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 For many senior adults, their automobile is their lifeline to the outside world. As they age, many times their physical and mental reflexes may slow down, making driving more dangerous for them and for others. Families may be forced to face the uncomfortable question "When is it time to take the keys away?"
A senior adult may have many wonderful things in their lives, but it doesn't negate that as they age, they may have also lost control of several other facets of their life. Their grown children may have taken charge of the finances, they may have lost a spouse to dementia or death, and they may have been forced to leave a home they lived in for years, and move into an assisted living facility or retirement community where it is safer for them to live. Facing the reality that there could be still another "loss", the loss of their independence and mobility through driving, could be a difficult pill to swallow. How does a family know whether or not it is time to deal with this issue? First, if there has been more than one accident in a relatively short period of time, it could be a sign that it's time for them to stop driving. This could be not only for their safety, but for the safety and well being of other drivers (or pets) on or near the road. Another sign might be if their hearing or vision has drastically changed for the worse in a fairly quick period of time. This could handicap their ability to safely drive, putting their vehicle and their physical well being at risk. Finally, if they are having a greater frequency of memory problems, driving could become difficult, simply because they could easily become disoriented or lost. So what are the best ways to address an issue like this? One of the most simple ways to confront this issue would be to have a private phone call with their physician. Many times seniors will take the respected opinion of their doctor regarding an issue like this, when they would argue and vehemently reject it if the same conversation and advice came from their grown children. Another way to address it would be to simply find more and better ways for them to accomplish the things they need to do in life WITHOUT driving. For instance, a trip to the grocery store can be replaced with online ordering and delivery of groceries. If their living arrangements allow for it, then public transportation might also be another option. Finally, for the money an individual spends on a car, gas and insurance, it might simply be a great money saving idea for them to use options like Uber or Lyft instead. Most seniors seem to open up to new ideas when it can ultimately save them some money! If none of these options seem to put the family members at the safety and comfortable level needed, then it may be time for a family conference with the loved one. Those who know them best will be able to determine if this should be a "group" conversation, or simply a one-on-one visit with the senior and one trusted family member or friend. Be prepared to spell out the specific concerns and safety issues, as well as explain the benefits and other transportation options. This could place a greater strain on family members need to become the "designated driver" for the senior, so family and friends should be prepared to help out as needed for things like grocery shopping, doctor's appointments and church attendance. This doesn't need to be a horrible event in the life of the senior, or those family members facing it Together, families can find solutions that provide safety and peace of mind. Member agencies of the OPHC have staff who are qualified and able to also provide driving assistance with all of the items listed above. By hiring one of these qualified agencies, family members need not worry about taking time off of work, or feeling overburdened with commitments to taxi their loved one around. Click on the "About Us" tab at the top of the page, and select "Membership Directory" for the list of member agencies available to assist you! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC
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 Money... the necessary blessing and evil that seems to impact every area of our lives! So many seniors have worked all of their lives, looking forward to that golden age called "retirement", and many have done a great job when it comes to planning for their income during that retirement period.
But what about planning for the other issues that can come crashing in around around our lives during our senior years? What happens when a senior has a debilitating stroke, and needs extensive care that isn't covered by Medicare? Or how do you pay for care when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, but the family desperately wants to allow them to be cared for in the home as long as possible? These are serious issues, and these issues and issues like them can totally devastate the finances of a family that thought it was financially prepared for old age. It's critical that families explore and understand exactly what Medicare or Medicaid with pay for, and what it will not pay for. If they haven't already checked into the feasibility of Long Term Care insurance, this is also another important option to pursue. Finally, if an individual or their spouse is or was a veteran in the Armed Forces, there may be financial assistance for care as well through the Veteran's Administration. This aid may have certain requirements or restrictions, and will require the gathering of certain documentation as well, so it's critical to begin that process as soon as possible. One critical but very important option that could literally save tens of thousands of dollars later would be for your family to meet with an attorney who specializes in elder law. These lawyers understand the nuances and changing landscape of legal and financial issues regarding seniors. This would include tax issues, financial management of funds, trusts and so much more. Spending just a little with an attorney today could be an investment that could save your loved one thousands of dollars later. The bottom line is simple... Private, one on one care for your loved one in the home is the best option you can provide. But whether you are able to provide in home care, or facility care becomes the only option available, EVERYTHING has a price tag attached to it. Member agencies of the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care deal with these issues on a daily basis, and are uniquely equipped to assist your family in facing them, or have the ability to put you in contact with qualified people who can do so! Just click on the "About Us" tab at the top of the page, and then click on "Membership Directory" for a complete listing or our members! Remember, Money Matters, and it's up to you now to make the wise decisions to help make the money last as long as possible, and get the biggest bang for your bucks! