1. It is best to wash your hands with soap and warm water for20 seconds.
2. When water is not available use alcohol-based products (sanitizers).
3. Wash hands before preparing or eating food and after going to the bathroom.
4. Keeping your hands clean helps you avoid getting sick.
5. At the height of the FLU SEASON avoid large crowds.
6. If you feel that you have contracted the flu be sure to visit your primary doctor immediately.
7. Do not wait till the flu has hit your community. It takes several weeks to establish immunity.

Also don’t forget:

• COVER YOUR COUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• COVER YOUR NOSE WITH A TISSUE WHEN YOU SNEEZE.
• Do not rub your eyes with your fingers.  That introduces germs through the eyes.
• Internet information is available at www.cdc.gov
• PUT YOUR USED TISSUE IN THE WASTE BASKET

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information about our Care for the Elderly and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services or call 1-800-704-3536.

Hiring the wrong type of home care help-by going through a registry or referral service or hiring help on your own-can expose patients to financial, legal, and safety risks, like liability for payroll taxes or on-the-job injuries, property losses, or care that is unreliable, substandard, or even abusive. Only a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency guarantees your peace of mind-and good patient care.

Home care agencies:

Not all agencies are created alike. When hiring-or referring patients to-a home care agency, it’s important to know the difference between types of agencies. Some are licensed, bonded, and insured; others are simply referral services that try to match independent contractor home care providers with clients. Unknowingly selecting the wrong type of agency can expose you-or your patients-to financial and legal risks.

Key questions about any home care agency:

• Is it licensed, bonded, and insured?
• Are the caregivers employees or independent contractors?
• What type of background check does the agency perform on caregivers?
• Does the agency have someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

What a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency does-in addition to providing excellent private duty care:

• Care is monitored and the agency responds to changing care needs.
• Agency supervision helps create positive working relationships between caregivers, patients, and families.
• As an employer, the full service agency pays payroll taxes for all caregivers. A registry isn’t an employer.
• The agency hires, trains, supervises, and conducts performance evaluations on its employees.
• If an employee is injured while providing care in the home, the agency’s insurance coverage-not the homeowner’s-applies.
• The agency conducts background checks-including reference checks, criminal background, and drug screens-on all employees as a routine part of the pre-employment process.
• If a regularly scheduled caregiver is ill or otherwise unable to come to work, the agency-not the patient-is responsible for finding a replacement.
• Provides peace of mind that the patient will receive the very best home care available.

Points to remember

• Only a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency provides both high quality care and legal and financial protection for patients and families.
• Knowing what type of agency you’re hiring or recommending is essential for your peace of mind.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area. For more information about our Care for the Elderly and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services by calling 1-800-704-3536.

We, as professionals in the field of eldercare, are always surprised when we hear of the trials and tribulations that older persons many times face on their own. It doesn’t seem real. It doesn’t feel real. It is very hard to understand how family, extended family, friends, neighbors and obviously strangers can hurt a vulnerable person. It happens quite often.
Describing what elder abuse looks like can help in protecting our senior population. We all have that responsibility to be aware and report the alleged abuse.
Some examples are given below.  You may recognize them in a family member, friend or even a stranger.

1. Unusual bruising especially on hands, arms, and legs.
2. Observable weight loss over a period of time.
3. Broken limbs.  The senior may not be able to clearly explain what has happened.
4. Unexplained falls occurring frequently.
5. Fearfulness expressed in facial expressions.
6. Poor hygiene and tattered clothing.
7. Staying in the home without being seen for a while.  This may indicate no one helping etc.

We all need to be more involved in our neighborhood.  If you note the lights are  never on, the sidewalks are never cleaned of snow, a definite change in lifestyle behaviors, wandering at night, appearing confused, or any other changes call the Police.  They will respond to your concern.  If you know any family member please call them. REMEMBER WE ALL NEED TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information about our Care for the Elderly and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services or call 1-800-704-3536.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY RALLY
June 15, 2010
12 noon — 2 pm
Courthouse Patriot Plaza
400 Washington Avenue, Towson MD
JOIN US!

Baltimore County Restoring Elder Safety Today BC-REST is a coalition working to educate and empower the community to identify, treat and prevent elder Abuse, neglect and exploitation in Baltimore County through the development of strategic alliances, advocacy and resource development.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information call 1-800-704-3536

Further examining the predicament the 50% of patients being readmitted within 30 days reveals something interesting.  Most had not been seen by their outpatient physician. This raises the question of how patients are following discharge plans and whether or not their families are realizing the importance of reading them and following up on their loved one.

Being responsible for these critical issues is an ominous undertaking for anyone.  Not to mention grocery shopping, medication management, bathing, dressing, and safety in the home.  Figuring out what your parent needs is not easy.  Finding the services they need can be even more challenging. But, stopping the in and out rehospitaliztions is a primary need which will help your parent redevelop his or her resiliency.

