Elderly-Care Articles

Easy Movement With Chair Lifts

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Chair lifts are useful in enhancing the mobility of the people with handicaps. There are various types of chair lifts in the market, ranging from those that raise the chair to another level for stairs or vehicles to lifts that raise a person to a level that will allow them to stand. The most popular chair lifts are those that help people in wheelchairs get up the stairs. There are various models and brands of chair lifts that can help perform this function. To choose the right chair is very important.

For people who have difficulty in getting up from the chair, chair lifts offer an opportunity for them for more freedom and normalcy in movements. The main difference of a normal chair from a chairlift is that the chair lifts are built with a motor. The motor lifts the chair and aids the user to stand up out of that chair. A chair lift can also prevent a user from flopping down by coming up to meet the user. A good chair lift can put the user in a standing position. Selecting the right chair life becomes difficult since there are so many models in the market. Many lift chairs look like a sofa, bed, accent chair or a love seat. You should judge them in terms of looks, comfort and functionality.

Other factors of consideration are the size and height. The size of the chair lift needs to be matches with the needs of the user. Too small and too large a chair can pose problems. The weight of the user and the power source are two other factors on which the type of chair lift will depend. Different chairs have varying weight capacities. Some of the chair lifts plug into traditional outlets, while others use a battery pack. There are some that have both these facilities. Examining the weight capacity of the chair before picking it up is a must. There are various other things that need to be checked before buying the chair lift. Some of them are the frames, comfort level and footrest angle, hand rim, wheels, wheel locks, and front and back balance.

There are various safety measures that one should follow while using a chair lift. Make sure that it is in good condition all the time. Turn the power off when leaving it on a slope or inclined plane. Use the brakes when not in motion and select a brake that can be released or set by the user. Check the battery every time before going out and keep a cell phone handy.

Retirement Communities Are Key To Living Well

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Today, growing older doesn't necessarily mean slowing down your life. In fact, just the opposite is true, as thousands of seniors have already discovered how to enjoy their "golden years" with vigor and style.

Not content with sitting in front of the television, today's senior citizens are swimming with dolphins, learning a new art form and even plunging from a plane in their first skydive.

What is the key to their happiness and well-being? According to a recent study, it could be living in a retirement community.

According to a University of Michigan study, people who live in retirement communities are more satisfied with their daily lives and are more likely to be happy than their contemporaries who remain in their own homes.

Residents of these communities also are more likely to say their health is better today than it was two years ago, the study concluded.

Many retirement communities not only give seniors a place to share common interests, but also provide unique opportunities to try new hobbies and experiences.

For instance, the Fountains communities, located in 13 states at 19 locations, plan activities and excursions for their residents. On a recent excursion to Key Largo, Fountains residents age 78 to 98 swam in natural lagoons with six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Creative expression also is encouraged at the Fountains, home to hundreds of artists - both

professional and amateur. Each year, the company produces an annual calendar featuring the work of its resident artists.

Communities such as the Fountains also offer various styles of retirement living to meet different needs and desires.

For seniors who want to maintain or enhance their independent lifestyle, the Fountains' "Town Center" neighborhoods offer apartments, cottages, cabanas, casitas, bungalows, suites or condos. Amenities include dining venues, fitness centers, salons, lounges, movie theaters, bank branches, convenience stores and wellness clinics.

For seniors who want to live independently with some assistance and supervision, the Fountains provides ready access to services, gentle encouragement and motivation from the community's 24-hour staff. Medicare-certified nursing care for those recuperating or rehabilitating from illness is also available at many locations.

Medication And Older Adults

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You are a partner in your health care. This is a partnership between you, your doctor, and your pharmacist. You need to be assertive and knowledgeable about the medications you take.

The Food and Drug Administration is also working to make drugs safer for older adults, who consume a large share of the nation's medications. Adults over age 65 buy 30 percent of all prescription drugs and 40 percent of all over-the-counter drugs.

