Are your employees losing hours due to taking care of aging loved one? Are they stressed and less productive? If so, contact Delaware County Mainline Comfort Keepers, seminars, help, advice, suggestions tips for Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery and Delaware County.

Employer Solutions
Giving Comfort To Your Loved Ones
More and more employees face the dilemma of caring for an elderly relative or friend while also juggling job and other family responsibilities. The impact on employees trying to care for an elderly loved one can be extreme. Many caregivers admit to suffering health issues while trying to balance their caregiving, job, family and other responsibilities.
Comfort Keepers® works with companies to provide a work/life balance solution. Many companies are adding Comfort Keepers to their list of preferred providers to help employees achieve better balance in their lives.

Check with your employers’ human resource department to see if Comfort Keepers is a preferred provider.

If you are a company or EAP interested in providing senior care benefits to your employees, please contact Comfort Keepers to see how we can help. To learn about our FREE seminars, presentations to your staff, tips and suggestions, contact us at 610-543-6300, ask for Melody.

Have an elderly loved one who wanders, gets lost, confused in Delaware County, Mainline, PA, Philadelphia, Silver Alert Program

About 60 percent of the estimated 5.1 million Americans with Alzheimer’s
disease will wander from home sometime in their life. About 70 percent of
the wanderers will do so repeatedly.
In fact, about 127,000 critical wandering incidents happen each year, the
Alzheimer’s Association reports. It’s a frightening reality as persons with
Alzheimer’s can get lost even in their own neighborhood. And many are
unable to ask for help or provide their name or address to those who might
offer help.
As such, they’re highly vulnerable. If not found
within 24 hours, up to half of wanderers with
dementia risk serious injury or death.
Since 1993, one solution to this terrible situation
has been provided through a collaboration of the
Department of Justice, the Alzheimer’s Association
and local law enforcement agencies: the Safe
Return® program (www.alz.org/SafeReturn).
A nationwide database and emergency response
system, Safe Return has been successful in finding
and returning more than 8,000 individuals, about
99 percent of the registered people who have wandered and become lost.
Silver Alert Systems
Some states, such as Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan and Illinois,
have expanded upon the Amber Alert system for missing children. They have
created a “Silver Alert” to locate, in the early, critical hours, vulnerable senior
citizens who go missing.
Like the Amber Alert, the Silver Alert notifies law enforcement authorities,
activating urgent bulletins and using the Emergency Alert System.
New federal legislation was filed on April 24th of this year to help more
states set up Silver Alert systems. The bill, the Silver Alert Grant Program Act
of 2008, was prompted by the death of an elderly Florida woman who had
gone missing after signing out of her assisted living residence. To find out more about the program or technology that can assist with keeping seniors safe, locate your nearest Comfort Keepers.

Interactive Caregiving Seniors Elderly Springfield PA, Media, Delware County, PHiladelphia, Mainline, Wayne PA

Interactive Caregiving (ICG) is a holistic way of delivering care that encompasses physical activity, mental stimulation, social engagement and emotional health that can genuinely change a person’s life. There is significant data that supports that when care is delivered holistically, it can reduce the risk of depression and improve physical health. To read more about our Interactive Caregiving services, click HERE or call us at: 610-543-6300, email us at delawarecounty@comfortkeepers.com

To complement the personal touch of in-home services, consider adding technology to assist in keeping your loved one safe. SafetyChoiceTM products such as the Personal Monitoring System or as more commonly known “the Help Me I Fallen and Can’t Get Up” machine. For about $1 per day, your loved one will be assured that pressing a waterproof button will cause the machine to call the monitoring station where a live person will ask if help is needed. The responder will then take appropriate action to get your loved one help. To read more on how these products can help your loved one, click HERE.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Caring For Loved Ones Dementia, living in Delaware County, Philadelphia, Montgomery County PA, Pennsylvania Mainline

Alzheimer’s Disease and Caring For Loved Ones
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a common form of dementia that negatively impacts the portions of the brain that effect thought, memory and language. Today, as many as 4.5 million people in the United States suffer from varying stages of AD. The initial symptoms may be as minor as forgetting names or recent events, but as the disease progresses, the Alzheimer’s patient may wander, become anxious or even aggressive.

