Seniors: Ways to Overcome Transportation Obstacles

Those between the ages of 16 and 75 often take driving privileges for granted. Jumping into the car and heading to wherever you need to go is a given for most of us, that is, until the time when a chronic illness or some other type of obstacle gets in the way. Seniors are the biggest age group to become isolated with little or no access to transportation. They often struggle with driving due to various reasons and their isolation can lead to depression, which can result in a host of other physical and mental impairments. It is a good idea to start thinking about alternatives to driving that you may not have thought of or heard about before.

1. Public transportation – While many people might cringe at the thought of taking the public bus, it’s a viable, worthwhile and inexpensive way to get around. If you aren’t sure how to use the bus system in your community, ask a trusted friend, loved one or call the senior center nearest you. They will be happy to help you out.
2. Utilize Lyft and Uber – Both of these transportation giants have now taken steps to make it easier and more comfortable for older adults to use their service. Now, there is no need to have a Smartphone, Great Call (through Lyft) lets seniors call a live operator for fast and friendly service.
3. Walking – Remember when you were a kid and you walked to the corner store for milk? Well, if you’re in relatively good shape and the store is relatively close, then why not walk? Just remember that it is best not to venture out on cold, icy days. There are plenty of days during the spring, summer and fall when walking will feel restorative and get you out of the house.
4. Try the Eldercare Locator – Do a Google search, put in your zip code and a list of resources will become available to you for you to utilize all types of senior programs, transportation methods included.

Are you a resident of East Wake, South Wake or Johnston counties? Are you looking for home health services in Garner or the surrounding regions. Contact Always Best Care at (919) 724-4297 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to hearing from you!

Senior Needs Companionship After Retirement

Many senior citizens prefer to stay independent in their retirement years. Unfortunately, this can increase their chances of suffering from stress, depression, and isolation. To stave off such problems, seniors need companionship. Regular visits from friends and family members can help, although distance and other responsibilities may make it difficult for family to spend much time with them. If this happens to be the case, consider hiring professional in-home caregivers.

In-home caregivers can provide the much-needed companionship services, helping your loved one stay connected and engaged. In addition, they will have someone to communicate and interact, which gives them the opportunity to discuss and share their experiences.

The care providers also encourage your loved ones to participate in different social activities and cultural programs. Socialization helps with dealing with stress, depression, and loneliness.

As seniors age, it becomes difficult for them to carry out their daily living activities due to mobility issues and other medical conditions. An experienced in-home caregiver will not only look after your senior’s safety, but also help them with the basic daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility as needed. They can also ensure proper medication and meal management.

Caregivers can provide transportation and accompany your loved ones to shopping, movies, doctor’s appointment, exercise programs, and more. If you are looking for in-home senior care providers in Raleigh, contact Always Best Care today. They are a noted senior care organization that has highly trained, bonded, and insured caregivers who provide high quality care giving services. For more information, call at (919) 724-4297.

Seniors: How You Can Avoid These Common Scams

There are always scammers out there looking to take advantage of those who will let them. Unfortunately, seniors sometimes find themselves in a position where they get scammed because they are good natured, good hearted, suffering from dementia, and fearful that family members may be in danger. Scammers earn their money from bilking others out of theirs, so it’s important to know which scams are the most common ones seniors often fall prey to.

1. Scams over email. These often take the form of supposed lottery winnings, investment “opportunities,” and a plead for financial assistance in lieu of a bigger financial payout. Other types of email scams include receiving an email from what appears to be a valid institution. The email will request banking information and because it looks legitimate, the individual may comply.

   What to do: Never give out sensitive information over email. This includes social security numbers, banking account numbers, passwords, etc.

2. Home improvement & repair scams. This happens when “friendly” people offer to fix items around the home or even when the car is taken in for repair. Fees will be increased to exorbitant amounts and if dementia has set in, the senior may find themselves falling for the same scam over and over.

   What to do: Don’t approve any repairs or charges without writing down what’s being done and/or asking a friend or family member for assistance.

3. Grandparents scam. This is particularly vicious because it involves the senior’s family members. The scammer will call the senior and pretend to be one of their grandchildren. The scammer will say that they are in trouble and need assistance in the way of money, and ask for it to be wired to a certain location.

   What to do: Hopefully, the voice of the caller will give it away that it is not a member of the family, but if this isn’t the case, call the family members closest to the “child in trouble” to be sure that they are safe and sound.