"Almost every drug that comes through FDA [for approval] has been examined for effects in the elderly," says Robert Temple, M.D., associate director for medical policy in FDA's Office of Drug Evaluation and Research. "If the manufacturer hasn't done a study in the elderly, we ask for it."

More than 15 years ago, the agency established guidelines for drug manufacturers to include more elderly patients in their studies of new drugs. Upper age limits for drugs were eliminated, and even patients who had other health problems were given the green light to participate if they were able. Also, drugs known to pass primarily through the liver and kidneys must be studied in patients with malfunctions of those organs. This has a direct benefit for older adults, who are more likely to have these conditions.

In several surveys, FDA discovered that drug manufacturers had been using older adults in their drug studies; however, they weren't examining that age group for different reactions to the drugs. Now, they do. Today, every new prescription drug has a section in the labeling about its use in the elderly.

Says Temple, "The FDA has done quite a bit and worked fully with academia and industry to change drug testing so that it does analyze the data from elderly patients. We're quite serious about wanting these analyses."

When More Isn't Necessarily Better

Of all the problems older adults face in taking medication, drug interactions are probably the most dangerous. When two or more drugs are mixed in the body, they may interact with each other and produce uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects. This is especially a problem for older adults because they are much more likely to take more than one drug. Two-thirds of adults over age 65 use one or more drugs each day, and a quarter of them take three drugs each day.

Not all drug combinations are bad. High blood pressure is often treated with several different drugs in low doses. Unless supervised by a doctor, however, taking a mixture of drugs can be dangerous.

For example, a person who takes a blood-thinning medication for high blood pressure should not combine that with aspirin, which will thin the blood even more. And antacids can interfere with certain drugs for Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Before prescribing any new drug to an older patient, a doctor should be aware of all the other drugs the patient may be taking.

"Too often, older people get more drugs without a reassessment of their previous medications," says Feinberg. "That can be disastrous."

There is also evidence that older adults tend to be more sensitive to drugs than younger adults are, due to their generally slower metabolisms and organ functions. As people age, they lose muscle tissue and gain fat tissue, and their digestive systems, liver, and kidney functions slow down. All this affects how a drug will be absorbed into the bloodstream, react in the organs, and how quickly it will be eliminated. The old adage "Start low and go slow" applies especially to the elderly.

Older adults who experience dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, sleep changes, diarrhea, incontinence, blurred vision, mood changes, or a rash after taking a drug should call their doctors. The following suggestions may also help:

* Don't take a drug unless absolutely necessary. Try a change in diet or exercise instead. Ask your doctor if there's anything else you can do besides drug therapy for the condition.

* Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. If you have several doctors, make sure they all know what the others are prescribing, and ask one doctor (such as an internist or general practitioner) to coordinate your drugs.

* Ask for drugs that treat more than one condition. Blood pressure medicine might also be good for heart disease, for example.

* Keep track of side effects. New symptoms may not be from old age but from the drug you're taking. Try another medication if possible until you find one that works for you.

* Learn about your drugs. Find out as much as you can by asking questions and reading the package inserts. Both your doctor and pharmacist should alert you to possible interactions between drugs, how to take any drug properly, and whether there's a less expensive generic drug available.

* Have your doctor review your drugs. If you take a number of drugs, take them all with you on a doctor's visit.

* Ask the doctor, "When can I stop taking this drug?" and, "How do we know this drug is still working?"

* Watch your diet. Some drugs are better absorbed with certain foods, and some drugs shouldn't be taken with certain foods. Ask a pharmacist what foods to take with each drug.

* Follow directions. Read the label every time you take the medication to prevent mistakes, and be sure you understand the timing and dosage prescribed.

* Don't forget. Use a memory aid to help you-a calendar, pill box, or your own system. Whatever works for you is best.

Medicine and Special Needs

Arthritis, poor eyesight, and memory lapses can make it difficult for some older adults to take their medications correctly. Studies have shown that between 40 and 75 percent of older adults don't take their medications at the right time or in the right amount. About a quarter of all nursing home admissions are due at least in part to the inability to take medication correctly.

