7 Reasons MGLiving Would Benefit Your Community

Natural disasters, like hurricanes and tropical storms, can strike with little warning, causing widespread power outages and disruptions to daily life. When severe weather is on the horizon, being prepared can make all the difference. Whether you're in an evacuation zone or simply preparing for potential power outages, its essential to have a plan in placeespecially for those using medical alert devices to stay connected. Heres a helpful checklist to help you stay safe and ensure you and your loved ones are ready to weather any storm: 1. Charge Your Medical Alert Devices During a natural disaster, power outages are likely, and its crucial that you proactively fully charge your medical alert device. These disruptions can also temporarily affect the functionality of your device. To minimize potential disruptions, we advise that you: Charge your mobile device daily leading up to an event in which you may lose power. Ensure that any Medical Guardian home base unit is connected to a power outlet to preserve the 32-hour backup battery power. 2. Stock Up on Essential Supplies Preparing for a natural disaster means having enough supplies to last at least 7 days. This includes: Non-perishable food and bottled water Prescription medications and any necessary medical supplies Flashlights and extra batteries A battery-powered or hand-crank radio First aid kit and personal hygiene items Cash (ATMs may be down during power outages) Important documents (ID, insurance policies, medical information) in a waterproof container 3. Create a Family Communication Plan Before the storm hits, its important to have a plan for staying in touch with your loved ones. Heres what to include: Designate an emergency contact person outside the affected area that family members can check in with. Agree on a meeting point in case evacuation is necessary. Ensure all family members have a list of important phone numbers, including emergency services and local shelters. 4. Know Your Evacuation Plan If you're in a zone that may be evacuated, have a plan in place to leave quickly and safely: Keep your vehicle filled with gas. Pack an emergency bag with essential items like clothing, medications, and personal items. Know your evacuation routes and the locations of nearby shelters. Dont forget to plan for your petsmost shelters require animals to be in carriers with proof of vaccinations. 5. Test Your Medical Alert Device Its always a good idea to test your medical alert device before a storm hits. Heres how if you own a Medical Guardian device: Press the help button to ensure its connected and operational. Confirm that your emergency contacts are up to date. Reach out to us at 1-800-313-1191 or contact your alternate medical alert provider if you experience any issues. If, for any reason, you are unable to reach your monitoring center during an emergency, remember to dial 911 directly for help. 6. Stay Informed During a natural disaster, information is key. Stay updated on the storms progress and any changes in evacuation orders by tuning in to your local news & websites, weather apps, or a battery-powered radio. Make sure to follow guidance from your local authorities and emergency management teams. 7. Protect Your Home If time permits, secure your home to minimize damage during a natural disaster: Board up windows or use storm shutters. Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside. Ensure that important belongings and valuables are in a safe, secure location, ideally in waterproof containers. Turn off utilities like gas, electricity, and water if advised by local authorities. 8. Have a Backup Plan for Power Outages Prolonged power outages can disrupt communication and medical services. Heres how to prepare: Keep your phone, tablet, and any medical devices fully charged. Have a portable power bank or solar-powered charger on hand. If you rely on electricity for medical equipment, contact your local utility provider in advance for priority power restoration or to find emergency shelters that can support your needs. 9. Keep Calm and Stay Connected During a natural disaster, its normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed, but staying calm and connected is essential. Keep your communication lines open with loved ones, and rely on your medical alert device or contact 911 for help if needed. If you are a Medical Guardian member, our monitoring team is ready to assist you in any emergency! Conclusion: Stay Safe & Prepared Being proactive and having a plan in place is the best way to stay safe during a natural disaster. Whether its charging your Medical Guardian device or stocking up on essential supplies, each step you take can make a difference in your safety and well-being. The safety of our members is our top priority at Medical Guardian. If you need assistance with your medical alert device, dont hesitate to reach out to us at 1-800-313-1191 during our hours of operation.  Stay safe, stay prepared, and thank you for trusting Medical Guardian to keep you connected when it matters most! 

