Fading vision is very common in the elderly, yet many seniors are unaware of the changes in their eyesight. Older people need three times as much light as young people. They have trouble seeing in dim light, and can't readily focus on moving objects or distinguish colors and shapes. The inability to see clearly can lead to a safety hazard. With a few adjustments, a person's daily living can certainly be brighter.
Here are 15 tips on how to help a person with poor eyesight:
1. Brighten the entire living area, especially stairways, hallways, and places where the person reads.
2. Distribute light evenly in all rooms.
3. Put night lights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom.
4. Put reflector tape on the edges of stairs to make them easier to see.
5. Make sure light switches are at the entrances to all rooms.
6. Install lights that automatically turn on at dusk.
7. Write notes in large dark letters.
8. Suggest a larger television or an easier-to-view black-and-white TV.
9. Buy lubricating eye drops that help prevent dryness, which makes eyes itch and burn.
10. Wear bright colors when you visit.
11. Provide large-print books, newspapers, and magazines.
12. Decrease glare by covering shiny surfaces and adding blinds or shades to windows with bright sunlight.
13. Check to see that certain medications are not the cause of blurred vision.
14. For persons who are unable to enjoy reading on their own, provide books on tape.
15. Provide sunglasses with 100% UV protection to cut down on glare.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Managing Your Medical Devices At Home: Practical Advice
As noted in yesterday's blog, it's important to know how your medical device works. Here a some practical tips:
1. Read the material that came with your device. Follow the operating instructions precisely for proper operation of the device. Keep the operating instructions close by to the device to trouble shoot if problems with the operation arise. Pay attention to alarms and error messages. Know what they mean.
2. Ask the supplier questions about your device and take notes.Call the supplier for help if you don't understand how the device works. For larger equipment,the company will come out to your home to show you how to properly operate the device.
3. Ask what you need to operate your device. Do you need electricity, running water, telephone, or computer connections to operate your device? What should you do in the event of a power failure? Do you need to invest in a generator to use as back up? Always have a back-up plan and back-up supplies.
4. Check to see that your home is suited for your device. For example, will there be enough clearance in the hallway for a power wheelchair to get through? Do the stairs, doorways, bathrooms or house wiring present any problems?
5. Report to your supplier any problems you have with the operation of the device.
6. Take good, tender loving care of your device and follow the instructions for cleaning, replacing batteris and filters, and protecting the device from excessive heat, cold, spills from food or fluids. Keep extra batteries for your device and know how to replace them.
7. Can you safely take the device from home to school, work, church and vacations? Check ahead of time to see if these places are suited fot your device.
8. Dispose of your medical device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Dispose of any fluid wastes according to the instructions for everyone's health and safety.
10. Make sure you know what to do if your device fails. Have emergency phone numbers for the supplier, homecare agency, doctor, and manufacturer. Be sure that you have the after hour phone numbers as well.
11. Educate your family and caregivers about your device. Include them in any demonstrations that the equipment provider gives you.If the device is given while in the hospital or nursing facility, be sure caregivers who will be assisting at home are included in the training. Ask them to do a hands-on demonstration to show they can safely and effectively use the device.
12. Keep children and pets away from the device. Don't let children play with dials, settings, on/off switches, tubings, machine vents, or electrical cords. Don't allow pets to chew or play with electrical cords or tubes.
13. Check with your supplier to see if you can turn off the device when it is not in use.
14. Contact your doctor and home healthcare team often to review your health condition. Check to see if there are any changes that my affect the way you or your caregiver use the device. Are there changes in vision, hearing or ability to move? Have you had an illness, new medicines, loss of feeling?
15. Report any serious injuries, deaths, or close calls due to equipment failure. Report these events to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. The FDA will take action when needed to protect the public's health. Report these events also to the supplier.
1. Read the material that came with your device. Follow the operating instructions precisely for proper operation of the device. Keep the operating instructions close by to the device to trouble shoot if problems with the operation arise. Pay attention to alarms and error messages. Know what they mean.
2. Ask the supplier questions about your device and take notes.Call the supplier for help if you don't understand how the device works. For larger equipment,the company will come out to your home to show you how to properly operate the device.
