Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

All posts within: home safety

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Outdoor Precautions and Community Monitoring

At Live Free Home Health Care, we want to share additional ideas for outdoor monitoring that may offer peace of mind and safety for those deciding to age in place—in the comfort of their own homes. Family caregivers, with their finger on the pulse of their loved one’s needs, can apply the following simple home modifications and establish appropriate relationships with community officials to ensure wellbeing.

• Motion-sensitive lighting. Install lights that automatically turn on when there's any movement near them. These are a deterrent for intruders, plus if one forgets to turn on the lights before he/she leaves during the day, the lights will be on when he/she returns home.

• Lights on timers. Install timers for outside lights and a light in the bathroom so they’ll turn on and stay on throughout the night. Timers are inexpensive and easily installed by plugging them into electrical outlets.

• Keys and the neighbors. If a senior lives in a neighborhood, the neighbors may be friends. If not, identify someone trustworthy to have an extra set of keys to the house. Exchange phone numbers so if there is a concern—the phone is not being answered or the mail is piling up—that identified person can check out the situation.

• Getting into the house. The path to and from the house should be clear of obstacles. If there is a garage but no automatic garage-door opener, have one installed. Wherever the car is parked should be well lit, which can also be controlled by remote control as the driveway is entered.

• Friendly local police. Find out from the local police if there is a neighborhood watch group in the area and let that group know the living arrangements and that some monitoring is needed.

• Friendly postal carriers and utility meter readers. Most mail carriers work the same route every day and get to know a neighborhood quite well. The U.S. Postal Service has a program to alert the Area Agency on Aging if the carrier believes there is a problem. Utility companies do the same.

Live Free Home Health Care of Concord, New Hampshire is here to offer further guidance and options that can give you the choice to age in place. If you're looking for a partner in home care in the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make your life a little easier.

Tags:   home health care, home safety, in-home care providers

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Option to Age at Home: Personal Emergency Response System

For seniors who maintain a certain level of independence, simple monitoring and installations around the home may be all that is necessary to promote a safe, independent lifestyle.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

• The most simple, easy to use monitoring system on the market.

• Sold by most home care companies, including Live Free Home Health Care

• Installs easily.

• Comes with a pendant or bracelet activated when pushed or when someone falls.

When shopping for a PERS, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) encourages the shopper to:

• Check out several systems before making a decision.

• Find out if the system can be used with other response centers. For example, can the same system be used if moving to another residence?

• Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of each system and compare costs.

• Make sure the system is easy to use.

• Test the system to make sure it works from every point in and around the home. Make sure nothing interferes with transmissions.

• Read the purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully before signing.

Read more about Live Free Home Health Care’s Personal Emergency Response System .

Live Free Home Health Care of Concord, New Hampshire is here to offer further guidance and options that can give you the option to age in place. If you're looking for a partner in home care in Concord, the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make providing quality care a little easier.

Tags:   home care, home safety, medical alert

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Thursday, February 09, 2012

Live Free Home Health Care Meets Your Level of Care Needs

At Live Free Home Health Care, we understand that each individual is different and so is his or her plan of care. Since no two patients are alike, we offer a complimentary in-home assessment and the following guidelines that anyone can use to understand care needs.

Minimal Care at Home:

• Emergency Responsiveness: The senior is able to negotiate stairs, call for assistance or respond appropriately to someone helping him or her during an emergency.

• Mobility: The senior is able to walk and transfer himself or herself from a bed or chair independently with infrequent falling.

• Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.): The senior is able to accomplish most activities with little help; perhaps needs assistance with meals or housekeeping, or reminders about medications, assistance grooming, etc.

• Mental Status: The senior has little to no mental impairment.

More to Full-time Care at Home:

• Emergency Responsiveness: The senior needs definite or major assistance in the event of an emergency.

• Mobility: The senior is prone to falls and needs either stand-by or full assistance walking or transferring.

• Activities of Daily Living: The senior needs reminders and/or full assistance with many or all activities of daily living.

• Mental Status: The senior has mild to moderate memory impairment, becomes disoriented often, and/or exhibits mild confusion.

If a senior is in need of full, around-the-clock assistance, family members may want to consider an assisted living facility, although home care may still be a viable option. If you're looking for a partner in home care in Concord, the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make providing quality care a little easier.

Tags:   eldercare, home companion, home safety, medication management, safety alert

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Thursday, February 02, 2012

High Tech Home Care Options for Aging in Place

Technology is transforming the possibilities for aging safely at home. From fall prevention to emergency alerts to medication reminders, devices are allowing more seniors to “age in place” in the comfort of home. The following are products to consider for loved ones receiving in-home care:

• Webcams: Installing webcams throughout the home allows both family members and caregivers the ability to virtually check in on the senior at any time. Webcams also allow family members who live far way to video chat with their loved ones.

• Sensor Monitors: In conjunction with webcams, sensors can be placed throughout the home to track movement. These are particularly handy for seniors with ambulation or wandering issues. Most sensor systems connect to a TV or computer monitor and an internet connection.

• Medical Alert Pendants: These handy devices have been around for a few years now, but continue to be updated to increase effectiveness. They are worn by the senior and the button is pressed in the event of a fall or other emergency, connecting the senior to 911 or another emergency response service. Check out Live Free Home Health Care’s medical alert pendants .

• Automatic MedicationReminders/Dispensers: These are perfect for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. An alarm goes off, alerting the senior to take his or her medication when an alarm sounds, and dispenses the correct dosage. If the senior misses a dose, an alert is sent to a 24 hour care center after 30 minutes. Check out Live Free Home Health Care’s medication dispenser .

Technology is increasing the level of independence that seniors can have in the home. If you're looking for a partner in home care in Concord, the Lakes Region or Central New Hampshire, contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149, and let us help make your life a little easier.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, home safety, medical alert, medication management

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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Colors Can Make a Difference to a Person with Low Vision

If you have family members or friends with reduced vision, pay attention to colors and contrast around their homes. Improving the colors and contrast in the home will allow for increased safety and independence. Here are some simple rules to remember regarding color and contrast for those with low vision:

Generally, solid, bright colors such as red, orange and yellow are easiest to see because of their ability to reflect light.

Place light-colored objects against darker backgrounds. For example, a white sheet of paper is more visible against a brown desktop.

Place dark objects against lighter backgrounds. A dark chair will stand out better against white or cream colored walls.

Distinguishing colors within each of the following groups may be more difficult. Keep this in mind when arranging objects and furniture in the home:

• Navy blue, brown and black

• Blue, green and purple

• Pink, yellow and pale green

Mark the leading edge of the first and last steps with bright paint or light-reflecting tape that contrasts with the background color of the flooring.

Use solid, brightly colored, and/or textured hallway runners to clearly define walking spaces.

Before preparing to assist a sight impaired person with his/her household and furnishings, it is always important to keep that person’s feelings in mind. A person coping with vision loss may be battling a cacophony of fears, including a reduced sense of control over her life, fear of decreased independence, loss of privacy, and concern that others may view her differently. She may also feel overwhelmed or afraid of the future and reluctant to share her thoughts with others. Remaining sensitive to these fears rather than dismissing them will make a significant impact.

A home healthcare nurse at Live Free Home Health Care can also assist by providing specialized in-home care for persons with low vision in order to enhance independence and improve safety. Click here for further resources and information on assisting persons with low vision.

Besides Concord, New Hampshire, Live Free Home Health Care also services the rest of the Lakes region and central New Hampshire. Call us today at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, home safety, Sight Impaired

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