Today’s Boomers

Here are some tips for you to remember everyday to prevent accidents and caregivers should follow when caring for an elder, disabled or seriously ill relative.

Take rest breaks during the day or whenever needed.
It’s okay to let the phone ring, you don’t have to answer it when you feel weak or don’t care to talk.
Always carry a cordless phone and keep it close to wear you are sitting.
Wear footwear that has good traction and support so not to slip on waxed floors.
Avoid socks or slippers when walking on wood floors.
Both hands on the walker, do not carry items. Have a walker with a basket, bag or tray for carrying things.
Furniture should be placed in a way that allows you to walk around freely.
No throw rugs in the home while you are using a walker.
Don’t go up stairs more than 2x per day. Remember to ask to have the things that you will need during the day be carried for you or simply throw the items down the stairs in a bag or use a backpack so that you can use the railings.
Please pay attention to the surface which you are walking on, accidents happen when we are not alert.      
  

Please feel free to contact http://mainlineeldercare.com for more information
and call 610-688-2667 to speak with a consultant.

Helen C. Hopkinson, President & CEO - Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc.

43% Percentage of nursing home care was paid for by Medicaid in 2006. 

Congress needs to evaluate why so many elders need Medicaid for their care and ways to prevent nursing homes from charging outrageous prices to those individuals on fixed incomes?

Also, there is a threat that this number will increase in 2008 since the financial situtation for seniors is getting worse for those individuals who refinanced their homes five years ago and didn’t anticipate that their new adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) in 2008 or 2009 would raise their monthly payments as much as $500 per month.
 
This of course is a significant increase for any retired person living on a fixed income and without means to earn the additional monies necessary to pay for housing and medical care, could now be facing actual displacement within the next couple of months.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBS) stated that half of all mortgages applications in 2006 - about 14 million  - were from those seeking to refinance and that homeowners 75 and older are the fastest-group of people who refinance.  

Main Line Elder Care Associates is asking you to write to your state representatives about this issue because the number of elders who succumbed to predatory refinancing is devastating and will become a larger problem if the price of gas continues to rise and food becomes unaffordable for this group of individuals struggling to survive in an economy that took advantage of their vulnerability.

Here is the reality to what is happening in America:

NOT SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE HAD HOMES WORTH LESS THAN WHAT THEY PAID.

SENIOR WALKING OLYMPICS

Like most of us, I’ve been receiving at least twice a week ”proud dad” emails regarding kids sport wins, grades, etc. However, this is a “proud son” email that needed to be included in my blog. Please feel free to add comments, discuss your parents, offer exercise tips or talk about healthy living : www.info@mainlineeldercare.com

5 Million Americans are managing the care of elderly relatives from afar and the majority of these individuals are either retired or near retirement age.
Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, October 2005.

However, MetLife Mature Market and the National Alliance for Caregiving, concluded from a recent study in 2007 that the average age for a caregiver today is 46.

This further affirms the “Boomers” are impacting our economy since in 2005 studies stated the caregiver’s age was approximately 51 years old or older.

Furthermore, these younger individuals live at least 550 miles from their elderly relative and spending more than $600 a month on travel expenses or other expenses related to that care.

Unfortunately, the price of gas today has increased that amount considerably since 2004 when the amount for traveling expenses were so much more reasonable and thereby it was more practical at that time to care for an elderly relative.

Contact Main Line Elder Care Associates for a qualified care manager to help you with these duties, reduce your monthly expenses and relieve some of your stress. Contact us at www.info@mainlineeldercare.com or visit us at the web www.mainlineeldercare.com .

MLECA offers corporations assistance with employee/caregiver programs and we’re always just a call away 610.688.2667. 
 

According to Melissa Gotthardt,  researchers are now saying that it’s important to keep a lid on your pressure if you want to starve off dementia.

Here’s some simple ways to keep the noggin in shape -

• Regular exercise
• Eat a healthy heart diet
• Get blood pressure under control

Remember, it’s much easier to eat more when there is too much back ground noise, so try chewing your food slowly while enjoying quiet conversation.

Also, keep the lights down and the TV off.

Research found that eating in front of the tube only delays any signals of fullness and may even be the reason you overeat.

Therefore, Geriatric Care Managers at Main Line Elder Care Associates encourage our clients to chew their food thoroughly because saliva releases amylase, an enzyme that helps carbohydrates be used for fuel - rather than stored as fat.

Try synchronizing your stomach with your Brain and get regular blood pressure check ups….Let’s all be healthier and step outside to enjoy the warmer weather!

Contact Main Line Elder Care Associates at www.mainlineeldercare.com for more information.