Taking Away the Keys- A Presentation Regarding Senior Driving from Right at Home Care- Marblehead, Newburyport, and Andover Areas

I put a presentation on Linked In regarding Seniors, Driving and Taking Away the Keys.

In the wake of so many reported senior driving accidents and fatalities here in Massachusetts, I am posting this presentation with good information for family members. THE PROBLEM is not seniors driving- the problem is impaired drivers driving.

If I just came out of a medical event and my leg had propensity to lose feeling, would you like me driving??? This facet of the conversation is the one we should be discussing...targeting age groups is not it, BUT if you are impaired to drive, you should not be behind the wheel.

Are Caregivers Responsible for Their Parents Debt in Salem, Massachusetts?

Are Caregivers Responsible for Their Parents Debt?

I’m sure many adult children of aging parents and caregivers think about this question a lot. Recently, this article appeared at AgingCare.com, so I thought I would pass it on! If you have any questions, please visit www.rightathomemass.net.

I was recently asked “Am I responsible for my parent's debt? What if as a caregiver, I recently discovered that my father has several thousand of dollars of debt. Are parent debts transferable?”

Click HERE to read the full article:
http://www.agingcare.com/Featured-Stories/133807/Are-Caregivers-Responsible-for-Their-Parent-s-Debt-.htm?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=April+08%2c+2009&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2B-%2BApril+08%2c+2009

Tips for Caregivers After a Loved One Has Had a Stroke in Salem, Massachusetts

This is a very informative article for anyone who has a loved one recovering from a stroke. If you need help for an aging loved one in the Salem MA area, visit www.rightathomemass.net.

15 Tips Caregivers Should Know After A Loved One Has Had A Stroke

The following is being issued by American Stroke Association:

1. It's better to find out than miss out. Be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to your loved one and their side effects. Ask if your home should be modified to meet the specific needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to clarify any unanswered questions or to provide written information that explains what occurs after the stroke and during recovery or rehabilitation.

Continue reading this very important article here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147785.php

Is it Time to Consider a Caregiver in Salem, Massachusetts?

I found this article, and decided to pass it on to you. It provides extremely helpful information that may help you with your decision to choose home care for an aging loved one in your family. If you have questions or need help, please visit our website www.rightathomemass.net.

30 Reasons Your Loved One May Need a Caregiver

By Rebecca Colmer

There are approximately 37 million people over the age of 65 and 5.3 million people over the age of 85. Each year millions of older people start requiring some sort of assistance to carry out their routine daily activities. Family members (family caregivers) provide most of the help.

It is not always easy to know when to intervene. It may seem like your loved one is in a gray area somewhere between competency and incompetence.

Your loved one can have a behavior that is not life threatening but still very serious. Making an assessment is the very step.

Here are some clues that your loved one may need some extra help:

1. Disheveled clothes

2. Stained or dirty clothes The same outfit worn everyday

3. Unkempt hair

4. Poor hygiene

5. Bad breath

6. Body odor

7. Having trouble walking

8. Having trouble sleeping

9. Dangerous driving

10. Extreme clutter in the home

11. Can't do light housekeeping

12. Items not returned to drawers or cupboards

13. Clothes strewn about or left on floor

14. Medication bottles left open

15. Medications taken out of original containers and mixed up

16. Not much food in house

17. Spoiled or rotten food

18. Unpaid bills

19. Penalties for overdue bills

20. Unopened mail

21. Put on or lost a lot of weight that is unexplained

22. Signs of confusion

23. Signs of forgetfulness

24. Signs of isolation

25. Signs of depression

26. Drastic mood swings

27. Extreme sadness or loneliness

28. Loss of interest in favorite hobby

29. Stopped doing things they used to enjoy like gardening, reading, going to church, seeing friends

30. Can't cope with everyday stress

If you do not live near your aging parents, ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your parents and notify you if they notice any changes in their behavior.

Even if you determine that your loved one needs some assistance, keep in mind that they may be resistant to your help. Be gentle and compassionate when asking them to accept help.

It may take several tries before they start to accept your help. There is a big difference in offering help and completely taking away all of their independence.

However, if your parent's life is in danger and you can't find a way to intervene, call Adult Protective Services, which is a part of the Department of Social Services. They will send a nurse or social worker to your parent's home to determine the risks and find ways to protect your parent.

