Caregiver Support Newsletter |
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Dear Caregivers,
We hope you and your person are well. Welcome to our first Caregiver Support newsletter! Our goal is to share resources with you that will better support you and your person. September 21- September 25, 2020 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week so we have provided you with some information below to help prevent falls for your person. Also included are other educational webinars and events happening soon.
If you have questions or comments, please reach out to see how we can support you. Contact us at edcenter@seniorsplus.org or by phone at 207-795-4010.
We're here for you if you need us!
The SeniorsPlus Community Services Team
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Following are some tips to help reduce the risk of falls:
- Make sure that all pathways inside and outside of the house are clear of clutter and other obstacles, such as snow in the winter
- Install handrails in stairways and ensure they are securely anchored
- Secure or remove all area rugs
- Ensure that cords are neatly kept or tucked behind furniture and not strewn across the floor
- Clearly mark all rooms with signs, to avoid wandering and confusion
- Keep everyday items, such as food or personal care products, within reach
- Utilize nightlights throughout the house
- Minimize glare from windows and mirrors
- Some medications can cause dizziness that can lead to falls. Ask the individual’s doctor or a pharmacist about prescription and non-prescription medication side effects.
- Ensure the individual wears eyeglasses and hearing devices, if needed, as sensory issues can contribute to falls
- Consult with a physical therapist about assistive devices (e.g., walker)
- Evaluate the feet for pain and ensure the individual wears comfortable, well-fit shoes with non-skid soles
Consult with a physician about appropriate diet and exercise. A healthy diet can help build bone strength. Strengthening exercises, such as chair rises and Tai Chi, may help strengthen leg muscles and improve balance. SeniorsPlus and the Healthy Living for ME network offer falls prevention workshops if you'd like to learn more.
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Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers |
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For many older adults, an unexpected fall can result in a serious and costly injury. The good news is that most falls can be prevented. As a caregiver, you have the power to reduce your loved one's risk of falling, and your own risk as well.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of this guide to learn about fall risk factors and develop a falls prevention action plan please reach out to us at edcenter@seniorsplus.org.
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Prevent Falls & Age in Place! |
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Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 10:00-12:00PM
Instructor: Brie Weisman, Occupational Therapist Registered & Licensed, Adapt-Able Living
Location: Zoom
Brie has been an Occupational Therapist for the past decade. She has worked in multiple settings, including acute care and rehab care in hospitals, and several skilled nursing home facilities. For the past several years she has worked in the home health setting where, through her experience treating people with fall-related injuries and helping to reduce falls risks in their homes, she found that people had fallen due to: lack of safety and adaptive equipment, poorly placed bars and equipment installed by people relying on “common sense” instead of expertise, inappropriate equipment, trip hazards, poor lighting, and failure to adapt daily habits and practices to an aging body. This inspired Brie to create her own practice, Adapt-Able Living, which is dedicated to helping Maine’s older adults age in place.
According to the CDC, falls are the largest single health issue facing seniors. In the US, 50% over the age of 80 have had a serious fall, and 24% of all seniors fall EACH YEAR.
Due to those falls:
• 31 billion dollars will be spent
• 2.8 million older adults will visit an emergency room
• 800,000 will be hospitalized
• 300,000 will suffer hip fractures
• 27,000 will die
Fortunately, we can all dramatically reduce our risk of falls by simple changes in behavior and modification to our home. Many of these are virtually effortless and cost-free, and most are easy and inexpensive. In this workshop Brie will introduce you to these concepts, and how to best put them into practice.
To register, email edcenter@seniorsplus.org or call 795-4010.
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Date: Thursday, September 17
Time: 3:00-4:00PM ET
Host: Alzheimer's Foundation of America
“How to access care during COVID-19?” is a very common question right now. This webinar will discuss how to access care during these challenging times, including the pros and cons of telemedicine, the safety of in-person visits and how all of this impacts those with cognitive impairment.
Guest speaker:
Joyce F. Fogel, MD, FACP, AGSF
Senior Director of Education for Geriatrics, Martha Stewart Center for Living- Downtown
Associate Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dial-in: (415) 655-0060
Attendee Access Code: 298-010-700
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Date: Thursday, October 8
Time: 1:00 pm-2:00PM ET
Host: Alzheimer's Foundation of America
How do you structure and finance a home care plan that works for your family member and for you, the caregiver? This webinar will provide an update on home care as it impacts caregivers who may need home care services from Medicaid.
Guest speakers:
Judith D. Grimaldi, Esq.
Partner, Grimaldi & Yeung, LLP
Past President, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter
Young Mee Kim Jun, Esq., LMSW
Associate Attorney, Grimaldi & Yeung, LLP
Dial-in: (562) 247-8321
Attendee Access Code: 821-905-712
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On-Demand Webinars for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Researchers |
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Date: at your convenience
Time: anytime
Brought to you by: the Alzheimer's Association
Explore the free, on-demand library of webinars from the Alzheimer’s Association that discuss a variety of topics for dementia and Alzheimer’s researchers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS & HELPLINES |
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Dates & Times:
Second Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30PM
Last Thursday of each month from 8:30-10:00AM
Location: Zoom or Telephonic
Our caregiver support groups offer a safe place for caregivers, family, and friends to meet and develop a mutual support system. Participation can be an empowering experience. Due to current public health concerns, the group will meet over the phone vs in-person.
To register, email edcenter@seniorsplus.org or call 795-4010.
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National Toll-Free Hotline
Call: 866-232-8484
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline
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Alzheimer's TODAY Magazine |
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Alzheimer’s TODAY (formerly AFA Care Quarterly) is Alzheimer's Foundation Association’s magazine for caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses.
Each issue provides helpful information from professionals and family caregivers, personal stories from people who have been affected by Alzheimer’s and tips on health and wellness.
For a free subscription of Alzheimer’s TODAY, click here.
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SeniorsPlus was awarded an Administration for Community Living 2019 award for Alzheimer's disease program initiatives. The three-year grant is for the Dementia Capable Maine program, which will bolster capacities to support caregivers and people living with dementia.
To learn more about the services available, click here.
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