Senior Safety

Experts say senior financial abuse will become a prevalent problem over the next few decades as the number of seniors grows. Unfortunately, these same seniors are victimized by their own relatives or people they confide and trust in.

Senior Financial abuse takes many forms. Some of the warning signs include:

• Illegally accessing a senior’s bank accounts, Social Security checks, pension payments, IRA or pension accounts, credit card or ATM; Identity Theft and Withholding portions of checks cashed for a senior

• Charging a senior excessive rent or unreasonable fees for basic care (e.g., transportation, food, or medicine)

• Scams (e.g., bogus sweepstakes, lotteries) that use deception, scare tactics, or exaggerated claims to get money from seniors

• “Conning” by con artists who make their living preying on others and “befriend” elders

• Calls from telemarketers selling worthless, over priced, or nonexistent products

• Unfair or misleading home equity agreements that cause seniors to lose their homes

• Unscrupulous home repair contractors

• Age inappropriate financial products and services

• Fraudulent lifelong care offers in exchange for money or property

• Use a senior’s property or possessions without permission

• Forging a senior’s signature

• Coercing a senior to sign a deed, will, or power of attorney

• Pressuring a senior to give a “gift”

• Claiming to have found money and offering to split it with a senior if he or she first pays some amount as a sign of good faith

• Convincing a senior his or her child has been injured or is in jail and needs money

If you know a senior who may need help, contact your local police precinct or your local Department of Social Services. If you know a senior who is living alone at home who may need a medical alert system, give us a call at 1-800-595-0718.

Christmas is a time when many families come together as a family unit. Parents,grandparents and all of the grandchildren gather around the Christmas tree and exchange gifts and catch up on what went on in their lives during the past year. If you have an elderly parent you will be visiting over the Christmas holiday season, it’s important to make sure that they are taking care of themselves and that they are living in a safe environment. Look past the smiles and the holiday excitement to really see how they are doing. It’s not uncommon for for an aging parent to put on a show of being self reliant when in fact the situation may be much different.

Here is a list of a few things to look for when you are visiting with mom, dad or grandma over the Christmas holidays to make sure they remain independent and safe.

1. How is their memory? When you are having a conversation with them are you having to repeat it 10 minutes later? Are they asking questions that seem about family and friends that they should know the answers to?

2. Do you see unpaid bills and unopened mail lying around house?

3. Does the house look well kept and clean? Inside and outside

4. Are there any potential hazards in and around the home?

5. Is there plenty of food in the in the kitchen?

6. Are the autos in good mechanical condition?

7. Are there any handicap accesible features needed?

Senior safety is all about anticipating and preventing accidents before they happen. One of the best ways to make sure that your loved one has the protection they need at home is with a trusted medcial alert system provider such as MedFirst Alert. We are there 24/7 if an emergency situation arises.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

The MedFirst Alert Team

In times that paramedics are called to an emergency, the immediate access to the patient’s medical history is very vital. However, this information is rarely available.

One good example is a senior citizen who calls 911. Paramedics come to the scene and the senior is not able to give any detail regarding their condition. Without the presence of this important medical history, the only way for the paramedics to determine is to collect all the medications inside the house and take them to the ER along with the patient. Obviously, there is much time that is lost trying to identify and collect the medications of the patient and medical history. In times of emergency situations, this could mean the difference between life and death for the patient.

Having a precise and detailed medical history which is quickly obtainable by paramedics in the event of an emergency should be placed in a top priority for all families who live with aging senior citizens or seniors who live alone. The solution is quite simple yet they are rarely put into practice.

Step 1: Fill up a detailed medical history profile and update it every six months. Refer to the list given below to know what are to be included in the profile.

Step 2: Place and secure the medical profile in a plastic bag with a white medical cross outside. Other things to include inside the baggie can be: EKG, DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), Living Will.

Step 3: Place the baggie on the door of the refrigerator at eye level.

Step 4: Place a 4×4 decal on the front door telling paramedics to proceed to the refrigerator to get your complete medical history.

What to include in your medical history profile:

Name

Birth date

Physician

Dentist

Eye doctor

Emergency Contact person

Blood Type

Male/Female

Height

Weight

Current medical condition

List of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs you are taking

Description of drug sensitivity and allergies

Name of health insurance carrier

Group Number or Membership Number

Have you ever been informed you had one of the following?

Lung disorder – yes / no

High blood pressure – yes / no

Heart trouble – yes / no

Nervous disorder – yes / no

Digestive tract disease or disorder – yes / no

Any form of cancer – yes / no

Kidney disease – yes / no

Diabetes – yes / no

Arthritis – yes / no

Hepatitis – yes / no

Malaria – yes / no

Description of any blood disease or disorder

Description of any physical deformity

Description of any vision or hearing disorders

Any life-threatening condition (describe)

Personal Medical History

-Have you ever been hospitalized and treated by a doctor during the last year?