Always Best Care has been providing exceptional and compassionate senior care since 1996. With locations all over the United States and Canada, they provide only the best caregivers who are always employees, never contractors. Seniors living in the Raleigh area who are interested in learning about senior living in Raleigh or Raleigh assisted living are encouraged to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free care consultation.

Seniors: Breaking a Hip Can Increase Your Risk of Death

There are many reasons why seniors become more susceptible to falls than when they were younger. There’s declining bone density, declining muscle strength, increase in number of medications they are taking, failing vision, and more. One out of every three seniors falls every year, and some of these lead to physical complications that are irreversible. Breaking a hip is one of the most common complications from a fall (95% of hip fractures are caused by falls), so it’s important to know about these dangers and how to avoid them.

Who is most at risk?

While all seniors are – generally – at risk of falling, there are other factors that come into play including:

• Women are more likely to fall than men
• People of Asian and Caucasian ethnicity are more prone to falls
• People who are small boned are more at risk
• People who are slender are more at risk
• Those who don’t exercise regularly are more prone to falls
• People who don’t eat a nutritious diet that keeps bones strong are more at risk
• Those with alcohol or drug addictions are more prone to falling
• People who have cluttered homes are also more likely to fall

What can you do to prevent a fall?

• Keep a journal or log of all of your medications. Know which ones have side effects that include dizziness, tiredness, etc. Take these at night before bed if possible. Talk to your doctor if these side effects become a problem.
• Assess your home. What types of hazards are in your home? This can include rugs that aren’t tacked down properly, cords that are in the path of traffic, an absence of grab bars in the bathtub, insufficient lighting, and unstable furniture. Get help to rectify these problems.
• See your eye doctor annually. When you can’t see well, you’re more likely to trip and fall. A regular visit to the doctor will help you stay alert.
• Exercise regularly. This will help strengthen your body in general, and make you less prone to falls.

Seniors who live in the Raleigh area, who are interested in learning about assisted living in Raleigh NC or Cary assisted living, are encouraged to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free consultation. They look forward to talking with you!

Always Best Care Provides Superior Home Care Assistance in Raleigh

Always Best Care is a senior care giving provider with numerous locations throughout the United States and Canada. Their compassionate caregivers have logged over three million care giving hours assisting over 25,000 seniors since 1996. The Always Best Care team in Raleigh, NC is led by Sanjay Das, who is dedicated and deeply committed to providing only the most exemplary care to his senior clients.

Always Best Care helps seniors in a couple of different ways. They provide in-home care services to those who wish to stay in their homes beyond their retirement years, and they also provide free referrals for senior living communities for those who are ready to transition from their home to a different environment. Seniors who are interested in receiving home care assistance in Raleigh are encouraged to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location for information about Apex home health care and senior care for all of the surrounding areas.

And, because they are so committed to their senior residents, Always Best Care not only provides the above services but they also go above and beyond to provide a number of special services to their clients, as well. These include:

1. Always Safe. This is a fall detection and prevention system that allows seniors and their family’s piece of mind. Falls can be fatal for seniors, and one out of every three senior falls every year. Aside from being fatal they can also cause brain injuries and severe loss of independence. Talk to your professional care coordinator about the costs associated with Always Safe.
2. Always in Touch. This is a free program designed to help seniors (and disabled people) who live remotely or alone, and don’t have much contact with the outside world. This service is for those living in both the United States and Canada.
3. Always on Call. Need a doctor at 3 am? As a client of Always Best Care, it’s no problem. They provide their clients with a network of US Board Certified physicians that can be reached at any time of the day.

If you are a senior living in the Raleigh area and would like to schedule a free appointment with Always Best Care to discuss home care assistance in Raleigh or Apex home health care, contact the Raleigh office at 919-724-4297 today.

Always Best Care Provides Compassionate Home Care in Raleigh

With a focus on quality and compassionate caregivers, Always Best Care has been the leader in senior care giving for the past 20 years. Their caregivers are always employees, never contractors, and are thoroughly trained, highly-skilled, licensed, bonded, and insured so that senior clients and their families can enjoy the ultimate in peace of mind.

Seniors living in the Raleigh area, who are interested in learning about home care in Raleigh or dementia care in Raleigh are encouraged to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location to schedule a free care consultation. At this time, a professional care coordinator will visit with the senior and their family to discuss all of their available options regarding either in-home care or transitioning into a senior living environment.

