Reducing Fall Risk Among Older Adults Living at Home

Falls are the number one risk for seniors and account for the clear majority of injuries, broken bones, and hospital stays they experience. In fact, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for Americans over age 65, which makes fall prevention essential.

Home Health Aides Advise You to Be Aware of What Causes Falls

Older adults are vulnerable to falls for many reasons and knowing what may contribute to a fall can help prevent it. Some of the most common reasons include poor vision, dizziness, poor balance, chronic health conditions, and even the home itself.

Steps Every Senior Caregiver Should Take to Help Prevent Falls: 

Step one. Talk to your loved one’s doctor. Seniors often take a variety of medications as well as self-medicating with over-the-counter drugs. Ask the doctor to fully evaluate your loved one’s medications, as well as how they are taking them in order to eliminate any conflicts that may lead to dizziness, sleepiness, low blood pressure or anything else that could cause a fall. This is also a good time to get a record of previous falls, near-falls and fall-related injuries to see if there is a specific issue or an increase in frequency.

Step two. Start an age and health-appropriate exercise routine. Balance, reflexes and strength diminish as we age, but that doesn’t mean anyone should sit in a chair all day. Using targeted exercise regimes on a regular basis, seniors can build up core muscles and strength that is critical to preventing falls and injuries. Be sure to use a physical therapist or trainer who is experienced with older adults and understands your loved one’s health.

Step three. Evaluate your loved one’s environment. Poor lighting, clutter, rugs that shift, slippery tiles, steps, and bathrooms without grab rails significantly contribute to falls. Hallways and rooms should be clear and easy to navigate; install grab bars in the bathroom, and remove rugs. Make sure lighting is bright and easy to access in every room — especially between the bathroom and bedroom. Simple battery-operated press lights work well!

Step four. Your loved one’s wardrobe may pose hazards. Shoes should fit well and have good grip; trousers and skirts shouldn’t be too long. Substitute a sturdy pair of slippers for wearing socks around the home.

Assistance for Seniors and Their Loved Ones Through In-Home Care for the Elderly 

United Methodist Communities strives to offer the very best quality senior independent home care options in New Jersey through HomeWorks. This program assists the elderly in the comfort of their own homes and provides them, their families and caregivers personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness and independence. In addition to daily homecare, we also offer pastoral care for spiritual and emotional support in the home.

For more information on our senior home care services or to find a qualified home health aide in New Jersey, please contact us today and visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/reducing-fall-risk-among-older-adults-living-home/

Signs That Your Parent Is Ready for Assisted Living

For many people, the realization that their parent needs assisted living services comes as a shock — a sudden event making the transition a hurried and traumatic process that can be emotionally challenging for you and your loved one. However, by keeping an eye out for these signs, you can make this process a much smoother and more positive life event, and get your loved one the help they need to enjoy their later years.

Assisted living will benefit your parent if: 

• They’ve had any recent accidents — or ‘almost’ accidents. Falls, health scares, car accidents and other events can leave your parent feeling shaken or unsure of themselves — and unfortunately, they occur more and more often as we age, often with worse consequences. Homes can become hazardous and driving can become dangerous. An assisted living community can help greatly reduce these risks.
• They’re struggling to recover from an injury or illness. Aging impacts our ability to bounce back from a hospital stay or health issue, and may further impact our loved one’s independence. Assisted living communities have the therapists and help on hand at all times to ensure optimal recovery support, and take the everyday load off at the same time.
• They’re neglecting activities of daily living (ADLs). Getting dressed, doing the grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning are just some of the activities needed to maintain independence. If you’re noticing these slipping in your loved one’s life, they may be struggling to keep up on their own.
• They are losing weight. Significant weight loss can be the result of anything from a health condition like cancer or depression, or the result of simply not being able to keep up with ADLs.
• They’re not engaging in social activities. An active social life brings a lot of happiness and purpose into life, and letting it fall away can signal that your parent needs help. They may be feeling depressed because their friends may have moved away, or they may be feeling isolated from their community.
• They are alone often. As we age, we become frailer, more isolated, and more vulnerable to health conditions and depression. Regular check-ins from friends, family and neighbors are essential to ensure a healthy level of companionship, and to detect a sudden health issue or fall, as well as to make sure they are really coping with daily life.

Assisted living in Gloucester County is a helping hand for parents and families 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, respite care and memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/ and contact us today for a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/signs-parent-ready-assisted-living/

WSI Engages with United Methodist Communities at “The Shores” For Brand & SEO Development

In its continuing mission to bring the “Abundant Life” to New Jersey’s senior citizens, United Methodist Communities at The Shores in Ocean City New Jersey, has partnered with WSI to deliver website management, Search Engine Marketing, and content development services. The goal is to enhance brand recognition for The Shores in southern NJ and drive awareness of UMC’s unique offering in the Assisted Living Community marketplace around the state.
(https://theshores.umcommunities.org)

WSI had developed the rebranded website and consulted on the design and development of the ongoing online marketing program, which is focused on SEO and statewide brand recognition.  New marketing initiatives include both paid search and organic search optimization, custom content creation, and ongoing paid advertising initiatives for the Community.