A number of strategies can make taking medication easier. Patients with arthritis can ask the pharmacist for an oversized, easy-to-open bottle. For easier reading, ask for large-type labels. If those are not available, use a magnifying glass and read the label under bright light.

Invent a system to remember medication. Even younger adults have trouble remembering several medications two or three times a day, with and without food. Devise a plan that fits your daily schedule. Some people use meals or bedtime as cues for remembering drugs. Others use charts, calendars, and special weekly pill boxes.

Mary Sloane, 78, keeps track of five medications a day by sorting her pills each evening into separate dishes. One is for morning pills, the other for the next evening. Then she turns each medicine bottle upside down after taking the pill so she can tell at a glance if she has taken it that day.

"You have to have a system," Sloane says. "Because just as soon as I get started taking my pills, the phone rings, and when I come back to it, I think, 'Now have I taken that?'"

Drug-taking routines should take into account whether the pill works best on an empty or full stomach and whether the doses are spaced properly. To simplify drug-taking, always ask for the easiest dosing schedule possible-just once or twice a day, for example.

Serious memory impairments require assistance from family members or professionals. Adult day-care, supervised living facilities, and home health nurses can provide assistance with drugs.

Active Lives

Not all older adults are in danger of drug interactions and adverse effects. In fact, as more and more people live active lives well into their 80s or beyond, many take few medications at all. Among healthy older adults, medications may have the same physical effects as they do in younger adults. It is primarily when disease interferes that the problems begin.

To guard against potential problems with drugs, however, older adults must be knowledgeable about what they take and how it makes them feel. And they should not hesitate to talk to their doctors or pharmacists about questions and problems they have with a medication.

Says the University of Maryland's Feinberg: "We need to have educated patients to tell us how the drugs are working."

Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Cutting Costs

The cost of medications is a serious concern for older adults, most of whom must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their medicines.

For a new prescription, don't buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills. You may have side effects to the medication and have to switch. If you buy just a few, you won't be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can't take.

For ongoing conditions, medications are often less expensive in quantities of 100. Only buy large quantities of drugs if you know your body tolerates them well. But be sure you can use all of the medication before it passes its expiration date.

Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can match the price.

Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include:

* Ask for a senior citizens discount.

* Ask for a generic equivalent.

* Get drug samples free. Pharmaceutical companies often give samples of drugs to physicians. Tell your doctor you'd be happy to have them. This is especially convenient for trying out a new prescription.

* Buy store-brand or discount brand over-the-counter products. Ask the pharmacist for recommendations.

* Call your local chapter of the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) and your local disease-related organizations (for diabetes, arthritis, etc.) They may have drugs available at discount prices.

* Try mail order. Mail-order pharmacies can provide bulk medications at discount prices. Use this service only for long-term drug therapy because it takes a few weeks to be delivered. Compare prices before ordering anything.

The Benefits Of Continuing Care Retirement Community

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People nowadays have already realized the importance of saving for the future, especially for their retirement. This is because when they reach their retirement age, all they have to do is to relax and enjoy life together with the financial benefits that they themselves have tried to save little by little.

That is why, when it comes to retirement and the benefits that can be derived from it, people should take the matter seriously.

Because of the growing trend in retirement issues and programs, one area of retirement is gradually taking the limelight. This is known as the continuing care retirement community or the CCRCs.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are consistently gaining some recognition because of the features and benefits that retirees get from them.

To know more of the CCRC, here is a list of the benefits that a retiree can derive from them:

1. Continuing Care Retirement Community provides various housing projects and selection for their members. With a wide variety of choices, people are opting to choose a house that will correspond to their lifestyle and personality.

These housing privileges are not just mere housing projects, in which likes of them are usually made from low-quality materials. However, those that were provided by CCRC, the houses are surely apt for the family. In addition, these are, indeed, low cost houses.

