Many seniors wish to remain independent and with a growing number of baby boomers entering retirement it is no surprise that we are starting to see a lot of companies sell medical alert devices. Medical alarms can be a good safety measure for seniors and keep them living independently but with all the new companies selling alert devices, how can you be sure that you are getting the best equipment and services possible? Some tips for choosing the best medical alert company are offered here:

1. Start your search with medical alarm companies that are suggested by sources you trust. Ask friends, relatives, community members etc.
2. Make sure the medical alarm company has and will continue to remain in business.
3. Do they have 24/7 customer service, make sure they do not out source their emergency dispatchers and ask how the dispatchers are trained.
4. Is the company UL listed? UL listed indicates industry standard compliancy.
5. Are there any set-up fees and what is the monthly fee? Be skeptical of any long term contracts.
6. See about a money back trial period. Testing out a medical alert service or product may be the only way to be certain that it is right for you.
7. What will they do to make sure that your equipment does not malfunction? Do they regularly test your equipment?
8. Lifetime equipment warranties?
9. Is the system waterproof? Accidents can happen in the shower.
10. What is the range of the system?
    

*These tips are not all inclusive and are intended to promote additional query when searching for a medical alert company.

Labels: medical alarms, senior independence, seniors

According to caregiver.org "there are an estimated 44 million Americans age 18 and older providing unpaid assistance to older people and adults with disabilities who live in the community." With the massive baby boomer generation at or entering the golden years the aforementioned numbers will only increase. As a result the importance of care givers in our society will increase.

Unfortunately many caregivers are untrained, uninformed and have limited resources to turn to. In most situations little thought is put forth and caregivers just act. It is a life changing decision to care for someone else. Health problems for caregivers have been noted to arise emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Tips for caregivers:

• One of the most important things caregivers must do is remember to take care of themselves as well.
• Look out for signs of depression and anxiety and seek professional help if necessary.
• Activities such as Yoga can placate some emotional, mental, and physical hardships.
• Education and knowledge, know what disabilities and or conditions you are dealing with.
• Then be proactive in order to prevent problems and issues before they occur. Learn to effectively communicate with doctors and therapists, effective communication can go a long way.
• Seek help from other caregivers and be open to help when it comes. Be open to new technologies that can improve both of your lives.
• Get involved in the community, be an activist. Keep up on proposed laws and know your rights.

Labels: caregivers, disability, seniors

A recent study called "Aging in Place in America," commission by Clarity and the EAR Foundation, reveals that seniors fear the loss of independence more than they fear death. Almost 89% of seniors want to spend the rest of their lives in their own home. However more than half are concerned with their ability to do so. In light of these findings, what can seniors do in order to remain independent for as long as possible?

The best option is for seniors to remain as active as possible. This will be the greatest benefit for the mind, body, and soul. Activities that get seniors out of the house, involve some physical exercise, social interaction, and use of the brain are the best. Things such as part-time jobs or volunteer work can be beneficial and give seniors feelings of pride and responsibility.

With advances in technologies seniors with limited mobility can remain much more independent and active than ever before. Companies like Orbit Medical, which specializes in the distribution of electric wheelchairs, allows seniors with limited mobility to once again go just about anywhere. An electric wheelchair can bring life and excitement back to someone who has diminished mobility. See what other have to say on Orbit Medical's testimonials page.

There are many options out there for independent seniors, especially with the data evidence that seniors are most fearful of losing their own independence. All options should be explored in an attempt to avoid this fear. After all everybody will be a senior one day.

Labels: electric wheelchairs, health, senior independence, seniors

With so many websites on the internet it is increasingly difficult to find legitimate medical, disability and senior releated information. Orbit Medical has put together a Resource Directory that has categorized listings of quality websites that provide information, services, or products. A few more quality websites that cater to the health of older Americans are below.

The National Institute of Health is a great resource for information. Along with health information you can find research, the latest health news, information on grants, and a directory of other health related institutes. Within this directory I came across the National Institute of Aging. It specializes in research on the biomedical, social, and behavioral aspects of the aging process. Along with the prevention of age related diseases and the promotion of better quality of life for older Americans.

