Pets provide a great deal of love and companionship, and if you are
willing and able to give them the care they need, pets can be a
wonderful addition to your home. Read on to learn more about the many
benefits of owning a pet and to decide whether or not owning a pet is
right for you.
The number one benefit of owning a pet as a senior is the
companionship. Having a dog or cat that is always at your side is a
great thing when your friends and family are unavailable during the day.
But there are many other advantages to owning a pet to be found,
including…
…it helps you establish a routine. Without any set responsibilities
or jobs to attend, you may find yourself wondering what to do with your
day. A pet will require feeding and walking at a regular time, which
allows you to plan a schedule and always have some pet-related activity
to look forward to.
…it gives you an excuse to exercise. And speaking of that daily dog
walk, it also constitutes one of the other benefits of owning a pet,
namely that it helps you get a daily dose of exercise. A walk around the
block will keep you and your pet feeling alert and healthy!
…it gives you a chance to stay social. Whether you’re taking your pet
to the vet, going out to purchase food or litter, or visiting the local
dog park, having a pet means having many reasons to get out there in
the world and meet new people.
If you have the time and energy to devote to caring for a new furry friend, consider adopting a pet! The Sacramento SPCA has
a wonderful Senior Services program where they give discounts for
seniors who own pets. Here are some of the wonderful benefits:
Free vaccine clinics
Free vaccination clinics for pets owned by seniors are held the first Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Animals must be spayed or neutered to qualify. Proof is required.
Adoption fees waived
The adoption fee is waived for seniors over the age of 65 adopting an
animal one year or older. A 20% adoption fee discount will be applied
for those seniors adopting an animal under one year of age.
Adoption center retail store discounts
Twenty percent off of items in our shelter retail store.
Dog training discounts
They also offer six one-hour dog training classes just for seniors for only $65.
And many other wonderful programs you can look into here:
As National Immunization Month comes to a close, it is important to
remember that seniors need to make sure they are keeping up on what
immunizations they should have to protect themselves. A weak immune
system can lead to serious health problems. All adults should get
vaccines to protect their health. Even healthy adults can become
seriously ill, and can pasFacebooks
certain illnesses on to others. Immunization is especially important
for older adults and for adults with chronic conditions such as asthma,
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes or heart disease.
Immunization is also important for anyone who is in close contact with
the very young, the very old, people with weakened immune systems, and
those who cannot be vaccinated.
All adults should get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to
protect against seasonal flu. Every adult should also get the Td or Tdap
vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect
against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
booster shot every 10 years.
If you are age 60 or older: Get a shot to prevent shingles.
Shingles causes a rash and can lead to pain that lasts for months. Learn
about the shingles vaccine.
If you are age 65 or older: Get shots to prevent pneumococcal
(“noo-muh-KOK-uhl”) disease. Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia
(“noo-MOHN-yah”), meningitis, and blood infections. Learn about
pneumococcal shots.
The need for vaccination does not end in childhood. Vaccines are
recommended throughout our lives based on age, lifestyle, and
occupation, locations of travel, medical conditions and vaccines
received in the past. Some vaccines can help prevent cancer. Hepatitis B
vaccine can prevent liver cancer that can develop after developing
chronic hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent cancers caused by HPV
infection, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancer.
Vaccination is important because it not only protects the person
receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of diseases to
others –especially those who are most vulnerable to serious
complications, such as infants and young children, the elderly, and
those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. The single
best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. A
yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.
While everyone should get vaccinated, certain people are at
greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu, including:
people 65 years and older, young children, pregnant women, people with
certain health conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD), diabetes or heart disease, and people living in
facilities like nursing homes.
Annual flu vaccination is also important for anyone who lives
with or cares for people at high risk for developing flu-related
complications.
Make sure you and your loved ones are current on all important
vaccines and immunizations. It will help everyone stay happy and
healthy!
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
For an adult aged twenty to sixty, a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
can be a painful, uncomfortable experience, but with proper medication
and treatment it will be gone within a few days. For a senior, it is a
very different experience; an elderly UTI rarely causes such clear
symptoms and might not involve pain or discomfort at all. “As you get
older your immune response changes; it’s part of normal aging,” says
Anna Treinkman, a nurse practitioner at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease
Center in Chicago and president of the National Conference of
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners.