HELP IS THE ANSWER. Prevention of these round robin readmissions will make life easier for your loved ones and all of the family members.

Ivory House Health Services is a Geriatric Care Management company which specializes in keeping persons out of the hospital and emergency rooms.  This is accomplished by establishing an accurate Geriatric Care Plan.  This plan of care includes collection of all pertinent information, coordination of all medical services, integration of home care, assessment of needs regarding activities of daily living and instrumental life skills.  The Ivory House staff is highly educated  with a total of 200 years of professional experience. For a phone consultation please call 410-823-3153 or e-mail Hazel Kuchinsky APRN-BC. You can also use this website to ask your questions.

Caregivers now have a new resource, the ask Medicare website launched by the centers for Medicare & Medicaid services is designed to provide help with Medicare.

• The site (www.medicare.gov/caregivers) includes information on navigating through Medicare, health care services, link to partner organizations that assist caregivers and personal caregivers’ anecdotes.
• Kerry Weems, CMS acting administrator, says the new site provides valuable one stop resources for caregivers which will help them to better assist Medicare beneficiaries.
• The care that more than 44million Americans provide for  their family members friends or neighbors is valued  at 350 billions annually, according to a recent AARP report. -Rebecca Kern

We know navigating the Medicare System can be challenging for anyone so resources which help with Medicare are extremely useful. “Ask Medicare” provides caregivers with valuable information for Medicare benefits for clients and loved ones.  The site itself is set up in an easy to use fashion with Medicare Basics, Caregiver Support and Care Option sections which are clear and concise.  Ivory House is pleased to share such a wonderful Elder Care resource.

Triglycerides are a type of fat some come from food and some are made from carbohydrates and other substances. Your body needs some Triglycerides, but high levels can be harmful to your heart.

High levels can be the result of:

• Being overweight
• Not enough exercise
• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking cigarettes
• Certain conditions like diabetes and kidney disease

Triglycerides are measured with a blood test:

• Normal: lower than 150 mg/dl
• Borderline-high: 150-to 199 mg/dl
• High: 200-to 499 mg/dl
• Very high: 500 mg/dl or higher

11 measures for older adults to lower heart risk

1. Daily aspirin (81 mg one baby aspirin) for women over 65 or men of any age.
2. Lower LDL to less than 160 mg/dl in low-risk individuals.
3. Lower LDL to less than 130 mg/dl in high risk individuals.
4. Lower LDL to less than 100 mg/dl in patients with coronary artery disease.
5. Lower LDL to less than 100 mg/dl in diabetic patients.
6. Lower blood pressure to below 140/90 mmhg in non diabetic individuals.
7. Lower blood pressure to 130/ 90 mmhg in diabetic patients.
8. Lower hemoglobin A1C to less than seven percent in diabetic patients.
9. Reduce fasting plasma glucose to less than 110 mg/dl in all older adults.
10. Quit smoking.
11. Reduce weight to a body mass index of less than 30. (Calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and multiplying the result by 703. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.

Signs & symptoms of heart failure:

By themselves, according to the American heart association, the signs of heart failure may not be cause for alarm. But if you have more than one of these symptoms, report them to a healthcare professional and ask for an evaluation of your heart:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues (edema)
• Tiredness, fatigue
• Lack of appetite, nausea
• Confusion, impaired thinking
• increased heart rate

The information in this article is not intended to be substitute for medical care or advice provided by a doctor. Always consult your physician for appropriate examinations treatment and care recommendation .if you have any questions about this information you should call your physician. Specific treatments and therapies may not be covered by your health plan. For questions about your benefits, please consult your health plan. Any references in this material to other  organizations or companies including their internet sites, is not an endorsement or warranty of the services, information or products provided by those organizations or companies  All models are used for illustrative purposes only.

Listed below are ideas for activities to do with Senior Citizens or encourage them to do on their own or in a group settings.  Engaging in activities such as these helps keep individuals active and social.  This goes a long way in keeping Seniors happy, healthy and enjoying life.

Sittercise – Encourage gross motor functions.  Sittercise includes having seniors while sitting  kicking legs, lifting legs, lifting hands above head and making circles with hands.  May adapt the hokey pokey to sittercise.

Devotional time – May read a passage from the Bible and sing  hymns.  Must be non-denominational.

Reminiscing Group – Seniors through reminiscenceing recalling memories review them and recapture the moments that went with them.  Seniors enjoy talking about the old days as it gives them a feeling of well-being and raises self-esteem.  Use Reminiscing Book and Magazine

Games - May be gross motor games where resident is moving arms/legs, i.e., basketball, cards, bingo, dominoes and checkers.

Baking Group – Seniors may assist in mixing ingredients, putting dough on cookie sheets, cake in cake pan, icing and decorating cookies, and icing and decorating cakes.  The purpose is not to have the cookies and cake perfect, but have seniors socialize, participate and enjoy the end product.