The National Institute of Aging has developed a website called NIH Senior Health. The site has information on many senior health related issues. However, I really appreciate the site because it is very user friendly. The site also incorporates many videos with credible sources giving valid information. Anybody looking for health related information that appreciates simple website navigation and along with quality information will be happy to have found this site.

Labels: disability, health, senior websites, seniors

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to sustain the body's needs. CHF can be caused by diseases that weaken and/or stiffen the heart muscles or diseases that increases the oxygen demand in which the heart cannot deliver. As the heart's blood pumping is diminished or lost other parts of the body are affected. These organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen and therefore reduces their ability to function. The liver, the lungs, the gastrointestinal track and extremities may also become backed up with blood as the heart does not pump fast enough. Eventually congestive heart failure will affect every organ in the body unless it is treated.

Congestive heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease (narrowed arteries and heart attack), hypertension (high blood pressure), alcohol abuse, valvular heart disease, lung disease, congenital heart disease and other disorders of the heart valves. CHF is more common with the elderly and there is also an increased risk of people who are overweight, diabetic, abuse alcohol or use certain legal or illegal drugs.

The symptoms of congestive heart failure will usually be different depending on the part of the heart and organ systems affected. Common CHF symptoms can be fatigue, swelling of the ankles and legs or abdomen, shortness of breath caused by fluid in the lungs, and reduced capacity to exercise. Other symptoms may be nausea, abdominal pain, increased urination, decreased appetite and finding it difficult to lie on your back because of lack of air.

Congestive heart failure should be treated immediately. The treatments may include lifestyle changes, medications, addressing potentially reversible factors (including other diseases and physical conditions like high blood pressure) heart transplant and assistive devices and therapies. In all cases modifications to lifestyle is extremely important. Please consult your physician for your particular situation. Reducing salt and fluid intake is recommended because of potential fluid buildup in the body. Measuring body weight frequently can help monitor the appropriate fluid balance. Depending on the situation aerobic exercise may also be encouraged by a physician to help maintain body functioning and quality of life.

Source: MedicineNet.com

Labels: congestive heart failure, seniors

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lung disease that damages the lungs and makes it extremely difficult to breathe. COPD includes two main illnesses, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Approximately 14 million people in the United States have COPD; however there are probably a large number of undiagnosed cases. COPD is also the fourth leading cause of death in the US. Sixty five percent of COPD hospital discharges were for those 65 and older and a larger percentage of the cases were women.

The primary cause of COPD is smoking. Most of all COPD cases involved smoking and approximately 85 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. A smoker is around 13 times more likely to die from COPD than a person who has never smoked. Other causes of COPD are second-hand smoke, air pollution, work related inhalations of pollutants, dust or chemicals, respiratory infections and heredity.

COPD slowly progresses. Typically a person does not notice the symptoms and is not diagnosed until middle age or later years. COPD is not contagious, but you cannot reverse the damages done to your lungs. The most common symptoms of COPD are chronic coughing and shortness of breath.

In COPD, the airways in the lungs are partially obstructed. The lungs become scarred and less air is able to flow through. In addition thick mucus is produced to line the bronchial tubes and causes a consistent cough. As the air sacs are destroyed in the lungs the lungs have difficulty inhaling and exhaling enough oxygen and causes shortness of breath. The lungs also are unable to transfer enough oxygen to the bloodstream.

COPD may not be that life threatening in its early stages but usually by the time the symptoms are noticed and the person goes to the doctor significant damage has occurred and is irreversible. By this time the person is risking serious respiratory problems and heart failure. COPD can limit your ability to work, limit physical activity, limit household chores, and affect sleeping and family activities. The best way to prevent COPD and keep it from getting worse is to stop smoking. Those with COPD should live a healthy life by exercising and eating well, refrain from smoking and avoid other air pollutants.

