Home Safety Checklist for Seniors - How Seniors Can Stay Safe in Their Homes Longer

Seniors are living longer, and many more seniors are choosing to stay in their own homes, and not go to senior living facilities, or nursing homes. This is better for seniors, because they are staying in familiar surroundings, and they remain much happier.

Seniors are much safer in a one-story home or apartment. However, there are times when they have a multi-floor home, and extra precautions need to be taken.

Home Safety Checklists for Seniors - What you Need to Implement

Here is a home safety checklist for seniors. This is only a shortlist, but it gives you some good ideas of what you need to plan.

* Keep Flammables Away from Furnace and Stove - Many accidents start in the kitchen. Stoves are convenient to cook your food, but can also cause fires when flammable material is kept too close.

The same can be said for a furnace. The heat produced by furnaces can cause combustible items to explode if they are too close, and can start fires with other material.

* Move Cords and other Obstructions - Many serious injuries to seniors are caused by accidentally tripping over cords and other debris on the floor. Always make certain that seniors have clear pathways where they can move around. It only takes one fall to break a hip and cause serious injuries.

* Smoke Detectors - Make sure that smoke detectors are installed in bedrooms, kitchens and other rooms in your house. You never know when an accidental fire could start, and the smoke can also be deadly. It is not enough to have a smoke detector installed. You also need to test them regularly to make sure they are working, and make sure the batteries are charged.

* Hide Your Valuables - A home safety checklist for seniors should include protection against theft. Did you know that most seniors leave their valuables in plain sight? Did you also know that the first place most burglars go is straight to your bedroom and look on top of your dresser, or in the top dresser drawers? This is because they know that it is the place most seniors keep their expensive goods and cash.

Always keep anything of value out of plain view, and put them in a lock box, safe, or even a safety deposit box if they are extremely valuable.

* Install Handrails - Handrails should be installed on steps in your house, and you should also have them in the bathroom to easily get in and out of the tub, and up and down when using the toilet.

* Don't Overload Electrical Outlets - Home safety checklists for seniors should also have a listing for overloaded electrical outlets.

Overloading outlets can cause sparks, which can start fires. It's estimated that someone dies of a home fire approximately every three and a half hours in the U.S. Some of these fires are caused by overloaded electrical outlets.

* Water Temperature - You should have your hot water adjusted to less than 120 degrees to avoid scalding.

* Emergency Phone Numbers - Emergency numbers should be added to every home safety checklist for seniors. Important numbers can be held magnetically on the refrigerator, and a few other copies of this list should be placed near the telephone, and perhaps in the senior's bedroom.

Home Safety Checklist Conclusion:

Seniors should try and do everything they can to make their homes safe from accidents and theft. A home safety checklist for seniors should be your first step in that direction.

Affordable Assisted Living That Won't Drain Your Wallet

It is definitely a scary thing to think about, getting older, retiring, and not having a regular income that comes with having a day to day job. And then on top of that, trying to figure out if you can actually afford to stay living where you are right now. All tough things o think about.

But fortunately, if you are in the position where you might need to think in about living in a place where people round to help you during that day and at night, then it is easy to seek out affordable assisted living facilities on the internet.

One of the things that many people fear as they move into their golden years, is that there is not going to be enough gold to sustain them in a way that they like. Horror stories of people barely subsisting on the amount of retirement money that they can get, reductions n Medicare benefits and all other manner of horrible things, do nothing but fuel peoples' fears.

There are so many baby boomers retiring now or in the very near future, that some people are afraid that the sheer number of new retirees will absolutely overwhelm the existing systems that were put into place to assist today's seniors.

And if you need the kind of care that comes with living in an assisted living facility, this may be a very real fear in your life. Or maybe you are the person who is in charge of trying to find a place where your parents or grandparents will be well taken care of even if they need a little extra care during the day.

Assisted living facilities make a point of providing the type and amount of care that each individual resident needs. there is no "one size fits all" plan. Each resident will be provided the exact care they need to maximize their independence. And if there comes a time when the senior needs a bit more care than previously, then an arrangement is made to provide the level of service that is required which meet his or her individual needs.

With the way the economy has been going, and the amount of assisted living facilities that have been built, there are many that are actively seeking out new residents. And this puts you or your loved one into the driver's seat when it comes to arranging the payment for residence in one of these places.