-Have you ever been advised to undergo surgical operation during the last 5 years?

-Date of your last physical

-Date of last tetanus shot

-Family history: include any information about the medical history of your family (begin from your mother and father)

Be sure to have all these to ensure of your safety and fast recovery.

Download our free Senior Life Saver Kit

When paramedics are called to an emergency, immediate access to the patients medical history is vital.  Unfortunately, this information is rarely available.

One classic example is a senior citizen who dials 911. Paramedics arrive on the scene and the senior is unable to give any details of their condition.  They may lay unconscious or incoherent.  Without this important medical history, paramedics will have to collect all of the medication in the home and take it to the ER with the patient.  Time is lost trying to identify and collect the patient’s medications and medical history.  In an emergency situation, this could mean the difference between life and death for the patient.

Having concise, detailed medical history which is quickly attainable by paramedics in the event of an emergency should be a top priority for all families with young children or aging seniors living alone.  The solution is simple yet rarely put into practice.

Step 1: Complete a detailed medical history profile and update it every 6 months.  See below for a complete list of what should be included in the medical history profile.

Step 2: Place the medical profile in a plastic baggie with a large medical white cross on the outside.  Other items to include in the baggie might be: EKG, DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), Living Will.

Step 3: Place the baggie on the refrigerator door at eye level.

Step 4: Place a 4×4 decal on the front door instructing paramedics to go to the refrigerator to obtain a complete medical history.

What to include in your medical history profile:

Name
Birth date
Physician
Dentist
Eye doctor
Emergency Contact person
Blood Type
Male/Female
Height
Weight
Your current medical condition
List prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking
Drug sensitivity and allergies (describe)
Name of health insurance carrier
Group Number or Membership Number (from pocket card)
Have you ever been told you had one of the following?
Lung disorder – yes / no
High blood pressure – yes / no
Heart trouble – yes / no
Nervous disorder – yes / no
Disease or disorder of the digestive tract – yes / no
Any form of cancer – yes / no
Disease of the kidney – yes / no
Diabetes – yes / no
Arthritis – yes / no
Hepatitis – yes / no
Malaria – yes / no
Disease or disorder of the blood? (describe)
Any physical defect or deformity? (describe)
Any vision or hearing disorders? (describe)
Any life-threatening conditions? (describe)
Personal Medical History
-Have you been treated by a physician or been disabled or hospitalized during the last year? (describe)
-Have you had or been advised to have a surgical operation within the last five years? (describe)
-Date of last physical
-Date of last tetanus shot
-Family history — list important medical problems of your parents (mother and father)
Any other special medical information

You may download your free Senior Life Saver Kit here or order a complete kit from MedFirst Alert.

• Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone. On the Refrigerator is good.
• Keep a phone close to the floor in case you fall and can’t get up.
• Think about wearing a MedFirst Alert Alarm pendant that will bring help in case you fall and can’t get up.

Floors – Look at the floor every room in the house

• When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture? Arrange the furniture in the room so that you have a clear pathway.
• Do you have throw area rugs on the floor? Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip.
• Remove any objects lying around on the floor such as pet toys, magazines, etc.
• Remove or relocate cords or wires (like cords from lamps, extension cords, or telephone cords) so they are not in the way..

Stairs and Steps – Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home.

• Are papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?
  Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep objects off the stairs.
• Are some steps broken or uneven? Fix loose or uneven steps.
• Are you missing a light over the stairway? Have a handyman or an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Has the stairway light bulb burned out? Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.
• Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
  Have a handyman or an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.
• Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs? Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs.
• Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn? Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads on the stairs.

Kitchens – Look at your kitchen and eating area.

• Are the things you use often on high shelves? Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist high).
• Is your step stool unsteady? Get a new, steady step stool with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

Bedrooms – Look at all your bedrooms.

• Is the light near the bed hard to reach? Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach.
• Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark? Put in a night-light so you can see where you’re walking. Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark.

Bathrooms – Look at all your bathrooms.

• Is the tub or shower floor slippery? Put a non-slip rubber mat or self- stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
• Do you have some support when you get in and out of the tub or up from the toilet? Have a handyman or a carpenter put in a grab bar inside the tub and next to the toilet.

Other Things You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Exercise regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves your balance and coordination.
• Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy.
• Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.
• Get up slowly after you sit or lie down.
• Wear sturdy shoes with thin, non-slip soles. Avoid slippers and running shoes with thick soles.
• Improve the lighting in your home. Use brighter light bulbs (at least 60 watts). Use lamp shades or frosted bulbs to reduce glare.
• Use reflecting tape at the top and bottom of the stairs so you can see them better.
• Paint doorsills a different color to prevent tripping.