Treatment of COPD includes prescription drugs that open the air passages, medications that you inhale, antibiotics, and if severe enough a person may need oxygen treatment. Supplemental oxygen comes from an oxygen machine and is breathed through tubes that go over the mouth and nose. All treatments should be consulted with a physician before use.

Try to prevent COPD and use the correct treatment where applicable and have a better chance of being healthier and living longer.

Source: American Lung Association

Labels: COPD, in-home oxygen, seniors

The increase of elderly citizens has caused an increased awareness of elderly mobility. The United States has had a dramatic increase of the elderly population over the past few decades. There are around 40 million seniors over the age of 65 in the United States. It is expected that by the year 2030 this number will expand to over 70 million senior citizens.

As the elderly population increases there is an increased concern over the mobility of the elderly. Mobility is one of the most important factors in the quality of life of seniors. As seniors age there is a greater chance of mobility impairments because of age, injury or disease. These mobility impairments reduce the amount of individual mobility, independence and quality of life.

Mobility aids can be used to help increase the mobility of seniors and can be adapted for the individual and situation. Mobility aids to assist elderly mobility consists of canes, walkers, walking aids, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, hand rails, stair lifts or other mobility equipment.

Mobility aids, disability aids and assistive technology all promote the independent living of the elderly. Mobility aids encourage the elderly to regain personal mobility and get out of the house and be active again.

Labels: disability, mobility, seniors

There are also a few fall prevention tips that older adults can take to reduce the risk of falling. Some suggestions are to:

• Exercise regularly
• Stay active to help mobility
• Have doctor review their medicines to reduce side effects
• Reduce hazards in the home
• Keep house and floors uncluttered and clear of objects
• Improve lighting in the home
• Always keep a charged flashlight near the bed
• Add bright tape strips to the edge of each stair
• Avoid stairs and steps wherever possible
• Use a proper mobility device, like a cane or wheelchair, if needed
• Make sure hand holds like handrails are in place around the home, like stairs, bathrooms etc.
• Use non slip mats in shower and bathtub
• Have eyes checked to ensure vision is accurate

Hopefully this list can help prevent falls in the home.

Labels: falls, seniors

Falls in the home are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but are simple to fix. This fall prevention checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home. The questions listed below ask about hazards found in each room of your home. For each hazard, the list tells you how to fix the problem.

FLOORS:

Q: When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture?
Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is clear.

Q: Do you have throw rugs on the floor?
Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won't slip.

Q: Are there papers, books, towels, shoes, magazines, boxes, blankets, or other objects on the floor?
Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep the floor clear of objects.

Q: Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?
Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can't trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet.

STAIRS AND STEPS: Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home

Q: Are there papers, shoes, books or other objects on the stairs?
Pick up items on the stairs. Always keep objects off the stairs to prevent falls.

Q: Are some steps broken or uneven?
Fix any loose or uneven steps to reduce the risks of falling.

Q: Are you missing a light over the stairway?
Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Q: Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
Have an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.

Q: Has the stairway light bulb burned out?
Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.

Q: Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?
Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.

Q: Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?
Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs.

KITCHEN:

Q: Are the things you use often on high shelves?
Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist level).

Q: Is your step stool unsteady?
If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

BATHROOMS:

Q: Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

Q: Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or up from the toilet?
Have a carpenter put grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.

Labels: falls, seniors

Falls in the home is an important topic so I would like to finish up the discussion with this post and one more. As always, I appreciate any comments or questions.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

• Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can drastically limit mobility and reduce independent living. Injuries from falls also increase the risk of early death
  


• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults
  


• Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls
  


• The most common fractures are of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand
  


• Many people who fall, even those who are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and actually increasing their risk of falling
  

Here A couple of tips to reducing the chance of falling.

• Keep healthy and active to keep muscles strong and balance good
  


• Evaluate your living space and take notice of any potential hazards
  


• Decide who is at risk and see what changes they may need
  


• Take a risk assessment of your home. Look for spills, loose mats, wet floors, unstable or uneven flooring, lack of handholds on stairways or bathrooms, appliance cords, clutter around the house and adequate lighting.

