The holidays are one of the most important times of year for families to reconnect. When visiting an elderly family member in Bakersfield, make sure to make the most of the visit. This does not just mean catching up on time that has passed. Be sure to look for some signs that ensure the senior is safe in their home and that there are no issues. The following list contains six different things to look for when visiting.

1.            If the elderly family member is still driving, assess their skills. Even though they have been driving for many years, it may no longer be safe for them to do so. Ask if they have had any tickets or small accidents in the recent past. Look for dents on the car. If there is concern about their driving safety, schedule a driving test with the DMV.

2.            Make sure the senior is getting the proper nutrition. Check the cabinets and refrigerator to make sure they have food to make a meal with and not just a snack. If the senior cannot prepare their own meals any longer, arrange something with Meals on Wheels to help.

3.            Check on finances. See if there are unpaid bills lying around. Many seniors become forgetful and will neglect to pay bills on time.

4.            Watch for any balance problems. When seniors have issues with their balance, they will begin to experience many falls. Watch how they walk and go up and down stairs. Older family members may benefit from a medical alert bracelet.

5.            While talking to the senior, make note of any changes in their memory. Try to talk about recent events to see what they recall. Also check to make sure they are not forgetting to take their medications.

6.            Some seniors will experience loneliness and depression. This can be noticed by changes in behavior. Often, when a senior is depressed, their hygiene will begin to suffer. Check to see that their clothes are clean and they are caring for their personal hygiene.

Source: Eldercare ABC Blog

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Ensure the Safety of Elderly Loved Ones at Home

If you have an elderly family member that lives alone, chances are there are some safety concerns. There are some simple steps that can be taken to help your family member prepare for unexpected situations or emergencies, as well as making their home a safer place. The following list of tips will help to provide extra safety for your loved one.

• Create a communications center – this consists of important information that is needed during an emergency, such as medications, phone numbers of family members and the names of doctors. These lists should be kept near a phone or posted to the side of the refrigerator.

• Create a safety system – this could simply be a scheduled phone call to check on the individual. It could also be an installed monitoring system.

• Make sure to enforce fire prevention – do this by checking outlets, using timers and whistling tea kettles and discouraging the use of any candles.

• General household safety – install non-slip rugs, nightlights, extra lighting to increase visibility and telephones that have large buttons and light up in a dark room.

• Make sure emergency items are available, including medical cards, first-aid kits, and extra batteries, anything that would be needed in an emergency situation.

Source: Life123.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

The elderly can easily fall and injure themselves while in the bathroom. This is a major concern for all caregivers. To help keep seniors safe while they are in the bathroom, the following list offers some suggestions. These tips include minor changes that can be made to help seniors stay safe.

1. Caregivers should be aware of any physical restrictions that the senior may have. This could affect their ability to shower on their own. If there is concern, these seniors may need assistance while in the bathroom

2. All bathrooms that are used by seniors should have safety equipment installed. This does not mean the entire room must be remodeled. Installing safety bars and non-slip mats could help protect seniors in the shower.

3. Some seniors could benefit from having a telephone placed in the bathroom. If the senior owns a cordless phone, taking it into the bathroom when they shower is a good idea. This way they will be able to call for help if they fall.

4. Many seniors do not have a lot of physical strength. This could prevent them from doing simple tasks while showering. Using a shower chair could help keep the senior safe while showering.

Source: Article Alley

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

High-Tech Devices Benefit Seniors

When older seniors are living at home, there are some concerns for their safety. This is why many companies have developed devices that can provide a sense of peace for loved ones. These devices can ensure the safety of seniors as they remain residing in their own home. The list below provides some additional information on a new available devise that has some great benefits.

1. Adaptive Home is a new business that uses monitoring technology for elder care. The basic package includes various motion sensors that can be placed around the home. These sensors create reports of activity in the home that can be reviewed by caregivers or family members.

2. The sensors will also alert loved ones of unusual actions. It will note when seniors are making a pot of coffee or sitting in their chair. There are many things that the sensors will monitor, providing extra safety in the home and peace of mind for family members.

3. The main benefit of this new system is that seniors will be able to remain in their homes for a longer period of time instead of having to go to a nursing home. There is no need for a person to be present to monitor their actions; the sensors take care of it all.

4. The system also comes with a computer that includes a scheduling program to help all family members coordinate caregiving.

5. There are many things in the home that can be monitored by simply using these sensors. Now, seniors can be comfortable at home and family members will know they are safe.

Source: NPR.org

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Hip Fractures and Seniors

Seniors have many health issues to be concerned about. One of them is falling and fracturing a hip. This happens quite often, but not as often as it did years ago. There has been a steady decline in the number of seniors who are breaking hips. There is no explanation for this decline, but it is good news for seniors. Additional facts and information on hip fractures and the decline in numbers is provided below.

