Author: Meghan Parsons

Calm Seas

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“Calm seas never made a good sailor.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Calm seas don’t test a sailor’s skills, knowledge, or perseverance. The same is true in our personal and professional lives. We learn more in rough waters because we are forced to make crucial decisions- without the luxury of added time or resources. We must rely on the knowledge available, and our ability to find that extra bit of energy and grit. For me, the past months have included: sending my oldest to college, my husband’s cancer, and a business pivoting post covid. After the storm, you know where you fell short, where you succeeded, and what you learned. I am still learning!

How to Reduce Fall Risks

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In 2019, there were 3 million emergency visits for older adults who had fallen. Falls among adults 65 and older resulted in 34,000 deaths that same year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Thankfully, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of falls and remain independent.

Why Do Falls Happen?

Those who are younger or living independently are at a lower risk of

injury from a fall than those who are older, more frail or institutionalized and require assistance or support. Frail adults are the most likely to experience a serious injury, fracture, traumatic brain injury or death from a fall than any other age group.

What Can Older Adults Do to Reduce Their Fall Risks?

Understand the Reality of Falls

It is important that older adults accept that falls are not a normal part of aging and if they are falling, there is almost always a reason why. Discussing noticeable changes with a physician can identify underlying causes.

Become a Fall Risk Manager

The primary role of a fall risk manager is to pay attention every day. Regularly screening for risk factors will allow for early identification and intervention.

Manage Medications

Older adults and their families need to know that many medications can lead to an increased risk of falls and other problems. Be aware of medications that cause confusion or sleepiness.

Manage Nutritional Status

Older adults’ nutritional needs change. The better they eat, the more energy they’ll have to engage in the activities that keep them strong and steady on their feet.

Increase Activity

Most older adults lead sedentary lives. The more we sit, the weaker our legs become and the more likely we are to experience a fall due to lack of strength and poor balance.

Consider Home Safety

Home is one of the safest places to be, but it is important to educate older adults to continually monitor for fall risk factors and modify as needed. Place daily items within reach. Ensure clear pathways and ample light throughout the home. Install grab bars in bathrooms and inside showers.

Aging can impact our balance and other risk factors associated with falls. However, understanding what can lead to a fall is the f rst step in reducing your risk of falling along with managing risk factors which lead to improved outcomes. Request a fall screening, look

at ways to make your home safer and don’t accept that falls are a normal part of aging.

Article Provided by:

ComForCare

503-400-6637

www.ComForCare.com/Oregon/Salem

Free Time

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“Some talk to you in their free time, and some free time to talk to you.” — Unknown

I’m busy, you’re busy, we are all busy! I hear about “time management” strategies all the time, but we all have 24 hours in the day- no more no less. So, we really are not managing “time”. But we can manage our priorities. We can make people our priority. I want to be the person who makes time for others, and I want to surround myself with those that make time for me.

Teamwork

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“In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly.” — Mark Sanborn

Teamwork isn’t just part of a business, it also exists in families and friendships as well. When we don’t communicate our concerns, feelings, or hopes we leave a void for others to fill in the gaps. Unfortunately, what they create to fill in the gaps, may not be what we intended. Use your words!

When is it Time for Assisted Living?

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It isn’t always easy to pinpoint when staying at home is no longer the best option. Here are a few factors to consider that it’s time for a more supportive environment for yourself or a loved one:

  • Social Isolation – Withdrawing from friends and regular activities because of declining health, embarrassment over memory or personal care issues, or lack of mobility can lead to isolation, loneliness, and even depression in seniors.
  • Physical Limitations – Problems with movement and balance can lead to a fall, which can have additional health consequences. If your loved one expresses a fear of falling or has a history of physical issues, you may want to begin exploring assisted living options.
  • Personal Care – Difficulty or lack of interest in bathing, grooming, or dressing can signal the need for personal care assistance. Seniors often have difficulty admitting this or asking for help, so talk to your loved one and watch out for any visible changes.
  • Health Risks – Difficulty caring for medical conditions and maintaining overall wellness—including poor nutrition, taking the wrong dose of medications, or improper wound care—can turn a manageable condition into a critical one. Health risks can also arise when a loved one has recently suffered a crisis, such as a heart attack or stroke. Keep an eye out for signs of a gradual decline and talk to a health professional about risks of leaving your loved one at home alone.
  • Memory Loss – Leaving a burner on after cooking, not taking necessary medication, or getting lost on a trip to the store can indicate cognitive decline. When a loved one’s memory is affecting the ability to perform daily tasks, you may want to explore memory care at an assisted living community.
  • Caregiving Issues – Being the primary caregiver for a loved one can take its toll physically, psychologically, and financially. Taking time away from work, hiring an elder-care sitter, and transportation costs all add up. They can also create an unhealthy amount of stress. In the end, assisted living may not only be more cost effective but also healthier for everyone.