Labels: falls, seniors

I recently came across and excellent resource for seniors and caregivers. This is a blog that discusses many senior and health related topics including caring for elders. The blog is called Minding Our Elders.

I found a lot of quality information on the site and thought it could be worthwhile for others to use it as well. The author, Carol Bradley Bursack, was very responsive to my comments and questions and provided good feedback. I found her very helpful and very willing to discuss or research any related topic. If you are a caregiver or a senior this blog may a good resource for you.

If you would like to visit her site go to the Minding Our Elders blog and check it out.

Labels: seniors

More than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States. Falling is the leading cause of injury deaths among the elderly and is also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In 2000 alone, these falls accounted for $179 million dollars in direct medical costs for fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal fall injuries. These amounts are staggering and we hope to make people aware the risks and problems caused by falls.

Falls are a major concern in the home, especially to older adults. The risk of being seriously injured in a fall increases with age. This is due mostly to health reasons. To prove this point, the rates of fall injuries for adults 85 and older were four to five times that of adults 65 to 74. In addition, nearly 85% of deaths from falls in 2003 were among people 75 and older.

It has been found that men are more likely to die from a fall. In 2003 the fall fatality rate was 49% higher for men than for women. However women are much more likely to have nonfatal fall injuries and have rates of fall-related fractures twice as high as men. In 2003, about 72% of older adults admitted to the hospital for hip fractures were women.

Labels: falls, seniors

Each year thousands of seniors fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured and many become permanently disabled. In 2003, about 1.8 million seniors were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries from falls and about 460,000 of these patients were hospitalized. In addition to that, almost 14,000 people over the age of 65 died because of the injuries sustained in falls. The rates of fall-related deaths among older adults rose significantly over the past decade.

Each year in the United States, more than one third of adults age 65 and older fall. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults and are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. These are staggering numbers and a large percentage of the senior population is affected by falls. We hope to reduce that percentage and make homes a safer place for seniors.

Labels: falls, seniors

May 2007 has been declared Older Americans Month by President Bush. This month we acknowledge the many contributions seniors have made and are making to our country and society.

The theme for the month is to make choices for a healthier future. Orbit Medical also strives for a healthier future and hopes to improve the quality of life of older Americans.

Orbit Medical strives to help people, especially older Americans, with their physical limitations. We provide medical equipment solutions that will help regain one's independence and mobility back into their life. Orbit Medical also pays tribute to all older citizens and honors them for the contributions they have made. Thank you.

Labels: seniors

The amount of disabilities among US senior citizens has decreased over the past two decades. Seniors are becoming healthier and has thus caused a continued decline in disability. A study from the National Long-Term Care Survey (NLTCS), found in the National Academy of Sciences, reported that disability among seniors age 65 and older fell from 26 percent in 1982 to 19 percent in 2005. The study also showed that chronic disability among American seniors with both severe and less severe impairments has decreased. Researchers have noted that assistive technology and other mobility and medical advances may be factors in these declines. This is good news to seniors and shows that we are headed in the right direction of getting healthier and avoiding physical disabilities in our later years.
source: thematuremarket.com, by K.S. Date 02-02-2007

Labels: disability, seniors

Seniors are a valuable part of our community. They have given much and helped to build our communities into what they are today. Orbit Medical recently decided to give back to the seniors. On August 26, 2006 Orbit Medical organized a Senior Service Day with the Utah Food Bank. Orbit Medical employees, friends, relatives and other volunteers all joined together to assist local senior citizens with tasks that might be difficult for them to perform, including house duties, yard work, and delivering food boxes.

The Senior Service Day was a great success. There were many great experiences and grateful seniors. The volunteers delivered food boxes, pulled weeds, mowed lawns, trimmed bushes, moved furniture and anything else that was needed to assist those in need. One elderly recipient said that her yard has never looked better and she really wanted to give her sincere appreciation to the service providers.

This was a great opportunity to give back to the community and to help senior citizens. It was such a rewarding activity and Orbit Medical will definitely do this again in the future. For more information about the service event please go to Orbit Medical's press release page.

Labels: seniors, service