Daily Living Blog

20 Resources for Seniors

We’ve been connecting with amazing people, organizations and businesses recently. I am in awe of their knowledge, resources and compassionate desire to help and serve.

I wanted to feature some of them here. However, where to start? Kansas City only? Should I only list the Area Agencies on Aging? Maybe I should only highlight businesses? The possibilities are endless.

Thus, I’ve decided to try something different. I’ve narrowed down the list to 10 excellent resources that we have come to know through our networking on Twitter. Next, I’ve highlighted the top 10 resources that we regularly refer people to through Homecare Suppliers.

Our 10 Resources for Seniors found on Twitter
Their websites as well as their twitter user names are linked in blue.
1. Gilbert Guide – Gilbert Guide Senior Housing Guide & Resource for Senior Care Information.
2. Homecare Assistance – JMoskovitz – Provider of home-care, in-home living assistance, and eldercare services.
3. Caregiver Journey – Beth Parker-O’Brien – Researcher and Clinical Social Worker focusing on Alzheimer’s and related dementias as well as other older adult issues.
4. AgeWiseLiving – AgeWiseLiving Barbara Friesner
– Counseling and training for aging loved ones.
5. Aging In Place Technology – AgingTech Laurie Orlov – Aging Industry Trends Technology Watch, Research and Analysis
6. Age In Place – Aging_in_place – A place where Baby Boomers and seniors can get information on how to build their own aging in place plane. It is also a place caregivers, families and friends of aging people can come to get news and information about how to better care for their loved ones.
7. Inside Elder Care – InsideElderCare Ryan Malone – Comprehensive blog that focuses on “by families, for families” approach to elder care which teaches families how to make elder care a positive experience
8. All About Seniors – Allaboutseniors Missy Johnson – A senior resource directory for South Carolina – the publisher also has one for Charlotte, NC.
9. AFB Senior Site – AFBSite for seniors with eye conditions as well as other helpful information.
10. Baby Boomer Knowledge Center – BoomerBuzzNews – Informative Blog with information that is resourceful, wistful, impactful and engaging for the baby boomer generation.

While I restricted myself to only 10 from our Twitter friends – I highly recommend checking out what each have to say about living life unlimited.

Top 10 Most Often Referred Senior Resources by Homecare Suppliers

1. Area Agency on Aging – Each state should have an Area Agency on Aging and then it is broken down into regions. Each plans, develops and coordinates a network of services for family caregivers and older persons within their area.
2. Hospice – As the goal of hospice is to enable individuals to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones – we often are in touch with those when this becomes a reality.
3. Stroke Foundation – We have seen many families faced with the affects of a stroke. Often this results in the need for a stair lift or bath lift or other mobility assistance. It is important to not only understand the affects of a stroke but to know what kinds of resources are available to you in your area.
4. AARP – A membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service.
5. H2U – The h2u program creates a strong local connection for its members by being part of a community hospital or health facility. Each location has a director on whom you can depend for information on organized h2u events, health screenings and educational classes, as well as access to physicians and care at your local hospital and some offer discount programs to members.
6. Alzheimer Foundation – The leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Local branches can provide support and assistance.
7. Elder Care – The Eldercare Locator is a great step for finding local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services
8. Heart Association – National organization, the America Heart Association, provides information to be heart healthy and live stronger, healthier lives.
9. VA Hospital – We direct people that are veterans to their local VA Hospital. This is especially vital when they need medical mobility products like bath lifts and stair lifts.
10. Local Medical Supply Company – We regularly get calls from all over the United States about medical supplies that we do not carry. We suggest checking local Yellow Pages or phone books under “medical supply”. Also, Yellow Pages has started listing products so check under the actual product that is needed like “stair lifts” or “oxygen”.

As I finished my list, I kept thinking of other organizations and resources that I would like to have shared. But, alas, I had to force myself to be limited to these 20. We do have a list of additional resources on our website.

It is our belief that there is information, resources and support to aid in Limitless Living. We encourage you to check all avenues via the internet, local agencies, the United Way as well as businesses related to your issues or concerns. And remember we are always just a phone call away.

