Leslie Newlife

17 Ways To Make A Home Safe For Seniors

by: Natasha Woods

Most people think about aging and picture themselves retiring in a safe home that they love. Research has found that 87% of seniors have the goal of spending their last years living in their own home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but unfortunately, most homes are not actually safe for an aging senior.

When you take a look at most new houses, you instantly notice that they are designed for younger individuals with better mobility. A house can easily turn into a really dangerous place as you age because even a simple fall can lead to serious consequences. If you want a senior loved one to stay in their home when they age, you have to think about safety.

Fortunately, there are many different things that you can do to make the home safer for those of us in our golden years.

1. Install A Stair Lift

If the home has a staircase (either inside or outside), one of the best things you can do is install a stairlift. Most seniors think that they are too expensive but they fully understand the added advantages. Fortunately, the stairlift price is lower now than ever. One can easily afford to install a stairlift and reap the safety benefits. Just make sure that you hire someone with experience to install it for making transport and transfers as easy and safe as possible.

2. Identify Potential Safety Issues

The next thing you should do is move through the house and identify all other potential dangers. You can take a notepad with you and write down what has to be changed as you move from one room to the next. If possible, have a friend join you to be sure you do not miss anything. Some things to consider include:

● Out of reach items.
● Items that could unexpectedly fall.
● Items seniors could trip over.
● Items seniors might bump into during the night.
● Items seniors need to step over to move.

Try to identify all potential hazards. This includes minimal ones. Your notes can easily be turned into a useful to do list that features all you have to update for the home to be safer.

3. Re-Arrange Furniture

Every single room should have clear paths that can be taken without risking tripping over or running into something. In order to do this, you have to re-arrange the furniture. Move most items close to the walls to get them out of the way.

If need be, ask someone to help you move furniture. Also, it is possible that you will have to remove some items that will no longer fit. Generally speaking, the less furniture in a home, the lower the risks.

4. Eliminate Rugs

Rugs can make a room look more aesthetically pleasing but they are a huge danger for seniors. Edges are a hazard for tripping, just like when a rug bunches up. Even if your senior loved one loves a rug, it is better to just take it out to avoid serious falls. You can always offer the rugs as gifts or sell them.

Of course, if the senior wants to keep the rug (who doesn’t?) then you can nail down the edges to avoid tripping.

5. Re-Organize Cabinets

If seniors have to get on a stepladder or a chair to get something, they are faced with a totally unnecessary risk. Organize all of the cabinets all over the house so that everything that is out of reach can be placed lower.

You will surely need to be creative or you will have to buy extra storage products but the investment is worth it. At the same time, if the cabinets are positioned way too high, it is better to completely reposition them.

6. Add Extra Lighting

If a senior can’t see what is around them, there is a higher possibility that they can trip over something you miss in your cleanup or run into something that can hurt them. In areas of their home where a step is present, add low lighting. Then, add stick-on tap lights under kitchen cabinets to illuminate counters. This makes meal prep safer.

Any and all hallways, rooms, and closets should have a light on at all times if seniors plan on walking through their home at night. The more light, the safer they’ll be from tripping hazards or even their own feet.

As an extra tip, as much as possible, avoid the lights that need cords so you do not risk tripping over them.

7. Install Smart Lights

As already mentioned, you want to have the home properly illuminated. This is made simple when you install smart lights. These can be turned on or turned off with the use of voice commands or a smartphone. There are even models you can activate with a clap.

8. Install Grab Bars In Your Bathroom

One thing all seniors should know about bathrooms is that they are the most dangerous room of the home. As we age, it can become really tough to get into and out of the bathtub. Also, seniors can easily slip on wet floors. Even using the toilet can be difficult.

In order to improve bathroom safety, one of the easiest things you can do is install grab bars. Just place them where using them makes it simple to keep balance while navigating the bathroom.

9. Make Your Bathtub Safer To Use

One thing you should seriously consider is installing a walk-in bathtub. It is really easy to find one that is practical or affordable. At the same time, there are other alternatives that can easily be implemented. Using appropriate tools can make taking a shower or a bath a lot easier.

10. Hire Cleaners

Many seniors find it difficult to clean because of different mobility problems. Every single time they clean, they are exposed to unnecessary risks. A simple solution to this problem is to hire a cleaning service. Have them come to the home according to a strict schedule to have a home that is sanitary and safe for seniors.