Social media is a valuable tool connecting people from all over the globe. It can be a place to form friendships or have fun without leaving home. Many older adults have made at least one social media account to connect with family and friends. Recent surveys show 45% of adults 65 and older use social media. By learning the benefits of social media for older adults and a few tips to get started, you can have a positive experience with these networks.What Is Social Media?Social media includes any platform to share information, thoughts, or ideas online. A few common examples are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Most users find social media helpful for connecting with family or finding friends with similar interests.The Benefits of Social Media for Older AdultsWhile younger users commonly appear on social platforms, these online tools can also create excellent opportunities for older adults. A Pew Research Study found social media use in older adults has increased fourfold since 2010 while usage for younger age groups has stayed relatively steady. This shows that the social media space for older adults is growing and that you're more likely now to find other users of the same age and interests as you. Moreover, here are more social media benefits and some reasons to consider joining social media as an older adult.Connect With FamilyAs we age, we may leave home less frequently, meaning we desire more opportunities to connect with family. Family members living in different states make it difficult to stay in touch. Social media lets you see pictures from their daily life and message family members to update them about your activities.Social networks can also give caregivers peace of mind that their parents or loved ones are within reach. It can be one more connection between the two of you.Make New Friends or Connect with Old OnesYour social network involves all your conversations and relationships with others. As we grow older, our social circles may shrink. We lose the social interactions we had at work, may not see friends as often, and lose acquaintances to life changes. Social media opens new possibilities for making friends or staying in contact with your current ones.Protect Your HealthSocial interaction can keep us healthier. Studies show that individuals with quality social relationships had:Better mental healthLower risk of physical health conditionsDecreased mortality riskEven maintaining social connections online can improve physical and mental health for older adults, potentially allowing them to live independently for longer.Learn New ThingsSocial media provides an almost endless supply of information. You can use news articles on Twitter or Facebook to stay updated on worldwide current events. Social media like YouTube can also provide informational content through engaging videos. You can connect with communities that share your interests to learn about classes and educational events that will allow you to continue learning.The resources you find online using social media can also make you a better advocate for your health. You may even have access to doctors and individuals who share your condition for advice and reassurance. You can talk to peers and communicate together and spread information that may be helpful to yourself or others.Stay EntertainedIf you have limited mobility, you may seek activities you can do from the comfort of your favorite chair. Social media offers plenty of options. You can browse funny memes, catch up with friends, read articles, and play online games with others. You can also connect with groups, such as those local to your community or who share a specific interest, such as a hobby. With these endless opportunities, you have plenty to do to fill your spare time.Inspire Civic EngagementSocial media has long been a tool for building social awareness about issues. You can use it to address the topics that concern your age group and the subjects that matter to you. You can drive meaningful change in your community without leaving home to participate in civic events.Getting Started with Social Media for Older AdultsSocial media can bring many positives to our lives. Here are a few tips for getting started to have an enjoyable and safe online experience.Decide Which Network to UseWhen deciding on social networks for seniors, many options are available. You can start by choosing one network and expand to multiple once you get the hang of it. Here are a few social media networks you might enjoy:Facebook: This site is the most popular, making it an excellent choice for beginners looking to stay in touch with loved ones.Pinterest: You can find many crafts and hobbies on this site, keeping you entertained when living independently.Instagram: See photo updates from your loved ones and share your photos too.YouTube: This platform allows you to find videos of almost anything, whether you seek entertainment or education.Determine How Big to Make Your CircleSites like Facebook and Instagram allow you to connect with an unlimited number of people, but you may desire to keep your group smaller. You may only use social media to follow close friends and family.Over time, you might slowly expand your circle, especially if you enjoy online social interaction. As you connect with more people online, try to limit your friend groups to people you know in real life to stay safer.Be Aware of Scams and Privacy ConcernsScammers often look for people who are less familiar with online environments and the latest fraud schemes. As you join social media, you can follow a few tips to stay safer:Trust your suspicion when a situation seems off, and delete or block sketchy messages or postsAsk questions or turn to your family for expertise in situations where you are unsureDo not share private information online through social media posts or messagingIf it sounds like fake information, it most likely is!Increase Comfort When Living Alone with Medical Alert Devices As an older adult living alone, social media can be an excellent way to stay in touch with family. You can also use medical alert devices from Medical Guardian to increase your safety. These devices allow you to press a button and speak with a life safety consultant who can connect you with the right help when you need it.

