Protecting Your Parents from Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

 An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be frightening, not only for a parent but also for the family members. While doctors and specialists will do all that they can to manage symptoms and keep the patient healthy, some patients become desperate to try anything to cure or treat the disease.

Unfortunately, this makes them especially vulnerable to Alzheimer’s scams and their consequences, which could result in lost money and even compromised health. Here are some tips for protecting your elderly parents, from our assisted living team in Gloucester County:

• Why Are Alzheimer’s Patients so Vulnerable?

It’s important to understand that your mom or dad, a person who may usually be very rational, aware of scams and reasonable, can become more vulnerable after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. There are several reasons for this.

1. Firstly, there is currently no cure for this condition, which can make a patient feel desperate to try anything that may promise a cure. 
2. Secondly, Alzheimer’s changes the brain itself, which can reduce the ability to understand social cues, making a person less likely to realize they are being scammed. 

These scams are incredibly dangerous, not only compromising a person’s financial situation, but potentially interacting harmfully with medications.

• Here’s What You Can Do

It’s important to remember that just because a product is sold in a pharmacy or drugstore, it doesn’t mean that it is actually able to deliver the results it promises on the label. The Federal Drug Administration and the Alzheimer’s Association recommend looking for the following warning signs that may indicate a scam:

1. The product claims to reverse dementia symptoms;
2. The product claims to be a cure, or to have cured a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s;
3. The product claims to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by a specific amount;
4. It claims to be a scientific breakthrough; and/or
5. It makes very broad claims that it helps with multiple serious health conditions and illnesses.

You can also check the FDA’s Flickr account where they publish a photostream of products that make unproven claims about Alzheimer’s. This makes it easy to check specific labeling and packaging.

The Alzheimer’s Association also has a list on its website of supplements and alternative therapies that are commonly marketed or recommended to patients that clarifies exactly what they can and can’t do, so you can make an informed purchasing decision.

Expert, Compassionate Care for Alzheimer’s Patients – Assisted Living in Gloucester County, NJ 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high-quality, scalable 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, hospice care, respite care, 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 or book a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/protecting-your-parents-from-alzheimers-cure-scams/

Flu Season Is On Its Way – 5 Tips for Helping Seniors Get Prepared

There are so many things to love about the winter season, from hot chocolate and cozy fires to quality time with friends and loved ones over the holidays. But, it does bring some challenges too, especially when it comes to senior health. Here are five tips to help your senior loved one prepare for winter, from our senior home health care services team in New Jersey:

• Get Your Flu Vaccine –  As a person gets older, their immune system becomes weaker, especially if they are dealing with other health conditions. For this reason, the flu can be very dangerous to seniors, even resulting in a fatality. While it’s still early, ensure your loved one gets their flu vaccine. It’s a good idea for everyone who socializes with your loved one to get one, too.
• Prepare for Storms – Snowstorms can leave seniors isolated and bound inside their homes; blackouts may even occur. Make sure they have a well-stocked kitchen (including water and medication), as well as a kit with a flashlight, spare batteries, gloves, and a warm blanket. You can also invest in an emergency response remote that allows your loved one to alert you or emergency services for help. Keep the telephone numbers of your loved ones’ neighbors in your phone. It will enable you to contact them to check in on your loved one if you’re unable to do so.
• Eat Healthily – Good nutrition can be more difficult to manage during the winter months, but it’s critical for maintaining a healthy body and immune system. Assist your loved one by stocking up on frozen portions of homemade soups rich in vegetables, as well as winter fruit and vegetables (berries, citrus, and root vegetables).
• Stay Active – Cold weather is no reason to become a couch potato and shouldn’t stop your loved one from getting healthy exercise! If it’s outdoor exercise, make sure your loved one’s shoes have non-slip tread and that they dress in plenty of layers. It’s also a good idea to encourage outdoor group activities in winter for safety. Many community groups offer year-round activities for seniors, including aqua aerobics and dance classes, so check out your local YMCA and community center.
• Stay Social – In winter, seniors can be especially vulnerable to feelings of depression and isolation, so it’s important to keep an active social calendar. Join up with local seniors in the area who share similar interests in movie nights, a book club, dancing, and musical evenings, be sure to phone or visit more often, and assist with transportation where possible.

Affordable Companionship and Expert Care from Senior Home Health Care Services in NJ

At United Methodist Communities, we offer high-quality senior independent home care at affordable rates, starting as low as $23 per hour, through our HomeWorks program. Our home health aides are fully certified in New Jersey and have extensive senior care training and experience, so please feel free to ask for formal certification and references.

