Colorado - Denver South

When the Seniors Blue Book was first published 35 years ago, there was no category for non-medical home care.Back then, if a person needed ongoing assistance with daily living activities, a nursing home was often their only option. Through the years, seniors became more vocal in their desire to stay home, and companies emerged to fill this need. Elderlink Home Care, Inc., which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, was the first non-medical home care agency to be listed in the Blue Book.A lot has changed in 35 years. Currently there are nearly 100 agencies locally and over 13,000 agencies nationwide providing non-medical home care. There are numerous reasons why the home care industry is seeing such accelerated growth, including: an increase in demand, the affordability of home care compared to institutionalized care, and the desire of seniors to remain in their homes as they age.Until 2008, the home care industry was unregulated by the state. In 2008 that changed. For the first time, legislation was introduced, and later passed, to regulate the companies providing non-medical home care. This allows the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to monitor the agencies that provide these services to help ensure that Colorado seniors are receiving safe and quality care.Moving forward, the biggest challenge facing the home care industry will be a shortage of qualified caregivers. In coming years, the rapid increase of people over age 65 will drive the demand for workers even higher, and with little growth in the number of workers entering the field, the supply of home care workers will likely fall short. Nationally, the shortage of caregivers is being called a crisis. The risk of doing nothing is that potentially thousands of people will go without needed care.Regardless of the challenges facing the industry today, one thing is clear: Non-medical home care is here to stay. Efforts are being made to turn things around. We are confident the necessary steps will be taken to preserve this service that is so important to millions of seniors and their families.This article was submitted by Karen Moorehead, CSA. Karen is the president of Elderlink Home Care, Inc. and can be reached at 303-734-0641 or by email at karen@ElderlinkHomeCare.com

There are a number of conditions that become more likely and common as we get older, and one of these is vision loss. Vision issues tend to become more common and significant with age, but there are also ways to prepare for and even prevent certain forms of vision loss with the right approachAt Avamere at Mountain Ridge, were proud to offer care for a variety of medical conditions as part of our assisted living community, and weve assisted many of our guests who have vision issues in the past. If youre a senior or caregiver looking to manage or even prevent certain vision loss issues, heres a brief primer on the signs to watch out for, the risks of vision changes, and some basic ways to protect the eyes.Signs and Symptoms of Senior Vision LossHere are some of the common signs or symptoms of vision loss that may be present in some seniors:Cloudy or tunnel visionStraining to read small printed wordsExcessive tearing in the eyesSudden changes in eyeglass prescriptionsProblems with night visionBlurred visionAny sudden change in vision, whether temporary or permanent, warrants a visit to the eye doctor. This is for several reasons, including the fact that vision loss among older adults may speak to certain related conditions that are taking place. More on this below.Connection to Other IssuesIn some cases, vision changes or losses can be warning signs that strokes or other neurological issues are possible. Here are a few examples:If vision is lost in one or both eyes extremely abruptly, this could be a negative signIf double or blurry vision comes on suddenlyRapid or uncontrolled eye movementSudden sharp pain in or behind one or both eyesIf any of these events takes place for you or a senior loved one, call 911 right away.Eye Protection MethodsWhile certain elements of vision loss are simply natural and cant be entirely prevented, there are also some steps you can take to protect your eyes as you get older and in many cases, these will limit or ward off the risks of vision loss for at least a few years, if not longer. Some basic tips:Wear sunglasses regularly: This is for a number of reasons, but one of the most significant is that it keeps harmful UV light from the sun from damaging the eye tissue directly. In fact, some recent studies have suggested that sunglasses can be as protective as sunscreen for the eyes.Eat properly: Diet plays a major role in overall eye health, so make sure to include plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients that support the eyes.Routine eye examinations: Especially if the senior in question has any personal or family history of vision loss, its important to get regular checkups from an eye doctor. This will help to detect any potential problems early on.For more on identifying and managing vision loss issues in seniors, or to learn about any of our assisted living or memory care community programs, speak to the caring staff with Avamere at Mountain Ridge today.

