Respect Your Elders

Keep your elderly loved ones as involved as possible in their health care and lifestyle decisions. Remember to talk to them with respect and kindness... read more

How to Make a Home Safer for Older People

Many senior adults prefer to live in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes whenever possible. Whether this describes you or someone you care for, review these checklists to make the home safer and prevent injuries.

Prepare for Regular Emergencies

• Test smoke alarms and replace dead batteries.
• Have a fire extinguisher in the home.
• Plan a simple fire escape route.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector and a fireplace screen.
• Use monitors and intercom systems.
• Buy a phone with large numbers on it for better vision, if applicable.

Decrease Potential Fall Hazards

• Clean up spills immediately.
• Polish floors with non-skid wax.
• Put rubber tips on walkers and canes.
• Wear shoes, not just socks, indoors.
• Place non-skid mats inside and outside showers and tubs.
• Install handles and a bench or chair inside showers and tubs.
• Remove rugs and clear away electric cords to avoid tripping.
• Make sure stairways have sufficient lighting.
• Put nightlights in the hallways and bathrooms for midnight toilet trips.
• Install handrails for all steps and stairs, inside and out.
• Keep outside walkways and porches well lit.
• If it snows in the area, have someone clear and salt the sidewalks.

Make Daily Activities Easier

• Keep items on lower shelves.
• Buy a grabbing tool so a step stool is not necessary. When it is needed, buy one with handrails.
• Arrange a table or storage area near the door for putting down items when coming in.
• Wear comfortable, supportive, low-heeled shoes and buy new ones as soon as the soles begin to wear out.

Learn more about senior safety and senior home maintenance in Vista.

How to Prevent Senior Falls

Falls are the number one cause of injuries in senior adults. Learn how to prevent yourself or your loved one from being one of the 2.3 million annual emergency room visits due to falling... read more

Survey: Biggest Workforce Challenges in Senior Care Today

The biggest workforce challenges in senior care today are finding qualified candidates, employee retention and staff satisfaction and scheduling staff to meet needs, according to new survey results from a partnership between OnShift and Long-Term Care News… read more

Nothing Stops a Girls’ Day Out

Turning in your driver’s license doesn’t have to mean missing out on Sunday morning brunch with the girls. Let a senior escort service chauffeur you to your get-together in style!

A Helping Hand with Home Health Care

One of the difficulties of watching your parents, grandparents or aging friends grow older is seeing them lose their independence. If your elderly loved one is becoming less self-sufficient but does not yet require full time care, a home care service can fulfill their needs while allowing them to maintain their autonomy.

Signs of Diminished Self-Sufficiency

Failing eyesight, reduced mobility, cognitive changes and low energy can prohibit an elderly person from being able to care for themselves and their home as diligently as they might like. If you have visited your loved one at home and notice a lack of cleanliness, inattention to personal hygiene, or evidence that they are having difficulty with preparing food or taking medications on schedule, it may be time to bring in outside help.

Driving Miss Daisy

Driving can also pose a challenge for seniors. Many fear that they will be home bound if they give up driving but may be grateful to let someone else chauffeur them to their appointments and activities, and may also appreciate the companionship. If you have driven with a senior friend and they seem to become lost in familiar neighborhoods, are less attentive to street signs and traffic signals, or veer dangerously out of their own lane, transportation assistance may be needed for their protection and others.

Home Care Services

Home care companies offer a variety of non-medical services, including:
• Housekeeping
• Meal preparation
• Transportation
• Errand assistance
• Personal care, including bathing, toileting and dressing
• Medication reminders
• Makeup and grooming

A home care service can be an excellent way to enable a senior to continue living independently for as long as possible. To learn more about finding errand services for seniors in Carlsbad, please visit this website.

Industry Leaders Offer Predictions on Future of Senior Living

More Americans proactively will seek to reside in senior living communities, and the industry has a role to play in ensuring that consumers will be financially prepared for their retirement years… read more