impact on in-home care both now and well into the future. As technology continues to change at a rapid rate, and other health systems as well as individuals recognize the value that in-home care provides, there is room for substantial growth for the home health industry. Regardless of where the future leads us, what’s most important is that all organizations and industries who serve our aging community seek collaborative solutions to increase the quality of life for our senior adults.

What trend do you find most promising or interesting?

January 10, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

Winter Senior Safety Concerns You Likely Didn’t Think About

During the winter months, there are some obvious safety concerns that can affect almost anyone. Cold temperatures, increased illness, snow, ice and limited ability to get food and toiletries can leave a person feeling scared or frustrated. But specifically for our aging population, there are some real winter safety concerns that are easily overlooked because they aren’t as obvious. For this reason, it’s so important to know what they are so you can helping an aging loved one stay healthy and safe this winter season.

Inability to Seek Medical Help

One of the biggest safety concerns in the winter for seniors that we don’t often think about is their ability to seek timely medical help, should they need it. In case of emergency, this can be a very dangerous situation. Winter road conditions can deter an aging loved one from driving themselves to the doctor’s office, causing them to put off seeking medical help for a cold, the flu or other injury. Even keeping up with regularly scheduled appointments can be difficult if winter weather gets in the way. To support your aging loved one be sure to arrange for reliable transportation to their medical appointments, especially in the winter.

Frostbite

Most people know how to avoid frostbite and can usually do so successfully by bundling up and listening to their body. However for people with heart disease and other circulation problems, this is a bigger challenge. They are at a higher risk for frostbite because circulation is poor and they may not feel the warning signs that their extremities are getting dangerously cold. If this applies to your aging loved one, be sure they have someone who checks on them frequently to ensure they are properly dressed, staying inside as much as possible and have proper heating in their home.

Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In the winter various heat sources in the home can pose a major risk, especially for senior adults. The first is fire. Equally as dangerous is carbon monoxide poisoning. Unlike a fire, carbon monoxide poisoning is nearly impossible to detect without a special detection device. Make sure your loved one has such a device and that it is working. Mostly importantly, make sure you know the warning signs. When visiting an aging loved one, look for signs of headache, weakness, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

Lack of Access to Food and Water

All it takes is a couple of winter storms and possibly an injury or illness to prevent an aging adult from being able to make it to the grocery store or pharmacy for long periods of time. It’s likely they will run low on food, medicine and toiletries, unless they have someone who will step in to help. During the winter months, it’s so important to stay attentive to your aging loved ones to see if they need help restocking any of these essential items.

Injuries While Shoveling Snow

Adult seniors who live independently might still carry the responsibility of shoveling their own driveway and sidewalk. While many other aspects of independent living may not be a cause for concern, shoveling requires a great deal of effort and also requires someone to be outside for extended periods of time. Additionally, if this chore isn’t done, the person residing in the house can’t easily leave to run errands or make it to medical appointments. Talk with your loved one early about their plans for who will shovel their driveway and sidewalk. Make arrangements with a neighbor or professional company who can commit to taking on this task for them for the duration of the winter season. This will give everyone some much needed peace of mind.

This winter, don’t let these senior safety concerns catch you off guard. Take the necessary steps today to protect your loved ones from accident or illness. Most importantly, check in on your senior friends and neighbors frequently to be sure they have everything they need to be comfortable this winter!

June 5, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Keep Your Aging Loved One Safe and Healthy this Summer

Here in Central Pennsylvania, it feels like we wait most of the year for warm and sunny weather. It’s natural for us to want to get outside and enjoy every minute of it! However, we must use common sense when it comes to exposing ourselves to the sun and heat. Especially for older adults, the summer months pose real safety concerns such as dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion.

In an effort to keep our aging loved ones safe this summer, take a look at some tips for helping senior adults be proactive when it comes to beating the heat!

Wear Layers

Encourage your loved ones to dress in layers during the summer months. While they may feel cold in the morning or indoors with the AC on, during the afternoon and into the evening, things warm up quickly. Especially if you plan to go outside for any amount of time, plan ahead by wearing easy to remove layers that can quickly come off when the heat kicks in.

Apply Sunscreen

Even when covered up with layers, begin each morning by applying sunscreen. Whether you will be simply sitting in the sun for any period of time, or plan to be walking, gardening, etc., sunscreen is so important to keep your skin safe. Not only will it prevent the discomfort of sunburn, it will prevent serious long-term damage that may cause skin cancer. Sunscreen at every age is important, but especially for our aging loved ones who may need assistance applying it.