The River – Pam Billings

Pam Billings, Director of Operations for Homecare Suppliers, wrote this recently and we decided to share it. As each of us encounter the storms of life that affect our daily living, our mobility, our ability to live without or in spite of limits – may there be a word of encouragement on the journey…

Recently a friend called to get information from me about living with Liver Disease. She has a friend whose Mother is dying of Liver Disease. My own dad died of Liver Disease. I wrote the following note to explain my perspective of the disease. This is the first time since my dad’s death that I have written anything about this.

Dear Jane*, (*name has been changed)

Having a parent sick is a roller coaster. You hardly have time to think beyond the care and situation of that loved one. Thoughts swirl – the status of the current situation, the doctor’s qualifications, the nurses’ care, next steps in the medical process, diagnosis, necessary absence from a job, child care, the expense… With all of the decisions that have to be made, you rarely have the opportunity to really contemplate life without this person. Liver Disease not only makes things fuzzy to the victim of it, but it also does so to the family. Liver disease is ugly.

A good analogy for me is a river. The river can be deceptive. The top may be calm and inviting. But what lurks below the water is dangerous and swift; it can surround, pull down, confuse, and eventually drown. When I think back to my dad, I just remember a three year battle of ER visits, hospital stays, and an array of doctors and nurses. Everything is very hazy.

Personally, this is my journey down the river with my dad:

It took over three years, once it was diagnosed. Who knows when the damage actually occurred – probably after all those years of working with photographic chemicals as a professional photographer. And then the condition was possibly further exasperated by his continuous over-use of Extra Strength Tylenol to control his ever increasing migraines that he had as a result of an undiagnosed damaged liver.

I have only three strong memories from that 3 year time frame.

1- A consultation with a neurologist. Her prognosis was ‘permanent brain damage’. That was about a year or more into the disease. Thank God that one did not happen.
–My mother realized that my father needed to have doctors that communicated better with one another. She found a practice that had many “specialists” under their umbrella: heart, diabetes, liver, neurologist, etc… They all got together to discuss his prognosis, his treatment, his diet and the medicine that he took. Mixing various prescriptions can be quite dangerous.

2 – A moment in the ER with my dad laying on a stretcher. He was not very coherent. I really wanted to address issues of forgiveness and eternity. I felt such an urge to tell him about God. I was too afraid to do any of that. So, I instead said something like “you are a good person; you have been a good Dad, and did your best with all of us, and God loves you.”
–Thankfully, God gave him another year and we were able to address those big issues when he was coherent. My husband and I were able to talk to my dad about God. I was able to express how much he meant to me. My siblings were able to spend time with him and verbalize forgiveness and love. Emotional healing came for all of us.

3 – A phone call: “Dad is sick again. We think he will be okay. We will keep you informed.” This was three years into the disease. It was a Thursday. I was on a camping vacation in Minnesota with spotty cell service. Friday there was no call. I assumed that all was well. We went on a paid boat and fishing expedition. I did not give him much thought. I assumed, this was another typical cycle of ER, Hospital and then home. Saturday a phone call: “Come home. Dad is in a coma. He is on life support.” 14 hours of driving – no sleep. From that moment on, I remember everything clearly. They turned off the life support on Sunday afternoon, and he stayed alive for almost 24 hours. However, he was in a coma that whole time. His passing was peaceful! 4 of his 5 children and wife watched him “Go Home”.
–Those last 5 days were not as stressful as they might have been – since my parents had made preparations for this day. My mom had set up herself and two of the children as Power of Attorney. They had signed documentation for a Trust, a will and a Living will prior to his death. They had purchased joint funeral plots and they’d been transparent about their wishes with all of the children.

Jane, I wanted to share my thoughts and story because you need validation for the things you are thinking; the frustration you are feeling; the guilt that you have. It is all normal. If I had to look back and reassess, my only wish is that someone would have said at the beginning, “Let me explain the journey of a failing liver… Get prepared. Talk through the best/worst case scenarios, the unresolved stuff, and what should be done when it is time to really ‘Go Home’.”