Sometimes I get asked this very question by concerned children of aging parents and it’s a very good question to ask.

Cell phones are great mobile devices to use in emergency situations such as when you are driving down the highway and are in a traffic accident but when it comes to home safety they fall short.

There are several reasons why medical alert systems are a better choice around the home.

1. When an elderly person falls at home they do not always have their cell phone on their person. If the phone is not within reach, it becomes useless for a fall victim if they are immobilized. This is why medical alert systems come with transmitters that can be worn around the neck or as a wristband.

2. Cell phone batteries constantly need recharging. What happens if the battery is dead when you go to call 911? Your medical alert pendant will last for many months before having to replace the battery and if the battery gets low an automatic call is sent to the monitoring station to alert them of the low battery condition.

3. Cell phones can be confusing to operate especially if it’s one with very small buttons. Many seniors have reduced dexterity in their fingers due to arthritis and other medical conditions and dialing small buttons in an emergency situations can be overwhelming. With MedFirst Alert’s medical alert system you are able to have an unlimited emergency call list. Our care specialist will call your physician, caregiver, children or whoever you want us to call. Your safety is what’s most important!

So, for safety in and around the house, there’s nothing quite as effective as a medical alert system from MedFirst Alert. If you or someone you know may need a medical alert system, give us a call today at 1-800-595-0718.

This bill became law on April 23rd, 2008 but is it properly funded? or is it being funded at all? While going through the legislature it had the support of the Home Safety Council and the National Council on Aging.

The bill authorizes new programs in four important areas of fall prevention among adults 65 and older:

1. The Safety of Senior Act begins its public education campaigns for older adults, family members and health care providers to reduce falls and prevent repeat falls.

2. The Safety of Senior Act supports scientific research that identifies older adults who are at a high risk of falling by designing, implementing and evaluating the most effective ways of preventing falls, improving the treatment and rehab of older adults who have fallen and examining obstacles to adopt proven fall prevention strategies.

3. The Safety of Senior Act authorizes federal demonstration programs to look into fall prevention strategies such as physical activity, medication assessment and home alterations, as well as developing technology to prevent falls.

4. The Safety of Senior Act studies the effects of falls on health care costs and will Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate the effect of falls on health care costs, the potential for minimizing falls and the most effective strategies for reducing health care costs associated with falls.

Let your congressman know that you would like funding for the Safety of Senior Act. Your parents or a loved one may depend on it one day.

As always, if you have a parent or loved one that you are concerned about their safety while living at home alone please remember MedFirst Alert medical alert systems. Call us toll free at 1-800-595-0718 or place your order online at MedFirstAlert.com

You have watched them change and grow older over the years and you have become more aware of their often frail situation. You worry about your parents but don’t exactly know how to approach them about your concerns.

I want to begin with what NOT to talk about first. Although there are many important safety issues on your mind, you don’t want to begin the conversation in a threatening way. For example, your first conversation should not be, “So Mom, how do you feel about moving into a nursing home?” Or “How would you feel about a caregiver moving in with you?”

Instead, begin with a few questions or issues that are non-threatening but make sense that they should be done. -Practical questions

I emphasize this notion of practicality. Our parents’ generation is practical, and does not want to engage in things that seem frivolous or unnecessary. By starting with small, concrete issues, such as gathering emergency information, you will not immediately tap into the potential for deep emotion and grief that often makes discussions about the future so frightening.

I’m suggesting such a list below. Try out this list of things in order to build on the conversation. Don’t attempt to do the entire list at once. Do what you can in just a few minutes. Come back and deal with another item at another time. You and your aging parent will begin to feel a rhythm and flow to the process and begin to build the habit of communicating and gathering information that may be needed in future.

1. Emergency Contact Information — Make sure your parent has a list of people (family or friends) to contact in an emergency. Your parents’ neighbors have probably waved to you and said “Hello”, but if there were an emergency, would they know how or where to call you? Put the names of all the adult children, along with home, work, and cell phone numbers together on one list. Then make sure a copy is with a neighbor, close friend, church, or club where your parent spends time. All of this information is gathered on our medical alert system enrollment form so that in the event the “panic button” is pressed our care specialist can call the approopriate person to notify them of the condition of the

2. Emergency Medical Information — Put together a list of your parent’s doctors names, medications, allergies, and a brief medical history (major illnesses or surgeries, etc). Also list their Medical Insurance Policies and numbers. Keep a copy in an designated place in their house, and keep a copy yourself (especially if you live out of town). In case of emergency, this information may be needed quickly. Again, this information is collected by MedFirst Alert to notify the paramedics of any past or current medical history so that the appropriate actions are taken immediately.