The population most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. Elderly
people are more vulnerable to UTIs for many reasons, not the least of
which is their overall susceptibility to all infections due to the
suppressed immune system that comes with age and certain age-related
conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Younger people tend to empty the bladder completely upon urination,
which helps to keep bacteria from accumulating within the bladder. But
elderly men and women experience a weakening of the muscles of the
bladder, which leads to more urine being retained in the bladder, poor
bladder emptying and incontinence, which can lead to UTIs.
Symptoms of UTIs
The typical signs and symptoms of a UTI include:
Urine that appears cloudy
Bloody urine
Strong or foul-smelling urine odor
Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Pain or burning with urination
Pressure in the lower pelvis
Low-grade fever
Night sweats, shaking, or chills
Elderly people with serious urinary tract infection don’t exhibit the
hallmark sign of fever because their immune system is unable to mount a
response to infection due to the effects of aging. In fact, elders
often don’t exhibit any of the common symptoms – or don’t express them
to their caregivers.
UTIs in the elderly
are often mistaken as the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s,
according to NIH, because symptoms include:
Confusion, or delirium-like state
Agitation
Hallucinations
Other behavioral changes
Poor motor skills or dizziness
Falling
Sometimes, these are the only symptoms of a UTI that show
up in the elderly—no pain, no fever, no other typical symptoms of a
UTI.
According to NIH, the following conditions make the elderly more susceptible to UTIs:
Diabetes
Urinary retention (unable to empty the bladder, even if your loved one has just used the bathroom)
Use of a urinary catheter
Bowel incontinence
Enlarged prostate
Immobility (for example, those who must lie in bed for extended periods of time)
Surgery of any area around the bladder
Kidney stones
How to Reduce Risk of UTIs
People with incontinence are more at risk for UTIs because of the
close contact that adult briefs have with their skin, which can
reintroduce bacteria into the bladder. Some recommendations to help
reduce this risk include the following:
Change the briefs frequently
Encourage front-to-back cleansing
Keep the genital area clean
Set reminders/timers for those who are memory-impaired to try to use the bathroom instead of the adult brief
Other ways to reduce the chance of UTIs:
Drink plenty of fluids (2 to 4 quarts each day).
Drink cranberry juice or use cranberry tablets, but NOT if your elder has personal or family history of kidney stones.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, because these irritate the bladder
Do not douches or use other feminine hygiene products
Always wipe from front to back (for women)
Wear cotton-cloth underwear, and change them least once a day
There are great kits you can buy at the drug stores, such as,
Walgreen’s, CVS, and RiteAid between $10 and $20 that will give you an
accurate reading and if it does show positive, see your doctor right
away.
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
September
is National Cholesterol Awareness Month and it is important for
everyone to be aware of what cholesterol is, how it works in your body,
and what foods to avoid and what foods to eat to keep the bad
cholesterol away and the good cholesterol here to stay!
Too
much cholesterol in the blood is one of the main risk factors for heart
disease and stroke and is the leading cause of death in the United
States. One way to prevent these diseases is to detect cholesterol and
treat it when it is found. And yet, most adults with high cholesterol
don’t have their condition under control. Two out of 3 adults have high
cholesterol—or high LDL “bad” cholesterol.
Cholesterol
is a fatty chemical which is an important part of the outer lining
(membrane) of cells in the body. Cholesterol is found mainly in foods
that come from animals. LDL lipoprotein is the major carrier of
cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol, because elevated LDL cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
LDL lipoprotein deposits cholesterol on the artery walls, causing the
formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque. Over
time, cholesterol plaque causes thickening of the artery walls and
narrowing of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.
Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL (“bad”)
cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the
cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional
cholesterol from the foods you eat.
Only
25% of blood cholesterol is actually ingested as dietary cholesterol.
The other 75% is produced in the liver and, once linked with carrier
proteins known as lipoproteins, flows throughout the body in the
bloodstream along with dietary cholesterol.
Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important:
Heredity
What you eat
Weight
Physical activity/exercise
Age and sex
Alcohol
Stress
Before the age of menopause,
women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those
of men the same age. As women and men get older, their blood cholesterol
levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. After the age of about
50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the
same age.
Screening
is the key to detecting high cholesterol. High cholesterol does not
have symptoms. As a result, many people do not know that their
cholesterol is too high. Doctors can do a simple blood test to check
patients’ levels.
