An essential step to maximizing a loved one’s independence
and preserving their dignity

Most people take living independently for granted and no one wants to become dependent on others for their basic activities of daily living. However, as a result of aging, illness or injury, many people will find themselves in situations and facing challenges they never expected. Regardless of whether someone is facing limitations due to the progression of a medical condition, or is on bed rest after a surgery, everyday life is almost certain to become more challenging. People often struggle with preparing meals, shopping for personal items, maintaining a residence, taking medications, handling mail, or safely operating a motor vehicle.

So what do you do when you find yourself, or your loved one, having difficulty performing tasks necessary to live independently? The first and most important step, is recognizing a person’s limitations and determining their wishes regarding care. Regardless of whether care is provided by a family member, friend or care professional, consider the following when developing a plan:

• What specific care or assistance is needed now and anticipated in the future?
• Who will share the caregiving responsibility?
• What are the designated tasks and responsibilities for each person?

Recognizing the needs, developing a plan and allowing choice and participation in one’s own care, helps maintain their dignity and maximize independence.

Driver safety programs have received a lot of attention over the past several years. Much of the coverage in the media may be due to the increasing number of older drivers. Recently, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that by the year 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers age 65 and older. Helping drivers to sharpen their skills, and refresh their knowledge of the rules of the road can help older adults maintain the privilege to drive, and their ability to drive safely.

AARP offers both on-line and classroom driver safety courses designed to help educate people about current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate a vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment. They also show how to accommodate for common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time to help reduce the risk of an accident, injury and traffic citation.

Another popular interactive computer-based course was introduced by the AAA Foundation. Their free screening tool, entitled Roadwise Review Online™, is designed to screen functional abilities including leg strength and mobility, head and neck flexibility, visual acuity, and more in as little as 30 minutes.

Both tools can help people identify potential limitations and sharpen skills. A driver safety course can also help older adults decide for themselves, or with their family, if they are capable of driving safely.

For more information or to participate in the AARP program visit their website at www.AARP.org/drive. The classroom course costs $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. The cost for the online course is $15.95 for AARP members and $19.95 for nonmembers. To get more information or complete the AAA Foundation’s Roadwise Review Online, go to their website at www.AAAfoundation.org or www.AAAseniors.com.

Melanie Keech is the Owner/President of Caring Solutions, LLC. Caring Solutions, LLC is an agency providing professional home care, home maintenance, incontinence consultations, move management, and in-home monitoring devices for those who wish to remain in their homes – wherever “home” is. Call our office at 970-667-4545 for a free home consultation or www.caringsolutionsllc.com.

For some, urinary incontinence products are a temporary strategy, devices to tide them over until surgery for urinary incontinence can be done or medications take effect.

But for others -- including those who decline surgery or aren't candidates for surgery or medication -- urinary incontinence products become long-term options for relief.

The most important part of good incontinence care is to ensure both the physical and emotional comfort of your loved one, and the key to this is using the products that provide maximum care and prevent the negative side effects that incontinence can cause. Things like leaks, waking to a damp mattress or skin irritation have physical, emotional and time-consuming consequences.

So what are the factors that help avoid these consequences?

• Less dampness means less risk of skin irritation – particularly if your loved one has to sit or lie down for long periods due to disability or injury.
• Fewer leaks mean less risk of waking to and dealing with a damp mattress; fewer nighttime disturbances for you and your loved one; fewer intrusive changes and less laundry; and less fear of embarrassment and social withdrawal.
• Less skin irritation reduces the need for additional skin medication.
• A wetness indicator can reduce unnecessary changes.
• Finding the right absorbency and size for your loved one.
  

Effective care means choosing incontinence protection that takes all the above factors into account, ensuring maximum comfort for your loved one and helping to minimize the time and physical strain of incontinence care within your overall care routine.

Tina Tapply is the Program Manager of Incontinence Solutions – a program provided by Caring Solutions, LLC. She has worked with older individuals in home health and long term care for over 25 years. Tina can be reached at 970-215-0472 or 970-667-4545 for a free in-home consultation.

Adult children often become involved in their parents’ financial affairs due to aging or health-related challenges. The person appointed Power of Attorney typically assumes the lead role. Whether lending a helping hand; trying to figure out how to help your parents meet their monthly obligations; pay for long-term care; or settling an estate upon death, do not be surprised if your parents’ affairs are not well organized. When a person’s financial affairs are not inventoried and organized, it can be up to family to make sense of everything. The process can often be like a treasure hunt where you are searching for and following-up on clues. If you find yourself completing an inventory without the help of a loved one, here are some recommendations that might help you identify assets your parents own that may have a cash value.

1. Contact the…
   a. bank(s) and inquire about checking and savings account balances
   b. mortgage company to determine both the equity amount and the remaining liability on their home
   c. financial advisor and/or broker to identify any saving plans, annuities or other investments
   d. insurance company(ies) where they may have a policy (e.g. life, long-term care)
   e. former employer(s) to inquire about retirement/pension plans.
2. Search the safety deposit box or other places where stock certificates, bonds or other securities might be located.
3. Make a list of collectible items (e.g. antiques, artwork) and any items that may have a significant cash value (e.g. vehicles/boats, time share property).
4. Refer to recent tax return(s) and bank statements to identify any other sources of income.
5. 5. Follow-up on Privacy notices received in the US Mail. (If you receive a privacy notice, chances are there is some type of client or financial relationship.)
   

Melanie Keech is the CEO of Caring Solutions, LLC. Caring Solutions, LLC is a home care management agency providing professional non-medical home care, home maintenance, incontinence consultations, move management, and in-home monitoring devices. For more information or a free in-home consultation, call 970-667-4545.

At some point we have all misplaced our keys and forgotten someone’s name. Before you get too worried and think you are losing your mind, know that most of us will experience minor memory impairments and slower cognitive processing ability as we age. The changes people experience as part of the normal aging process tend to be more annoying than anything. It is when there is disease or injury to the brain that our everyday functioning is compromised.

Memory refers to how we store, retain and recall things. As part of the normal aging process, we notice some change to our short-term memory. For example, we may not recall what we had for dinner last night. Factors that affect our memory include importance, motivation, expectations, learning habits and more. If we forget what we had for dinner, does it really matter? We tend to recall information that is important to us; it may just take a little longer.

While you may have heard suggestions like eating chocolate or drinking a glass of red wine, there are practical things we can do to help maintain and retrain our brain. An article in the May 9, 2007 edition of Forbes Magazine (www.Forbes.com) offers the following suggestions:

• Lifelong learning – stimulate your mind by learning new things, the more complex the better.
• Computer programs – software programs can help to challenge, stimulate and train your brain (e.g. www.SharpBrains.com).
• Social interaction – socializing is a form of mental exercise, engage in conversations that challenge your brain.
• Stress reduction – stress puts an unnecessary burden on your brain and keeps you from effectively focusing on things that matter.
• Physical exercise – exercise leads to increased blood flow to your brain which has been shown to help improve cognitive performance.
  

Melanie Keech is the CEO of Caring Solutions, LLC. Caring Solutions, LLC is a home care management agency providing professional non-medical home care, home maintenance, incontinence consultations, move management, and in-home monitoring devices. For more information or a free in-home consultation, call 970-667-4545.