Transitions are never really easy, but they can be especially difficult for people with Alzheimers or dementia. Everything in Tips for Visiting a Loved One After a Transition still applies, but with Alzheimers and dementia, the process can be more involved. Anxiety often runs high, so any tactics that involve fond, comforting memories will help. You just keep trying different approaches until something works. Sometimes you have to think a little bit outside of the box in order to achieve a good outcome. Here are a few things that have worked for our clients at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc to soothe people in memory care:1. Baby Dolls for WomenTo an outsider, giving baby dolls to elderly loved one might seem a bit strange, but the calming effect can be life changing. To those with dementia, the baby doll is real. The baby dolls provide a deep sense of calm and purpose over an extended period of time. When they show the baby to their other friends in memory care, many will feel similarly. Some memory care units even have baby stations.While the baby doll approach isnt limited to only women, men might respond to tools, stuffed animals, woodworking and other crafts. The theme here is that when facilities figure out what your loved one was interested in as children, they can help recreate aspects of those interests. You might have key insights that can lead to a breakthrough.2. Music and EntertainmentFavorite games and TV shows can be great for your loved one, but their focus is fading. Forgetting moves in a game or the plot of a TV show can cause frustration. When other forms of entertainment fail, music can be a shortcut into positive emotions and memories. Figure out what they used to listen to and load a CD or iPod with their favorite tunes. The effect can be profound.3. Snacks and FoodThe fastest way to many of our hearts, at just about any time of our lives, is with food. If there is a food they like that had a strong flavor or smell, it might work even better. As we age, our sense of smell can fade, so food that is bright and familiar will make more of an impact.If you would feel more comfortable talking to a Senior Transition expert to get answers to your questions, call our team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc at 720-248-7758 .

Dont wait for an accident to happen. If your elderly parent is living alone in their own home, it is important to take steps in advance, to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.  It is wise to access the situation and assist in implementing safety solutions around the home.Statistics are frightening. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that on average, 1.4 million seniors 65 years of age and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually as a result of an accident in the home. Of that age group, the rate of injury is the highest for those 75 years of age and older.Fortunately, most accidents are preventable. By spotting and addressing these hazards early on, you can prevent potential injuries.Heres a home safety guide for seniors to help prevent falls, burns and other household accidents.7 Ways to Make the Home Safe for Your Elderly Loved OnePlace flashlights in several rooms of the house.Make sure there is flashlight available, that is easy to reach from the bed, coffee table, porch seat and any other dimly-lit area in the house where your loved one likes to spend time especially at night. With an easy-to-reach flashlight in place, the senior can safely roam around the home, even in the event of a power outage.Also, keep in mind that stairs, entryways and exteriors should be well-lit at all times. Switches should be easy to reach from doorways.Install grab bars, ramps and railings in the home as needed.Many seniors need something to hold on to in order to help maintain their balance. Grab bars are necessities, particularly in the bathroom. Use your judgement to determine which other areas of the home should be equipped with grab bars. Ramps are crucial if your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker occasionally or at all times. If they are still able to use stairs safely, make sure railings are strong enough for them to grab ahold of and use for support.Maintain a fireproof kitchen.One of the most important things you can do to fireproof a home is to keep a functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure your loved one knows its location and how to use it properly. Ventilation and exhaust systems should be routinely serviced and maintained. Ensure all smoke alarms are working properly and have fresh batteries inserted. Make sure all potential fire sources (candles, ashtrays, etc.) are away from flammable items, such as blankets, bedding, newspapers, etc. Develop an emergency escape plan with your loved one and go over it with them in detail. Print out a copy and post it on the refrigerator if you feel it is necessary.Stairs should be evenly constructed, clear of clutter and well-lit.An evenly built, clear and well-lit staircase with sturdy handrails makes the home safer for the elderly. Serious injuries can occur as a result of an unstable staircase. Never leave clutter on a staircase. Items like shoes or bags left on the stairs can easily lead to a fall resulting in a very serious injury. Consider installing a stair lift if stairs are becoming too difficult or dangerous for your loved one to manage.Renovate the bathroom with walk-in bathtubs or showers.Walk-in tubs (watertight tubs with doors) are built for individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of a traditional bathtub. They also help prevent slipping and come in right or left-handed configurations. This allows for seniors to bathe independently and safely. Walk-in showers are also preferred to those that have sliding shower doors.Program emergency numbers into their cell phone.Show your loved one how to make calls to these contacts quickly and easily. Helping them navigate the phone and even playing out a hypothetical scenario is helpful. In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence! Getting the most important numbers ready for quick dialing can help save a life!Rugs and carpets must be level with the ground and pathways should be clear from cords and/or wires. A homes fundamental components can possibly be dangerous for the elderly when basic safety precautions are not taken. Accidents can happen when floors are not flat and uniform, thus increasing the risk of slips and falls. Always make sure pathways are safely walk-able and consider installing slip-resistant surfaces.There are many things you can do to help keep your loved one safe. This list is just a start and provides some of the most common steps to take. If you like this guide, please share it with someone you know will benefit from it!While many seniors prefer to live independently, they may need assistance with chores, personal care, keeping up with their medications or simply would appreciate extra companionship during the day.  Elderlink Home Care can help you keep your favorite senior safe.