The
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that adults
aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every 5 years.
Some of the above information has been provided with the kind permission of the National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov)
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
September is Healthy Aging Month and it is important no matter what
your age that you are living a healthy lifestyle, and if you are not,
TODAY is the day to start!
Here are 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself during September Is Healthy Aging® Month:
Do not act your age or at least what you think your current age
should act like. What was your best year so far? 28? 40? Now? Picture
yourself at that age and be it. Some people may say this is denial, but
we say it is positive thinking and goes a long way toward feeling better
about you. (Tip: Don’t keep looking in the mirror, just FEEL IT!)
Be positive in your conversations and your actions every day.
When you catch yourself complaining, check yourself right there and
change the conversation to something positive. (Tip: Stop watching the
police reports on the local news.)
Ditch the downer friends. Have negative friends who complain all
of the time and constantly talk about how awful everything is? Drop
them. As cruel as that may sound, distance yourself from people who do
not have a positive outlook on life. They will only depress you and stop
you from moving forward. Surround yourself with energetic, happy,
positive people of all ages and you will be happier too. (Tip: Smile
often. It’s contagious and wards off naysayers.)
Walk like a vibrant, healthy person. Come on. You can probably
do it. Analyze your gait. Do you walk slowly because you have just
become lazy or, perhaps, have a fear of falling? (Tip: Make a conscious
effort to take big strides, walk with your heel first, and wear
comfortable shoes.)
Stand up straight! You can knock off the appearance of a few
extra years with this trick your mother kept trying to tell you. Look at
yourself in the mirror. Are you holding your stomach in, have your
shoulders back, chin up? Check out how much better your neck looks! Fix
your stance and practice it every day, all day until it is natural. You
will look great and feel better. (Tip: Your waistline will look trimmer
if you follow this advice.)
How’s your smile? Research shows people who smile more often are
happier. Your teeth are just as important to your good health as the
rest of your body. Not only is it the first thing people notice, but
good oral health is a gateway to your overall wellbeing. (Tip: Go to the
dentist regularly and look into teeth whitening. Nothing says old more
than yellowing teeth!)
Lonely? Stop brooding and complaining about having no friends or
family. Do something about it now. Right this minute. Pick up the
phone, landline, or cell and make a call to do one or more of the
following: Volunteer your time, take a class, and invite someone to meet
for lunch, brunch, dinner, or coffee. (Tip: Volunteer at the local
public school to stay in touch with younger people and to keep current
on trends, take a computer class or a tutorial session at your cell
phone store to keep up with technology, choose a new person every week
for your dining out.)
Start walking not only for your health but to see the neighbors.
Have a dog? You’ll be amazed how the dog can be a conversation starter.
(Tip: If you don’t have time for a dog, go to your local animal shelter
and volunteer. You will be thrilled by the puppy love!)
Get a physical. Make this month the time to set up your annual
physical and other health screenings. Go to the appointments and then,
hopefully, you can stop worrying about ailments for a while. (Tip: For a
list of recommended annual health screenings, a great resource is the
My Health Finder. http://healthfinder.gov/myhealthfinder/
Find your inner artist. Who says taking music lessons is for
young school children? You may have an artist lurking inside you just
waiting to be tapped. Have you always wanted to play the piano, violin,
or tuba? Have you ever wondered if you could paint a portrait or scenic
in oil? What about working in wood? (Tip: Sign up now for fall art or
music classes and discover your inner artist!)
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
Melody vs. Malady: The Benefits of Music for Alzheimer’s Patients
In
the world of Alzheimer’s research, a wide range of methods of treating
the disease have been tested, ranging from the logical to the
unorthodox. Falling somewhere in the middle of that spectrum is the
activity of listening to music, which has recently been shown to benefit
Alzheimer’s patients in a noticeable way. Read on to find out more
about the connection between music and Alzheimer’s patients’ health!
Study Shows Music Can Boost Memory in Alzheimer’s Patients
A
group of neuroscientists conducted a study with Alzheimer’s patients
and dementia to see how they responded over several months to the
introduction of music to their weekly routine. Their test group attended
“music sessions” where they either listened to or sang along with
childhood favorite tunes. The familiarity of the songs could be a key to
the successes of the experiment that were documented; because singing
along with them required recalling lyrics and tunes from years ago, it
helped to stimulate the participants’ memories and thus their overall
cognitive function.