2. The CCRC also offers optimum security, specialized services, and support to their residents. In this way, people who live in the area have peace of mind because they are surrounded by tranquil setting.

Moreover, in CCRC, people are entitled to enjoy three stages of care made available within the context of the Continuing Care Retirement Community.

3. The CCRC have programs that are always available (round-the-clock) to their customers. This means that the residents or their customers can readily avail the services that they need, in which all of the services are all focused on the well-being and health of the people.

No wonder why more and more retirees are aiming to obtain their new homes from the CCRC. Surveys show that approximately 625,000 elderly people are planning to have their own houses through this program.

4. The agreements stipulated therein are all stated in the contract. That is why retirees are more than secure because they will know that the things that they have worked for will not just go to waste.

CCRC is another way of enjoying life's simple pleasures after working so hard all their lives.

Hearing Impaired Hearing Aids Advice For Deafies And Those Who Put Up With Us

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I have always had a hearing impairment. I was born with a 70% hearing loss in both ears. While I had a mother who was sensitive to my disability, I never believed there was anything wrong wth me. As a child, I refused to wear hearing aids.

When, at 19 years-of-age, I bought one hearing aid, it was as if someone turned the sound up. I felt even more invincible. By the time I was 30, I knew I needed aids in both ears. It was not for 25 more years that I would learn that hearing aids alone were not enough.

Granted, most persons who don't hear very well do need hearing aids. If they think they will look stupid wearing aids, these people have no idea how stupid they appear to others without them. When one gives crazy answers to sane questions ~ and misunderstands what others say ~ they don't appear to be very bright. Amplification normally helps a great deal, even if perfect hearing is not attainable for many of us.

Consider this: Use of hearing aids might prevent you from being diagnosed as senile when you get older or loose the understanding companion who has always made allowances for you.

Yet, even with good hearing aids, I have only now come come to understand that it is my responsibility to not do those things which irritate normal hearing people ~ when I can control those very things.

If I am in another room, I have no business asking questions ~ or initiating conversations ~ which I will likely not hear right. To do so can only cause a person with normal hearing to take on unearned aggravation.

If I wish to engage in a conversation, I should make certain that the other person is close enough for me to have the best chance of hearing. And when others speak to me, ask that they do so in a hearing environment where I will understand ~ "Because I don't want to ask you repeat yourself." I expect the same courtesy of others that they should reasonably expect of me.

When I enter a room and see some people cocking their heads, looking at the ceiling confused, I should be sensitive enough to realize that my hearing aids are probably on too loud without someone asking, "What's that noise?" Yes, often in an effort to hear better, I have cranked my hearing aids up to a point of "Feedback" which ~ although I can not hear it ~ many people do. Frustrated, associates have screamed, "You're beeping!" Perhaps, my right to hear should be restricted to the point where other people's sanity endures?

I have great difficulty communicating on the telephone. It was not uncommon for me to already be on the phone and to request assistance of the closest person to me to be my ears ~ for just a moment. I expected that person to drop everything and help me. How unfair? I have sense learned to say, "In a few minutes, I need to make a call. When you are free, would you mind being my ears if I need some?" I no longer expect everyone to allow me to interrupt them just because ~ through my lack of planning ~ I need help "Now!"

While I am on the subject, we who require special effort on other's part to engage in conversation with us, need to learn not to begin talking to them if they are engaged in an activity which will necessitate their relocation to accommodate us, allow us to see their lips, etc.

Hopefully, I've learned I don't have to talk all of the time. All of my life, I had attempted to masquerade as a normal person. The fact is, if you can't hear ~ you are not normal! While really not wanting my captive audience to talk ~ because I knew that I would not be able to hear what they said ~ it was much easier to talk than to listen.

Now, I tell the truth. "I can't hear what you are saying. It is not your fault, but my poor hearing. Please speak more loudly to me. And if I give you an inappropriate response, I will not be offended if you tell me that you don't think that I understood what you said. In fact, I'd really appreciate it."