For more information on our in-home respite care services and senior home care services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/home-respite-care-services-nj/.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/flu-season-is-on-its-way-5-tips-for-helping-seniors-get-prepared/

Financial Planning Considerations for Moving into a CCRC

 Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are designed to meet the health and lifestyle needs of seniors. Moving into a CCRC can be a great choice for retirees that want to downsize but stay independent, as these communities can scale up services as healthcare needs change. As with any big decision, there are serious financial questions to ask before you sign up. Here is some advice from our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey:

• What Are Their Finances Like?
  
  

When considering this move, many people look closely at their own finances, but forget to consider the financial health of the CCRC. It is important to look into their independently audited financial statements, as a CCRC filing for bankruptcy or being financially mismanaged can have devastating effects on the residents.
In the State of New Jersey, the Continuing Care Retirement Community Regulation and Financial Disclosure Act helps govern these regulations to ensure the CCRC is financially stable. CARF International is another useful resource for understanding CCRC finances as a consumer.

• Get a Breakdown of All Fees and History of Past Fee Increases
  
  

CCRCs offer a wide range of services that scale as a resident’s needs change, from housing fees to assisted living, so understanding the fees and contracts can be challenging. Before making any decisions, ask for a full breakdown of all fees as well as past increases, so you can get an understanding of current as well as future costs.
You should feel free to take these records as well as proposed contracts to your own financial planner or elder lawyer if you need additional assistance in understanding them and seeing if they fit in with your financial situation. Your financial planner can also help you build a strategy to include anticipated increases in costs. 

• Understanding Their Offering
  
  

No two CCRCs are the same. And, while that’s wonderful in terms of the different lifestyle and care options open to seniors, it can make finding the right CCRC a bit overwhelming.
It’s best to compare communities in terms of what each will cost you using a thorough breakdown, so you know what is right for you. For example, it’s pointless paying for a CCRC that has an award-winning golf course if you don’t play the game. On the other hand, scalable healthcare services are a good idea because then you’ll only be paying for the services you actually use, when you need them.

Join an Independent Community at Our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey

Bristol Glen is a CCRC based in Sussex County that aims to provide seniors with comfortable, serviced living arrangements that free up your time to enjoy life. To find out more please visit our website at https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/, and book your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/financial-planning-considerations-for-moving-into-a-ccrc/

6 Essential Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

The outside temperatures are dropping quickly and that means a snowy, icy winter is on its way. As we get older, we become more susceptible to the challenges of this season, so it’s important for seniors to do a little extra preparation to stay safe and healthy over the winter. Here are six tips for older adults from our home care services team in New Jersey:

• Reduce Winter Fall Risks – Falls are incredibly dangerous for seniors, and the ice and cold conditions of winter make falls during this season very common. Check your loved one’s winter wardrobe and make sure pants, skirts, and dresses are the right length. Check winter shoes to ensure that they have a sturdy tread. If your loved one likes wearing house slippers, these should be checked to make sure they have a stable rubber grip. If you live nearby, volunteer to clear their steps or pathway outside their home to get rid of ice, or ask a neighbor to assist.
• Stock the Shelves and Medicine Cabinet – This is especially important when a storm is on its way. Pop over with enough food and essentials to last five to seven days, including fresh and canned goods, water, over-the-counter medicines, and prescription medication. Check that their emergency kit is stocked with a working flashlight and spare batteries, a whistle, and a warm blanket, and place it somewhere easy to reach.
• Keep the House Warm – Seniors can lose body heat quickly and are less likely to sense that their body temperature is dropping. While many seniors are on a tight budget, it’s recommended that thermostats are set at 68 degrees throughout winter. You can help keep energy bills down with some small home improvement projects, including closing vents in unused rooms, sealing around windows and doors, and replacing your furnace filter at the start of every heating season. A dirty filter sends particles into the air that contribute to winter illness.
• Banish the Space Heater – Space heaters are incredibly dangerous and expensive to run. So, it’s best to get rid of them. They are a leading cause of house fires, often caused by flammable furnishings, blankets or curtains that brush up against them unnoticed.
• Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Seniors are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, be sure to test detectors and make sure there’s a working detector on each floor of the home. Carbon monoxide,  a common byproduct of less efficient furnaces and heating systems, is called the silent killer because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. Optimally, hire a home heating professional to make an onsite service visit during the fall.
• Stay in Touch – Whether you are close enough to visit or whether you call, it’s important to check in on a regular basis. Winter can be a time when many seniors are vulnerable to isolation and depression, so social contact can do a lot to keep seniors connected and active. It’s also a good idea to keep in contact with a few of your loved one’s neighbors so that they can also check in on occasion and make sure everything is alright.

For Peace of Mind, Choose the Best Home Help Services for the Elderly in NJ

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 dedicated to assisting seniors 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 at-home health care agency or our residential in-home respite care in NJ, please contact us today or visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/elderly-home-health-care-nj/

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/6-essential-winter-safety-tips-for-seniors/