11. Add Bath Mats

Although rugs should be removed from the home, in the bathroom, it is a really good idea to add slip-resistant mats. This is because a bathroom is very slippery and you can easily fall. The bath mats are usually made out of rubber or plastic, removing the risk of slipping. You can add them on the floor around the sink, in the shower and even on the bottom of the bathtub.

12. Make Sure Bed Height Is Proper

When the bed is too high, it becomes a falling hazard for seniors. Also, if the feet cannot completely rest on the ground as they sit on their bed, the bed is just too high. Consider adding a small step to reduce the negative effect of height as they get in and out of bed.

13. Create A Contact List For Emergencies

Emergency contact numbers should always be visible, just like critical medical information. A great place to have a list with this information is on the fridge. Try looking online for magnetic contact lists. They are really cheap and can be so useful for all important to do lists seniors may want to create.

14. Install Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors should be installed in the entire house but they are especially important in the kitchen. This is where most fires start, usually during cooking. Fortunately, you can easily install some smoke and heat smart detectors that can even send you a smartphone notification if something bad happens and you are not in your home.

15. Make Exterior House Doors More Secure

Being a senior can make you a target for burglars that will look for ways to get in. The easiest way to get in is through exterior house doors and windows. Make sure that you install deadbolt locks on such doors and that you replace decorative glass with safety glass. If the exterior door is hollow or made out of glass, replace it with metal doors or solid wood doors. If the budget allows it, install some motion sensors that control lighting to improve visibility and deter potential criminals.

16. Install A Home Security System

Having fake cameras is not enough since burglars can easily spot them. It is always better to install a modern home security system, preferably one that is based on wireless connectivity. The modern ones allow you to monitor and remotely manage features from a smartphone. Such a feature is really useful for seniors because if a false alarm is set off, the system can be remotely turned off.

17. Use Medical Alert Systems

The medical alert system allows the senior homeowner to gain extra safety in the event a medical emergency occurs. The principle is really simple. You activate the system with a simple push of a button. Help will come to the home as fast as possible. Medical alert systems are monitored at any point of day or night so if something bad happens, you can be sure help will come.

Final Thoughts

Making the home secure for a senior should always be a priority. It needs to be done sooner rather than later as you never know when someone will be in an emergency in their own home. The recommendations above will help you increase the security of a senior loved one’s home to protect them from serious injuries and pain. However, what you have to do varies from one case to the next. The most important step is to create the above mentioned to do list. Identify the dangerous parts of the home and make changes to increase safety.

Author’s Bio:

Natasha is a firm believer in health and wellness for all ages. Having been a family caregiver for her grandmother, she knows what it’s like to go through family trials and tribulations. She is currently a blogger who wants to aid others in understanding the tips of healthy and safe aging that she has come across with her own personal experiences as well as through deep research on the topic.

Caring for the Caregiver: 12 Tips for Families of Caregivers to Provide Support

by: Susan Ashby

As parents age, they will begin to need more help to stay in their home and remain as independent as possible. If there are several adult children, they may all share in the caregiving in the beginning. Their parents may only need tasks completed like minor home repair, shoveling the sidewalks, or raking the lawn. As time goes by these chores may increase. Perhaps their parents don’t feel comfortable driving any longer, or meal preparation has become too difficult. Slowly but surely, family members will take over more tasks for their elderly parents.

Usually, one person will take over the primary role of caregiver. It may just be that this person lives the closest to Mom and Dad, or maybe one child is retired and more available to assist them. It may not be a designated position; it just happens. One thing is for sure: This helpful person will need support from all the family and maybe professional assistance as well. The following are ideas of how you can support the primary caregiver.

1. Finances. Offer to take on the financial role. Make sure all bills are paid on time. Take care of having tax returns completed. Deal with Social Security and Medicare. Take care of any investments or retirement funds.

2. Cleaning. Offer to come on a scheduled day or days each month to help clean the house.

3. Yard work. Take over the yard work. Include trimming the bushes and tending the gardens. It is stressful to look out the window and see grass that needs mowing or overgrown weeds in the flower beds. Make it a family event and include the kids.

4. Snow removal. This might not be an issue if you live in the south, but northerners know that snow removal is extremely important. It won’t matter if the roads are plowed if you can’t get out of your garage. This is a safety issue for the elderly. Not only do they have to be able to get out in an emergency, but help needs to get in. If you can’t commit to removing snow yourself, perhaps the family can hire professionals to remove snow and eliminate the stress of shoveling from the primary caregiver.