If you see any of these warning signs, it may be time to start the conversation. Assisted living can provide a robust social life and activity calendar, increased physical activity, improved nutrition, and daily living assistance like housekeeping, laundry, medication management, and more, resulting in less stress and more peace of mind.

Article Provided by:
Rogue River Place
541-205-4718

Teamwork

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“In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly.” — Mark Sanborn

Teamwork isn’t just part of a business, it also exists in families and friendships as well. When we don’t communicate our concerns, feelings, or hopes we leave a void for others to fill in the gaps. Unfortunately, what they create to fill in the gaps, may not be what we intended. Use your words!

 

Just keep swimming

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Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” – Dory from Finding Nemo I

have done a few multi-day treks over the past few years. At times, I go too quickly, then I am forced to stop and take a break to catch my breath. Once I stop, it is harder to get moving again. Whether I am on a long hike, running a 5k, or just managing my busy life it is better for me to pick a more manageable pace and just keep moving. When I am overwhelmed or tired, I just need to keep going- even if it is slower than I would prefer. Slow progress is still progress!

Schedule Your Priorities

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“Don’t prioritize what’s on your schedule, schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

Time management is a myth; we don’t actually manage time and we all have the same hours in the day. I can, however, adjust my priorities to focus on what matters most. The gift of knowing you have limited time with someone or something is learning how you wish to spend that time.

Make a Difference

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“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

We can not always change the outcome, but we do have a choice on how we spend our time and who we spend time with. Surround yourself with those that make everything better!

The Easy Way to Find Care Near You

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What is CareAvailability.com?

CareAvailability is quickly becoming the most comprehensive directory available for care and senior housing. Families can access resources from any smart phone, tablet or computer without sharing their contact details.

We created a comprehensive list and a fair playing field for families to see ALL options, and filter those options to specific needs and timelines. The search feature allows families to self-advocate and choose providers they want to contact. Many sites request an email or phone number to view results, and then “sell or share” your contact information. On CareAvailability.com, no personal information is required, collected, or shared to search available care providers-unless the family reaches out directly to the community or agency to give it.

How does it work?

Providers along the continuum of senior care are listed for free and can manage and report their availability/vacancies for families, discharge planners, and community partners to find REAL TIME availability. Providers can log in from any device, and when they make an update, you see that change in real time.

How are the search results displayed in “real-time” and then filtered?

Providers on our platform can edit their services, availability, room and care types, payment options, and advanced search options. This helps both families and health teams find your care more efficiently. There is a map feature to show which providers have current availability. You can also sort by distance, medicare rating, or alphabetically. You can select other advanced filters such as payment type, and care needs, including: diabetic care, bariatric care, ventilator care, two person transfers, and more.

Who can report senior care vacancies and availability, and is there a fee to report?

Any provider can get started and begin reporting availability today. It is free to manage and report availability information. Providers can also have multiple users update their profiles and ensure listing information will be current. All providers are included for FREE and each can report their availability in real time at NO CHARGE.

Who do we include in our provider network and why?

We include 10 different levels of care focused around senior housing, care and hospice, and include services that require staff and “availability”. We do not include professional services such as attorneys, realtor, financial planners, or referral agencies. Although the other professional services are critical when planning care for a loved one- it is usually not limited by “availability”.

We are continuing to grow the database and are adding new states every month, in an effort to cover the full United States by the end of the year. Please let providers know if you found their information on CareAvailability.com.

Article Provided by:
CareAvailability
503-308-8545
www.CareAvailability.com