More and more seniors are choosing to stay in their homes during their retirement years and are enjoying the benefits that an in-home caregiver can provide. This includes assistance with housekeeping, pet care, supervising home maintenance, planning, making, and serving meals, medication management, planning visits and outings, companionship and conversation, assistance with walking, eating, bathing, escorting for shopping, appointments, and errands, and many others that fall under the categories of home helper, companion, and personal care.

There are different levels of care when it comes to in-home care giving, and Always Best Care is highly-experienced in each, assuring that seniors will always get the care that they require.

• Companion Care. This is the first level of care and involves a caregiver assisting with things like preparing meals, housekeeping, and offering friendly conversation and companionship. It basically offers a second set of eyes to help keep the senior comfortable and safe.
• Personal Care. This is the second level of care and includes everything in the companion care level. It also includes assistance with incontinence, bathing and grooming, transfers and medication reminders. Seniors who are recovering from surgery, using palliative care or just need assistance with daily personal hygiene often seek this level of care.
• Very High Level of Care. This level of care is for people who are bed-bound due to chronic illness, or those who are on hospice. Both companion and personal care levels are also provided here.

Seniors living in the Raleigh area, who are interested in learning more about home care in Raleigh and dementia care in Raleigh are invited to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to chatting with you about your bright future!

Boost Senior Home Safety With These Tips

Seniors are at greater risk of safety issues as they get older, especially if they are living alone. Fortunately, there are ways to evaluate the risks, and to minimize them so that seniors and their loved ones can rest easier. Here are some home safety tips for seniors:

Lights, etc.

• Are there working night lights in appropriate places in the home?
• Are extension cords and rugs securely fastened and away from the line of traffic?
  Does the senior have access to a phone or other type of emergency call system in every room?
• Are all cooling and heating methods functioning properly? Space heaters should be kept away from flammable items.

Medications & Health

• Do they have access to their dentist and doctors? Are they keeping up on appointments?
• Are their glasses and/or hearing aids in good working condition?
• Have they created a medication/supplement/OTC medications list?
• Has there been any significant weight gain or loss recently?
• Are they showing signs that their eyesight is worsening?

Bathroom

• Are they able to get into and out of the bath or shower safely?
• Can they use the toilet independently?
• Is the bathtub fitted with no-skid strips or a mat?
• How clean is the bathroom?
• Are there grab bars to help keep them from falling?

General Mobility

• Are there any signs that they may have fallen recently – like bruises or scratches?
• If they still have a license, are they still able to drive safely? (Accompanying them on a trip will help determine this).
• Can they manage up and down the stairs safely?
• If they need help with walking – such as with a cane or walker, is it in good working condition?
• Can they safely get themselves out of bed?

Cognition

• Can they hold an understandable and coherent conversation?
• Are there signs of memory loss?
• Are they able to recognize friends and family?
• Have there been any episodes of them getting lost?

Always Best Care has been providing exceptional care giving services to seniors all over the United States and Canada since 1996. During that time, their compassionate caregivers have logged over three million hours assisting over 25,000 seniors. Folks living in the Raleigh area, who are interested in Apex home health care and home care services in Clayton, are invited to call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to hearing from you!

How Seniors Benefit from Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting needles into the skin to relieve pain and help treat disease. Due to the fact that most seniors take over 27 prescriptions every year (some more than five per day), acupuncture is a non-medicinal strategy toward health and healing that holds many benefits for seniors.

No Prescriptions
One of the biggest benefits to acupuncture is the fact that there aren’t any prescriptions involved. Adverse drug reactions result in nearly one million emergency room visits every single year, with 100,000 of them resulting in death. Acupuncture provides pain relief and disease treatment without a prescription.

Regain State of Health
Acupuncture is centered around the idea that the body’s life force energy can be revitalized by pinpointing the twelve meridians of the body via acupuncture. Through this process, pathogens are released and the body is restored to a state of balance.

Respiratory System
Seniors often have respiratory issues. Acupuncture can help relieve acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, the common cold and flu, and acute tonsillitis.

Mouth Disorders
As people age mouth disorders become very common due to years of dental neglect and/or a decrease in the amount of saliva produced causing dry mouth. Acupuncture can help treat gingivitis, toothaches, acute and chronic pharyngitis, post extraction pain, and TMJ disorders.

Eye Disorders
Seniors often deal with many eye disorders as well, mainly due to the process of aging. Acupuncture can help treat cataracts, acute conjunctivitis, and central retinitis myopia.