The
study showed specifically that singing along to music helped with
thinking skills, but that is not all. In addition to benefitting the
cognitive abilities of Alzheimer’s patients, music has also been linked
to stress reduction and mood enhancement. It is a natural way to combat
depression-like symptoms and is easily incorporated into a daily
routine. You can listen to music while cooking dinner, reading, or as an
activity in and of itself to bring a dose of memory-boosting enjoyment
to your day!
When used
appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation,
stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and
coordinate motor movements.
This happens because
rhythmic and other well-rehearsed responses require little to no
cognitive or mental processing. They are influenced by the motor center
of the brain that responds directly to auditory rhythmic cues. A
person’s ability to engage in music, particularly rhythm playing and
singing, remains intact late into the disease process because, again,
these activities do not mandate cognitive functioning for success. Most
people associate music with important events and a wide array of
emotions. The connection can be so strong that hearing a tune long after
the occurrence evokes a memory of it.
If the links with the
music are unknown, it is difficult to predict an individual’s response.
Therefore, observe a person’s reaction to a particular arrangement and
discontinue it if it evokes distress, such as agitation, facial grimaces
or increasing muscular tension.
Selections
from the individual’s young adult years—ages 18 to 25—are most likely
to have the strongest responses and the most potential for engagement.
Unfamiliar music can
also be beneficial because it carries no memories or emotions. This may
be the best choice when developing new responses, such as physical
relaxation designed to manage stress or enhance sleep.
As individuals
progress into late-stage dementia, music from their childhood, such as
folk songs, work well. Singing these songs in the language in which they
were learned sparks the greatest involvement.
Non-verbal individuals in late dementia often become agitated out of frustration and sensory overload from
the inability to process environmental stimuli. Engaging them in
singing, rhythm playing, dancing, physical exercise, and other
structured music activities can diffuse this behavior and redirect their
attention.
For best outcomes,
carefully observe an individual’s patterns in order to use music
therapies just prior to the time of day when disruptive behaviors
usually occur.
How-to of music therapy:
Early stage—
Go out dancing or dance in the house.
Listen to music
that the person liked in the past—whether swing or Sinatra or salsa.
Recognize that perceptual changes can alter the way individuals with
dementia hear music. If they say it sounds horrible, turn it off; it may
to them.
Experiment with various types of concerts and venues, giving consideration to endurance and temperament.
Encourage an individual who played an instrument to try it again.
Compile a musical history of favorite recordings, which can be used to help in reminiscence and memory recall.
Early and middle stages—
Use song sheets or a karaoke player so the individual can sing along with old-time favorites.
Middle stage—
Play music or sing as the individual is walking to improve balance or gait.
Use background music to enhance mood.
Opt for relaxing music—a familiar, non-rhythmic song—to reduce sundowning, or behavior problems at nighttime.
Late stage—
Utilize the music collection of old favorites that you made earlier.
Do sing-alongs, with “When the Saints Go Marching In” or other tunes sung by rote in that person’s generation.
Play soothing music to provide a sense of comfort.
Exercise to music.
Do drumming or other rhythm-based activities.
Use facial expressions to communicate feelings when involved in these activities.
The information above was provided from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. http://www.alzfdn.org
As
Alzheimer’s treatments continue to develop, doctors will discover more
about the unexpected benefits of listening to music and other activities
for Alzheimer’s patients. More and more homes, assisted living
facilities, and in-home care companies are using music therapy as part
of their daily routine to help those suffering with Alzheimer’s remember
their past. One of the tools they are using is an iPod, loaded with the
client’s favorite songs so they can listen with headphones on, which
helps the listening process as well because it helps to drown out the
surrounding noises that can be distracting.
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
As
we age and our priorities change, our budgets can become a bigger and
bigger issue. You may be concerned about saving money to pay for medical
bills, putting money into a college fund for your grandchildren, or
even paying for trips and entertainment during your retirement.
Regardless of what you want to save for, keeping these few budgeting
basics in mind will help make managing your money easier. Read on to
find out more!
Seniors Save Big with These Budgeting Tips
Work out weekly expenses. An
easy way to break down your average expenses is to see what you spend
in a week on groceries, gas, and other expenses. You can even divide up
your monthly bills per week to see how much you should be setting aside.