3. Ask what you need to operate your device. Do you need electricity, running water, telephone, or computer connections to operate your device? What should you do in the event of a power failure? Do you need to invest in a generator to use as back up? Always have a back-up plan and back-up supplies.
4. Check to see that your home is suited for your device. For example, will there be enough clearance in the hallway for a power wheelchair to get through? Do the stairs, doorways, bathrooms or house wiring present any problems?
5. Report to your supplier any problems you have with the operation of the device.
6. Take good, tender loving care of your device and follow the instructions for cleaning, replacing batteris and filters, and protecting the device from excessive heat, cold, spills from food or fluids. Keep extra batteries for your device and know how to replace them.
7. Can you safely take the device from home to school, work, church and vacations? Check ahead of time to see if these places are suited fot your device.
8. Dispose of your medical device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Dispose of any fluid wastes according to the instructions for everyone's health and safety.
10. Make sure you know what to do if your device fails. Have emergency phone numbers for the supplier, homecare agency, doctor, and manufacturer. Be sure that you have the after hour phone numbers as well.
11. Educate your family and caregivers about your device. Include them in any demonstrations that the equipment provider gives you.If the device is given while in the hospital or nursing facility, be sure caregivers who will be assisting at home are included in the training. Ask them to do a hands-on demonstration to show they can safely and effectively use the device.
12. Keep children and pets away from the device. Don't let children play with dials, settings, on/off switches, tubings, machine vents, or electrical cords. Don't allow pets to chew or play with electrical cords or tubes.
13. Check with your supplier to see if you can turn off the device when it is not in use.
14. Contact your doctor and home healthcare team often to review your health condition. Check to see if there are any changes that my affect the way you or your caregiver use the device. Are there changes in vision, hearing or ability to move? Have you had an illness, new medicines, loss of feeling?
15. Report any serious injuries, deaths, or close calls due to equipment failure. Report these events to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. The FDA will take action when needed to protect the public's health. Report these events also to the supplier.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tips for Safe Care of Medical Device Use at Home
Approximately 1,355,300 patients receive home health care services each year and across the country more than seven million people receive home care each year by both agencies and family members. The growth of homecare allows people to stay at home rather than go to alternatives. It is cheaper to receive care at home, so insurance companies see it as the better alternative.
Home care has also grown because of technology that is now available at home. Medical devices are being made smaller and more portable. It isn't unusual no for people to receive IV therapy, ultrasound, respiratory treatments, ventilator-assisted support at home.
Although more patients enjoy the benefits of receiving medical care at home, they are using medical devices that were not originally designed,tested, or approved for the home environment. This can create a potentially hazardous situation for patients.
Halls and entry spaces in homes are often not large enough to maneuver or properly use some medical equipment. Electrical wiring of some houses may be inadequate to handle the correct voltage to handle the medical equipment's voltage needs. Some medical devices do not work properly as a result of electromagnetic interference caused by other equipment in the home such as microwave ovens, video game systems and security systems.
Children and pets provide a unique challenge in the home. Children can topple equipment while playing; animals can chew through wiring and tubing of many medical devices. Many patients lack the supplies needed and may be unable to properly sanitize and sterilize medical equipment or safely dispose of infectious waste created by medical devices.
Nurses and therapists from homecare agencies are trained to evaluate the physical aspects of the home for safety. This is a part of every new evaluation and continues at each visit with patients in their homes. However, healthcare providers are rarely present when devices malfunction.
Look for tips in my next post to use and maintain your medical devices safely and effectively in your home.
Home care has also grown because of technology that is now available at home. Medical devices are being made smaller and more portable. It isn't unusual no for people to receive IV therapy, ultrasound, respiratory treatments, ventilator-assisted support at home.
Although more patients enjoy the benefits of receiving medical care at home, they are using medical devices that were not originally designed,tested, or approved for the home environment. This can create a potentially hazardous situation for patients.