My best advice to persons who can't hear: Don't try to "Fake it." Maybe, you will get away with making like you understand the conversations? Yet, more than likely ~ and more often than you will ever know ~ others will think that you really didn't care what they had to say.

Being hearing impaired is hard ~ not just on we "Deafies" ~ but those who put up with us too.

Inventors Create Wheelchair Innovations For Safety Affordability And Mobility

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The prolonged use of a wheelchair is a reality for over 100 million people across the globe due to disabilities brought about by illness, accident or advanced age. Among the challenges faced by this large and diverse group are; lack of access to adequate wheelchairs due to poverty, the risk of serious and even life threatening injury due to wheelchair roll-away or wheel pinning, and impediments to travel caused by the cumbersome nature of standard wheelchairs.

Fortunately, there are innovators at work who have in recent years addressed these issues through some truly amazing wheelchair inventions.

Don Schoendorfer, a mechanical engineer from Orange County, California, was aware that many of the poorest people around the world live on less than $2 a day, and that when they were needed, standard wheelchairs were financially out of reach at several hundred dollars per unit. Schoendorfer had a goal; to create the world's cheapest wheelchair for the benefit of poor people with disabilities.

Tinkering for three hours every morning in his garage workshop, Schoendorfer struggled to create a design for a wheelchair that would measure up to harsh terrains and climates at a fraction of the cost of standard wheelchairs. Finally inspiration came in the form of the ubiquitous white plastic lawn chair. The inventor used this low cost item as the centerpiece of his design, equipping his inexpensive chair with two sturdy bike tires and a custom designed chassis.

The result? A durable, low cost wheelchair that can be shipped anywhere in the world for under fifty dollars. Schoendorfer's nonprofit group, Free Wheelchair Mission, has delivered more than 75,000 to people in Angola, India, Peru, and Iraq. His mission? According to Schoendorfer, "I have a small goal. Twenty million chairs given away free by 2010."

In Minnesota, farmer turned inventor - Jerry Ford, was approached by his son Zack who worked in a nursing home and had noticed the dangers of elderly residents forgetting to set the brakes on their manual wheelchairs before attempting to stand. The result was often a bad fall as the wheelchair would roll-away from the resident as they applied weight to the chair's arms when attempting to rise. A problem encountered by elders in other areas as well, especially among those who suffer from senility, Alzheimer's disease or just forgetfulness.

U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht of Minnesota has drawn attention to the problem, pointing out that a fall of this kind is "dangerous for the elderly, especially those in nursing homes, who are often fragile. Just one fall can be a painful death sentence."

Ford set to work almost immediately and in just a few hours, and with just $19 worth of spare parts, turned a mental picture of a new wheelchair automatic braking system into a reality. Ford's invention is a revolutionary wheelchair safety system that allows the wheelchair to move when a patient is onboard, but which auto-sets a brake as soon as the user rises. The system does not compromise patient comfort or safety by causing pressure points and allows the wheelchair to operate normally including normal folding.

According to Ford, "our automatic wheelchair brakes and wheel locks help prevent falls, free up staff and improve quality of life... and that's gotta make a guy feel good."

On the other side of the world in Australia, Nick Morris is also innovating with an eye toward reducing wheelchair related injuries. His invention, the Vulcan Wheel, is an ergonomically designed one-piece extruded aluminum wheelchair wheel for use in general travel and sport. The unique Vulcan design has streamlined both the push rim and wheel rim of a conventional wheelchair wheel and provides the user with increased surface area to propel the wheelchair.

Morris was injured in a motorcycle accident at age 16 and credits his involvement in sport as the key to his rehabilitation. Nick's passion for sport led him to design an improvement on the conventional wheelchair wheel, in conjunction with co-inventor David Goding.

