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Medication errors can be deadly, so developing a plan to help you avoid them is a must. The best way to prevent a medication error is to know your medications and when and how to take. Creating a personalized medication record will help you keep track of when to take your medication so that you do not make mistakes or miss doses. If you are unable to create a medication record yourself, ask your caregiver, doctor or pharmacist to help. Remember, you are the boss when it comes to your medication and taking a proactive stance will help ensure your medication safety.
The Vial of Life program consists of a vial (empty pill bottle, plastic bag or other container), labeled with a Vial of Life sticker, inside which is placed a medical form which has been filled out stating the health status of the individual and current medications being taken. The vial is placed in the refrigerator, usually recommended to be on the top shelf of the door, because it has been shown that the refrigerator's contents are preserved in the event of a fire. Stickers are placed in the front window of the home so that responding emergency personnel will know to look for the Vial.
For more information, visit the Vial of Life website. |
| 9/1/2009 12:37:05 PM |
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Technology is no stranger to the senior care industry. Most people have heard of emergency alert systems that involve a button a senior can press when they fall to call for help. Additionally, many assisted living facilities and rehab centers have purchased Nintendo Wii gaming systems to provide low impact exercise and increase range of motion.
As technology becomes more advanced and the senior population grows, many companies are seizing the opportunity to create technological devices that can assist with some aspect of the aging process. Many of the products that are being developed target the aging in place market with the goal of providing tools to help seniors stay at home and avoid nursing home or assisted living placement.
A recent article from the New York Times discusses a few of these new aging in place technologies, including sensors that can detect if a senior falls and machines that can take a senior's vital signs from home and send the data directly to their doctor. You can access the article by following this link.
While these technologies are still new and require further testing to see if they can be implemented on a broad scale to help seniors age in place, they are a step in the right direction. In the meantime, homecare is still one of the best options to help a senior live safely while remaining at home.
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help you or your loved one age in place, please contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 3/5/2009 3:36:56 PM |
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When you think of your aging loved ones, what do you worry about most? Is it a heart attack or stroke cutting short their life, or perhaps cancer? While these illnesses are very real worries for everyone as they age, it may surprise you to discover that falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and 75 percent of these falls occur in the older adult population.
Falls are the single largest cause of injury among seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. One-third of older adults who fall, sustain a hip fracture and are hospitalized, die within a year.
Even if a fall does not result in hospitalization, fear of falling can become a major factor in seniors’ quality of life. Fear leads to inactivity and loss of confidence which in turn produces a cycle of fear, loss of self-confidence and inactivity.
Here are some easy tips to help minimize the risk of life-altering falls for your loved ones:
Throw rugs can be a tripping hazard. Either remove them or make sure they are securely tacked down.
Add hand rails to all stairs.
Clear clutter from walking paths, and make sure hallways and stairways are well-lit.
Eliminate long extension cords that snake across a room. Plug lamps into outlets near the wall so cords are tucked away.
Add grab bars next to the toilet, tub and shower.
Getting in and out of the tub can be hazardous. In addition to grab bars, make sure the tub has non-skid mats. A tub seat may make showering easier, too.
Trade in floppy slippers for well-fitting slippers with non-skid soles. Also, avoid night clothing that drags on the ground.
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we can help prevent falls in your home, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 2/23/2009 4:41:03 PM |
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Senate Unanimous on Increasing Falls Safety Awareness
Falls Are Leading Cause of Injury Deaths among Persons Over 65
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging, announced the Senate's unanimous passage this week of her resolution to designate Sept. 22 as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Day." The resolution was intended to promote public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls among older Americans, which are the leading cause of deaths from injury among persons over 65.
Falls among seniors are a very serious matter, and are costly not only in terms of spending for care and rehabilitation but in the quality of life of many older Americans. Falls often lead to reduced mobility and exacerbate other previously manageable problems, making independent living more difficult to maintain and fueling a negative outlook for those who suffer them.
But even modest efforts to increase fall awareness among seniors, as well as the clinicians who provide care for them, have been shown to have a significant positive impact. To boost these efforts, the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) has made fall prevention resources available for its members to help their clients avoid falls.
To learn more about how Visiting Angels can help prevent falls in your home or the home of a loved one, please call one of our Northern California locations:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 10/9/2008 12:09:30 PM |