5. Meals. If every family member contributes one main meal a week, the burden of cooking every night will be shared. Better yet, bring the food over, along with your family, and share the meal together with your senior parent.

6. Appointments. Your senior parents will have routine appointments at the dentist and doctor. In addition, Dad will need to go for a haircut, and Mom needs to have her hair done. Appointments like that could be combined with your visit to the barber or hair salon. If you are able to take on even an occasional appointment, it will lessen the stress of the primary caregiver.

7. Respite. If the primary caregiver is living with the senior as an in-home caregiver, they must have time off. The family must provide at least one full day off each week. This means someone else takes over care from the time Mom or Dad gets up in the morning until late at night when the senior goes to bed and, occasionally, even later. In addition, there should be time during the week for the caregiver to see friends, take care of personal appointments, etc. If no one is available for this time off, you will need to hire professional home care service.

8. Vacation. The primary senior caregiver should have time off for a vacation. Other members of the family need to cover for the primary caregiver. Maybe each takes a day or one takes the whole vacation. In many families, a family member who lives far away and is unable to help on a regular basis will plan to come home and take over the role of senior caregiver for the time the primary caregiver is gone.

9. Visit. If the caregiver is unable to leave the home because they are providing dementia caregiving, go to visit her or him at the home. Maybe Mom doesn’t get up until later in the morning, allowing you and your friend or family member to visit over breakfast. The caregiver has the coffee ready and you bring freshly baked muffins. Also, encourage the senior’s friends to continue to visit. While the dementia caregiver may not be able to leave the house, it will be a chance to take a few minutes for themselves.

10. Holidays. The senior caregiver should have some holidays off. Volunteer to care for the senior on a holiday, so the primary caregiver can enjoy the day with his or her family.

11. Phone calls/emails. If you live too far away to visit or it is difficult for the in-home caregiver to leave the home, keep in touch by phone or email. It helps to connect with friends and not feel isolated in the role of caregiver.

12. Gratitude. Make sure you tell the primary caregiver how much you appreciate what they are doing. Thank them for the good job they are doing and the sacrifices they are making. Thank them for making it possible for your parent to stay in their home.

If you have a friend or family member who is a primary caregiver, keep offering help even if at first, they say no. Sometimes, it takes a while before they realize how important even a small break can be to recharge their batteries. Encourage them to do things that help them to de-stress like going for a short walk or working in the garden, reading a book, or listening to music.

Even a few minutes doing something that is relaxing can help. Be ready to listen without criticism or advice when the caregiver just needs to vent. Continue to include your friend in activities. Keep your friend in your life.

Marketing To Seniors: Is “Technology” A Bad Word?

We live in a digital world.  Gone are the days of door-to-door encyclopedia salesmen,  instant pictures that we had to wave in the air to dry, and penny candy.  Today, self-propelled robots vacuum the house and cars can drive themselves.  Many seniors and some not-so-seniors fondly remember the days when the newspaper was delivered to the front porch and “family” didn’t happen only during the holidays.  

Even though seniors grew up in different times, marketing plans should not make assumptions about their comfort level with technology.  The Internet can be used for anything from participating in church services to checking the weather to having groceries delivered at home, and more. Cell phones can be safety tools.  The technology in some video games adapts well to seniors, such as bowling and dancing games that encourage movement but do not require physical strength.  Thus, many seniors have a degree of comfort with technology.

That said, technology is not without challenges.  As early as 1969, in her book “Hallowe’en Party,” Agatha Christie penned the phrase, “To err is human, but a human error is nothing to what a computer can do if it tries.”  With that in mind, websites and other technology tools marketed to seniors should be easy to use, reliable and have quick access to a live person for questions or problems.

As mentioned in Stellar Strategies for Marketing to Seniors, seniors appreciate clear, succinct, communication that encourages independence and is directed to them, not their children.  To promote a senior living community, consider using phrases like “family-style meals” or “girls’ days out” and images that show happy gatherings.   Marketing materials should highlight independent choices and decisions, rather than focusing on the fact that there is a nurse available 24 hours/day.  While having a nurse on-site may be important, it shifts attention to declining health rather than independent, active, satisfying lifestyles.

Seniors are as large and diverse a group as any other demographic.  Future generations in their new-fangled worlds will consider today’s technology marvels archaic.  Care should be taken to not generalize based on age but to look deeper at what is value-added for the senior and formulate the marketing message from that perspective.