How can Comfort Keepers® help you manage the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease?
Most people hope to age safely and comfortably in their own home, including those managing AD. Many Alzheimer’s patients can safely stay in their own home for a period of time, and that’s where Comfort Keepers can provide care assistance. Many Comfort Keepers have been formally trained by local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) in how to provide in-home care for AD patients. It may include:

Assisting the client with dressing or grooming
Aiding the client in communication
Improving eating habits with healthy meal planning
Enhancing home safety by implementing measures to prevent wandering or driving
And….much needed respite care for family members who may be primary care providers for the Alzheimer’s patient. To continue to read about the Comfort Keepers serving the Mainline area, click HERE and for Delaware County area, click HERE.

Dehydration:Seniors and elderly in summer heat, what to look for and how to help in Delaware County, Chester County and Philadelphia PA, Pennsylvania

Seniors at Greater Risk of Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among seniors. The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that five to six times as many patients age 65 and over are admitted for the condition as those in the 45-64 age group. Dehydration tends to set in quickly and catch older Americans off guard, because as we age our sense of thirst dulls and the water content of our bodies decreases.

Take dehydration seriously; it can be life-threatening. Warning signs vary but may include:
• Lack of energy
• Headache, nausea, and/or dizziness
• Darkening or decrease in urine
• Fever

To prevent dehydration:
Set up a drinking schedule and follow it. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day
• Provide fluid from a variety of sources, such as fruits and vegetables, milk, broth, popsicles etc.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks; they increase water loss
• Increase fluids on hot days. And be aware that dehydration can be a threat to seniors in cold, dry winter months, too, when one is less likely to feel the need to quench thirst.
This article brought to you by Comfort Keepers.

Medication Allergies in elderly loved ones in Delaware County, PA, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, Seniors who allerigic to meds

A medication allergy is an infrequent and unwanted side affect to medications. Allergic reactions can vary from a mild rash to a more serious reaction that can be life-threatening.

1. There are 2 categories of medication reactions.

 Reaction that is common and predictable. Includes expected side effects and interactions from taking too much medication.
 Reaction that is unpredictable, and only occur in certain people. Includes unexpected side effects, medication intolerance, allergies and other non-allergic immunologic reactions.

An allergic reaction may not happen the first time you take the medication. The reaction is likely to happen when you take the medication again.

2. Signs and symptoms of medication allergies – Common medication reactions can occur within a few days or in a few weeks. Anaphylaxis reaction is a life-threatening effect of a medication allergy. Anaphylaxis reactions usually occur within a few minutes to a few hours.

Common medication allergies include:

 Itching
 Swollen, red rash
 Hives
 Swelling or welts in the skin
 Mild/moderate wheezing

Anaphylaxis reactions include:

 Difficulty breathing
 Wheezing
 Swelling in the face
 Dizziness, fainting
 Rapid/weak pulse
 Drop in blood pressure
 Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
 Abdominal pain

Page 2

3. Common Medication Allergies

 Penicillin (antibiotics)
 Cephalosporin (antibiotics)
 Sulfonamides (antibiotics, diabetes medication, diuretics)
 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
 IV Contrast Dye
 Local Anesthetics
 General Anesthesia
 Anti-Seizure Medications

4. When to Seek Medical Care – always contact the physician who prescribed the medication to you for advice.

 If symptoms are mild, the physician may change the medication you are taking. If you cannot reach your physician, go to a hospital emergency room.
 If you are having difficulty breathing, swelling in your throat, or feeling faint, you should go to the emergency room, or call 911 immediately for possible anaphylactic reaction. This article courtesy of Comfort Keepers.

In-home care for elderly and seniors Delaware County, PA, Pennsylvania,Montgomery county, Mainline and Philadelphia area

Home health care offers you and your family a cost-effective alternative to health care provided in hospitals and nursing homes. It enables patients to maintain as much independence as possible in the comfort of their own homes while receiving needed care to promote health, wellness and quality of life.

