Seniors ETC - In-home senior, parent, companion care, hospice support in Colorado

You may have noticed her driving a bit slower, or parking further out then normal. Maybe she just had an accident. Or maybe you’ve been in the car with her and you turn just a bit nervous as she slows down for green lights.

Maybe it’s time to evaluate her driving skills. The AARP has a wide array of information to help you make the determination when to pull the keys, and can give you access to a number of driving programs for people over 50.

They even have a simple online test  that you can take to quickly determine your driving ability and the need for refining your knowledge of the rules of the road. 

We found a great new search engine that provides results based on age.

Cranky  is sponsored by Eons, a social networking site exclusively for baby boomers dealing with baby boomer related issues. 

Trying to organize health records can be a trying experience for anyone. But when you’re trying to manage you mother or father’s health records - possibly from out of town - and share it with multiple people in your family, in can be almost impossible.

Google Health is a free service that is currently in beta, and offers users the ability to organize all of your health information in a safe, secure way.

Because it’s all organized online, anyone anywhere can login and have access to it. You can gather information from every doctor, hospital and pharmacy, keeping it together for quick viewing. Because it’s a secure site, the only people having access are those you give access to. You can choose what information to share with doctors, family/caregivers, or other medical professionals.

Getting started is easy. Head to Google.com/health and sign up today. 

One of the hardest things to admit to is a loved one having Alzheimer’s. Yet with an early diagnosis, there are things you can do.

Here’s a wonderful list by Jacqueline Marcell on how to tell if your loved one may have Alzheimer’s.

In many cases, a senior will ignore the symptoms because they don’t want to admit that anything is wrong. It’s up to the loved ones around them to notice the little things, and gently nudge them into testing.

For a quick phone test that will provide you with initial results without having to go the doctor, try the Brain Health Check.  In 20 minutes, you can have an initial diagnosis that will provide you with answers.

If you don’t live with your elderly parents, one of your many concerns may be their eating habits. Are they getting good quality meals every day?

In some cases, your parents may still enjoy cooking, but they have lost the ability to get to the grocery store on a regular basis. Many stores offer delivery services, and will bring groceries to your parents on a regular basis. Try Safeway, Albertsons,  and even Amazon offers delivery services.

If they don’t enjoy cooking, make-and-take kitchens are available that allow you to make a variety of dinners and bring them home to freeze. Then it’s as simple as taking them out of the freezer and popping them into the oven. Try My Girlfriends Kitchen and Let’s Dish

If you’re still worried whether they are eating properly, it may be time to ensure your parents are eating. Hire an in-home caregiver. They can do the grocery shopping, make the meals, and provide company while your parent eats.

A final option is Meals on Wheels, which brings a properly balanced meal directly to your parents home. Find your local organization .

A walker can actually be a slippery experience for some seniors. If they regularly walk on linoleum or hardwood floors, make it safer. Cut slits in two tennis balls and place them over the front leg stoppers of the walker. The tennis balls make it easier to slide on these smooth surfaces, and won’t give your loved one a reason to stop abruptly and trip.

A broken hip is a common injury among the elderly, especially those aged 75 and over. In the U.S., about 300,000 Americans are hospitalized for a hip injury every year, and around 5 percent will die from their injuries.

Hip fractures are common in the elderly due to weakened bones and osteoporosis. Hip fractures are also seen more frequently in the female sex, Caucasian race, and those individuals with a slight build.

In order to decrease your risk for falling, there are several things to keep in  mind:

Education. Learning about falls is a great step towards prevention. Them more you know, the more steps you can take to ensure a fall never happens. Learn through sites dedicated to the elderly, and get on newsletters or signups to receive information on further prevention.

Exercise to increase strength and balance. As seniors reduce their activity and spend more time in chairs in their homes, their bodies become more fragile. It’s important to keep moving, even if it is within the home. Find senior exercise videos that are appropriate for their exercise level. Take a walk on a nice day. Get them out of their homes as much as possible. Field trips to their favorite stores or events can be good for both their physical and mental being.

Review your medications. Some combinations of medicines may put seniors at risk because of interaction. Monitor any changes in medicines for the first few weeks to ensure a seniors safety.

Modify your home surroundings to reduce hazards. Because seniors spend a majority of their time at home, ensure that it is a safe environment. They may love the rug that’s been there for years, but it may also be a tripping hazard. Review each room, and offer help in redecorating for safety. 

Want to know what your risk is for breaking your hip? Check out this hip fracture calculator.