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking. Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver.

Rebecca Colmer is an Eldercare Advocate, Author, Speaker, Publisher, and Caregiver Expert. You can find more caregiving tools and resources at her website:Caregiving Tools

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Sharp_Colmer

Diligence, education thwart scams: From Home Care Assistance in Essex County

Marblehead - Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi frauds, foreign-lottery-winnings ploys and work-at-home check-cashing schemes: These are just a few of the scams that have made headlines over the past year. Scams and fraudulent business practices that intend to swindle can impact anyone, including the affluent and highly educated, as well as the non-native speaking, the poor and the elderly.

In difficult economic times, scammers continually search for new ways to deceive. Recently publicized scams include individuals posing as bank officials offering to refinance mortgages or to confirm account numbers via the Internet or over the phone.

Anyone with a phone, mailbox, Internet access or front door can be a possible scam target. Scammers prey on the weakness of human nature or a specific demographic group. They understand that most people want a “great deal” or desire to be wealthier and more beautiful. Scams are often targeted to individuals with unique backgrounds and special needs, including seniors.

Scam artists steal more than money for a product or service. They steal a senior’s dignity, trust and self-esteem. Education and awareness are key components of stopping scams and protecting our loved ones.

It has been the experience of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the elderly are targeted for fraud for several reasons:

• Seniors grew up in an era in which your word was your bond, and a handshake closed a deal. They assume that if someone seems nice, they must be trustworthy.
• These individuals were raised to be polite, especially if they are showing the time to care. Many scammers prey on their loneliness and desire for conversation.
• Seniors have money to spend. Many seniors have retirement savings, own their homes and have excellent credit ratings.
• As seniors strive for independence, they have an increased need for goods and services to maintain their homes. They make purchase decisions without the input of others.
• Perpetrators use mental or physical impairments to confuse the elderly. Scammers can give one price but demand more money after the service is completed, claiming the senior did not clearly hear or completely understand the price.
• Seniors are least likely to report a fraud since they are afraid that relatives will doubt their mental competency. They fear that they will seem foolish since they fell for a fraud.

Most common senior scams, according to the FBI:

• Health insurance (“rolling lab” schemes, medical-equipment fraud, Medicare fraud)
• Counterfeit prescription drugs (“special deals” or online purchases)
• Funeral and cemetery fraud (contracts, refund terms, embalming rules)
• Telemarketing (“get-rich-quick” schemes, travel offers, often involving prizes)
• Anti-aging products (vitamins, creams, “secret” formulas, “breakthroughs”)
• Investment schemes (advance-fee, Nigerian letter, prime bank notes)
• Internet fraud (non-delivery of items, credit- or debit-card fraud)
• Charitable fraud (non-existent charities)

Things to remember to stop scamming, from Stopseniorscams.org:

1. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. When it comes to a “now-or-never” opportunity, choose “never.”
3. Keep account numbers, codes and passwords private. Be wary of giving any information out to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call.
4. Shred bills, junk mail and receipts before discarding them.
5. Don’t be afraid to report your experiences. If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone.

If you have any questions regarding a company, contact your local Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org to check its service or complaint record. To find out your legal rights if you or a family member has been a victim of a fraud, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. A number of federal and state laws are designed to protect consumers from unethical business practices, administered by, among others, the Federal Trade Commission or the Postal Inspector.

If an individual has been victimized once, he or she becomes a more likely target for additional scams. You can take precautions to avoid a second incident, including changing the senior’s phone number and making it unlisted. The telephone company can also block all outgoing 900 numbers. In addition, a family member, caregiver or friend can assist seniors with sorting mail and identifying possible scams.

Along with fellow Marblehead resident Jay Kenney, Rosaleen Doherty opened Right at Home on the North Shore in 2002. Since then, they have served thousands of seniors throughout Essex County with home healthcare services, opening a Merrimack Valley office in 2006. Doherty is Certified Senior Advisor and is a member of the board of the Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor, vice president of North Shore Women in Business and on the board of trustees of the Phoenix School in Salem. She can be contacted at Rdoherty@rightathomemass.com. To learn more about Right at Home, visit www.rightathomemass.net, or call 877-500-CARE (2273).