Budgeting in small increments like this allows you to get a realistic
picture of what an average week looks like for you.
Take advantage of discounted services.
For seniors in some states, certain services are offered at a free or
discounted rate. Cell phone plans, for instance, are often available to
seniors for reduced rates- this could also eliminate your need for a
landline and that additional expense.
See what you can do for free.
When it comes to entertainment and activities, there are always
opportunities for saving money. Instead of going out to a pricey movie,
spend the afternoon at a local farmers market or at a church event.
Participating in these types of activities can not only save you money,
but also boost your spirits by getting you out in the community!
Create accounts for children and grandchildren.
If part of your money-saving plan is to put aside money for your
children or grandchildren to pay for certain expenses, create those
accounts so that their money is safe and can start to accumulate
interest.
Ask for assistance!
If budgeting is becoming too difficult for you to manage on your own,
seek the advice of an accountant or even a family member with a good
head for figures. They can help you create a plan that works best for
your needs.
According to AARP.com here are some great tips to help downsize and help to save and even make a little money.
The Big House
Consider
making this decision as soon the kids are gone rather than when you’re
ready to retire. Even if your home is already paid for, there are still
significant costs in owning more space than you really need, including
taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs. Plus, it will force you to
downsize other belongings, too. You’ll also have an excuse for why the
kids can’t move back in with you later!
Clothes
If
your wardrobe has outgrown your closet and dresser, start by purging
enough pieces so that everything will fit. Get rid of unwanted clothing
at yard sales or online, or by donating items to charity.
Anything in Off-Site Storage
According
to the Self Storage Association, there are about 50,000 self-storage
facilities in the U.S. That’s more than five times the number of
Starbucks! Vow to eliminate storage fees by getting rid of enough stuff
so that all your possessions fit in your own home.
Exercise Equipment
If
the exercise bike or treadmill in your bedroom has morphed into a
permanent clothes rack, donate it to a local thrift store or charity.
Kitchen Appliances and Gadgets
Ask
yourself: “When was the last time I plugged that in?” If it’s been more
than six months since you’ve used the waffle iron or bread maker, it’s
probably time to find that appliance a new home. While you’re in the
kitchen, eliminate unused culinary gadgets and nonmatching tableware.
Car
Besides
downsizing your home and eliminating debt, getting rid of one — or all —
of your vehicles could result in the greatest savings. According to
AAA, it currently costs an average of $8,698 annually to own and operate
a vehicle in the U.S. if you factor in all the costs, including
depreciation. If you’re a two-car family, getting rid of one set of
wheels might make sense once one or both partners are no longer working.
You might be able to get by with public transportation or a car-share
program, or at least downgrade to less-expensive vehicles. If you’re
planning to relocate in retirement, there are communities where owning a
car may not be necessary.
Childhood Memorabilia
If
your kids or other family members don’t want keepsakes from their own
childhood (or yours) now, they’re not going to want them when you’re
gone. Hold on to a few precious, symbolic mementos — those that truly
spark memories and joy — and digitize images of the other things.
Furniture
Filling
— and too often, overfilling — a room with furniture is a common
tendency. Doing so makes the room seem smaller and gives you more places
to store and display more stuff. Start by eliminating a couple of
pieces from a room and see how much more spacious it feels
Books, Magazines, DVDs
Unless
a book has sentimental value or you’re going to read it again, put it
back into circulation via a yard sale or thrift store so that others can
enjoy it. Or donate it to your library, where you can always get free
access to books, CDs and DVDs. You can store countless e-books (many are
available for free) on an e-reader that’s smaller than a single print
volume, and you can easily digitize your music and movie collections.
Decorations
While
holiday decor has some sentimental value, consider getting rid of the
decorations you haven’t used in the past five years, particularly
bulkier items such as outdoor decorations and holiday tableware you use
just once a year.
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Each year, one in
every three adults ages 65 or older falls and 2 million are treated in
emergency departments for fall-related injuries. And the risk of falling
increases with each decade of life. The long-term consequences of fall
injuries, such as hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can
impact the health and independence of older adults. Thankfully, falls
are not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, many falls can be
prevented. Everyone can take actions to protect the older adults they
care about.
Prevention Tips
– Get some exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to weak
legs and this increases the chances of falling. Exercise programs such
as Tai Chi can increase strength and improve balance, making falls much
less likely.
