Guest Post: Keeping Seniors Safe at Home
While there’s no 100% absolute way to ensure your elderly parent or loved one doesn’t fall,
there are things that can be done to help minimize the risk. I’ll give you a quick checklist of
five steps to a safer home for a senior. Likewise, click here for some alternative ways to
steer clear of falls.
1. Furniture, accessories, and narrow pathways:
Is there furniture crowding a room or creating narrow pathways? Are there inessential
items or decorations all over the house? None of us like to throw things away and we all
know seniors love to keep antiques and knick-knacks, but sometimes they can pose a
hazard to elderly home safety. That old rug underneath the coffee table can trip you easier
than you think. Make sure there is nothing impeding easy travel throughout the house. A
straight path is the easiest path so there should be no navigating around corners or edges.
2. Doorsills and steps:
Now, these two sound like obvious culprits, but you’d be surprised how often they’re
underestimated. A quick remedy is to paint doorsills a different color or buy reflective tape
for the edge as a reminder that they’re there. This goes for the edge of stairs as well.
Confirm that there’s no loose carpeting, unstable wood, or erosion of any kind on steps or
doorsills. Also, make sure any area with a step or uneven surface is very well lit.
3. Lighting:
This one is perhaps the easiest of all. Double-check that all areas of the house are well lit,
with bulbs at least 60 watts or higher in each socket. Remove all exposed cords and make
sure any lamp or light-switch is within easy reach. If the lamp closest to a favorite reading
chair is hard to reach while sitting, move it closer. Also, check that there is no risk of any
lamp falling or being tripped over. Again, lamps should remain within reach, but still out of
the way.
4. Telephones:
Keep a telephone, within easy reach, in each room. This prevents your elderly loved one
from feeling compelled to rush to a ringing phone. Not only can getting up too quickly cause
light-headedness or dizziness, but it can also cause an elderly person to lose focus on their
surroundings and mistakenly fall in an easily preventable situation.
5. Bathrooms:
Bathroom floors and shower tubs can get slippery, we know this. To combat slipping,
guarantee there are either bars affixed to the wall or a counter to grip while getting up and
down off the toilet and in and out of the shower. Also, purchase adhesive grip-tape for the
tub bottom and again, provide adequate lighting throughout the bathroom. Shower rugs
can also slip so place double-sided tape on the bottom of the rug to impede the rug’s
movement.
If you are worried about a loved one, these are very easy and painless steps to minimize the
risk of in-home falls. As mentioned before, however, there is no 100% way to prevent accidents so medical alert systems provide a great backup. Not only do they give you peace
of mind when you’re not around your loved one, but they make the wearer feel safe as well.
Jacob Edward is the manager of Senior Planning in Phoenix Arizona. Senior Planning is geared towards helping
seniors and the disabled with finding and arranging types of care, as well as applying for state and federal
benefits.
Guest Blog: The Future of Rehabilitation: Trends and Predictions
The Future of Rehabilitation: Trends and Predictions
The field of rehabilitation is evolving rapidly. New technologies are bringing about changes in how we practice and treat patients, and there are many ways OTs can be at the forefront of this shift. Here are predictions for what will change in the future of rehabilitation:
The growth of tele rehabilitation
Tele rehabilitation is an increasingly popular method of treating patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or stroke. It allows you to work with a therapist from home and can improve your quality of life while reducing costs for the healthcare system overall.
The expanding role of the occupational therapist
As rehabilitation expands, the role of the occupational therapist is also expanding. OTs are becoming more involved in the healthcare system, working with patients who have a variety of conditions and using technology to help them recover from injuries. Even skin specialists are also part of rehab as they give treatment to patients with chronic skin diseases.
As this information becomes more widely available, more people will become aware that they can benefit from occupational therapy services. As a result, we expect demand for occupational therapists to rise significantly over time–especially as baby boomers age and need assistance with daily activities such as cooking or bathing themselves.
The future of homecare
The future of homecare is a topic that has been discussed at length by occupational therapists. While there are many ways to approach this question, one thing is clear: homecare will continue to be an important part of rehabilitation and recovery processes for patients. They can be taken good care from the comfort of their homes by providing medicines, supplements on time and helping them with their recovery process.