 

Christie, A. (1969).  Hallowe’en Party. Page 35, Pocket Books, New York, NY. (First published in 1969; quote in reprint 1970 paperback edition).

Modifications for A More Accessible Kitchen

The kitchen is the star of your home. It’s where you play chef–dicing, slicing, and searing your way through three square meals a day. It’s also where your dearest friends and family come to share a meal together. Many fond moments (and delicious plates!) are created here, so you’ll want a space that ages seamlessly alongside you. The kitchen can also be a very hazardous area, and fires, burns, and falls are common amongst older residents. If you want to age-in-place, consider these modifications to keep the kitchen your favorite and most accessible part of your home.

Install Flooring With Stronger Gripkitchen image

With so many sharp utensils, hot appliances, and corners to fall into, you’ll want to remodel your kitchen in a way that helps secure your balance at all times. Research the safety score of each flooring material to ensure you install the best one for your lifestyle. Stone is a great option that has plenty of texture and deeper grout so that you can sustain traction throughout your most extensive cooking processes. If you’re looking for something a little softer on your feet (and in the case of a fall) cork and bamboo are also great non-slip options.

Incorporate Technology

There are tons of high-tech home appliances on the market. Although they may seem complex on the surface, the benefits they can serve are worth the upgrade. Hire a local plumber to help replace your faucet with a touchless version in order to make turning your water on and off easier. Aging hands often have difficulty with traditional faucet knobs. Going with a motion sensor version will additionally help reduce water waste and prevent the potential of flooding.

Fires are another hazard within the kitchen. Install smart smoke detectors that are paired with medical alert systems. If the detector is triggered, an operator will contact your home to check in about a potential emergency. If the call goes unanswered, they will immediately contact an emergency provider. Burns also can be mitigated by installing smart stovetop technology that monitors temperatures and turns off the appliance when inactive for a certain period of time.

Eliminate sharp corners

In the case that you do lose balance or regularly lean on your surroundings for support, eliminate any sharp edges or corners that you could potentially fall into. Round out the edges of any countertops or replace angular chairs and tables with designs that have softer lines. Opt for hardware that has a blunt design, such as a rounded pull on drawers. Taking these precautions will minimize the chance of bruises and injuries.

Opt for Drawers

When you think of a kitchen design, a line of deep cabinets are usually in the picture. However, the benefits of kitchen drawers may outweigh that of cabinets. Installing large, spacious drawers are not only easy on the hands when pulling them out, but also display everything you need all at once. Unlike cabinets, you won’t have to struggle to find the pots and pans you need. Drawers also keep your kitchen’s contents at a reachable level. Consider installing drawers that are wide and deep in measurements, which will allow for plenty of organization. This is key when maximizing the accessibility and functionality of your kitchen.

Bring Your Dinnerware Closer

If you find that you have difficulty reaching up into your cabinets to retrieve your plates and glassware, consider installing hanging storage beneath your cabinets. This will allow your dinnerware to be in plain sight for easy access without having to strain to grab them.

Rearrange appliances

Even if you are working with a smaller kitchen, accidents can still happen within short distances. If possible, move appliances like stoves closer to your sink area. This will help you minimize the distance you’ll have to travel in order to transfer hot pans or boiling water from stovetop to the sink. Closing in this distance will reduce the chance of spilling water on yourself and causing burns or on the floor, which can create a slipping hazard.

Your kitchen doesn’t have to be to off-limits as you age. By making the mentioned modifications, you can create a space that allows you to once again enjoy your favorite spot to share meals with loved ones in your home.

Current Trends In Senior Living

Options for seniors seeking living facilities beyond retirement range in levels of care, from independent living and Over 55 apartments, to continuing care and hospice. Current trends are changing the way industry providers market to the senior community and their families. 

In an article dated January 27, 2019, from Senior Housing News, one crucial trend was found in this survey.  Seniors today desire and have the ability to remain independent in their own homes. As older adults have become adept at, and have access to, the technology that allows them to have groceries delivered and wearable devices that monitor their health. As a result, they less likely to seek outside living arrangements, they are more likely to stay in their own homes longer. When marketing to seniors, it could be important to note these trends as they may have the effect seniors (and their loved ones) feel better about remaining in their own homes longer.

When maintaining a larger home becomes more difficult, many seniors still prefer smaller apartments. Apartment communities designated for the over 55 age bracket are growing. A designated over 55 apartment is smaller, equipped for the use of wheelchairs if needed, built with elevators on upper floors, provide social gatherings to interact with other over 55 tenants and occasional outings. 

