- 30% of seniors fall each year with some health/financial consequences
- 70% of fallen fall at home
- 50% of fallen will fall again in 6 months
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- buy emergency response device
- remove ALL rugs
- replace them with resin based mats, if needed
- encourage / teach them to use flexible shower, while sitting
- buy shower stool with a back, like these
- buy & install bath rails
- learn technique - how to stand up AFTER the fall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6WMasb3vM
http://www.2knowmyself.com/how_to_stand_up_after_falling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10jR0zjl19Y
2. DRUGS
40% of seniors take 5 pills a day or more
for seniors with dementia / bad memory: buy a "pill pouch" to help them to properly fill-in their weekly pill box:
http://www.pillpouch.net
3. EMERGENCY INFO
create the following files:
- senior's ID: full name, address, phone, DOB
- list of allergies
- list of med insurances
- list of relatives/friends to contact in case of emergency
- list of doctors
- list of pills regularly taken
- list of immunization
Save all these info on a flash drive or a memory card; mark the memory piece with word EMERGENCY & keep it in their cars, homes, purses, wallets
4. DRIVING
keep a worm blanket in their car to help them not being frozen after a car failure
5. IMMUNIZATION
- create their full immunization record, like it is being done for the kids
- local county Health Department will help & will keep their current record permanently
- many doctors are bad about it & don't control / advise senior properly about it
- senior immunization include:
--- 60+ types of pneumonia factors
--- zoster & shingles
--- several other vectors
6. FITNESS
- join ANY social club: bingo / poker / tai chi
- join senior support group at local church
- increase social interactions via internet social media: games / discussion forums
- consider volunteering
- create a simple home exercise routine
- regular drinks
- less microwave food
- diet
7. SECURITY SYSTEMS
- medical emergency alert system - a must
- home security system
- cell phone
- regular family interactions
- personal medical data monitors: pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar, urine monitor (installed in toilet)
(covered by Medicare - for those who needs them)
8. CULTIVATE GOOD RELATIONSHIP with FAMILY DOCTOR
- the doc will be the first & last line of defense
- docs don't have time for long talks, come prepared, write your questions in advance
- good docs are leaving insurance companies control
- the whole US medical system is going thru a cataclysmic change, which will take 15 - 25 years
- insurance industry is changing, they will be giving vouchers to the patients, without monitoring the docs & treatment plans
9. LAST TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
- select & organize right LAST treatment team: doctors + patient advocates
- Standard State forms are available in any hospital or online
- Good site https://www.mydirectives.com
- write these instructions, notarize them & deliver to your doctor, hospital, lawyer, each patient advocate
- it's a very complicated matter, including many details about shots / ventilator / chemo etc