Homecare is often characterized by its flexibility and accessibility for patients who need assistance with daily tasks but do not require hospitalization or other intensive treatment options. For example, homehealth services can provide medical equipment such as wheelchairs or mobility aids; occupational therapy services may include help with physical therapy exercises (such as stretching) or assistive technology devices like iPads for communication purposes; speech-language pathology services might include speech therapy exercises for those who have difficulty speaking due to injury or illness; social work services might offer support groups where people go through similar experiences together so they don’t feel alone in their struggles; etcetera! This combination of different types of care allows patients to maintain independence while being cared for by professionals who understand exactly how challenging day-to-day life can be after an injury or illness has affected someone’s ability
How technology will change the way we practice
The future of rehabilitation will be much more efficient and effective, thanks to technology. We’ll be able to diagnose and treat patients remotely, providing them with support whenever they need it. We’ll also be able to collect data on patient outcomes in order to provide better care in the future.
The use of technology to connect patients with their healthcare providers will increase.
As technology continues to advance and become more accessible, it’s likely that patients will have more opportunities to connect with their health care providers. This can help reduce the need for in-person visits, which can be costly for both insurers and patients alike.
The use of technology will also allow patients to receive instructions for exercises and diet plans remotely–which could save money by reducing the need for physical therapy visits or trips to the doctor’s office.
Telemedicine will become more popular, as well as mobile apps.
The use of telemedicine and mobile apps is growing rapidly, especially among people with disabilities.
Telemedicine is a way to get medical care remotely. Mobile apps can be used in the same way as telemedicine, but they’re also useful for things like monitoring your health data or getting reminders about your next appointment (among other things).
Both methods are growing in popularity because they give patients access to specialists who wouldn’t otherwise be available locally; this includes people living in rural areas without access to nearby hospitals or clinics.
Research on muscle stimulation and brain activity will advance.
As more research is conducted on the brain and how it works, new treatments will emerge. The same goes for muscle stimulation, which is a popular treatment option for stroke victims. Research on both has already led to new methods of rehabilitation; combining these two fields of study could lead us even further into the future of rehabilitation.
VR will be integrated into rehabilitation techniques.
Virtual reality (VR) is a great way to motivate patients and help them visualize their recovery. It can also be used to simulate real-world situations, such as walking through the grocery store or navigating crowded sidewalks.
With advancements in technology, VR will become even more immersive and interactive than it already is today. For example, if you’re recovering from surgery on your hip or knee joint and want to see what it would look like when healed properly, a virtual reality simulation could provide an accurate depiction of what that might look like–and show how much better life could be after rehabilitation!
Data analytics will help identify which patients are responding best to a particular treatment plan.
Data analytics will help identify which patients are responding best to a particular treatment plan.
By tracking data from individual patients, doctors can better understand how each person responds to certain medications or therapies, as well as their overall health status. This information is invaluable for improving patient care and ensuring that everyone gets the best possible treatment options based on their specific needs. For example, if you have diabetes and you’re taking medication to manage it, your doctor may want to monitor how much sugar is in your blood at different times throughout the day (or night). If this number creeps up too high or too low without any apparent reason–for example, if you’ve forgotten about taking your pill–the doctor can adjust dosage accordingly so it doesn’t happen again.
An increasing number of people who have been in car accidents or had strokes will seek online support groups from others who have experienced similar injuries.
As more people are able to connect with others who have been through similar experiences, they will be able to find support groups online.
Support groups provide a great way to talk about your feelings and learn from other people who have experienced the same injuries as you. For example, if you were in an accident or had a stroke, you could join an online support group where people who have been through those things can share their stories with each other. It’s easier for most people to open up about personal issues online rather than face-to-face because there’s no pressure or judgment involved when communicating via social media platforms like Facebook Messenger or Reddit threads (or even text messages).
These trends hold great promise for people who need physical therapy and other types of rehabilitation
As technology becomes more and more integral to our lives, it’s no surprise that it will affect the way we practice rehabilitation. Here are some of the most significant trends:
- More patients will be able to connect with their healthcare providers via video chat and other forms of telemedicine. This means that you can meet with your physical therapist or other health professional in person less often, which saves both time and money for both parties involved.
