Smart phones and electronic tablets, such as iPhones, Androids, Blackberries and iPads, are becoming a must have for seniors today.
It’s the application or “apps” that make these devices so useful. Apps turn our phones in to mini computers that put resources, information and amusement right in our hands. Here are some apps that many seniors find invaluable.
Simple Phone Seniors Phonotto
Today’s smart phones can be overwhelming with apps, widgets, and other things on the screen, some seniors want to turn their “smart” phone into a basic handset that is easy to use and easy to see. Simple Phone Seniors Phonotto makes using your smart phone easy. The large touch screen buttons allow you to quickly and easily make phone calls and send or receive text messages.
Skype
Make video calls to your children, grandchildren, or friends, wherever they live. You’re no longer confined to a video call from your computer. Using a smart phone capable of running the Skype app allows you to video call anyone who has Skype; regardless of whether it’s on their computer or mobile phone. Many newer smart phones have front facing cameras in addition to the camera on the backside of the device, so video calls are easy.
Valpak
Ever leave home to go shopping or head out for dinner and realize you left your coupons on the kitchen counter? Now you can download the Valpak app and bring local coupons up on your phone. Many retailers will accept the mobile version of their coupons and the app sorts them by category and location, so finding what you are looking for is easy.
Audio book – aging
This is an audio book that discusses the changes that people experience as they age. Physical and psychological changes occur as one ages and the chapters in this audio book discuss those changes as well as provide tips on maintaining health, life in retirement communities, protecting your skin, and how to cover up minor blemishes caused by aging.
iTriage
Feeling a bit under the weather or have an unusual pain and wondering what may be the cause? iTriage allows you to search symptoms and learn about potential causes. Information about diseases, procedures, and medications is also available along with a directory of hospitals, physicians, and pharmacies.
Senior Golf Guide
This app is designed to help seniors improve their golf game or for some, how to get started if they have never played. Whether you are a beginner or a pro ,this app provides all the tips and tricks to be a better golfer. It discusses the exercises you should do before hitting the course, the snacks you should take with you to keep your body fueled, and tips for warming up to avoid injury.
Brain Genius Deluxe
Exercise your mind, quiz yourself, and keep your brain active. This app has many fun exercises for your brain. The games analyze your observation, memory, calculation, and reasoning abilities. The more you play, the stronger you mind becomes. Just like muscles in your body, the more training you do the more brain power you develop.
Amazon Mobile
If you’ve ever shopped on Amazon.com you know there are deals to be had. Now, you can do your shopping on the go. Even better, if you are at a retailer and want to compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal, use your Amazon app to scan the barcode of the product. Compare their price to Amazon’s. If Amazon’s is better, with one click you can order the product and have it to your door within a day or two.
Before loading apps to your phone or tablet, keep in mind that some are free while others charge a minimal one-time fee. Further, some apps may not be compatible with certain smart phones. What’s available for an iPhones might not work on an Android, but most do work on all platforms. The fun part of apps is exploring and finding out what works best for your lifestyle.
Filed under: caregivers, older adults, Resident Life, Resources | Tags: caregiver, holidays, stress
Today, most older adults are vibrant and full of energy, but the holidays can be stressful for every one:
1. Set realistic goals
We know visiting family and friends is always on the to-do list during the holiday season, but traveling and meeting with people all day can be physically and mentally exhausting. Make sure to schedule ample rest time throughout and allow for plenty of transportation time in between visits so that there’s no rushing around to see last-minute guests.
2. Keep set schedules
If your senior parent or friend is used to waking up at a certain time, eating at a certain time and going to bed at a certain time, make sure to respect those schedules. Staying up later to accommodate family visits or having to eat later in the evening because of a difference in meal times can be difficult and stressful for a senior to acclimate to, so make sure you know beforehand what their schedule is like.
3. Keep expenses to a minimum
Many older adults are on fixed incomes, so keeping costs low can help ease any financial stress associated with the holidays. Travel, gifts and food can all start to take their toll on the checkbook, so make sure to create a realistic budget and stick to it.
4. Plan appropriate activities
A six-hour shopping trip may not be the best idea for a senior who has difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. If these types of activities are unavoidable, make sure that a walker or wheelchair is available to make activities easier and more comfortable. Many seniors have circulatory problems or other illnesses that can make standing for long periods difficult.
5. Keep friends or family around
Along with the fun and happy aspects of holidays comes sadness for many older adults – especially those who’ve lost loved ones. Be sure not to be isolated.
Finally, Unfortunately…50% of the seniors over the age of 80 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease…holidays are very stressful for people with memory issues…if you are planning a large family event encourage relatives to wear name tags, it can be very intimidating for people who can not remember a relatives name. Long term memory is usually intact, so this is a wonderful time to go down, “Memory Lane” and share old pictures.
Finally, encourage seniors, as we do at THE KNOLLS, to “LIVE LIFE”
Filed under: caregivers, medicaid, Resources | Tags: medicaid, ohio state budget
In an April post, I mentioned the proposed budget cuts for the state of Ohio and how it could produce losses for Maple Knoll Village amounting to $4 million over a two-year period. Now it’s July and we have a new state budget that comes with good news and bad news.