In-home health care services can consist of medical care provided by health care professionals, such as nurses and physical, speech and occupational therapists, as well as non-medical services delivered by Comfort Keepers in Delaware County, PA or surrounding areas or aides to promote well-being and prevent recurrence of illness and hospitalization.

Medical and non-medical home care providers often work cooperatively. Aides or Comfort Keepers, for example, maintain a close watch on a client’s condition and report changes to a supervisor or case manager so medical intervention can be taken if found necessary.

Non-medical home care provides senior citizens help with the activities of daily living, such as personal care or meal preparation, enabling them to continue living at home as independently as possible. In partnership with a senior’s family, a home health care aide or Comfort Keeper can provide as much or as little care as a senior needs to remain safely at home.

Medical home care serves:

Patients just discharged from the hospital. They may need short-term nursing care or rehabilitation following illness or surgery.
Those who may need temporary help adjusting to lifestyle changes required by a new diagnosis like diabetes, or those who need ongoing help with management of a chronic illness

In-home care services provided by a Comfort Keeper —in partnership with family—can help a patient maintain good health and optimal quality of life. Such services include planning and preparation of nutritious meals, reminding clients to take their medication and taking clients to medical appointments.

Comfort Keepers can educate clients and family members on how to take on more of these responsibilities themselves for the long run. And they can always be on hand to provide respite care to provide family members a break from the responsibilities of caregiving. In addition, in-home care providers such as Comfort Keepers often offer clients and families the option of technology solutions—like monitoring devices—that help assure seniors’ safety during the times when a caregiver isn’t present in the home.

Comfort Keepers and family members can make a significant impact for a client or loved one by providing opportunities for physical activity, mental stimulation or emotional or social support. On the surface, they may not look like health care, but a walk in the backyard or neighborhood, a puzzle, conversation, making a favorite recipe, visiting with or writing letters to friends and family all can have a positive impact on maintaining a senior’s health.

Aging Veterans Unaware of VA Pension Benefits – Seniors, elderly need help with paying medical bills in delaware valley, PA, NJ and DE, delaware county

Aging Veterans Unaware of VA Pension Benefits – Millions of veterans and widows lose out on billions of benefits

For aging veterans, one of their most important benefit programs is the Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved Pension Benefit Program. Established to assist qualified veterans, and/or their surviving spouses and family, the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program provides financial support that enables veterans to live independently while receiving the quality of care they deserve. In particular, funds are available for aging veterans who need assistance with medical and non-medical care both in the home and in qualified facilities.

In many cases, veterans, along with their spouses and family, are unaware that this program exists. According to VA analysis, only 27 percent of veterans and 14 percent of widow(er)s who are likely eligible, actually receive any money from the program.

Types of Care Eligible
The availability of this program is something all veterans and their widow(er)s should know. Seniors in our country are now living longer. With higher living costs and the continued rise in healthcare expenditures, many seniors are at risk of quickly depleting their savings. Programs like the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program can fund services like in-home care, assisted living facility expenses and other medical costs that many seniors face.

“We see many clients that are faced with the difficult task of covering their healthcare expenses,” said Clark Bongaardt of Springfield, PA Comfort Keepers. “If they qualify for these funds, it takes a huge burden off of veterans and their families. This money can be used to ensure they are given access to the care they need.”

Qualifications
To qualify for the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Programs, a veteran must have 90 days or more of active duty with at least one of those days served during a US-declared war. The benefits are designed for those who meet specific financial criteria and demonstrate a physical need for healthcare.

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines active duty as full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Other qualifications and considerations:
• Discharge for any reason other than dishonorable conditions
• Over the age of 65 or disabled
• Total financial assets
• Physical condition
• Current marital status (if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran)
• Total gross income versus medical deduction

Costly Misunderstanding
There are several reasons why veterans are unaware or misunderstand these benefits. First is the very name of the benefit itself – improved pension benefit. Pension benefits usually come after years of service, not after only 90 days of service.