Another opportunity has arisen for senior living providers as Medicare Advantage plans will begin to cover and reimburse for services that seniors had paid out of pocket in the past. According to this article, Medicare Advantage plans will allow some of the costs for more in-home services, including a senior’s own home or in more advanced senior housing settings.

The landscape for senior living providers is changing as today’s seniors are more active and health conscious. They place importance on eating healthier, want to be vibrant and live longer. Many opportunities exist for senior living providers to capitalize on these trends in 2019 and beyond.

Collaboration to Create an Inclusive Community

As the senior population continues to grow, the senior care industry is becoming increasingly more competitive. While assisted living and memory care communities continue to reach capacity, adult day programs offer a different type of care. A safe, structured environment during the day while younger caregivers go to work or spouses have a few hours to rest or get errands done is a service that is much more affordable than residential care. Often caregivers who keep their loved ones at home are less likely to reach out for help and are found to be experiencing caregiver burnout. It’s imperative to try to reach this population prior to a crisis, and start providing services to extend their preferred living arrangement. Where is marketing best applied to reach the target audience?

  • Senior Centers While this may be an obvious place to start, be creative in your approach. It may be worth asking a senior center to do a collaborative event/party with the day center participants as a volunteer opportunity for the senior center members. Spending some time with the day center participants will not only be beneficial to everyone but will also get the word out.
  • Churches Make a connection with the clergy of churches in your community and inform them of the services your company provides in case there are crisis calls they receive. This is especially useful if your day center offers crisis drop-ins.
  • Libraries Often libraries offer programs specifically catered to seniors of the community; ask about the potential opportunity to host one of these programs by providing refreshments in exchange for permission to have a table of materials at the event.
  • Assisted Living Communities While they may be considered competitors, if you can collaborate with an assisted living community to share referrals it would be mutually beneficial. Prospects who tour a community but aren’t ready to make the move may find that adult day services would allow them to stay in their current living situation longer; those who attend your day center and are ready to make a move to a memory care community likely would appreciate a referral from those they currently trust to care for their loved one.
  • Support Groups If there are active support groups in your area, connecting with them is a great way to find potential day center participants. If there aren’t any (or many) support groups, consider starting one! Offer quarterly educational classes to the community at large featuring speakers on dementia and aging. If your budget allows, host a meal to coincide the speaker.

While there are many contacts in a community who may make a referral to adult day services, collaboration is key to lasting success. By working with the organizations in your area, you will be able to share referrals to not only fill your day center openings but also create more dementia-friendly community. Think outside the box to come up with fun collaborative events like music concerts, picnics or barbecues, educational events, and volunteer opportunities to integrate your day center participants with the greater community and word will spread quickly about your offerings!

Alternate Pets For Seniors

Having a pet can be good for you. Pets provide companionship, they can prevent feelings of loneliness, and they generally improve their owner’s lives in many different ways. Seniors can benefit more from the bond shared with a pet than the rest of us do. However, seniors may also find it hard to care for traditional pets like a dog or a cat, particularly if they have age-related conditions to cope with.  Fortunately, there are pets that require less maintenance that they can be brought into the home as an alternate pet for seniors. fish image

1. Fish

While they might sound stereotypical, fish have several major advantages for seniors. First, they are relatively easy to take care of (provided you don’t go overboard with exotic, tropical fish). Secondly, they don’t go anywhere, so you never have to worry about them getting stuck under the stairs, or sneaking out of the house while you’re asleep. And they tend to be pretty to look at, which can make the aquarium a set piece, as well as a place for your pets.

2. Lizards

Also a touch on the exotic side, lizards are pets that seniors can still pick up, hold, stroke, and play with. However, they are less active than dogs and cats, and tend to be much more manageable in terms of size and speed. They’re still capable of showing affection, but they’ll spend a lot of their time sunning themselves in their tank.

3. Hamsters

While often thought of as pets for children, hamsters and gerbils can provide just as much entertainment and companionship for seniors. Easy to care for, and relatively cheap, these furry little sidekicks are no real trouble. And if you want to let them out of their cage to roam around, you just need to make sure they have a ball you can put them in.

