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!

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.

Don’t Be Fooled by These Food Substitutes

Most of us want to be healthier because we know it will lead to increased immunity, less risk of disease (lowered inflammation), and ultimately an increase in overall quality of life. So, we switch out certain foods for other foods, in the hopes that we are reducing calories, reducing trans-fat intake, and being healthier. However, most foods that we think to swap in for bad ones are just as unhealthy as the original foods. Here is a short list:

• Swapping Out: Potato Chips/ Swapping In: Pretzels. It might seem like pretzels are the healthier choice because they aren’t fried in oil like chips, however, calorically they are nearly exactly the same. A better swap? Stove popped popcorn – but don’t drench it in melted butter and handfuls of salt!
• Swapping Out: Dark Chocolate/ Swapping In: Fat-free Candy. Don’t be fooled by the “fat free” label – just because something doesn’t have fat, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have calories. A small bit of dark chocolate will satisfy most sweet-tooth cravings, and also offers a number of proven health benefits.
• Swapping Out: Soda/ Swapping In: Vitamin Drink. Anything with the word “vitamin” in the label automatically gives it a healthier “feel,” right? Sure it does. However, both soda and Vitamin Water are loaded with sugar. Try plain water instead with a wedge of lemon or lime.
• Swapping Out: Sandwiches/ Swapping in: Energy Bars. Again, the word “energy” gets people abuzz and thinking that what they are eating has got to be healthy. But, the truth of the matter is, energy bars are generally loaded with added sugar and more calories than anyone’s diet allows.
• Swapping Out: White Bread/ Swapping In: Wheat Bread. If the wheat bread you are buying isn’t 100% whole wheat bread, you’re just replacing one unhealthy bread for another. Read the label to be sure.

Always Best Care has been providing in-home senior care and assisted living referrals to seniors all over the United States and Canada for the past 20 years. If you live in the Raleigh, NC area and are interested in getting information about Cary assisted living options or in-home care in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, or Garner, call the Always Best Care Raleigh location today at 919-724-4297 or email them at sdas@abc-seniors.com to set up a free consultation.

Why Seniors are at High Risk of Developing a Gambling Addiction

Over the past couple of decades casinos have morphed into what they have become today – a place that makes people feel comfortable through discounts, a variety of options, free drinks, free meals, and for seniors, even free transportation and surroundings that are highly conducive to easy wheelchair navigation. Gambling at casinos is a big draw for many people, and seniors are not immune because they might want to supplement their retirement income, they enjoy being out with other people, they enjoy the thrill of small pot winnings (that happen much more often than landing the big win), and more.

• Gambling at casinos offers a mental “getaway” from the reality of life which might include health problems, relationship problems, and family problems. People, seniors included, may roam the casino for hours slipping coins into slots and being mesmerized by the bells and whistles (that are there quite strategically).
• There might be an underlying health issue such as dementia that causes the senior to “lose” themselves inside the casino. There are also certain medications such as dopamine antagonist medications that put seniors at risk of compulsive gambling.
• It’s now a casino’s job to make their patrons feel loved and missed, and they do this by sending them birthday cards as well as “We miss you!” cards to entice people back inside. Some casinos even have vibrating seats, screen animations, and offer patrons a full sensory encounter that they end up wanting to enjoy again and again.

It’s important to recognize the signs of senior gambling addiction which might include:

• Is the senior continually asking for loans due to various reasons like they lost their wallet or a discrepancy occurred in their bank account?
• Is the senior still engaging in other activities they usually enjoy like gardening or hiking?
• Is there less food in the senior’s refrigerator or pantry than usual?
• Is the senior taking less care of themselves hygiene-wise?
• Is the senior visiting the doctor or hospital more often than usual?

If your parent or a senior you know is exhibiting these behaviors, talk with them and contact the National Council on Problem Gambling for more information.

If you live in the Raleigh area and you are interested in receiving information regarding Apex home health care, or other options surrounding 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 for more information and to set up a free consultation.

Assisted Living Facts You Might Not Know

In 2010, there were nearly 500,000 assisted living apartments spread among over 6,300 assisted living communities in the United States. There tends to be a lot of questions among seniors and their family before the move is made into an assisted living community, and there also tends to be some misinformation that circulates through the general public.

Assisted Living Communities are Each a Different Style

Before they make the move, seniors often worry that assisted living won’t be right for them. That they won’t “fit in” and they won’t like the atmosphere of the community. If this is, indeed, the case, all they have to do is visit another because no two are exactly alike. Even if they offer the same degree of care, one assisted living community might be small in size and offer a more cottage or homey-type setting, whereas larger communities might have a feeling of art deco or an urban setting and are perhaps more likely to offer a variety of recreational opportunities, interest clubs, etc.

Diversified Assisted Living Communities

As the United States and Canada population ages, senior cultural niches will also see an increase. Around the country more and more assisted living communities are springing up to cater to various dietary, language, religious and cultural demands of their clients. The old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together,” is a truism when it comes to assisted living, and seniors do well when they live and socialize with like-minded individuals.

Pets are Usually Allowed

Pets and seniors create a symbiotic relationship that greatly benefits them both. Most assisted living communities allow pets, while others have certain restrictions that you should look into beforehand. Many will allow birds and/or fish, and others have a weight restriction of 20 lbs or so on dogs and cats. More and more assisted living communities are allowing pets because of the fact that pets help improve quality of life (no matter what the age), so taking a beloved pet to an assisted living community will likely be approved.

Always Best Care Senior Services has been working in the senior care industry for the past 20 years. They offer exceptional personalized assistance in finding the best assisted (or independent) living community for seniors. They also provide outstanding in-home care by well-trained and compassionate caregivers. If you are interested in receiving information about senior living and assisted living communities in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Garner or other areas of Wake and Johnston counties, give Always Best Care a call at their local office at (919)724-4297 or email them at sdas@abc-seniors.com today for information on a free consultation.