3. Emergency Health Care Decision Maker — To prepare for any emergency, your parent will need to designate someone to make decisions for them, if, they are temporarily unable to speak for themselves. This is a legal status commonly called a Health Care Power of Attorney” or a “Medical Power of Attorney” (The name will vary from state to state, or province to province.) The forms can be picked up from your doctor or at your local hospital. This form will allow your parent to name someone who will legally be able to communicate with their doctors and make decisions on your parents behalf if they are unable to. (Even though the word “attorney” is in the name, it does not need to be completed by a lawyer. In most states you just need to have a person of legal age witness both people sign it.) You can also click here to get more information about the Medical Power of Attorney, or to

download the forms for your state.

Make sure that the Health Care Power of Attorney has a copy of all the information that was compiled in #1.

4. Emergency Cash — Your parent should designate a person who can access their bank account in case of emergency in order to pay any bills that are essential. This legal status, know as a “Durable Power of Attorney for Finances” must be drawn up with a lawyer. This way, your parents can specify their intentions that this only go into effect in case of emergency and if they are unable to speak and act for themselves. Other stipulations could be attached which their lawyer can explain.

5. Emergency Plan for the Pets — If your parents are temporarily unable to care for them, what’s the plan for their beloved pets?

6. Emergency Keys — In case of emergency, who has keys to your parent’s house?

7. ICE — ICE stands for “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY”. This represents an international agreement among Emergency Services Workers that in case of emergency they will look for the person’s cell phone and on the contact list, “ICE – Jane 555- 555-5555″, will designate the name and phone number of the person who should be contacted. Make sure your parents (and you) have ICE in your cell phone! If your parents don’t have a cell phone, make sure that list is kept in their wallet at all times.

Hopefully, these suggestions will give you a place to start as you talk to your parents about the future. Please let us know if you have any other questions about our medical alert systems and how they can provide independence and peace of mind to our senior citizens.

I was sitting in the office when a call came in for a medical alert unit.  Debbie, an elder care provider was very concerned about one of the seniors she cared for.  She explained the situation to me.

Mrs. Smith (named changed) is 59 years old and suffered a massive stroke 6 months ago.  The only income she had coming in was $2,400 a month from her deceased husbands social security.  She could not take social security herself because she would lose her husbands benefits.

The Dilemma

Mrs. Smith is currently paying $1685/month for 24 hour round the clock care because the stroke left her paralyzed on the left side of her body.  Her money will run out in 11 months.  She owns her house free and clear but does not want to sell it.

Unfortunately for Mrs. Smith, her options are limited.  She is ineligible for Medicare and Medicaid because of her current income and will not be able to sustain her current way of life.

The Solution

With the help of our medical alert system we will be able to reduce the amount of hours each day she will need for elder care.  This will save her close to $1,000 each month.  While this may not work for everyone because of their individual medical conditions it is an alternative for some.

As always, anyone considering a  MedFirst Alert medical alert system should consult with their physician first.  It is not a substitute for medical care but for the right set of circumstances a medical alert can prevent someone from spending a small fortune.

According to the Journal of Age and Aging (July 2009 issue) titled “Falls and Fear of Falling: Burden, Beliefs, and Behaviors” estimated the frequency of recent falls and prevalence of fear of falling among adults aged 65 and older.

The data were obtained from a cross-sectional, list-assisted, random-digit dialed telephone survey of U.S. adults from 2001 to 2003. Participants consisted of 1,709 non-institutionalized adults aged 65 or older who spoke either English or Spanish.

An estimated 3.5 million, or 9.6%, of older adults reported falling at least once in the previous 3 months. About 36.2% of all older adults said they were moderately or very afraid of falling.

Few older adults who fell in the previous 3 months reported making any changes to prevent future falls. The high prevalence of falls and fear of falling among U.S. older adults is of concern. Both can result in adverse health outcomes including decreased quality of life, functional limitations, restricted activity, and depression.

Older adults’ fear of falling and their reluctance to adopt behaviors that could prevent future falls should be considered when designing fall prevention programs. Such examples of fall prevention programs might include:

• Tai Chi -slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world.

• The Otago Exercise Program -The OEP helps to stop you falling if you have weak legs or impaired balance. It has been shown to reduce your chances of having a fall by 35%. It also reduces the severity of injuries from falls.

• Stepping on : building confidence and reducing falls, a community-based program for older people by Lindy Clemson & Megan Swann

While a medical alert system cannot prevent a fall from happening, studies have shown that the quicker help arrives after an emergency the better chances of a full recovery.  So, be sure to practice good preventative measures in conjunction to having a good medical alert in case a fall or other medical emergency should occur.

If you’d like more information about medical alert systems and their benefits to seniors, caregivers, or their family members please call the companies nationwide toll free number 1-800-595-0718 or e-mail to [email protected]

*information and statistics compiled from the CDC website