Halls and entry spaces in homes are often not large enough to maneuver or properly use some medical equipment. Electrical wiring of some houses may be inadequate to handle the correct voltage to handle the medical equipment's voltage needs. Some medical devices do not work properly as a result of electromagnetic interference caused by other equipment in the home such as microwave ovens, video game systems and security systems.
Children and pets provide a unique challenge in the home. Children can topple equipment while playing; animals can chew through wiring and tubing of many medical devices. Many patients lack the supplies needed and may be unable to properly sanitize and sterilize medical equipment or safely dispose of infectious waste created by medical devices.
Nurses and therapists from homecare agencies are trained to evaluate the physical aspects of the home for safety. This is a part of every new evaluation and continues at each visit with patients in their homes. However, healthcare providers are rarely present when devices malfunction.
Look for tips in my next post to use and maintain your medical devices safely and effectively in your home.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Strategies for Effectively Making Use of Your Resources While Caregiving
How do you build a network of support while providing care to a loved one? Your family is the most obvious place to start. Family members can be recruited for any number of things. Social support is really important. Some family members may be best at coming over to visit over coffee and then there are others who aren't comfortable coming over unless there is something to do. Try and use the skills of the family to everyone's advantage. So while some are happy to come and visit often with your loved one while you get out to go shopping others might be able to take over for a day just once in a while.
Friends & Neighbors may not really know what is going on while you are preoccupied with caregiving. Your friendship may suffer if they aren't made aware of what you're up against. Friends can be a real asset and they may be perfectly happy to help you with tasks such as cooking or doing some ironing while you see to the bath. You need to strike a balance with friends so keep this in mind. While it may sometimes appear an effort to maintain relationships there are often dividends to be had that may not seem so obvious - until you lose contact.
Look through the newspaper to see who offers what. You may find volunteer networks, handymen and services you hadn't previously thought of that could help your particular needs.
The fact that you are reading this means you are already using the internet. Check out www.caregiver.org, where there are many resources to meet the myriad of needs as a caregiver.
Local support in the form of support groups are available. You can find information about upcoming meetings in the newspaper.
Respite provides alternate care for a person in order to give their caregiver some time away from their caring role. Respite can often be undertaken in your own home, or day centers, or a residential facility. To find out out respite care speak to people in local support groups, home health agency, or your local doctor or social services.
Friends & Neighbors may not really know what is going on while you are preoccupied with caregiving. Your friendship may suffer if they aren't made aware of what you're up against. Friends can be a real asset and they may be perfectly happy to help you with tasks such as cooking or doing some ironing while you see to the bath. You need to strike a balance with friends so keep this in mind. While it may sometimes appear an effort to maintain relationships there are often dividends to be had that may not seem so obvious - until you lose contact.
Look through the newspaper to see who offers what. You may find volunteer networks, handymen and services you hadn't previously thought of that could help your particular needs.
The fact that you are reading this means you are already using the internet. Check out www.caregiver.org, where there are many resources to meet the myriad of needs as a caregiver.
Local support in the form of support groups are available. You can find information about upcoming meetings in the newspaper.
Respite provides alternate care for a person in order to give their caregiver some time away from their caring role. Respite can often be undertaken in your own home, or day centers, or a residential facility. To find out out respite care speak to people in local support groups, home health agency, or your local doctor or social services.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Respite Care
Respite care is occasional rest or relief for the primary caregiver(s) of a child or adult with a chronic medical condition or disability. Caring for a child or adult with intense medical needs, behavioral challenges, or other disabilities can be mentally and physically exhausting. Parents and other caregivers need to be able to get away for a short period of time for rest or to spend time with other members of their family, such as their spouse or other children.
With respite care, you can feel safe leaving your loved one while you run errands, shop, or just relax; more extensive respite care can allow you to continue working outside your home or help you juggle caring for your children and an elderly adult. Above all, remember to keep in touch with yourself. If you are sick, exhausted, or overworked, you can't provide good care for anyone. Caregiving is an act of love, but is also a demanding, challenging job. No one can handle it alone. Getting help for yourself is one of the best things you can do for your loved one, and it will enable you to keep giving top-quality care.
