Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Check out Patch’s interactive map to see some senior living options in Carrollwood and nearby communities.
Caregivers and seniors can choose from a variety of senior living options around the Carrollwood area. Independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing are the main choices outside of home care. Some communities offer a continuum of care with a variety of choices on one campus, said Dee Isguzar, Case Manager at Senior Helpers. Independent living communities provide a place to live, activities and food but no personal care, said Larry Prescott of Grand Villa. Assisted living also offers personal care such as help bathing or reminders to take medicine. The hands-on care is in addition to housing, activities and food, Isguzar said. Memory care communities offer “a secure assisted living or nursing home setting, usually in…
Monday, February 18, 2013
Need a grab bar installed? Want a ramp built? Here are some resources to make a Carrollwood home more accessible for yourself or a loved one.
Here is a list of companies that serve people with limitations or disabilities who need help retrofitting or modifying homes. 1. Abilities, Inc. of Florida 2. Hillsborough County Office of Affordable Housing 3. Home Safe LLC 4. Lela Williams and Associates Interior Design 5. Lifestyle Remodeling 6. Self Reliance, Inc. Center for Independent Living 7. Welcome Home Relocation, Inc. 8. Wrightway Consulting, Inc. Check the area agency on aging database for more resources in the Carrollwood area for seniors and caregivers.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Sixty percent of Alzheimer's patients will wander, but there are tools that can help to keep them from getting lost.
Alzheimer's can be a stressful disease for everyone involved, including caregivers and their loved ones. One thing that can heighten the stress is the wandering that can occur. Local agencies offer services to help. Sixty percent of Alzheimer and dementia patients wander, which is the afflicted individual walking off for a reason and getting lost in the confusion. In order to keep Alzheimer's and dementia patients safer, there are services including one offered through the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office that can be used to help keep track and return wanderers home safely. Services offered by the Alzheimer's Association include: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in partnership with SafetyNet by Lo Jack has a program "to better respond…
Monday, February 11, 2013
'Losing our body is like losing our best friend,' said Larry Prescott, who runs a local assisted living and dementia care community. He tells caregivers that exercise needs to be adapted to a senior's needs.
As people age they tend to stay at home and get less exercise through daily activities, such as trips to the grocery store, said Larry Prescott, executive director of Grand Villa. "The fear of falling, pain from arthritis and neuropathy of the feet, and not recouping as quickly from illnesses often keep people from exercising," Prescott said. Exercise needs to be adapted to the individual's needs. "Person-centered exercise takes the time to determine individual needs. It is completely focused on our residents and what is going to make their life enriched," Prescott said. "Losing our body is like losing our best friend. It can be very depressing and can inhibit motivation to do anything," Prescott said. The key is having the right exercise…
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Gardening, chair-exercises, and balloon volleyball are a few of the exercise options available for seniors.
The New Year is a time when many people start thinking about getting fit and exercising and it’s no different for seniors. As seniors age, remaining active becomes increasingly important. Senior living communities and caregivers should consider looking beyond traditional physical therapy options to keep seniors engaged and active. Seniors are most receptive to physical therapy when caregivers and their therapists develop individualized plans that fit both their lifestyle and interests. Research shows that it is difficult to motivate seniors to begin to exercise if it hasn’t previously been a priority. Integrating modified, low-impact activities, like yoga, into seniors’ exercise plans increases the likelihood that they will …
Monday, October 22, 2012
An analysis of the latest U.S. Census Data indicates there has been a huge increase in the number of people 50-plus getting a divorce.
On any given day you can walk into the law office of William D. Slicker, P.A., 4554 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, and see one or more seniors, from young Baby Boomers in their early 50s, to those in their 60s or 70s, waiting for professional law help by this local attorney. Given the fact that Slicker is an elder law attorney this makes a lot of sense. Many come for his legal advice on wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and other issues commonly facing seniors. But not all of these individuals are there for these services. They are there because they need Slicker’s help in getting a divorce. According to a recent research study done by Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the divorce rate among Baby …
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Here's a list of factors to consider when selecting a senior care community.
Naturally, adult children and caregivers want to find an assisted living facility that is best suited for their parents and their individual needs. Choosing a community can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but there are ways to make an informed choice. I recommend that all caregivers and family members take a proactive approach, visiting out a number of communities and asking important questions of the professionals at each facility. This makes the evaluation process easier and ensures an informed decision that is right for your loved one. Begin your search process by identifying the communities you will be considering and developing your list of questions and then visiting the communities in person. Following is a list of …
Saturday, July 7, 2012
In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. It is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.
First signs One of the first signs of dementia is mental changes. Forgetfulness is the best examples of this. It can start with not being able to remember the right word to describe something or forgetting a name or how to use a household appliance. As it progresses, the person will have increased difficulty making choices or decisions. If a person exhibits personality changes, it may be a sign of dementia. This can include someone who has become overly friendly and flirtatious or can be at the other end of the spectrum and appear apathetic and introverted. Someone with dementia may also have mood swings or anger easily. Behavioral and personality changes tend to go hand-in-hand. A person with dementia may be restless, is easily …
Monday, May 28, 2012
Dogs may be more than just man’s best friend. The animals may also help the sick heal more quickly.
A study of heart failure patients at the University of California Los Angeles showed those who were visited by a therapy dog while in recovery saw their heart pressure drop by 10 percent, epinephrine (a hormone the body makes when under stress) levels drop 17 percent and anxiety levels were lowered by 24 percent. Project PUP, a local therapy dog organization, has been bringing dogs to hospitals, hospice facilities and senior living communities for more than 25 years. The animals provide companionship and perform tricks to lift the spirits of the residents. Pets have long been recognized for their unique ability to offer comfort and companionship in times of stress, but many studies have shown that the benefits of interacting with a loving …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's partnership with SafetyNet by LoJack is aimed to give some peace of mind to caregivers worried about loved ones wandering off. The system involves wearing a small ankle or wrist transmitter.
Adults and children with special needs are getting special attention from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Deputies are partnering with SafetyNet by LoJack to better respond to calls for service of missing adults and children with special needs who wander from home. The aim is to more easily address cases of missing people, including silver alerts. Citizens enrolled in SafetyNet wear a small LoJack SafetyNet personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies the local SafetyNet agency, and a trained emergency team will respond. "Caring for a loved one who wanders is a considerable responsibility,” notes the company’s Web site. “…
Angela Wilkins
10:55 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The best exercise is the one you'll do regularly more ›