– Be mindful of medications. Some medicines—or
combinations of medicines—can have side effects such as dizziness or
drowsiness. This can make falling more likely. Having a doctor or
pharmacist review all medications can help reduce the chance of risky
side effects and drug interactions.
– Get vision checked regularly, and keep glasses clean
and scratch free. Poor vision can make it harder to get around safely.
– Eliminate hazards at home. About half of all falls
happen at home. A home safety check can help identify potential fall
hazards that need to be removed or changed, such as tripping hazards,
clutter, and poor lighting.
Home Safety Checklist
Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
Install handrails and lights on all staircases.
Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
Put grab bars inside and next to the tub or shower and next to your toilet.
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need
brighter lights to see well. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to
reduce glare.
Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.
Facts About Falls:
Fall injuries are among the 20 most expensive medical conditions.
The average hospital cost for a fall injury is $35,000.
The costs of treating fall injuries goes up with age.
Medicare pays for about 78% of the costs of falls.
One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
Each year, 2.5 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries
Over 700,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
Each year at least 250,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,6 usually by falling sideways.
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
The primary goal of discharge planning is to ensure a patient’s smooth transition from the hospital to
her home or another facility. Patients must be humanely and
appropriately discharged when they are medically ready to leave the
hospital. Senior patients who are unable to care for themselves cannot
be sent home, if proper care is not in place; medically incompetent
adults cannot be brought to homeless shelters; and patients in need of
vital medications or medical equipment should have them. The discharge
planner (DP) must work with all parties involved in their patient’s care
to make sure that she is cared for while also facilitating as expedient
a discharge as possible to prevent a potential increase in hospital
costs.
The Importance of Discharge Planning
Medicare mandates that all
inpatient facilities that bill the program provide discharge planning
services. The way discharge planning is performed and whose job it is
varies in every state and community. Hospitals that employ qualified and
experienced discharge planners may see the numerous benefits of their
service, including:
– Shorter length of patient stay
– Fewer readmissions to the hospital
– Improved patient outcomes
– Higher reimbursement rates
– Strong advocates who ensure that patients’ rights and choices are respected
– Patients who are better connected to any needed resources or assistance
– Improved connections between the hospital and relevant community services
– The education of fellow staff members
– Assistance with complicated and potentially problematic situation
It is a scary situation being sick and in the hospital. Most people
do not know the steps or understand what your responsibility is, and
what responsibility the hospital has regarding your discharge and follow
up. Here is a discharge planning checklist for you to have in case you
or a loved one ever find yourself/themselves in the hospital for an
extended stay and will need some direction during discharge.
MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT DO’S AND DON’TS
DO:
–
Be inclusive of all parties involved in the medical recovery process,
especially when working with the elderly and their family.
– Include goals and timeframes when creating the care plan, and allow for updates as needed.
– Determine if treatment is appropriate.
– Determine if funding for case management services is secured before proceeding.
–
Determine what is needed for successful return home, or if home is no
longer an option, offering alternative solutions.
– Provide client advocacy and support at all times, and provide input and guidance on treatment services…
BE A LIAISON BETWEEN PARTIES.
– Use valid disability duration guidelines, and use them as GUIDELINES.
– Always obtain and maintain appropriate releases of information prior to beginning case management services.
–
Understand that there are many players in the case
management process, but that your main client should always be the
patient you are helping.
– Always identify clearly your role as a case manager to the patient at the start of the relationship.
DO NOT:
– Give legal advice at any time.
– Schedule IME appointments.
– Change employee’s doctor appointments just to fit YOUR schedule.
– Withhold information crucial to the success of the patients’ recovery.
– Perpetuate disability by failing to address doctor recommendations and health concerns.
– Become personally and/or emotionally attached to the client.
– Assume that you have an absolute right to attend all doctors’ appointments despite client wishes against it.
– Initiate cost services prior to obtaining carrier authorization.
– Provide legal direction to the claims adjuster, or engage in claims investigative or adversarial activities.
By having the patient aware of their rights and expectations, and
giving them a better understanding of the role of the case managers and
discharge managers, leaving the hospital does not need to be a daunting
and confusing experience.
A SENIOR CONNECTION
We specialize in helping families with Assisted Living, Residential Home Placement and In-Home Care Services.