• Discontinued outsourcing therapy and hired in-house therapists
• Discontinued the SeniorFitness program and hired in-house instructors for the Wellness Center
• Outsourced some MKC billing functions
• Implemented 12-hour shifts for STNA’s, LPN’s and RN’s in Bodmann Pavilion
• Made staffing changes through attrition and repositioning
• Awarded new groundskeeping service to the lowest bidder
• Converted available space into two additional apartments in Breese Manor Assisted Living
• Contracted with OneSource Employee Management, LLC, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) in order to combat Ohio’s expensive workers compensation system
Thank you,
Jim Formal
President and CEO, Maple Knoll Communities
(from the Maple Knoll Communities Development Department)
Estate planning has its own special vocabulary. Here are five terms to test your knowledge and educate you on these popular, but confusing terms.They are presented within statements which are either true or false.
True or False:
1. If you reside in one state (i.e. Ohio) and die in another (i.e. Florida), you are said to die “intestate”.
2. “Probate” refers to a deceased person who failed to leave anything to charity in his or her will.
3. A “decedent” is a person who dies without a will.
4. “Inter vivos” refers to a will that is interrelated with one’s life insurance policy.
5. Before an attorney can properly draft a will, he or she must make several “bequests” to obtain needed information.
If you answered all the questions as “false”, you were absolutely correct. “Intestate” refers to a person who dies without a will, no matter where he/she resides. “Probate” is the court-directed process of settling a deceased person’s estate. “Decedent” is any person referred to who is dead. “Inter vivos” simply means something that is established during one’s life. “Bequest” refers to any gift made by will.
Terms used in the aging industry are often convoluted and very confusing. Use this list as well as a more comprehensive list found on www.seniorsguide.com to help understand more!
Adult Day Care: This consists of daily structured activities in a community setting. They offer health-related and occasionally rehabilitation services to senior citizens who are physically or emotionally disabled and con not be alone for long periods of time. Generally this service is provided only during the day and the individuals return home at night.
Aging in Place: This describes allowing a resident of a community to remain in their current living environment despite recent physical and or mental decline. As their needs change different services can be brought in to help them out. For example, independent living may offer services that provide you with assistance for daily activities so you do not have to move on to assisted living.
Alzheimer’s: Degenerative age-related disease that impairs an individual’s cognitive ability. An individual with Alzheimer’s often suffers from forgetfulness, wandering, and inability to recognize others.
Ambulatory: This means that you are able to move about and walk around on your own.
Assisted Living: Apartments offered at a retirement community with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with activities of daily living.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): These communities provide a continuum of accommodations and services for senior citizens. This often includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. This way a resident can stay at his/her own community even as their needs change.
Continuum of Care: Full spectrum of care available at a particular community which includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Care. It may also include home health care.
Dementia: Progressive neurological, cognitive, or medical disorder that affects a person’s memory, judgment, and cognitive powers.
HMO: A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) provides complete health care in a specific area to individuals who choose to use it.
Home Health Care: This is where a licensed health care worker will provide you with medical and nursing services in your own home.
Hospice Care: Counseling, social services and medical care provided to individuals with a terminal illness and their families. This can take place in an individual’s home or in a specific hospice care facility.
Independent Living: Senior Housing that may provide services such as meals, housekeeping, social activities, and transportation. Residents are able to care for themselves but have often services available if they were to need them.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Day-to-day tasks such as cooking, shopping, managing money, taking medication, and housekeeping.
Life Care Community: A Continuing Care Retirement Community which offers an insurance type contract and provides all levels of care. It often includes payment for all medical care including physician’s visits. Little or no change is made in the monthly fee, regardless of the level of medical care required by the resident.
Long-Term Care: Care provided to any person who suffers from chronic health impairments.
Long-term Care Insurance: Privately issued insurance which covers the cost of nursing home care, assisted living, and home health care.
Managed Care: This is basically used to coordinate all health care services to maximize benefits and minimize costs. These plans often use their own network of health care providers and a system of prior approval from a primary care doctor. They will provide you with a list of specialists, hospitals, ect. which are suitable for you to go to.
Medicaid: This is a government-funded health insurance assistance program that offers benefits to individuals with limited financial resources, the disabled, and the elderly. You must have a financial need to qualify.
Medicare: This is a medical insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration for people 65 and older. There are two parts of Medicare: A and B. Part A covers hospital and nursing facility care while part B takes care of physician services, therapies, and home health care.
Medigap Insurance: Private health insurance that covers health care costs Medicare does not take care of.
Not-for-Profit: This categorizes the status of a company. It consists of volunteer board members that help monitor the organization and make sure its elderly residents’ needs are met. Not-for-profit homes and services turn any extra income back into improving the company.
Nurse Assistant: This individual provides the most personal care to residents. This would include bathing, dressing, and toileting. They must be trained, tested, and certified to work in the facility. Nurse assistants work under the supervision of an Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
Nursing Home: A nursing home provides 24-hour nursing care, room and board, and activities for individuals with chronic and/or long-term care illnesses. The individuals in these homes are unable to care for themselves and require a great deal of assistance.
Occupational Therapy: Helps individuals to relearn their daily living activities.
Physical Therapy: A treatment program to help individuals regain their strength and physical mobility after a stroke or accident. Each program is tailored to the individual and administered by a licensed physical therapist.
Registered Nurse (RN): This is a trained nurse who has both passed a state board examination and is licensed to practice nursing.
Rehabilitation: Therapeutic care for individuals who need physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Respite Care: This is a short-term/temporary reprieve for caregivers which ranges from hours to days. This could take place in your home or at a facility. Retirement communities often offer this to residents who may need short-term assistance as well.
Senior Apartment: Age-restricted housing with individual living units for older adults. These individuals must be able to care for themselves and no additional services are offered.
