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.

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.

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

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.

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

According to a July 2006 study from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, falls are the leading cause of injury death among older adults and the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions. In 2003, 1.8 million Americans age 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries. That same year 13,000 people age 65 and older died from fall-related injuries. Two thirds of these falls occurred in and around the home(1).

Colorado State University (CSU) Extension has published an article which specifically details risk factors that can cause a fall. “Although no single risk factor causes all falls, the greater the number of risk factors to which an individual is exposed, the greater the probability of a fall and the more likely the results of the fall with threaten the person’s independence.”(2) Most of these falls are preventable if you decrease the number of risk factors. The most prevalent of these risk factors is Environment Hazards. The good news is that environment hazards are PREVENTABLE.

By combining CSU’s list of environment hazards with our own experience in the field, we have compiled a list of safety issues in and around the home as well as viable remedies to the problems. The first step to decreasing risk factors is to conduct a walk-through. Whether it is your own home or that of a friend or family member walk through looking for anything that could potentially cause a safety issue, particularly for someone with a mobility issue.

Outdoors (Front walk, driveways, back and side yards)
• Install handrails on both sides of stairs and steps, whether one stair or an entire flight. Extend them one foot beyond the last step for added support and position the top of the railing at elbow height of homeowner – Handrails are available at most home supply stores and can be cut to your specifications.
• Ensure that existing handrails are fastened correctly and sturdy.
• Repair stairs or walkways that have cracks or abrupt edges (including uneven tile stairs or landings).
• Keep walk areas clean and free of debris, rocks, roots, and overgrown plants and shrubs.
• Address the issues of high doorway thresholds by either adjusting them or adding threshold ramps – Prairie View Industries Threshold Ramps are ideal.
• Ensure that there is adequate lighting by doorways and walkways. Statistics show that the elderly need 2-3 times the light people need in their 20s and 30s. Consider installing motion sensor lighting. – Available at most home supply stores.

Entry, Stairs and Hallways
• Reduce clutter and heavy furnishings for easier accessibility.
• Secure rugs with nonskid tape – Tape is available at most home supply stores or larger supermart.
• Make sure carpeting is secured and get rid of throw rugs that cannot be secured to the floor
• Provide adequate lighting and if necessary place light switches at each end of stairs or hallways – Contact a qualified, licensed handyman or electrician for any home repairs.
• Install nightlights in the hallways particularly from the bedroom to the bathrooms.
• Stairs – install handrails that are tightly fastened the entire length of the steps along both walls.
• Consider purchasing a stairlift if this is a long-term mobility issue. If this is a short-term situation, contact a local homecare supply company like Homecare Suppliers, LLC to see about renting a unit. You can install most of the units yourself, or you can use a licensed installer. Summit Stairlifts are very cost-effective and safe models.

Bathrooms (Full and half baths)
• Install grab-bars on walls around the tub/shower and beside the toilet, strong enough to hold your weight – Curve Grab Bar by Standers are very secure.
• Install nightlights in bathrooms.
• Add nonskid mats or appliqués to bathtub and shower floor surfaces – Available at most home supply stores or larger supermart.
• Use nonskid carpets or mats around the tub and sink to ensure that the floor does not get wet and slippery.
• Install a raised toilet seat if needed. There are multiple toilet seats that assist with mobility and safety issues, including Uplift or Lift Seat 3000.
• Mount liquid soap and shampoo dispensers on the bathtub/shower walls.
• Install a portable, hand-held shower head – Available at most home supply stores or larger supermarts.
• Consider purchasing a shower platform if you have to step down into the shower. This will raise the shower up to avoid tripping getting in or out of the shower. – PVI Shower Platforms
• Purchase a bath or shower seat. – Available through Homecare Suppliers or your home supply store.
• Purchase a bath lift for the tub. These are usually portable and can travel with anyone who has difficulty getting in and out of the tub whether at home or visiting family. – Homecare Suppliers carries several different bath lifts.
• Consider installing a walk-in bath tub. Your standard tub can be swapped out to place a walk-in tub for ease and safety in bathing. These provide a door and seat for safety and comfort. – Presidential Series and SafeHands Walk-In Tubs provide both safety and comfort.

Living, Dining and Family Rooms
• Keep electrical and telephone cords out of the way.
• Arrange furniture for ease of movement and accessibility. Pay close attention to smaller furniture, such as coffee tables or decorative objects, which could cause someone to stumble or fall.
• Make sure that furniture in the home is easy to get in and out of.
• Consider purchasing furniture risers that increase the height of the furniture to aid in sitting or standing. – Furniture Risers or Stand Easy Chair Lift by Standers are ideal.
• Install grab-bar or furniture canes to assist in rising from furniture – Standers has several products including the CouchCane and the Security Pole & Curve Grab Bar.
• Remove casters wheels from furniture for more stability.
• Consider replacing shag or thicker carpeting that could impede walkers or wheelchairs in the home.
• Modify or remove small changes in elevation/levels, especially single steps in common areas(3). ¬– Prairie View Industries has various ramps that could be used and are less costly than construction.

Bedrooms
• Provide adequate lighting including a bedside light with a switch for ease in turning on and off.
• Have a nightlight.
• Relocate telephone near the bed or purchase a cordless phone.
• Adjust height of bed to make it easy to get in and out – Standers Furniture Risers can increase the height of your bed 3 to 4 inches.
• Purchase a bed rail for stability in getting in and out of bed but also to ensure that falls do not occur while sleeping – Standers Easy Adjust Bed Rail or Drive Medical’s Bed Assist Handle.
• Have a firm chair, with arms, to sit and dress.

As you can see, there are many things to consider in making your home safer. Many products, including the ones highlighted here, are available to ease mobility and to reduce home environmental hazards. Homecare Suppliers, LLC has a catalog of products that meet many of the accessibility and safety issues facing the elderly or those with mobility issues. Whether it is a permanent ramp, a vehicle ramp, grab-bars for use throughout your home, or stairlifts and elevators, we represent some of the best products on the market.

Homecare Suppliers, LLC., members of the Better Business Bureau, is a privately-held company specializing in home medical equipment. We pride ourselves on only offering top-of-the-line medical equipment. Our goal is to provide our customers with a simple one-stop solution for all their home medical equipment needs.

References
1. July 2006 “Injury Prevention Fact Sheet” Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. www.astho.org/pubs/ElderlyFactSheet.pdf
2. May 1996/December 2005 “Preventing Falls in the Elderly” K.R. Tremblay Jr. and C.E. Barber. Colorado State University Extension. www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/consumer/10242.html
3. September 2000 “Designs on Building Safe Homes for the Elderly” Gina Rollins. National Safety Council. www.nsc.org/rexources/issues/articles/fallfalls.aspx

Additional Resources
Senior Approved: www.qualityeldercare.com/certified.html
Aging Network Services: www.agingnets.com
Administration on Aging: www.aoa.dhhs.gov
National Council on Aging: www.ncoa.org
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov
Center for Disease Control –Fall Prevention: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/preventadultfalls.htm
National Safety Council: www.nsc.org
Occupational Health & Safety – www.ohsonline.com