In an age where our lives are increasingly fast-paced and cluttered, its easy for our meaningful possessions to become mere remnants of the past. Memories are precious, and our belongings tell the stories of our lives. However, as time moves forward, many of us find ourselves surrounded by a collection of items that no longer serve a purpose or connection to our present selves. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that thoughtful organizing can help transform the chaos of the past into treasures that enrich our lives today. This blog will guide you through how to honor your memories while creating a space that reflects your present.The Emotional Impact of Clutter: Understanding AttachmentThe journey of organizing homes often begins with an emotional exploration of the items we hold dear. Each piece in your home carries a memory, whether its a family heirloom, a souvenir from a special trip, or a keepsake from a beloved friend. However, as the years pass, what once sparked joy may now cause anxiety. Clutter can create a heavy emotional burden, leading to feelings of overwhelm and sadness.By understanding the emotional impact of clutter, we can start to disentangle ourselves from the excess while preserving what truly matters. Its essential to approach this process with compassion, allowing yourself to acknowledge and celebrate the emotions attached to your belongings.Tips for Thoughtful Organizing1. Reflect on Your Memories: Before diving into the organizing process, take some time to reflect on the memories tied to your possessions. Consider what each item means to you and how it contributes to your understanding of your past. Journaling about these memories can create a deeper connection to your items and help guide your decluttering decisions.2. Establish a Memory Box: Rather than keeping everything, create a designated memory box where you can store the most meaningful items. Limit the size of this box to encourage thoughtful selections. As you place items inside, take a moment to reminisce about the times associated with each piece, allowing them to serve as cherished reminders instead of clutter.3. Curate a Display: Instead of hiding meaningful items away, consider creating a curated display in your home. Use shadow boxes or framed collages to showcase photographs, letters, awards, and other sentimental finds. This practice not only transforms clutter into decoration but also creates an inviting atmosphere where memories can be celebrated daily.4. Practice the One In, One Out Rule: As you organize and uncover items of significance, adhere to the one in, one out principle. This concept encourages you to only bring new items into your home if you let go of something else. It helps maintain a balance in your living space and encourages more intentional purchasing in the future.5. Digitize Your Memories: To preserve your memories while minimizing physical clutter, consider digitizing items such as photos and documents. Many services and apps can help you create digital albums or scans of cherished letters and drawings. You not only save physical space but also extend the lifespan of your memories without deterioration.Creating a Connected Space: Cultivating a New AtmosphereOnce youve thoughtfully organized your cherished items, its time to focus on creating a living space that reflects your present self while honoring the past. The way you arrange your home impacts not just the physical space but your emotional well-being as well. Here are some strategies to cultivate a connected atmosphere:1. Set the Mood with Meaningful Dcor: Use your preserved memories to enhance your homes ambiance. Be intentional about the dcor you display, incorporating items that invoke positive emotions and remind you of meaningful times.2. Create Rituals Around Your Memories: Integrate your treasures into your daily life by creating rituals. For example, you might light a candle or sit in a particular space while reading letters from loved ones, taking moments to appreciate the memories tied to those items.3. Invite Loved Ones to Share Stories: Gather friends and family to share stories around your meaningful items. This can be a wonderful way to bring people together, spark conversations, and create new memories while reaffirming connections to the past.4. Review and Refresh Regularly: Life evolves, and so do our emotional attachments. Schedule a periodic review of your memory box and displays. This practice ensures that your space continues to resonate with who you are today and that youre not clinging to items that no longer serve a purpose.5. Seek Professional Guidance: If you feel overwhelmed by the organization process or need a fresh perspective, enlisting a professional organizer can be transformative. At A Call to Order, we offer personalized strategies that honor your emotional connections while helping you create a peaceful, organized space.In conclusion, transforming the clutter of the past into treasured memories is a deeply rewarding process. By thoughtfully organizing your belongings, you not only make space for the present but also create a sanctuary that reflects the richness of your lifes journey. Embrace this opportunity to curate a home filled with love, connection, and peace, where every cherished memory can shine brightly.