9 Tips for Marketing Effectively to Seniors Citizens

by: Lidia Hovhan

When you think of marketing to seniors you may have typical beliefs such as increasing fonts and using pictures of old people. It really isn’t quite all that. These may be common features in many businesses but the trick to getting their attention is not just all about featuring those elements. Unlike popular belief, the baby boomer generation does spend a lot of time online and they are not so unlike other generations. However, there are some distinctions you should follow when marketing to an older demographic. 

Tip 1.    Use Relatable Language

If you want to get the attention of someone, you have to speak their language. Marketing to seniors means eliminating teenage jargon, trendy language, and internet slang.

Unlike millennials who thrive on drama, baby boomers just want plain information. They want to know how your product or service is going to improve the quality of their life. It may seem traditional or old school but it is what they want.

Of course, you can still be creative and clever. You’ll just have to stop using words they are not familiar with and they didn’t grow up with. Avoid words that can confuse like “ROFLCOPTER” and “AIIGHT.” If you are making a joke with these it will only get lost to them and so will your joke and your sales.

Tip 2.    Senior People Make Their Own Purchases

Seniors are not helpless and are totally capable of taking care of themselves including their needs. They can make their own decisions and like to make their own choices. Don’t assume that you need to speak to a third party such as a caregiving audience or a relative in order to sell your products.

Tip 3.    They Don’t have the Same Criteria as Younger Generations

When you are selling a product or service to someone the main point is you are into selling the product but rather what the product will do for them. For example, if your product is a hair curler what you are selling are the curls it can create. The company that can convince people that they can make superior curls wins.

When it comes to seniors, they don’t necessarily want the same things a teenager wants, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want the same products. You’ll just have to discover why they would want it. It’s all about knowing their wants and needs so you can align your marketing to their goals.

Tip 4.    Make it easy for them

Seniors didn’t grow up with the iPhone and other gadgets so requiring certain actions on a web page design or in an app can be a little bit challenging for them.  They may need to learn a lot about hamburger menu is or whether it’s something they should be clicking on.

If you are marketing to a wider audience, requiring people to click on symbols or read the fine print may mean you will lose a huge portion of your potential senior customers. These are not just for seniors but for everyone; all can benefit from an easy, clear sales process.

Tip 5.    Use Multi-Channel Marketing

Only 27% of adults 65 and over owned smartphones according to the Pew Research Center. This means more seniors live in the offline world and if you want to reach them you are going to have a harder time if you will simply rely on mobile and internet. If you want to reach a large part of your senior market you have to use multi-channel marketing by targeting them online and offline. You can use online marketing but a majority of your efforts should be where your market is found so adopting a mixture of offline and online marketing efforts, like having direct mail services, is the proper strategy. You may also consider email marketing automation to fast-track your marketing efforts, too.

Tip 6.    Something Familiar

People want something familiar and are naturally drawn to it. Seniors have always received advertisements and physical catalogs in the mails so it makes sense to market to them through this channel. Older people want something physical or tangible to hold on to with their hands like a paper catalog. If you don’t’ have a catalog yet it is easy to print one over the internet. Catalog marketing isn’t dead and companies like Birchbox and Bonobos are starting to mail catalogs to their subscribers.

Tip 7.    Personalized Experience

The customer service that older generations have come to know is good quality customer service that was always personal and automated or self-service was almost unheard of. A live person on the other end of the phone to talk to in the customer service department was always present. Personalized experiences are remembered for a long time and baby boomer are used to this personal touch. Make a lot of effort to add personalization to your marketing efforts. It can be as simple as having a live person respond to customer service inquiries with a simple phone call.

Tip 8.    Trust

Make sure that you earn a senior’s trust. When you ask the or personal information make sure you have explained explicitly why such activities are necessary. Explain to them how it can help in their overall shopping experience. Give them the security that their personal information is safe and secure. Money back guarantees and testimonials also help foster trust in seniors and practically any client.

Tip 9.    Visuals

Selecting images is important when marketing to seniors. Most people see themselves as 5-10 years younger than they actually are, so factor this in when selecting an image that goes with content. You must use images and visuals that are relatable to your audience.

What People Look For When Choosing a Nursing Home

One of the hardest decisions we will ever face is choosing a long-term care facility for a loved one or ourselves. I will never forget the look on my mother’s face the day we left her at the local nursing home. It was a look of desperation, sadness, and betrayal. Entrusting someone you do not know to provide for your needs or the needs of someone you love is scary to say the least. That is why choosing the right nursing home is such an important task. If you want to attract new residents to your facility, you need to understand what residents and their families are looking for.