If you neglect yourself, you are putting your loved one at risk - taking time for yourself will also benefit your care recipient.
In-home services offer a wide range of options, including companion services, personal care, household assistance, and skilled nursing care to meet specific needs of those involved. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information about in-home services. All states also have a local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association that can assist with valuable information about respite options and support for caregivers.
Respite care facilities provide overnight, weekend, and longer stays for someone so a caregiver can have longer periods of time off. These facilities provide meals, help with activities of daily living, therapeutic activities to fit the needs of residents, and a safe, supervised environment. Examples of such facilities include nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities.
Emergency respite is often offered in many nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. Emergency respite care may be needed when a caregiver becomes ill or must go out of town unexpectedly, or if the care recipient is at risk of abuse or neglect. It is best for the caregiver to be prepared for this type of respite by finding the best facility and registering ahead of time. Each community is unique in its response to crisis respite and the elderly. Some communities have emergency guest houses for such situations, while in other communities, State Medicaid dollars will pay for emergency respite in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Adult day services provide a planned program that includes a variety of health, social, and support services in a protective setting during daytime hours. This is referred to as a "community based service" and is designed to meet the individual needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults. Adult day services programming may provide:
• Social activities
• Counseling
• Meals
• Transportation
• Recreation
• Medical help
• Mental stimulation
• Options such as bathing
• Exercise
• Therapies such as physical and speech
• Emotional support for both caregiver and participant
• Education for both caregiver and participant
Questions to ask about respite care programs
• How are care providers screened?
• What is the training and level of experience of the care providers?
• Will care providers need additional training to meet specific family needs?
• How, and by whom, are the care providers supervised?
• What procedures does the program have for emergencies?
• Are families limited to a certain number of hours of services?
• Does the program provide transportation?
• What is the cost of services? How is payment arranged?
With respite care, you can feel safe leaving your loved one while you run errands, shop, or just relax; more extensive respite care can allow you to continue working outside your home or help you juggle caring for your children and an elderly adult. Above all, remember to keep in touch with yourself. If you are sick, exhausted, or overworked, you can't provide good care for anyone. Caregiving is an act of love, but is also a demanding, challenging job. No one can handle it alone. Getting help for yourself is one of the best things you can do for your loved one, and it will enable you to keep giving top-quality care.
If you neglect yourself, you are putting your loved one at risk - taking time for yourself will also benefit your care recipient.
In-home services offer a wide range of options, including companion services, personal care, household assistance, and skilled nursing care to meet specific needs of those involved. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information about in-home services. All states also have a local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association that can assist with valuable information about respite options and support for caregivers.
Respite care facilities provide overnight, weekend, and longer stays for someone so a caregiver can have longer periods of time off. These facilities provide meals, help with activities of daily living, therapeutic activities to fit the needs of residents, and a safe, supervised environment. Examples of such facilities include nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities.
Emergency respite is often offered in many nursing homes, residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities. Emergency respite care may be needed when a caregiver becomes ill or must go out of town unexpectedly, or if the care recipient is at risk of abuse or neglect. It is best for the caregiver to be prepared for this type of respite by finding the best facility and registering ahead of time. Each community is unique in its response to crisis respite and the elderly. Some communities have emergency guest houses for such situations, while in other communities, State Medicaid dollars will pay for emergency respite in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Adult day services provide a planned program that includes a variety of health, social, and support services in a protective setting during daytime hours. This is referred to as a "community based service" and is designed to meet the individual needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults. Adult day services programming may provide:
• Social activities
• Counseling
• Meals
• Transportation
• Recreation
• Medical help
• Mental stimulation
• Options such as bathing
• Exercise
• Therapies such as physical and speech
• Emotional support for both caregiver and participant
• Education for both caregiver and participant
Questions to ask about respite care programs
• How are care providers screened?
• What is the training and level of experience of the care providers?
• Will care providers need additional training to meet specific family needs?
• How, and by whom, are the care providers supervised?
• What procedures does the program have for emergencies?
• Are families limited to a certain number of hours of services?
• Does the program provide transportation?
• What is the cost of services? How is payment arranged?
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