1. When a senior breaks a hip, they have a one in four chance of spending a year or more in a nursing home after the injury. The break will also cause serious threats to mobility, possibly preventing the patient from walking.

2. There is no explanation on why the rate of hip fractures is dropping, but it is doing so in large numbers. Hip fractures are much more common among older women, but the decline in the cases of fractures has reduced in men over 85 and women over 75.

3. Some believe this is because older people are healthier and much more functional, which can help prevent falls. Older people are also developing stronger bones that have helped prevent hip fractures.

Source: New Old Age blog

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Senior safety is a huge issue and concern. Many seniors who cannot see well will experience a higher number of injuries at home. This is because the home is not safe for seniors who cannot see. To help with this, the following list provides some great ideas on how to make the home safer for any senior who has low vision.

1. Make sure all rooms are well lit.

2. Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.

3. Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.

4. Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.

5. Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.

6. Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.

7. Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.

8. Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.

Source: Senior Living

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

How Seniors Can Be Safe Driving in Bad Weather

Driving in bad weather can be very stressful for many seniors. When it is raining or snowing, visibility is low. For seniors with vision problems, this can create a bad situation. To help keep seniors safe as they drive in bad weather, the list below provides some tips that can be used.

1.    Make sure to allow enough time to reach the destination. If the weather is bad and the visibility is poor, seniors should try to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier than they normally would.

2.    Always maintain the vehicle. Making sure the car is in good condition is one way to make sure seniors stay safe while driving in poor weather conditions.

3.    When buying a newer car, consider options that will increase safety, such as all-wheel drive and traction control.

4.    Be sure to keep an emergency kit in the car. These kits can help seniors who have car trouble during bad weather. Most kits will have blankets that will help seniors stay warm and comfortable until help arrives.

5.    Always drive with the headlights on.

6.    Stay in the middle lane on the highway. Most roads are built higher in the middle, allowing water to runoff to the other lanes.

7.    Avoid pools of water. There could be potholes beneath.

Source: Senior Living

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Tips for Keeping Seniors Active

When a senior has a low activity level, they are more prone to health problems. To avoid this, seniors should have some form of exercise in their life. It does not have to involve going to a gym or even joining exercise classes. There are many things that can be done to increase activity and promote good health. The tips below can help seniors with their exercise routines.

1.    Seniors need to set goals for exercise and stick to them. They should start with small goals, such as exercising a few times a week. The goals should be realistic and achievable.

2.    Make a purchase! Buying a new bathroom scale can help seniors monitor their weight. Many newer scales will also display the body fat percentage. Seniors should set goals to reduce body fat. Seniors should also use the scale to keep track of their results from exercise. Most scales will have a built in memory, so seniors can monitor weight loss and gain.

3.    Do not think of exercise as a chore. It can actually be a social event if done in groups. Get together with other seniors for a walk. Socialization is linked with many health benefits, so seniors who combine exercise with a social activity will reap many benefits.

4.    Seniors do not have to engage in rigorous exercise routines. They should set short-term goals that are realistic. Most seniors will benefit from just 2 ½ hours of exercise each week.

Source: Consumer Healthday

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

How to Make the Home Safe for Seniors

Many seniors have issues with their vision. In fact, the vast majority of the senior population has poor vision. When this is the case, seniors may not be safe at home. There are some things that can be done to improve the home and make sure seniors remain safe when they are at home. The following list contains some great tips.

1.    Make sure all rooms are well lit.

2.    Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.

3.    Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.

4.    Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.

5.    Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.

6.    Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.

7.    Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.

8.    Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time

Source:  http://seniorliving.about.com/od/visionproblems/a/low_vision.htm

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Taking Advantage of Seniors

Some people find it very easy to take advantage of seniors. While this is a disgusting thing, it happens every day. Seniors are approached by individuals claiming to offer them a sound financial investment. These people are actually looking for an easy target. Seniors need to be aware of the schemes that are out there and be prepared to deal with them when they enter into retirement.

1.    Seniors who are isolated or have disabilities are often the target of these schemes.

2.    One out of every five retiree over the age of 65 has been a victim of a financial scam. More than 7.3 million seniors have been taken advantage of each year.

3.    Older people are targets because they are more willing to invest in something that is supposed to help them through their retirement years. The elderly are also much more trusting than the younger generation.

4.    Many of the people doing the scamming are retirees as well. This is how they know who to choose for a target. Elderly con artists are more common than most people believe.

5.    Veterans are also a target. There are many groups who offer to help a former soldier. While many of the programs do actually exist, these seniors are being told they must liquidate all of their assets to become eligible for benefits, which is not true at all.

Source: MSNBC

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.