This actually makes looking for a facility that offers affordable assisted living a lot easier, when they are looking for new residents at the same time. And all it takes is a few minutes spent on the internet researching the options and you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Aging Parents - How to Handle Their Fears

My mother, at ninety years old, has many fears and each time she is hospitalized, they are like demons staring her in the face. Her first fear, and justifiably so after being hospitalized following a fall, was losing her independence. Combined with a very serious bladder infection, the result was that she was unable to drive again. This is a huge adjustment for a senior, especially one who had until then been very active.

Another fear, and again justifiable, was losing her dignity as she felt happened when she was ill in the hospital and unable to do many of the required things for herself. Being forced to be more reliant on others she felt was an extreme affront. This is very difficult for someone who has always relied on themselves and been very independent until her 87th year.

For her, fear of another fall became huge also because although she was fortunate not to have broken any bones, she was extremely afraid of a broken hip. And as most seniors further lose their independence, they fear isolation and loneliness as well. They see their friends dying around them and may wonder what is the use of living. Others may begin to fear dying themselves. As my mother said recently, she has too many things she wants to do yet. Many also fear becoming a burden on their families.

My mother fears having a stroke and being paralyzed. She said she would rather die with a massive heart attack. And since she has recently seen a friend die with cancer, she now has a fear of getting a recurrence of her cancer.

As seniors' brains begin to work more slowly and their memory isn't what it used to be, the fear of getting dementia or Alzheimer's is high. My mother, like many seniors, rails against being hard of hearing but she fears losing her eyesight even more since she is an avid reader.

Many others have financial fears and concerns as to their futures and others, when it is necessary to go into an assisted living type of situation, fear giving up their possessions. There are many in this generation, because of growing up in the Great Depression, have been hoarders and value their many possessions, not wishing to give any of them up even if they have no idea what they've got stashed away. And others fear losing their rights and the ability to make their own decisions.

Knowing and understanding the fears our parents or grandparents have, it is up to us as adult children to help them through this difficult time. The following are some ideas which may be helpful in assisting them:

- respect how your aging parents feel - validate their feelings;
- be understanding of their fears and give your support and love;
- listen to what your parent is really saying - keep the lines of communication open;
- help in any way possible to find solutions to their fears, i.e.: get a raised toilet seat to make getting on and off the toilet easier, get a bed rail to assist them in getting out of bed, look into daily help or if necessary, assisted living if more help is required, take them for regular doctor's appointments, make sure that they are not isolated, ensure that their diets are nutritional and that medications are taken as required;
- since falling is a serious fear, if your parent is unsteady on his/her feet, look into the need or possibility of a walker, make sure they are wearing stable shoes and hip protectors, and remove throw rugs and any other obstacles which may trip them.

My mother lives in an assisted living facility and her fears are no different than most of the other residents who also live there.

If we understand that most of these fears are valid, it is easier to assist our elderly parents. As adult children to our aging parents, I believe it is important to do what we can to make their remaining years as comfortable as possible.

Should My Senior Parent(s) Live With Me?

One of the most common comments I hear, when an adult child becomes the caregiver to their senior parent is, I wish I would have known how hard it would be. If you are considering moving your mom or dad in to live with you, you'll need to really explore why you're doing it and whether you can keep the responsibility from becoming a burden. There are several questions you should consider before you agree to become a senior caregiver.

What type of resources do you have at home? You'll want an extensive support network to help you through the trials of care giving. Also be sure you have the time to commit to your mom. If you work full time, attend school or are raising young children it's unlikely you'll be able to handle the responsibility long-term without hitting burnout. Becoming a senior caregiver will affect every aspect of your life, so be sure to assemble resources to help you. Those resources might be hiring a housekeeper, in home non-medical assistance, or finding a place for mom to go for respite care. And always schedule time away from the house, for your own mental reprieve.

Is everyone that lives in the home supportive and capable of assuming the responsibility of caretaking if you can't be available? The dynamics of your immediate family and your relationship with them will change after your dad moves in. In an ideal situation your family will come together and share the responsibility, like helping to prepare dinners or reminding dad to take medications. However if someone in the house is hesitant or resentful for any additional duties it will make your ability to manage long-term, much more difficult. If you are sure about taking on the caregiver responsibilities for your dad, make sure that it's not at the cost of your immediate relationships, especially those with your spouse and children.