- Mobile apps that make therapy easier to access may become more popular among patients looking for alternatives to traditional treatment options like physical therapy or occupational therapy (OT). These apps allow users to track their progress at home or on-the-go by inputting data into their phones’ sensors–which could lead those who need rehab services but don’t have time for regular appointments with professionals like us here at Fitness & Wellness Center!
Rehab is evolving, and there are lots of opportunities for OTs to be at the forefront.
OTs will be in a good position to help patients get back to their day-to-day lives.
The future of rehabilitation is evolving, and there are lots of opportunities for OTs to be at the forefront. You can help patients recover from injuries or illnesses by helping them get back into their daily routines–whether that’s working out, cooking dinner or just sitting down on the couch with their family after work. This can also include helping them set up home gym equipment or find ways around obstacles if they’re having trouble walking up stairs.
Conclusion
We can’t predict the future, but we can prepare for it. If you’re an OT or PT who’s interested in working with technology, I encourage you to explore these areas and see how they might apply to your practice. You may not be able to use every one of these technologies right away–after all, not everyone has access to VR equipment or telemedicine programs–but they are important tools that can help people recover faster from injuries and illnesses.
Guest Blog: 9 Common Myths About Drug Tests
In the face of the growing menace of drug abuse, an increasingly large number of employers are now instituting drug screening policies to promote workplace safety and reduce the associated costs. Not just employers, schools and colleges are also conducting random drug tests to discourage drug abuse among teens and college-goers. However, a vast majority of people still continue to hold on to some common misconceptions about drug tests. Here in this post, we will discuss the top nine myths about drug tests. Read on.
Myth #1 about Drug Tests: Drinking a Lot of Water Can Help Someone Pass a Urine Drug Test
Many people believe that ingesting an excessive amount of water can help dilute their urine to a point that a urine drug test (with diluted specimen) won’t detect any drug in their system. They do it in a bid to quickly get rid of controlled substances from their system.
Drinking a lot of water can sure make it difficult to detect illegal substances but specific markers such as the level of creatinine (a byproduct of digestive processes) let drug testing professionals know that a person is trying to cheat. They may ask for a second urine sample or recommend a hair follicle test.
Some people also try to use diuretics to increase urine production. While diuretics will sure dehydrate your body, they will also alter some naturally occurring chemicals in the human body. Those conducting drug tests are experienced enough to spot such red flags.
Myth #2 about Drug Tests: Mouth Swab Tests Don’t Detect Pot
It is a common misconception that mouth swab tests won’t detect recent marijuana use.
Saliva or mouth swab tests can easily detect recent (usually up to 24 hours) marijuana use.
Saliva tests are popular because they offer consistent results at a lesser price in comparison to other drug testing methods. Adulterating or substituting the specimen is also difficult because unlike urine samples, mouth swab samples are collected while a person is under direct observation.
Myth #3 about Drug Tests: You Can Test Positive Due to Secondhand Smoke
The likelihood of a person testing positive in a drug test after having spent some time with friends smoking pot is extremely low.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol – the chemical in marijuana that creates the ‘high’) needs to be detected at a level of at least 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) in order for a person to test positive in a drug test.
Secondhand smoke can at most result in a test detecting around 2-3 ng/ml unless you spend several hours in a closed room full of pot smokers.
Myth #4 about Drug Tests: Over the Counter (OTC) Medications Can Result in Positive Test Result
Contrary to the popular belief, OTC medicine for cough and cold does not lead to a false positive for methamphetamine.
During drug testing, meth use is indicated as D-methamphetamine.
OTC medicines, however, are indicated as L-methamphetamine.
Drug testing professionals or anyone else who has read the product details of a drug testing kit will know if a person has had medicine for cough and cold or used meth.
Myth #5 about Drug Tests: All Drug Tests Are the Same
Drug tests vary in the type of specimen collected, the authenticity of test results, whether it can detect recent or chronic drug use and the type of illegal drugs it can detect.