Conventional wheelchair wheels have a base construction made up of wheel rim, a push rim and a number of adjoining pieces connecting the rims together. In order to apply force to move a wheelchair, the user grips the push or wheel rim to propel the wheelchair forward. The wheel rim and push rim are joined together by five joins around the wheel causing a vast potential for hands to get caught or jammed in the gaps. This causes trauma and injury to the hands and fingers, often resulting in friction burns, dislocation of the fingers, and skin abrasions. It is also not uncommon for parts of clothing, or objects such as sticks and debris, to get caught in the gap. Secondly, there is insufficient room for placing the palms of the hand on the push rim, as there is not enough surface area between the wheel rim and push rim.

Morris and Goding's ergonomic design compliments the use of palm and fingers and reduces the risk of trauma to the hand as there is no area for fingers, thumbs or external objects to get jammed in between the two rims.

The new wheel also weighs less due to a decreased number of components, and is less likely to break down. Its one-piece structure also provides the push rim with an additional degree of stability, making it less likely to buckle and flex when pressure is exerted during pushing, making it ideal for wheelchair sports.

Elsewhere the needs of those who travel with wheelchairs have been reviewed with an eye toward innovation. An Augusta Georgia firm offers a "wheelchair in a bag" that folds and unfolds in seconds and weighs in at just 17 lbs. The lightweight chair is made possible due to the use of aircraft aluminum, which provides the necessary strength with a fraction of the weight of steel. These compact chairs can be bagged and carried with a handle or shoulder strap and include features such as flip back armrests, folding footrests and adjustable wheel locks. Everything you would expect in a full weight chair.

Don Schoendorfer, Jerry Ford, Nick Morris and David Goding have made significant contributions through their inventions, which have improved access, efficiency and safety for wheelchair users throughout the United State and across the globe. And with the 21st Century still in its infancy there is every reason to believe there are more wheelchair innovations in store.

Some Crime Tips For The Elderly

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Older people and their families worry about crime. Though older people are less likely to be victims of crime than teenagers and young adults, the number of crimes against older people is hard to ignore. Older people are often targets for robbery, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, car theft, or home repair scams. They are more likely than younger people to face attackers who are strangers. During a crime, an older person is more likely to be seriously hurt than someone who is younger.

But, even though there are risks, don't let the fear of crime stop you from enjoying life.

Be careful and be aware of your surroundings.

Here are some "do's and don'ts" that can help you fight crime and stay safe.

Be Safe at Home

Do try to make sure that your locks, doors, and windows are strong and cannot be broken easily. A good alarm system can help.

Do check to be sure your doors and windows are locked - both when you are in the house and when you're away.

Do make a list of your expensive belongings. You might even take pictures of the most valuable items. Store these papers in a safe place.

Do ask your local police department about marking your valuable property with an I.D. number.

Don't open your door before you know who's there. Look through the peephole or a safe window first. Ask any stranger for proof of identity before opening the door. Remember, you don't have to open the door if you feel uneasy.

Don't keep large amounts of money in the house.

Do get to know your neighbors. Join a Neighborhood Watch Program if your community has one.

Be Street Smart

Do try to stay alert. Walk with a friend. Stay away from unsafe places like dark parking lots or alleys.

Do keep your car doors locked at all times.

Don't open your car door or roll-down your window for strangers.

Do park in well-lit areas.

Do carry your purse close to your body with the strap over your shoulder and across your chest.

Don't resist a robber. Hand over your cash right away if confronted.

Be Safe with Your Money

Do have your monthly pension or Social Security checks sent right to the bank for direct deposit. Try not to have a regular banking routine.

Don't carry a lot of cash. Put your wallet, money, or credit cards in an inside pocket.

Don't keep your check book and credit cards together. A thief who steals both could use the card to forge your signature on checks.

Elder Care Services Determining Your Level Of Care

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The condition of the person seeking nursing care is the key factor in your choice of a long-term care facility. All skilled/intermediate care nursing facilities provide personal care and residential services including rooms, meals, planned activities and programming to meet social and spiritual needs. The levels of nursing and therapy services offered vary quite widely, and these should be carefully matched to the individual's needs. The resident's physician is involved regularly in the direction of a resident's care. The nursing staff works with and keeps the resident's physician updated on any changes in the resident.