Marketing United Methodist Communities At The Shores

As long-standing experts in the digital marketing associated with assisted living and senior care services across the country, WSI has helped dozens of local assisted living facilities and nursing homes find new clients in their local area’s. Key to the rise in occupancy attributed to WSI efforts, is both the increase in visibility and the compelling content produced by WSI that understands the unique selling proposition of the brand. Crafting this messaging and bringing out the best UMC has to offer has been instrumental to creating a sales funnel through their digital properties that exceeded all previous attempts at digital marketing.

To market Assisted Living at The Shores, all unique services and aspects of the facility must be analyzed and presented. This coupled with a deep understanding of the types of clients that use or influence the use of assisted living, and their buying journey, allows us to craft content and programs that keep the brand in the right places, in the right way, at the right time.

WSI markets independently all of the senior care services available at the shores including Alzheimer’s and memory care, hospice care, respite care, rehabilitation and nursing home services in New Jersey.

The WSI Assisted Living Marketing Model

WSI Brand development services for this client includes advanced SEO services as part of its “Semantic Mapping” approach to on-page SEO.  With this approach a comprehensive study of local product demand is conducted and mapped into a strategic architecture for the company website and all company web properties.  Quality Blog, graphic and video content is created and syndicated on external web properties including Tumblr, WordPress and BlogSpot in addition to dozens of other social media and content hubs.

WSI’s Elite Regional Branding program is comprehensive.  By carefully customizing this content strategy through on-page and off-page activities, WSI has achieved amazing results through a highly conservative approach that has proved resistant to changes in Google’s search algorithm’s and even improved client visibility as less reputable SEO approaches cause competitors to disappear from Search Engine Visibility.

For further details on WSI’s capabilities and strategies around the marketing of assisted living communities, or more generally around SEO, SEM, Paid Search, and content programs, please contact us for a free analysis and consultation.

Original content posted on https://www.winm-nj.com/blog/the-shores-assisted-living-nj/

A Guide to Breast Health and Wellness as We Age

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so our CCRC Sussex County, NJ team decided it’s the ideal time to talk about senior breast health!

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the result of abnormal, malignant cell growth in breast tissue, and is the second most common cancer affecting women after melanoma. The American Cancer Society estimated that over 231,000 women in the USA alone would be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2015, with 40,290 of those cases proving to be fatal.

The risk of breast cancer in seniors – What you need to know

Several risk factors make it more likely for someone to contract breast cancer, and many of these are especially relevant to seniors. These factors include:

• Aging
• Menopause occurring after the age of 50
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives
• Post-menopausal weight gain
• No pregnancy/Pregnancy after age 30
• Genetic history of breast cancer

Other risk factors to be aware of include adolescent weight gain, radiation exposure to the chest region as a child, start of menarche before age 12, and increased breast tissue density.

Senior health and wellness tips to reduce the risks of breast cancer

As with most cancers, early detection is key to treating and surviving breast cancer, so the best tip we can give you is to keep up with regular screening with your physician. The U.S. Preventative Services recommends that women aged 50 to 74 attend biennial mammography screenings (one every second year) as these can detect the cancer before symptoms start to show.

Clinical breast exams are also recommended at least every three years, and you can perform a self-exam on your own, carefully feeling the breast for any lumps. If any are found, it’s best to see a doctor for a more thorough checkup as soon as possible.

If you are especially high-risk for breast cancer, speak to your physician about a more detailed detection process, as they may recommend more frequent mammograms or MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging).

Other tips for helping to reduce risk factors include:

• Limit alcohol to recommended intake.
• Stop smoking.
• Lose any excess weight.
• Commit to a healthy diet and exercise plan as recommended by your physician.

Comfortable living for independent seniors at our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey

Bristol Glen, an independent senior living community based in Sussex County, provides comfortable living arrangements and services that free up seniors’ time to enjoy life.

Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and our assisted living facilities in Sussex County, NJ, and our amenities and services, please visit our website at https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org and book your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/guide-breast-health-wellness-age/]

How to Help Elderly Loved Ones Get Ready for Winter

New Jersey winters can be harsh, and even more so for the elderly in our communities. Here are some quick tips from our home health aide services specialists to ensure your loved one will be warm and safe even in the coldest months.

Here’s what home help services for the elderly recommend: 

• Schedule heating system service from a qualified local contractor in advance of your anticipated need. They will start to get busy from October onwards, so the sooner you call them, the better.
• Make sure that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. There should be one per room, especially where there is a gas appliance or heater.
• Place a container with a mixture of salt and sand by exterior doors, so that it can be sprinkled onto icy steps and paving, if needed.
• Fit a grab rail or some kind of hand support by outdoor stairs and paving to help prevent falls.
• Stock up on cold and flu medications and take your loved one to their doctor for their annual flu vaccine.
• Keep a record of prescription medications and collect them early if bad weather is about to set in.
• Place flashlights with full batteries in a handy place in each room in case of power outages. It’s also a good idea to invest in an external battery charger for a cell phone or tablet.
• Stock the freezer with nutritious, ready-made meals so that your loved one can stay home easily in the event of a storm or bad weather.
• Make a plan with a local service provider, friend or family member to clear driveways, sidewalks and paths so they are free of snow.