Arthritis
The most common type of arthritis that is treated via acupuncture is rheumatoid arthritis. Results include the reduction of swelling, arthritic inflammation, and relieving discomfort and pain. There are other types of arthritis which can’t be treated with acupuncture.

Mental & Emotional Problems
Seniors tend to suffer from mental and emotional issues more so than other age groups because of physical, mental, and social changes in their lives. Insomnia, depression, and anxiety are all able to be treated with acupuncture sessions.

Always Best Care has been providing exceptional, quality senior services to seniors all over the United States and Canada since 1996. During that time, they have assisted over 25,000 seniors maintain their independence and increase their overall quality of life. If you are a senior in the Raleigh area and are interested in learning about home care services in Clayton or home care in Morrisville, call the Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to chat with you!!

Seniors: Be Aware of Driving & Medication Side Effects

Most people equate driving with freedom. This freedom – in the form of a driver’s license – is usually obtained in the late teen years with no real specific end. Driving is a complicated task that requires extreme focus and agility and sometimes various medications that seniors are taking can interfere with their ability to drive safely.

Seniors between the ages of 65 and 79 take over 27 prescriptions every single year, and taking just five prescriptions in a day can have a huge negative impact on driving ability. Over the counter medications often come with warning labels, and prescriptions do as well. Keep an open dialogue going with your pharmacist so that they can clearly tell you about any side effects that might hinder your driving ability.

How is driving impacted by daily medications?

• Seniors may experience a slower than normal reaction time when they take certain medications.
• Seniors may experience an increase in drowsiness
• Seniors might have trouble with becoming easily distracted or trouble with concentrating
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Fainting
• Excitability – making reactions unpredictable

Medications that can impair driving ability

• Muscle relaxants
• Allergy medications (the ones that cause drowsiness)
• Sleeping pills
• Anti-anxiety meds
• Anti-depressants
• Pain relievers
• Certain OTC drugs
• Certain herbal supplements
• Diet pills
• Stimulants

Consider Alternatives to Driving Yourself

While it’s nice to be able to get in your own car and drive yourself to wherever you need to go, if you must take certain medications that are causing you to have troublesome side effects, there are other options available for you. Consider:

• Getting rides from family and friends
• Use the public transportation system
• Look into senior care services that are available to you
• Ubers and other taxi services

The best first step is to list all of the medications (including vitamins and OTC products) so that you can share the list with your pharmacist or doctor. From there, they will be able to help you decide on possible alternate medications and any other options you might have.

Do you live in the Raleigh area? Are you curious about elder care in Cary or about how to get free referrals for assisted living in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Garner or Johnston County? Call the Always Best Care Raleigh location today at 919-724-4297 to set up a free consultation. They look forward to hearing from you.

Want Information About In-Home Care In Raleigh? Contact Always Best Care Today

These days, more and more seniors are opting to stay in their homes for as long as possible before venturing into an assisted living facility. Home provides a warmth, comfort, and familiarity that nothing else can provide. But, for every senior, getting around and performing everyday tasks can become cumbersome and difficult. That’s why it’s important to start considering the idea of an in-home caregiver for assistance.

If you live in the Raleigh area and are interested in in-home care in Raleigh, you can contact the Always Best Care Raleigh location to set up a free care consultation. During this consultation, one of their professional Care Coordinators will visit your home to discuss your care options with you. Regardless of the type of home health services in Garner you’re interested in, Always Best Care employs the finest caregivers that are compassionate and dedicated to their senior clients. They continually exceed expectations and are happy doing so.

What are some of the services you can expect from an in-home caregiver in Raleigh? The Always Best Care caregivers provide a number of services that fall within three categories: personal care, home helper, and companion services. By covering all of these categories, in-home caregivers allow their senior clients to make the most of their time doing the activities they enjoy. Some of the services include grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry, vacuuming, pet and plant care, conversation about current and historical events, and so much more.

Always Best Care has been a highly-reputable in-home care provider since 1996, and has numerous locations all over North America. Their caregivers are not just licensed, highly-skilled and fully-trained professionals, they are also compassionate and dedicated to their senior clients. If you live in the Raleigh area and are interested in information about home health options in Garner, or in-home care in Raleigh, you can call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 or email them at sdas@abc-seniors.com to set up a free care consultation. During this consultation, a professional Care Coordinator will visit you to discuss all of your needs: emotionally, physically, medically, spiritually, etc. This information is then compiled into a Care Plan, which is continually updated as your needs change. Trust Always Best Care for your in-home care needs, give them a call today!