Sheltered Care

People who are functionally independent but need some assistance in daily living, require the care of a sheltered care facility (SC).

Sheltered care facilities emphasize the social needs of the individual rather than the medical needs. Dietary and housekeeping services, medication monitoring, and leisure activities are primary functions of these facilities.

Assisted Living

People who are mobile but may need assistance with one or two activities of daily living, may require the services of an assisted living facility.

An assisted living facility is a congregate residential setting that provides or coordinates personal services, 24-hour supervision and (scheduled and unscheduled) assistance, activities, and health-related services; is designed to minimize the need to move; is designed to accommodate individual residents' changing needs and preferences; is designed to maximize residents' dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice, and safety; and is designed to encourage family and community involvement.

Intermediate Care

People who need 24-hour nursing care by licensed nurses as prescribed by a physician, require the care of an intermediate care facility (ICF).

Rehabilitative programs, social services and daily activities for persons not capable of full independent living, (such as persons who are convalescing or persons with chronic conditions which are not critical) are provided. Physical, occupational and other therapies are also provided. This type of facility may be certified to participate in the Medicare and/or Medicaid program. Check with each facility.

Skilled Nursing Care

People who need 24-hour care require the care of a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) provide care and services prescribed by physicians with heavy emphasis on medical nursing care. Social services, as well as physical, occupational and other therapies are provided. This type of facility may be certified to participate in the Medicare and/or Medicaid program. Check with each facility.

Elder Day Care A Novel Idea

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Okay, we all know how hectic life is for people nowadays. We have jobs, kids, social lives, and other things that keep us busy.

People have been questioning for years the ethical argument regarding putting elderly people into nursing homes. Some people think that putting the elderly in places where they can be properly cared for is right, while others think that the abandonment of an elderly person's family just because of the complications is wrong.

But we're not here to discuss that question. You are here, my friend, to learn about elder day care.

You should see elder day care as an acceptable compromise between the two sides of the nursing home argument. After all, your parents took care of you, so you should share some responsibility in taking care of them.

This responsibility is misinterpreted by some Americans to be purely financial, when it is not. Trust us to try the solution we have for every problem: throw money at it.

No, caring for the elderly entails an emotional responsibility to the people who took care of you when you could not take care of yourself.

Elder day care shows the possibility that you can take care of the elderly while living a normal hectic lifestyle.

With elder day care, you need not worry about your elderly getting the proper care that they need with the love of your family.

Nursing homes can be such sad places. Everyone wants to stay with his/her family. You can be sure that, no matter how much he/she denies it, your elderly wants to stay with your family.

However, elderly people do not also want to be a burden. You are their family, after all, and they do not wish for you to suffer because of them.

They do, however, want to feel loved. With elder day care, you can give them love and care. Having the services of an elder day care means that you need not send your elderly to a nursing home. You can drop them off and then pick them up again.

This would give your elderly time to reminisce among their colleagues and have their social lives while you go about your activities.

You can be sure that they will be thankful for you introducing them to the concept of elder day care.

With an elder day care, your interactions are not limited by the visiting hours. After all, your elderly will still live with you, in your home.

Elder day care is a novel idea because it actually reconciles the American way of living with the American way of family.

With the passing of the years, the American dream has overtaken the American sense of heritage. The word family has been scoffed and the word "elderly" has been attached to the word "burden".

We need to take the image of a family-based America back, and we need to do it without upsetting the American way of business.

So far, elder day care has provided the best solution to do this.

Right now, the business of elder day care is still in its infancy. Only a few people operate these elder day care services, and most of those people are ordinary individuals who have realized the advantages this type of business offers.

We live in a world where compromise is very important. And since elder day care provides a great compromise to the betterment of the American way of living, why not take advantage of it?

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