In addition, many veterans often assume the available benefits are for those who have a service-related disability not just because they turned 65. As the name implies, this program is a non-service connected benefit.

Finally, it is uncommon for a benefit to be available in part just by virtue of age. However, the Veteran NSC Improved Pension Benefit does not require a qualified veteran to have any disability provided that they are over the age of 65.

Many of the Comfort Keepers can assist in accessing the information necessary to evaluate a person’s eligibility for the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program. To find which ones, locate your Comfort Keepers on the website and contact the office directly. To access the webiste click HERE
Comfort Keepers can provide professional guidance while the applicant is completing the necessary paperwork and being assessed for eligibility for the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program. Once approved, Comfort Keepers can be the solution for quality in-home care.

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefit for seniors, elderly financial help, veterans and spouses, seminars free learn about it in PA, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Delaware county, Mainline

Ever heard of the Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved Pension?
The Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved PensionThis pension benefit program is federally funded for veterans and/or their surviving spouses age 65 or older. It’s designed to fund in-home care for those who meet established criteria. It may be in addition to a VA Pension or a VA Compensation. If you or your spouse meets the criteria established by the VA, you might qualify to get an additional $1000 per month from the VA. Some of the basic criteria are:
Total Financial Assets – aid is based on financial need for assistance
Physical Condition – veteran or spouse must require assistance with daily living skills
Current Marital Status – veteran may be alive or passed but must married to spouse
Total Gross Income versus Medical Deduction – current income versus medical expenses
How Can Comfort Keepers® Help?We will provide you with professional guidance while you are completing the necessary paperwork and being assessed for eligibility for the Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved Pension. While your application is being processed, Comfort Keepers can be your solution for quality in-home care. Comfort Keepers provides services such as light housekeeping, transportation, laundry, meals, assistance with bathing and grooming and medication reminders in the home, hospital or facility. All of caregivers are our employees, bonded, insured with background checks.
What to know more? Think you might qualify? Answer the following questions and if you meet the basic requirements, Comfort Keepers will (with your consent) have a member of the Government Benefits Staff contact you to review the answers and assist with paperwork for FREE. Comfort Keepers uses third party to assist with paperwork because it involves disclosure of your income and assets and Comfort Keepers prohibits its staff from access or knowledge of your finances. Call Comfort Keepers – 610-543-6300 for more information. or to attend a FREE educational session on this benefit, rsvp at the above phone number. The dates for the upcoming sessions are: June 9, 2009 at 1pm at Rocky Run YWCA right past the Granite Run Mall south on route 1 in Media or on June 11, 2009 at 2pm at Rose Tree Place on Sandy Bank Road in Media, PA. If unable to attend please call for more information. To read about the VA Aid and Attendance or about in-home services near you, click HERE.

Safety choice in-home personal monitoring, manage medication, call for help Delaware county, mainline, philadelphia and montgomery county, mainline PA, Pennsylvania

Everyone wants to live independently, safely, and in his or her own home, but as you age, that can be a challenge. Have you ever wondered how you would summon help in the event of an emergency in your home? Do you worry about the safety of a loved one when you or someone else is not with him or her? Are you beginning to question whether you are taking your medications appropriately? Then SafetyChoice™ by Comfort Keepers can be your solution. SafetyChoice means that help is always at hand whether there is an emergency or you simply need assistance to maintain a healthy environment at home.

SafetyChoice is a full-line of in-home safety technology that can provide you peace-of-mind knowing that help is just a push of a button away.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
With the simple push of a button on a console, wristband, or pendant, the professionals at the central monitoring station will respond to a call for help through the two-way, tabletop console.

Click here for complete information on the PERS and the add-on products to enhance your at-home safety.
Medication Management Solutions
Medication management solutions can simplify the sometimes-complicated process of organizing and dispensing prescriptions. Through visual and voice cues, you can be reminded when to take your medications and which ones you should take.

Click here for complete information on medication management solutions to keep you safe at home.

Click here for information on how you or a loved one can live more safely and independently at home.