• If your loved one is still driving, pack an emergency kit for the car in case of a breakdown. Include food, water, a flashlight with spare batteries, first aid kit, warm jacket or blanket, and insist that they drive with a charged cell phone at all times. It’s important to minimize time on the road during winter because of the additional hazards, so it’s best to arrange transport and take on shopping and chores whenever possible.

Home help services for the elderly in NJ, whatever the season! 

At United Methodist Communities, we strive to offer the very best home health aide services in New Jersey through our HomeWorks program. This program is about assisting the elderly in the comfort of their own homes and providing them, their families and caregivers with personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness and independence.

For more information on our in-home healthcare agency or our residential in home respite care in NJ, please contact us today and visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/help-elderly-loved-ones-get-ready-winter/

How to Prepare to Care for Aging Parents

As we get older, so many of us make the transition from being cared for by our parents to becoming the caregivers. As our parents age, we take on more and more responsibility for their medical care and general wellbeing. If you’re reaching that point now, here are some tips from our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ, on how to get ready for this new life stage:

• Communicate early on. Talking about elder care doesn’t need to be a serious and lengthy conversation from the start, and you don’t need to take on everything yourself. Instead, chat with parents early on about what they envision for themselves and what you can do to help them achieve their plan. This gives you an idea of what they expect without placing all the pressure on your shoulders in an instant.
• Gather information. When care decisions aren’t urgent, it’s the perfect time to make sure that all the necessary information you’d need to make care decisions is organized and at hand. This means gathering insurance and finance information, making copies of parents’ insurance policies, benefits, Medicare coverage, and retirement accounts, as well as contact information for their doctors.
• Legal preparation. It’s important for your parents to have legal documentation in place to determine their care and wishes, and that you are aware of what these documents contain. Some important documents include an up-to-date Last Will and Testament, Living Wills (these determine end-of-life and healthcare wishes), and durable power of attorney documents that determine medical and financial decisions in the event of incapacity.
• Financial planning. Elder care costs can be significant, so it’s important to know where your parents stand financially and what you can do to help minimize the impact of these costs. This includes developing a financial plan to pay for healthcare, housing or caregiving, as well as Medicare planning.
• Research your options. Thinking about caring for your elderly parents can be overwhelming — after all, most people have little personal experience in this area. Research is key in not only understanding the costs and planning involved in caregiving, but also in understanding and discovering the care options available.

Affordable independent style living for seniors at our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ

Collingswood is part of the United Methodist Communities’ network of high-quality, non-profit assisted living communities specializing in independent style living for seniors. With an experienced care and assistance team, scalable services customized to each resident’s needs, and a lively social calendar, we focus on providing essential resources that promote independence and quality of life.

To find out more about United Methodist Communities or our assisted living services, please visit our website and contact us at https://collingswood.umcommunities.org to book your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/prepare-care-aging-parents/

Signs Your Loved One With Alzheimer’s Is Ready for Hospice Care

For family and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, facing the last stages of this disease is an incredible challenge — not just emotionally, but physically and mentally. This is a time in which making care decisions becomes more and more difficult. During these final life stages, hospice services can provide the care and support you and your loved one need. If you’re considering hospice care, be aware of signs that your loved one is ready for professional end-of-life care.

An Alzheimer’s patient is ready for hospice when:

• A doctor has diagnosed a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This criterion is universal for all hospice patients, regardless of their health conditions, as this care is designed to manage pain and focus on comfort in the last stages of life — not provide treatment for a disease.
• They become totally dependent. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, patients become totally dependent on caregivers for assistance in daily life and activities. This includes physical dependency, as many people are unable to walk, sit or attend to their personal hygiene.
• Weight loss increases. Late-stage Alzheimer’s patients struggle to take in enough food and liquid, have difficulty manipulating utensils, and even difficulty chewing and swallowing, which leads to weight loss.
• They are unable to communicate effectively. The loss of intelligent speech, inability to express themselves, and inability to respond to others indicate the disease is reaching its final phase.
• They are more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. Dealing with other health conditions along with Alzheimer’s can be exceptionally challenging, as many patients suffer from pneumonia and other infections.

Hospice in South Jersey is about spending quality time with your loved one

Alzheimer’s is a challenge for patients and their loved ones, and even more so for family caregivers. Hospice is not just about providing comfort and care for our residents, it’s about taking the weight off family caregivers and loved ones so they can make the most of this final time together in a supportive environment.

At The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, we offer a compassionate, professional hospice neighborhood in Cape May County called Bridges. In this program, we focus on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support.

To find out more about our hospice neighborhood in the Jersey Shore area, please visit our website and contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/ to arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/signs-loved-one-alzheimers-ready-hospice-care/