Reading Club – Consists of reading a short article and discussing it.  May also be looking through magazines and discussing what is in the magazine.  Try to help seniors apply, if appropriate what they read to their lives, i.e. Music boxes relate this to seniors like music boxes; cooking what did the seniors like to cook?  The newspaper can be used.

Current Events – Take an article from the newspaper, current magazine or news from television.  Encourage seniors to talk about the information.  If material is from newspaper or current magazine, may read highlights from article, then discuss.

All movies – Make comments throughout film as to what is happening as well as which stars are in movies.  Try to get residents to talk about what they liked about the films.

Documentary – May be on countries, sports, special events.

Oldies But Goodies – Maybe I love Lucy comedies, Jack Benny, ect…

Sing-A-Long- Play musical tape and help seniors to sing. You may want to repeat a song that that particularly enjoyed.

Creative Arts Group- This group involves the art project that are “free lance art” i.e.. clay, finger painting, paper mache and watercolors. Collages may be made from outdoor gathering and cloth ect…

Letter writing – Encourage seniors to write letters, notes to family members.  You may need to assist them in formulation of thoughts and what to write to family member. Suggest to senior that they tell the family member what they have been doing. ie. cartoonist came and did the presidents; we made cookies today and they were good; or arts and craft project.

Arts and crafts – This may be theme oriented based on what is happening during the month: St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and July 4^th. May start art and craft one day and finish the next.

Nature Group- This may be a walk, painting flowers or vegetables. May also be a film on nature or watching the Discovery Channel.

Musical Tapes- Have senior listen to quiet music. Let senior select the tape talk a little about the performer before or after the song or tape.

Word Puzzles / Number Games- Do encourage seniors to do word puzzle and number games.

Call Ivory House Health Services if you need assistance
Phone: 410-823-3153
Toll Free: 1-800-704-3536
www.ivoryhouse.net

Risks of Depression in the Elderly

Bereavement is a common factor of depression in the elderly.  The death of a spouse who has been a support system can be devastating for a senior even though we often see this as a normal stage of life.  The fact is people rarely talk about impending death with family members, have sufficient end of life plans and even plan for life after a the loss of a spouse. Sudden changes without adequate planning can alter the mental health of the elderly

Social Isolation is another risk for depression. Again we often think of the solitude which many seniors face as a normal part of the life process at that stage, but it doesn’t mean that everyone is equipped with proper coping mechanisms. Family moving away, loss of career or the simple fact that a social circle may began to suffer due to the death of friends can bring about social isolation leading to depression.

Deterioration of personal health or the health of a spouse can also lead to depression in the elderly because of the new challenges they face. Loss of mobility, reduction of independence and the need for assistance are things that can seriously change the mindset of a person and in some cases turn a happy person into someone who may feel like giving up.

All of these things can have attitude changing affects on seniors and the solutions often do not help the situation. Learning to go out and be social can cause anxiety for seniors who are used to a set life, and facing the facts regarding assisted living care or other geriatric care management can be stressful without proper guidance. Even drug therapies used for common chronic illnesses can have side effects which lead to or cause depression.

Symptoms of Elderly Depression

Symptoms of elderly depression are not unlike the symptoms of depression among other individuals. Changes in sleep patterns, irritability, loss of appetite and changes of physical appearance regarding weight and grooming are all signs a caregiver should look for.

Internal symptoms of depression can be extreme sadness, confusion, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of suicide.

These actions and feelings are quite normal during periods of grief due to loss.  Loss can include the death of a spouse, a job, health or anything mental or physical which has been removed from a person’s life. However, as grief is normal, it is worked through in a reasonable amount of time. Depression lingers and requires action to cure it.

Treating Elderly Depression

Treating Elderly Depression is a very important part of elder care because depression will affect the quality of a senior’s life. The whole idea behind assisted living, geriatric care management and senior care services is to maintain or improve the quality of an individual’s life. So recognizing and treating depression is necessary.

Treatments may include drug therapy, counseling and possibly crisis management. Qualified mental health professionals can make the call regarding the most effective treatment or combination of treatments to best serve the patient.

Depression in the elderly is on the rise due to many factors. In fact, the suicide rates of individuals as they age is increasing at alarming rates. Suicides for people beginning at age 64 are higher than the numbers indicating for the general population. This increases further when people reach their 80′s.

Recognizing the existence of elderly depression and paying attention to it is paramount to any form of care management. It is part of the job of qualified geriatric care managers to asses the mental state of their clients and monitor changes over time or in crisis. This is one of the main reason involving professional senior care is so important when caring for aging parents. Geriatric care managers are available to help families with important decisions regarding in home care, assisted living care, end of life planning and maintaining the quality of life of loved ones.