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Smartphones and tablets have become an important part of our everyday life. As technology continues to advance, new apps are steadily releasing, offering more features than ever before.

The release of new apps involving management, dementia care and ways to check up on elderly loved ones has created easy problem-solving methods for caregivers. Apps can be a great way for a caregiver to connect with a loved one.

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In a recent blog post, HealthCentral lists the top apps that caregivers should be using to reduce stress and connect with a loved one, including:

  • Coloring apps to stimulate elderly dementia patients
  • Apps to track how often your loved one is moving around
  • An app that organizes and manages caregiving between multiple caregivers or family members

Utilizing the technology at your fingertips can have a big impact on relieving the everyday stress of caregiving. Trying out new apps and figuring out what works best for you is the first step in creating a more relaxed and connected caregiving experience.

Check out our Elder Care Resource App, designed to assist caregivers and their families.

Download it here.

Falling is the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Of those falls, about one-third of them are from ladders. While these statistics may seem frightening, these falls are preventable.

Before beginning work on a ladder, it is important to make sure proper safety precautions are being followed. If the job requires any tasks that make you feel unsafe, consider other tools to use instead of a ladder, like a scissor lift.

electrician-1206468_1920If working on a ladder is the best option for you, there are a number of ways to ensure your safety. Safety and Health Magazine discuss the best tips to follow when using a ladder, including:

  • Ensure the base of the ladder is secured on a level surface
  • Fully extend the ladder before beginning work
  • Always maintain three points of contact on the ladder
  • Never stand on the top rung of the ladder

Falls can always be prevented. By working smartly and following proper safety precautions, ladder use does not have to be dangerous or scary.

 

Read the full article here.

Food poisoning, also known as food-borne illness, occurs when food that is contaminated with harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses or toxins is consumed. It can cause a large range of symptoms, depending on the case and individual. Some of the most common symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

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Certain foods are more prone to cause food poisoning than others, especially if they are handled or cooked improperly. In a recent article, Healthline discussed the top 9 foods that are most likely to cause food poisoning, including:

  1. Poultry
  2. Vegetables and leafy greens
  3. Fish and shellfish
  4. Rice

Pregnant women, young children, elderly and people with chronic illnesses are at a greater risk of food poisoning. To minimize your risk, be sure to practice good hygiene when preparing food, check use-by dates, and keep your food at a safe temperature.

Read the full article here.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether or not your loved one is experiencing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, especially when every person experiences different symptoms of wide-ranging severity.

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A recent blog post by Aging Care discusses some clear early indicators of Alzheimer’s and dementia to look for in your loved one. Some of those include:

  1. Forgetfulness and short-term memory loss
  2. Losing things
  3. Language and speaking problems
  4. Personality changes and mood swings

If any of these signs are present and you believe that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it is important that you speak to a doctor immediately. An early diagnosis will allow you to plan for care and treatment strategies and the future.

Read the full article here.

Driving in wet, rainy conditions can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are not prepared. It is important that you are properly equipped for wet road travel both before departure and while you are driving to ensure safety.

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In a recent blog post, What Happens Now released 26 tips for safe driving in the rain. Here are a few of them:

  1. If at all possible, avoid driving until conditions improve.
  2. Make sure your vehicle is in good operating conditions, particularly the tires and windshield wipers.
  3. Avoid standing water.
  4. After driving through a pool of water, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off your brakes.

It is crucial that you take these precautionary measures when driving in wet and rainy conditions to avoid accidents. Most importantly, use your best judgement. If you can’t see road signs or cars ahead of you, pull over and wait for the heavy rainfall to die down.

 
Read the full article here.

Establishing a trusting relationship with a company and their caregivers is key for a successful in-home care experience for your loved one. It is important that the senior feels comfortable with the person assisting them with personal care tasks, as well as more straightforward tasks, such as light housekeeping or planning meals.

shutterstock_704565676In a recent blog post, Aging Care discusses some measures that the family members, home care companies and professional caregivers can take to ensure a pleasant transition into at-home caregiving for the senior. Some of those include:

1. Screen home care companies thoroughly.
2. Form a caregiver connection.
3. Warm up to more than one caregiver.

It is important that you let the company know if the caregiver is not a good match and why. They should work alongside you and your loved one to find a match that suits the senior’s needs best with desired traits and skills.

Read the full article here.

Workers’ compensation should cover your medical costs and pay for any days of work you miss when you injure yourself or develop an illness because of your job. Even though almost all employers have to buy workers’ comp insurance, it does not cover everyone on the job.