A hair follicle test can, for example, detect drug use over the past three months.
Myth #6 about Drug Tests: Only Employers Conduct Drug Tests
It is true that a large number of private and federal employers in the United States conduct drug tests in order to identify job applicants or existing employees with drug problems.
But, drug testing is also conducted on a few other occasions.
Courts in the United States, for instance, have a direct authority under Family Code section 3041.5 to order drug testing in a custody case. Courts can, however, only order urine drug testing. The testing needs to be performed in conformance with standards and procedures defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Myth #7 about Drug Tests: Testing Positive in a Drug Test Due to Prescription Medications Can Ruin Your Career
The use of prescription-strength medications and certain OTC medicines can show up as a positive test result. But, all employers allow their employees to voluntarily disclose information about prescription-strength drugs they are taking for a medical condition.
Even if there is a false-positive, workers can also provide a doctor’s prescription to prove that they are taking prescription medicines for a valid reason. At times, a medical review officer may also recommend a mass spectrometry confirm test in order to validate the outcomes of a drug test.
Myth #8 about Drug Tests: Homemade Remedies Can Help You Pass a Drug Test
There are countless articles on the web that claim to have found a way to help people clear workplace drug tests, without stopping drug use. Suggesting solutions such as vitamins like niacin, cranberry juice, and jello, these articles are often backed by ‘anonymous’ author’s personal stories. The reality is that such remedies do not work!
Myth #9 about Drug Tests: Only Head Hair is used in a Hair Follicle Test
It is not true. A hair follicle test can be conducted with a sample of hair collected from any part of the body including legs, arms, armpits, etc. So, shaving one’s head in order to escape a hair follicle test is not a bad idea.
Author Bio:
I am writing to introduce myself as Leon Reingold. I am the Editor-in-Chief at Drugtestsinbulk, a nationwide supplier of drug and alcohol testing products online.
Guest Blog: Addressing Senior Malnutrition
When it comes to consuming sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, turns out many seniors aren’t. Chronic disease, dietary restrictions, limited income and access to food, reduced social contact, and other factors can increase a senior’s risk for malnutrition. There are simple solutions however for addressing the problem – don’t miss this quick guide:
Should Seniors Take a Multivitamin?
While the research on the need for multivitamins in the average American adult’s diet goes back and forth, when it comes to senior health specifically, experts can agree on some things. With older age often comes diminished appetites, decreased digestive functioning (which can affect nutrient absorption), as well as less energy, bone loss, and reduced muscle mass.
While seniors should invest in core diet staples like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and lean proteins, they may also want to talk to their doctor about nutritional supplements like multivitamins.
Multivitamins for older adults can vary. Some multivitamins with added calcium and vitamin D are ideal for active women over 50, for example, while others may come with herbal ingredients that offer memory or energy improvement.
Easy Ways to Boost Nutrient Intake
While it might seem like nutrition shakes are the simplest solution for undernourished seniors, there are also fairly simple ways to incorporate more whole foods into a daily diet.
A high-powered blender is the ultimate nutritional tool a senior has at their disposal. These hi-tech devices process food at super speeds, helping to easily blend even the toughest ingredients like nuts and seeds. They are especially handy if you are a senior who struggles with dysphagia, the inability to safely swallow foods.
- High-power blenders allow you to mix loads of healthy ingredients like fresh fruits, veggies, beans, greek yogurt, nut butters and more into smoothies, shakes, soups, stews, and dips. This simplifies the process of putting a meal together and is a much healthier alternative to processed, packaged and frozen meals.
- Recruiting help from a care network can also help boost a senior’s nutritional intake, ensuring regular round-the-clock meals that offer variety in addition to nutrients. Free, online tools like CaringBridge.com and TakethemAMeal.com allow family caregivers, neighbors, or simply friends to coordinate a digital calendar where people can sign up to help a senior with meals.
- Local nonprofit services may be an alternative as well if a substantial care network is not in place. Meals on Wheels, for example, has chapters nationwide that deliver daily meals to seniors in need, and free senior transportation services are available in many regions and can help seniors get to the store to buy groceries or pick up food.