Do their medical needs require more than you are equipped to deal with? If mom needs help with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, transferring into a wheel chair, or she is experiencing incontinence, it might be more than you can physically handle. Mom may require 24 hour care in the future, if you move her into your home, ask yourself if you capable of handling the schedule then ask how long you can handle it. With today's medical advancements, seniors can often live for years needing 24 hour care. In addition, if your mom has advanced stages of Alzheimer's or dementia, providing care at home may not be the safest option.

Why do I want mom or dad to live with me? Don't move your dad in with the impression that it will be like having a roommate, because eventually you will have to assume the role of a senior caregiver. You'll want to move your dad in for the right reasons. When you are trying to make your decision, consider the emotional, financial, and long-term ramifications of this move. You should never take on the responsibility out of guilt alone; you may end up spending the time you have left with your dad being resentful instead of creating lasting memories.

Are you emotionally ready to become a caregiver for your parent? Watching our parents age is emotional; being part of their every day caretaking is much harder to experience. Be prepared for your relationship with your mom to change, when living together you may fall into your old parent-child relationship. Feelings from your childhood, especially those unresolved, will resurface. In addition, you need to be prepared to parent your parent. You'll be required to make and enforce decisions for your mom, especially if your mom suffers from Alzheimer's or dementia. Being a senior caregiver can be emotionally and physically draining.

What is your long term plan if you find being a caregiver is more challenging than you anticipated? Every good plan requires an exit strategy. Before you agree to have dad live with you, make sure you discuss an alternative living arrangement if you can no longer handle the level of care necessary. Also know when enough is enough, if you start experiencing caregiver burnout, your relationships with family and friends are suffering, and your health has been negatively affected, it might be time to consider the next long-term care plan for dad. That plan may include hiring an in home assistant, adult daycare or even moving them into an assisted living home or a nursing home.

These questions weren't meant to persuade you from becoming a senior caregiver for your parents, rather they are meant to encourage extra considerations for the responsibility.

Becoming a Care Home Owner

With people living for longer, the demand for care homes in the future will soar. Elderly people are often unable to look after themselves as they get older and whilst family and friends can help, it calls for a huge amount of responsibility to be taken up.

For those considering setting up their own care facility there are two categories that split the elderly care industry, nursing homes and residential care homes. Nursing homes are like private hospitals for elderly residents that require a high level of care. If opening this kind of facility, there needs to be managers and nursing staff with highly advanced levels of medical care and training.

Residential care homes are old people's homes, which provide accommodation for elderly people who may be unable to do everything for themselves. Residents such as these are still able to enjoy a degree of independence. Staff at such facilities are qualified carers whose level of training do not need to be as advanced as those in nursing homes.

The care industry is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds, although those with medical and care experience obviously feature strongly in the sector. There is more to owning a care home than your background, financial situation and ensuring you have all of the necessary care home supplies. You also need to have a certain type of personality.

You have to want to care for the elderly, there's no point opening a care facility if you yourself do not care. You need good management skills and must be able to organise staff and create a good working attitude and environment which will rub of on your residents. But remember, it is not a nine to five industry. If there's an emergency you may be contacted in the early hours of the morning- for example, if a client is ill.

However, caring alone isn't enough - it's still a business and it is worth bearing in mind that you will be inspected on a regular basis and there will also be unannounced inspections, which can be at any time of day or night.

5 Ways to Make Extra Money After Nursing School

Graduates of nursing in schools in Canada know that they are facing a bright future, with an in-demand job. What makes this future even brighter though, is the possibility of picking up extra work from time to time, to meet a financial goal.

1. Work in a rural or remote area.

Graduates of nursing schools in Canada have a special way to make extra money: The government offers extra benefits to nurses who chose to work in rural or remote areas, which are traditionally under-served by trained healthcare professionals.