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Knowing exactly what qualifies for workers’ compensation and how to go about it can get tricky. In a recent blog post, NY Daily News highlighted some things you should know in order to make sure you get the workers’ compensation you deserve, including:

  1. Report every injury or illness
  2. Visit the right medical provider
  3. Ask your employer to explain its workers’ comp coverage
  4. You may not need an attorney to get what you’re owed

To be covered by workers’ compensation, you must be accidentally injured while doing your job, or get ill from doing your job. Just simply getting injured or sick while at your job does not entitle you to workers’ compensation benefits.

 

Read the full article here.

Going outside in the summer heat can be extremely demanding for seniors. However, sun exposure produces vitamin D, which is necessary for brain, bone and muscle health. Finding the right summer activity that interests the senior and meets their capabilities can be challenging, but worth it.

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Natural sunlight and fresh air not only provide physical benefits but mental and emotional benefits as well. Outdoor summer activities can be rejuvenating for seniors. In a recent blog post, Aging Care gave ten creative outdoor activity ideas for caregivers and seniors to enjoy together, which include:

  1. Catch a sporting event
  2. Stroll around
  3. Picnic outdoors
  4. Attend community events

It is much more difficult for a senior’s body to adjust to the warm summer heat than a younger one. It is important to make note of any signs of fatigue, thirst, sunburn or overheating the senior may be experiencing and return to the indoors.

Read the full article here.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in every 20,000 eggs are contaminated with Salmonella. Even some undamaged, fresh eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness. Eggs must be properly handled, refrigerated and cooked before being consumed in order to be safe.

waffles-2190961_1920In a recent blog, University of Minnesota Extension suggests some ways to prepare your eggs to ensure that you are consuming them safely. Here are a few of them:

  1. Buy eggs that have been refrigerated.
  2. Store your eggs in the refrigerator, in their carton, at 40 degrees F or below.
  3. Don’t wash your eggs.
  4. Serve your cooked eggs and egg dishes as soon as possible after cooking.

Regardless of whether it is for health purposes or not, no one should eat foods containing raw eggs. Salmonella can cause serious intestinal infections, especially in those lacking a strong immune system, which includes young children and elderly.

 

Read the full article here.

Stiff and painful joints can make exercising extremely difficult for the millions of Americans suffering from arthritis. It is easy for arthritis sufferers to avoid exercise altogether however, experts argue that they cannot afford to go without daily cardio. In fact, exercise is highly beneficial for those suffering from arthritis pain.  

Exercise will help alleviate joint and arthritis pain as long as the patient is practicing proper habits during their workouts. In a recent blog, Aging Care suggests 8 ways to make an exercise regimen more “arthritis-friendly.” Here are some of them:

  1. Prioritize pain management
  2. Start slow
  3. In pain, no gain
  4. Work on weaknesses

It is important to engage only in low-impact exercise that does not induce pain, otherwise it can be damaging. A doctor can best advise an arthritis sufferer which exercises could be beneficial and harmful.

 

Read the full article here.

Thousands of motorcyclists are killed each year, and many of the deaths are due to accidents involving automobiles. As automobile drivers, we have the responsibility of sharing the road and taking cautionary measure to ensure the safety of motorcycle riders around us.

Many times, the automobile driver is at fault in accidents that involve both automobiles and motorcycles. In a recent article, Driving Tests shared “10 things that every driver should know about sharing the road with motorcycles.” Some of those include:

  1. Always check your blind spots!
  2. Remember that motorcycles react more quickly than cars.
  3. Night-riding can be treacherous for motorcyclists.
  4. Take a second look at left-turners.

It is important to remember that motorcyclists are completely exposed, allowing for serious or fatal injury if hit. As an automobile driver, it is your responsibility to protect motorcycle drivers and prevent motorcycle accidents.

Read the full article here.

Often times, many people find themselves taking on the role of a caregiver unexpectedly. Whether assisting an elderly neighbor or taking care of a suffering family member leads to a full-time caregiver role, changes will have to be made.

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You must begin to plan for these changes if you want to avoid threatening your own health. Aging Care recently discussed a few tips that will help you settle into the caregiving role, which include:

  • Set healthy boundaries and make them clear.
  • Be flexible as you settle in.
  • Research types of help for different needs.

It is important that you take care of yourself first before caring for someone else. Otherwise, you may develop severe caregiver health problems that will prevent you from caring for your loved one properly.

Read the full article here.

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