From my experience as a daughter and granddaughter of previous long term care residents; there are a few things that would make some nursing home facilities stand out above the others. 

  1. A Caring Staff
  2. Accessible Technology
  3. A Feeling of Home
  4. Social Activities

The decision to place yourself or someone you love into a nursing home is tough on everyone involved. Family members are left with feelings of guilt and anxiety. Are they doing the right thing? What kind of care will my loved one receive in this facility? On the other hand, residents are faced with leaving the comforts of their own home, being away from family, friends and loved ones. They often feel alone, lost, angry and unloved. This is where having caring staff can be so important. Counseling services for both the resident and family members should be a priority. Highly qualified nurses and staff should strive to maintain a good rapport with both patients and their families. Always acknowledge any concerns and make sure the needs of your residents are being met to the best of your abilities. Residents will choose facilities that can reassure them they are in a safe and secure place where they can look forward to spending the rest of their golden years.

Another important asset is offering a variety of opportunities to connect and communicate with loved ones. Oftentimes, family members are unable to visit as often as they would like. In today’s hectic world, people sometimes prefer to stay in contact with each other through the use of technology. Facilities providing access to technological tools such as facetime, e-mail, and social media platforms allow for residents to interact with others in multiple ways, helping them to feel more connected to the outside world.

More often than not, once a family member is placed in a nursing home, visitation from loved ones begins to dwindle, leaving the resident feeling forgotten and unloved. Be sure your facility portrays the warm, cozy feeling of being at home. Include accessible areas for family members, especially those with young children. An outside park, play area, or an indoor family game room would be great attractions.  What grandparent doesn’t want to be able to spend some fun time with their grandchildren, even when staying in a nursing home? These types of areas would encourage family members to want to visit more. A welcoming, family oriented environment is an excellent way to draw in prospective residents and their families.

Last, but definitely not least on the list, would be the inclusion of social activities allowing residents to interact with one another, make new friends, and learn new skills. For example, my grandmother loved to play BINGO and attend special events at her nursing home. These types of activities helped to keep her active and alert. Field trips to age appropriate functions within the community are also a must. For bedridden patients, the facility should encourage volunteers within the community to visit, play board games, read, sing, etc., with these patients daily. My mother suffered from dementia and rarely left her room, knowing someone was interacting with her during the day helped tremendously and reassured us she wasn’t being isolated.

What families and residents need most out of a nursing home facility, is a caring and sympathetic staff willing to give support to both the family and residents, multiple opportunities for residents to interact with friends and family, an atmosphere that make residents feel at home, and an active social environment. If your facility has these major attractions, family members and future residents will be lining up at the door to be a part of your community.

Preventing Falls in People with a Dementia Diagnosis

If you care for a person with dementia, you know that falls are a cause for alarm. People with cognitive impairments, like Alzheimer’s disease, are more likely to experience a fall. The fall risk that accompanies age is generally tied to changes in physical health and mental well-being.  Some falls may cause serious injury and depending on the individual’s physical function, recovery may be difficult.

Prevention is Key:

  • Environmental adaption
  • Reduce prescription of antipsychotic medications in the elderly
  • Improved intercommunication between healthcare providers
  • Individualize tasks paired with the right amount of support

Communication and Dementia

Effective communication is the cornerstone to caring for a person with dementia. As a person with Alzheimer’s disease progresses through the stages of dementia, their ability to communicate with language becomes impaired. They also process more slowly and have shorter attention spans.

Eyes to the Front of the Room!

Because people with a dementia diagnosis have impaired attention spans, it is important to ensure you have gained their attention. As you engage with them, adapt your speaking pace to match the person’s processing abilities. Try to use short phrases and balance your body language with what you are saying.

Case Scenario:

Jessica helps her father take care of his older sister who has Alzheimer’s disease. She needs assistance with activities of daily living.

While Jessica is scooping out some ice cream for dessert, she may say to her Aunt:

“Hi, Aunty! Let’s eat some ice cream.”

Scenario Review:

In the short narrative above, Jessica is matching her behavior with what she is saying. This helps communicate a clear message and eliminates any guessing work. It also builds trust and rapport.

Celebrate All Successes

No matter how big or small, it’s important to recognize and acknowledge successful performance. This is important because it reinforces that what a person does really matters.

Ultimately, improving environmental safety, effectively communicating and individualizing tasks paired with just the right amount of support can go a long way towards fall prevention.