The Canadian government offers the following incentives for graduates of nursing college who set up practice in rural or remote areas:

- a $4,500 recruitment allowance paid in two equal installments when the contract begins and one year into the contract

- graduates of nursing schools in Canada who take part-time or full-time work in remote First Nations communities may qualify for a retention allowance starting in their second year of employment

- graduates of nursing college who work full-time in certain remote communities can see up to three return trips per year reimbursed by Health Canada

These initiatives, which are meant to ensure equal access to health care for all Canadians, regardless of where we live, have an added benefit for graduates of nursing college, in that they can make it easier for graduates to meet their financial goals, whether it is to pay off their student loans, save for a maternity or paternity leave, or to buy a first home.

2. Take on extra shifts.

One advantage of shift work is that it often allows you the flexibility to play with your schedule. Hoping to make a lump sum payment on your mortgage this year? Got a child whose overbite demands braces? Nursing college graduates have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that in the event of a financial crisis, they can speak to their manager about picking up extra shifts.

3. Teach a class in your community.

As a graduate of nursing school, you have specialized knowledge. Perhaps you can take advantage of this knowledge by offering a class, for example, on preparing for childbirth or on supporting an ageing parent as they move into a nursing home. Boost your r矇sum矇 and your bank account at the same time!

4. Sign up with a temp agency.

Can't get any extra shifts at your existing organization? Some temp agencies are more than happy to have graduates of nursing school on their call list.

5. Be a baby nurse.

Some new parents aren't content to have simply a nanny on staff for their childcare needs. Some prefer to have a registered nurse watch over their infants, especially at night, at least during the newborn stage. Graduates of nursing school can sell themselves as highly specialized newborn nighttime nannies.

Happy moonlighting!

Medicaid Qualifications For Those Who Need It

For many people, aging is a frightening process. Even at age 54, I'm a little concerned about our ability to provide for our needs once we're too old to work. I can only imagine what it's like for those on a fixed income, hearing about the prices of everything going up and up. Fortunately, we have Medicaid, so, in our old age, if we need care we can't afford, the care will be provided. This article is about how to qualify for Medicaid and the reasoning behind those qualifications.

The Reason For Medicaid: One of the biggest fears on the minds of most seniors is the fear of running out of money before running out of time. What an ugly thing to think about. When I was a chaplain in an assisted living facility, I met a number of people who had done this, and I had the privilege of helping one woman through the transition after her assets ran out. There are many assisted living centers available who only charge what Medicaid pays. It isn't luxurious living, but it's there if we need it. That's the reason for Medicaid, so we won't have to worry about running out of money before time.

Contract With The Taxpayer: In order to make Medicaid a reality, everyone who works is taxed a portion of their earnings, to pay the costs, with the understanding that, if they need it, Medicaid will be there for them. The contract is, you will be taxed to pay the medical and living expenses of those who cannot work and have no assets. In other words, for those who actually NEED help. To take money from working parents who are barely meeting their own needs to pay the bills of someone who could pay their own, is obscene and immoral, if not illegal.

Medicaid Abuse: In fact, there are many who make a tidy sum, helping elderly people hide their assets so they can use Medicaid instead of paying their own way. Oh, the lawyers say "preserve," rather than hide, but it amounts to the same thing. I've known people who did this with $ millions in assets. Now you know the kinds of friends I've had! There are doctors and lawyers who will help do this, and it may pass the legal hurtles of our government bureaucracy, but you and I know this is Medicaid abuse.

Medicaid Qualifications: The Medicaid program is to provide your needs when you can no longer do so, yourself. The specific qualifications vary from state-to-state, so I'm going to give you a general description, but here's a link to specific Medicaid qualifications for your state. A single senior can own a home as long as they live there, but once in assisted living, the home is used to pay expenses or to reimburse Medicaid. A small income (or the savings to generate that income) is usually allowed to provide for personal expenses above the cost of care. All other assets would be depleted before qualifying.

If one member of a married couple requires medical and assisted living expenses, the other member can usually keep the house, a car and a monthly income (or savings enough to generate the income) to provide household and personal expenses. All other assets are to be depleted before qualifying for Medicaid.

Although this is a painful and frightening subject, it's good to know a minimum of care is available if we need it. This care isn't something to be aspired to. If you've managed to accumulate any assets beyond the minimum, this program is not for you. There are a wide variety of care options for very reasonable prices. Trust me about this...anyone who loves you enough to be worthy of inheritance would rather you spend every penny getting the best care you can.