I know we were fortunate. My parents were able to make those end of life preparations. They had looked not just to the financial situations to assess, but also at the physical, legal, mental, emotional and even spiritual aspects of the circumstances of his disease and the prognosis of death at the end of the disease. All of us had gone through the physical and verbal motions of “when” and “what to do” regarding his death. Yet, even with all of that, nothing could totally have prepared us for the moment and later the pain of loss. I learned from this experience – you do not know when, but planning ahead, actually makes the end a little easier. When I look back, I only look at the good that came from the situation and have peace knowing that I will see him again.

There are amazing support groups to assist in caring for aging parents. There are also a plethora of resources to assist whatever the situation. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when caring for a loved-one that is dying.

1. Communicate with doctors, nurses, family and the loved one so that everyone is on the same page and thereby decreasing the opportunity for miscommunication or misunderstandings.
2. Discuss the wishes of the loved one. If possible, put a plan into place including all necessary legal documents such as DNR, Living Wills, and financial arrangements.
3. Be authentic and real. Share with your loved one how much you love them and talk to each other truthfully and honestly.
4. Remember – Be pragmatic yet compassionate and walk in patience.
5. Reach out to family, friends and the community for support for your loved one as well as yourself and your family.
6. Make sure to take time for yourself. Stepping back allows a fresh perspective and renewed understanding as you handle each day.
7. Find a Bereavement Support Group – Hospice, Hospitals, Churches and community organizations usually offer these.

Aging In Place – Our Family. Your Family.

Recently, my mom’s house flooded. A deluge of water, over 200 gallons, settled into her finished basement. Many decisions had to be made in a very short amount of time. While she is getting work done to repair damages, the idea of moving has come up. Amidst the chaos, we had a discussion about aging and stairs (her house has 3 sets of stairs).

Should she move? If she decided to stay and live the rest of her life in the home, what would that look like? If she needed stair lifts, how would she feel about 3 of them? Is this a house that she wants to age in? She and my dad purchased the home over 20 years ago. There are many memories tied to the home as well as it is even more special since my dad passed away in 2004.

She is considering and weighing her options. Thankfully she does have options. For her, it is not just about accessibility, but also about memories, comfort and choosing the wisest course for her. We have decided to give her space and time to make these decisions. While she is still only in her 70’s, it is not too early to be looking at things from all perspectives. As a result of Homecare Suppliers and our own professional experiences as well as our memories of caring for our grandmother in her 90’s, we want to be both a sounding board for her and a practical resource as she makes her decisions.

These events have gotten me thinking about other baby boomers and seniors who are facing similar situations. They might not have sound counsel within their family and friends who can direct with love and concern as well as with knowledge and understanding based upon the issues. We aren’t out to make a buck on our mom. As a matter of fact, we aren’t out to make a buck on anyone’s distress. We want to serve a need, be a resource and provide quality products. The products are the only thing for sale – the rest is our heart and passion and is priceless.

Like the saying goes… New bathlift for mom – $645, new stair lift for grandpa – $1799, direction, comfort and peace of mind for the family – PRICELESS!

So I compiled a list of what I would consider important features for my mom to keep in mind should she decide to stay forever in her home or if she decided to move to another home.

1. Stairs – if the home has stairs – to make sure that the width of the stairs is at least 36” to allow for a future stair lift. If she chooses to move, I would encourage her to look at ranch style homes that allow for easy accessibility.
2. Size & Maintenance – My mom’s current home is larger with 3bdrms, 3bath plus a finished basement. There is a lot of space and a lot of maintenance to the home. The basement had some water and mold damage which they are now fixing. It is important to be aware of the structural integrity of the home (whether existing or new home) and look at maintenance aspects for the occupant. Often times, seniors will close off or not use parts of a house. Be sure to check those areas regularly for mold, water damage or other maintenance issues. Additionally, vents to crawl spaces should not be closed off and there is a need for adequate circulation throughout the home. Ensure that the guttering and the downspouts is free and clear of debris and that a maintenance plan is established.
3. Lighting – Ensure that all areas of the home have adequate lighting. Pay close attention to hallways and stairs to ensure that they are properly lit. Exterior lighting should be not only adequate for driving into the driveway but also getting into the home. Motion Sensor Lighting is an affordable way to help with lighting the area and decreasing the maintenance need of replacing light bulbs. My husband changes the more difficult to reach light bulbs for my mom on a regular basis.
4. Railings & Doorways – Make sure that railings outside and inside the home are in good repair, and that steps and sidewalks are not damaged. Add additional railings as needed in the hallways and bathrooms. If purchasing or remodeling, consider carefully the width of the doorways realizing that wheelchairs and walkers really need a minimum width of 36”. Additionally, door handles that are the lever kind are easier to use than a typical round door handle.
5. Exterior Porch & Entry – The approach to the front door should be free of shrubs, cracked sidewalks or objects that can impede safely getting into the home. Stairs can be adjusted for less height or replaced with ramps as needed. If purchasing new, an ideal home would not have any steps to the front door or at most, one small step with little or no incline for the walkway.

