Pathways Ii

In This Issue Prepare to 'Age in Place' Age in Place Take Action Today, for Independent Living Tomorrow Volunteers Welcome! Long-Distance Caregiving When asked what they fear Honey Roasted Chicken With most, senior Rosemary & Dijon citizens ranked losing their Warning Signs of a Stroke independence (26%) and Puzzle moving into a nursing home (13%) higher than fear of Contact Us death (only 3%), according to a commissioned study, www.seniorhelpers.com "Aging in Place in America," conducted by independent research company Prince Market Research. An overwhelming majority of seniors want to grow older in And Follow Us On: their own homes, yet over half are concerned about their ability to do so. It may or may not become evident over time that you (or your loved ones) need assistance to continue living in your own home. Often, a major event will cause you to recognize such a need. It might be death of a spouse, a stroke, a broken limb from a fall, or concern from a relative or neighbor following a visit during which they recognize things are just not right. It is important to take steps today to help ensure that you

can "age in place" tomorrow. Some of the easiest things that can be done include simply organizing documents and creating reference sheets. Organize Documents. The following documents should be assembled in one place so they are available when needed: · Medicare, Social Security, and health insurance cards · Copy of birth certificate Fill in the missing numbers · Names, phone numbers, and addresses of doctor(s) so every row, · List of health conditions column, and quadrant · List of current medications with contact information for contain the numbers pharmacy and prescribing physician 1 through 9. · Allergies to food or medications · Will, living will, and powers of attorney · Copies of insurance policies, including life insurance and long-term care insurance · Financial information, including contact information for tax preparer or accountant Create a Laminated Reference Sheet. Create a complete list of emergency telephone numbers and information. Laminate the list and put it in an obvious place so it will be available for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or others who may need it. The sheet should contain the CLICK HERE for answer following: · Name, address, telephone number, birth date, social security number, and medical insurance information. · Primary and specialist physicians' names and contact information. · A list of medications and dosages. · Name and phone number of your pharmacy. · Names and contact information for caregivers, relatives, and close neighbors. · Whether you have a living will and/or a durable power of attorney that allows another person(s) to make financial and/ or medical decisions if you are unable to do so (include contact information). Develop a Plan for Help. Recognize when you need help and list needs in the following areas: · Housekeeping- laundry, shopping, and household paperwork. · Nutrition-meal planning, cooking, and meal delivery · Health care-nursing, social work, physical and rehabilitative therapy, and medication monitoring · Personal care-assistance with personal hygiene, medical equipment, dressing, bathing, and exercise · Other-transportation, companionship, and daily telephone

checks Once you have compiled the list, decide if a friend or family member can assist you or if you need outside help. Make Your Home Safe(r). According to The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), one in every three seniors fall each year. Falls cause many seniors to lose their independence, requiring a change in living arrangements such as moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Although falls can happen to anybody, anytime, and anyplace, you can prevent many falls by recognizing and correcting common hazards in the home. Senior Helpers has developed a "Home Safety Checklist" that provides tips for fall-proofing each room in the house. · Use good lighting. Put light switches at the top and bottom of every staircase. · Use grip bars and install handrails in bathtub and toilet areas. · Use a bed that is easy to get in to and out of without injury. · Secure throw rugs and fasten loose area rugs with double- sided tape or slip-resistant backing. · Clean up spills, dropped food, etc. from floors immediately. Exercise. Regular, moderate physical activity is very important. Physical activity can reduce pain in joints and muscles and improve mobility and balance. The benefits of exercise help reduce the risk of falling. Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise program that fits your level of ability and meets your needs. Sources: www.orthoinfo.aaos.org/, www.metlife.com Honey Roasted Chicken with Rosemary & Dijon

Makes 4 servings Ingredients 1 whole chicken, about 5 lbs. Salt to taste Freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary 1/4 cup honey 4 cloves garlic, peeled 1/2 yellow onion, quartered 1 lemon, zested, halved, and juiced Cooking Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with salt and pepper. 2. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan. 3. Roughly chop two sprigs of the rosemary. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, honey, chopped rosemary, lemon juice, and lemon zest. 4. Place the remaining sprig of rosemary, a lemon half, onion quarters, and garlic in the cavity of the bird. Using a pastry brush, coat the outside of the bird with the lemon honey glaze. 5. Place the roasting pan in the oven and baste the chicken every 15 minutes with any remaining glaze. 6. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thigh reaches 180° and juices run clear, about one hour. Remove and discard the skin. Nutrition Information: Calories 341, Carbohydrates 24g, Fat 7g, Fiber 2g, Protein 47g, Saturated Fat 1g, Sodium 333mg

Volunteers Welcome! Older Adults Who Volunteer Report Higher Levels of Well-Being You can find many opportunities for yourself or a loved one to get involved with volunteering in your community or anywhere in the world. Here are a few ideas to get you started: · Local theater, opera, and dance companies use volunteer ushers to stretch their budgets. And you get to see performances for free! · Be a friendly visitor and companion to an elderly home-bound senior. · Volunteer to help plan a fundraising walk for a cause about which you are passionate, such as the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. · Your church or temple may have opportunities to volunteer during parts of services. Teach religion classes to youngsters or care for youngsters in the nursery during services. · Tutor students through school-sponsored programs. · Act as a mentor for a young boy or girl through your local Big Brothers Big Sisters. · If you love animals, volunteer at a local zoo, veterinary clinic, or animal shelter. · Don't forget your neighbors, friends, or relatives with young children who could use a babysitter for a night out or a few hours to run errands. · Ask a local childcare facility, library, or school if you can read children's books aloud to kids. · Help young people of all ages become workforce ready through programs such as those sponsored by Junior Achievement. Look for volunteer opportunities for seniors in your local area by searching the Internet or visiting your local senior center. Retired Brains (www.retiredbrains.com) has a long list of opportunities that you can find not only in your local area but that also involve travel domestically and internationally. 10 Tips for Long-Distance Caregiving Distance complicates caregiving for older relatives. The Alzheimer's Association suggests these helpful tips for you to follow when you visit or have others do so on your behalf: 1. Make a List of Resources. Compile a list of contact people and resources that can help you coordinate care. These can include churches or temples, doctors, volunteer organizations, aging agencies, and home care services. 2. Check Food. Look to see if there is food in the refrigerator, whether or not it is fresh or spoiled, and if the person is eating regularly. 3. Inspect the Home. Check the inside and outside condition of the home for changes.

4. Look at Mail. Is mail piling up and unopened? Are bills getting paid on time? 5. Check Physical Appearance.Is the person's appearance normal? Are they bathing and grooming? 6. Monitor Driving. Can the person drive safely? 7. Make Appointments. In advance of your visit, make appointments with your loved one's doctor(s), lawyer, and financial adviser so they can participate in decision-making. 8. Ask Others. Check in with nearby relatives and friends for observations about your loved one's emotional and physical well-being. 9. Interact. Do activities with your loved one that s/he enjoys. 10. Resolve Issues. Acknowledge any negative feelings from others about your geographic distance and degree of involvement in caregiving and work through them. For more information, visit the Alzheimer's Association website at www.alz.org, or call 800-272-3900. © 2009 Alzheimer's Association. Reprinted with permission of the Alzheimer's Association. May be distributed by unaffiliated organizations and individuals. Such distribution does not constitute an endorsement of these parties or their activities by the Alzheimer's Association.

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Pathways Ii

by Senior Helpers In Home Health Care on Apr 05, 2010

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Pathways Ii — Document Transcript