Give Air Conditioning Units a Check-Up

The worst time to figure out your air conditioning unit no longer works is in the heat of summer when you need it most. Help your aging loved one give their AC unit a check-up prior to the dog days of summer by scheduling an HVAC company to come and test everything out. If they do need a new unit, you will be able to plan ahead and have everything up and running before it becomes a danger to their health.

Limit Time Outside During Peak Heat Hours

Watch the forecast and plan your day accordingly. Avoid outdoor activities when temperatures reach into the 80’s and above. Be sure to also take humidity and wind into account. Early mornings are a great time to enjoy sunshine without the direct heat. Also seek shaded spots to relax, rather than placing an aging loved one in direct sunlight.

Stay Hydrated

Have cold water readily available and within reach. Some seniors may not have the ability to refill their own water bottles or drink from a cup. Be sure they have assistance throughout the day to meet these basic needs to stay hydrated. Even for seniors who are physically capable of providing themselves with water, like anyone, they will need encouragement to remember how much water they should drink in a day.

Have a Plan for Help

Most importantly, develop an action plan for getting help. Your loved one needs to know how to speak up when they feel too hot, thirsty or weak. Clearly communicate, and create a reminder, of who they should contact for any number of emergencies. Do a test run to make sure they are comfortable with the process. The peace of mind is well worth the effort!

How do you plan to help an aging loved one stay safe this summer? Share your favorite tip by leaving a comment below!

May 14, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Create a Safe Living Environment for an Aging Loved One

As anyone you love grows older, they will reach a point where they will need to make adjustments to their living space to ensure it’s safe and that it meets their changing needs. If your aging loved one wishes to remain living in their home for as long as possible, it’s important to help them make these adjustments that can prevent a future accident and improve their ability to care for themselves.

Here’s a brief overview of just some of the many things you can do to alter the most heavily used living spaces in a home to better meet the needs of a senior adult.

Kitchen

In the kitchen the biggest dangers are sharp objects and the stove and oven. Sharp objects, such as knives, should be stored in a knife block, ideally. This hides the sharp edges of the knives so that they are only accessible when needed. Even when stored safely, knives still pose a hazard as they are used, washed and transported. Depending upon the ability of your loved one, you may consider removing most or all sharp objects from the kitchen, especially if they are not generally needed for basic food preparations.

It’s common for a senior adult to forget to turn off the oven or stove. You can write notes reminding your loved one how to use these appliances and how to turn them off. You can purchase a kitchen timer and leave it near these appliances so that a timer can be set when cooking. You may also want to tape a sticker near the oven and stove reminding them that these surfaces are “HOT!”

Bathroom

In the bathroom, you will want to be sure your loved one has proper support to use the toilet and shower. Guide rails and stools can make it easier and safer for a senior adult to use the bathroom. Another potential hazard is the misuse of medications or bathroom products. You’ll want to be sure that everything is clearly labeled in a way that makes sense to your loved one. Finally, make sure that bath rugs have rubber backings so they cannot slide. Bath rugs will also help soak up any water that could cause a slipping hazard.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, you’ll want to make adjustments so your loved one can easily maneuver around the bed, especially if they require a wheel chair, cane or walker. The height of the bed can also pose a challenge. If it’s too high, they may need a step stool. If it’s too low, it will be difficult to get up without help. Also be sure there is an adequate night stand that can house a lamp, electronics and any other personal items that are frequently needed throughout the night like water, medications or glasses.

Living Room

Similar to the bedroom, you’ll want to help arrange the living room in a way that makes it easy for your loved one to maneuver around. Check the flooring to be sure there are no loose rugs, long cords or furniture that could cause someone to trip. Less is more! Since your loved one will be spending much of their time in this room, it’s smart to place a phone here so they can take calls without having to quickly move to another room. The phone also provides a means for communication should something happen.

Other Precautions

Stairs pose another challenge for aging adults. At some point it will not make sense for your loved one to climb up and down stairs each day. You should consider rearranging things so that their core living spaces all on one floor. Outside, you’ll also want to assess the stair situation. It may be necessary to put in a ramp. Every so often you’ll want to check for any faulty locks on doors and broken or worn out items that need replaced. Things like a burned out lightbulb or dead smoke alarm battery are as annoying as they are unsafe!

Do you have additional questions related to creating a safe living environment for a senior adult? We are happy to answer! Leave a comment below or contact Ella Home Care today.

5 Ways to Be Proactive About Senior Heat Safety in the Summer

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

Winter Senior Safety Concerns You Likely Didn’t Think About

How to Keep Your Aging Loved One Safe and Healthy this Summer

How to Create a Safe Living Environment for an Aging Loved One

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