There are many great resources available on the internet to assist you in beginning to prepare a home for aging in place. Here are just a few:
http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design/
http://www.adaptiveaccess.com/home_changes.php
http://www.workingcaregiver.com/articles/seniorsstayathome/agingparentshome

Sites Promoting Limitless Living – Joining the fight to be free

As you know Homecare Suppliers is committed to providing not only quality products to aid in limitless living but also information. There is no such thing as too much information – if it helps someone to be freer.

All along, Pam Billings, Director of Operations, has said, “We are a for-profit company with a non-profit heart.” There are so many calls that come in throughout the day in which she stops what she is doing as the director of the company and takes the time to listen to the caller. She may take 5 minutes to direct the caller to another company that has a more affordable product that will meet their needs, she may answer questions for future sales or she might take 30 minutes to listen to someone in crisis who does not know which direction to turn as they learn that there loved one is coming home – to die.

One such situation recently happened. Hospice had been called in. They didn’t know if it would be a couple weeks or a month. The family wanted a stair lift. While they understood the direness of the situation, they wanted the lift so that the loved one would be able to make it down to the shop in the basement if able and feeling up to it. Hope.

When we began this blog, Pam said, “I don’t want it to be just another way to promote more products. I want it to have our voice, our passion, our vision.” While informative and educational – we hope that we also are able to provide you with more direction, more resources, and maybe even another perspective.

As such, we have been coming across some amazing resources and websites that promote Limitless Living. Some are just joining this fight to be free no matter the limitation. Some have been doing it since before we were born (literally). We thank them for their dedication. We thank them for their passion and vision. We hope you find them just as interesting, informative and dedicated as we do.

Lindave Vision – Those living with low vision – Innovative Products & Resources

Handicapped Travel Club – Their June 2009 Rally is in Pigeon Forge, TN – Their GOAL is to Get Out And Live

Caregiver Support – Caring for Aging Loved Ones – Community of Caregivers

Age In Place – Site to Help Seniors & Baby Boomers to stay in their home - Educational Resource

Aging In Place – Technology Watch – Informative Industry Analyst

The Special Life – Tips & Tools for Special Needs

The Wyatt Foundation – Fighting Duchene & Becker Muscular Dystrophy – Understanding the levels and branches of MD.

There are so many organizations and entities bridging the gap to allow all people to live unlimited. These are just some that are doing that.

In spite of limitations that can affect the body, mind or spirit – there is Freedom. There is Hope. There is. We pray today you find it.

Connecting To National Organizations

Homecare Suppliers, LLC is working on a platform to connect our customers with other organizations that further our desire and mission to aid in educating on mobility and accessibility.

For quite some time we have had a resource list on our website that addresses both disability and seniors’ issues and provides contacts and websites. It is at http://www.buyastairlift.com/stair_lifts/disability-resources.html

To expand this, we are also connecting through social networking sites. Our goal is to be able to direct our customers to all available resources, articles and organizations that can aid all of us as we travel towards Living Unlimited.

We are now also on Twitter. Our username is HomecareSupply. We have connected with some great organizations and individuals through Twitter. Our intention is to assist you in easily finding our postings and getting you connected with helpful articles. Thus, in order to not direct you all over the internet, but keep things easier for you to access, we will also be keeping our Blog up-to-date with resources and information that can aid you. What we post on Twitter, we will run a synopsis on our blog.

If you find that you need some research on a specific disability or mobility issue, please feel free to email us or post a comment below. We will see how best we can assist you.

Best Regards!

Limitless Living!
Homecare Suppliers, LLC
888-252-2205