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  I walked into Mrs. Brown’s house and I do the usual safety inspection of the home. The most dangerous place for frail elderly is the bathroom. One of the simplest safety devices is a shower chair. But when I investigated Mrs. Brown’s shower, I discovered a lawn chair in the bathtub. The legs were beginning to rust, and the plastic weave bottom was loosening. This was a fall waiting to happen. The correct shower chairs matters and there are many different types of models. The first question to ask yourself before purchasing a shower chair is how much does the person weigh. Small simple shower chairs usually are meant for people under 200 pounds. Every shower chair comes with a weight limit. The second question is the space to put a shower chair. Is it a tub or a shower? The third question is do they need a shower chair with handles or a back? If a person has a tub, they must be able to get their legs over the side of the tub. If they are not able to do that, I recommend they purchase a shower bench where part of the bench sits outside the tub. That way the only thing the person must do is sit and scoot over. Some benches even come with a chair that a person sits on the outside and it glides over into the bathtub. Some bathrooms are very narrow, and the bench can block access to the toilet, so the bench needs to be put away after the shower. Another advantage of benches is that they usually can hold more weight. If a person has a shower, I usually recommend a shower chair with a back and handles on the side to push up with. Most seniors need the handles to help them stand up and the back allows them to not fall back. Grab bars should also be installed at the entrance of the shower as this allows the individual to safely step into the shower. The last piece of equipment is a handheld shower wand. This allows the individual to hold the wand and moderate the temperature and move it around to shower themselves. Most people do not want water splashing into their face. Most of these devices in the United States cost between 50 to 100 dollars and is well worth it to prevent a major fall and broken bones. According to the CDC one in three people over the age of 65 fall every year and is a major reason they must be placed into a long-term care facility. Invest in safe shower equipment—you will not regret it. Feel free to contact any member agencies of OPHC and they will be willing to do a safety inspection of your loved one’s home. Kathy Cocks Supervisory Nurse CarePlus at Home  These are crazy, uncertain and even scary times we live in. Political upheaval, COVID-19 pandemic fears, financial stresses and the normal challenges of life can sometimes be more than the average person can bear alone.
Seniors need encouragers and caregivers in their lives NOW more than ever! Going to the grocery store is now more than just a physical inconvenience for an elderly person... it could be a matter of life or death. With facility, city & even statewide lockdowns and fears about infections, loneliness has taken it's toll on our senior population to a major degree. Many families are opting to keep their loved ones at home now longer simply because they have a greater concern about the potential health risks of moving them into a long-term care facility. The members of the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care are experts at providing peace of mind for families and seniors during the topsy turvy world we all live in! Our skilled and experienced, essential health care staff are equipped to provide personal care services, assistance with tasks of daily living and to offer the vital companionship seniors so desperately need, but in the safety and security of their own homes. Our member agencies have trained their team members on safety protocols, the use of PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) like masks and gloves, and how to best care for the needs of the elderly, while keeping the senior, family members and our staff all safe and healthy! Want to know more about what home care services are available, and how one of our member agencies could better serve your needs? We would love to serve you and your loved ones! Just go to the top of the page, click on About Us, then Membership Directory for an OPHC Member agency near you! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC One in three adults over the age of 65 fall every year. Many times, this leads to long hospital stays, disability and long-term care placement. Many reasons exist for why seniors fall, but one reason is problems with their inner ear.
Our ears are comprised of three parts. The outer ear funnels noise into our ears. The middle ear has three bones that vibrate and transmit sound waves. Lastly our inner ear has fluid, a semicircular bone, and tiny hairs to continue sending sound waves to our brain to interpret. The fluid in the inner ears also tells our brain where our body is in space and how to balance ourselves. A few years ago, my dad said he felt like there was a treadmill moving under his feet. His primary doctor did some tests but that did not resolve Dad’s problems. As a geriatric nurse I encouraged Dad to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. About 40% of seniors who have balance problems have calcium crystals which normally float in the inner ear; get stuck in the semicircular bone causing dizzy spells. The doctor does a head maneuver adjustment that knocks those calcium crystals loose. Some people will feel worse after this procedure and will need someone to drive them and stay with them a couple of days. Sometimes the procedure needs to be repeated. After a couple of weeks of having the procedure done by an ENT, my Dad no longer had vertigo and I had increased peace of mind about him not falling. Other problems with the inner ear can also include inflammation or infection. Take all vertigo seriously and keep investigating to find a solution so your loved one can stay home safely. Kathy Cocks Supervisory Nurse CarePlus At Home I was walking out of the doctor’s office when I saw an elderly gentleman, about 160 pounds with a blue sweater and blue jeans on. Over his jeans he was wearing knee braces. I assumed his knees were bad because I observed him lift his 200 pound wheelchair bound wife into the car. I wanted to go to him and say, “Please get help and take care of yourself!”
As a geriatric nurse for the past 10 years, assisting elderly people to age in place I have seen the stress caregiving causes the spouse. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is a protein called Interleuken 6 (IL-6) which is a substance secreted from the cells to regulate our immune system. IL-6 is beneficial for when we have an infection, but not if we have high levels on a constant basis. IL-6 rises as we age and that causes chronic inflammation in our bodies that leads to cancer, osteoporosis (which is thinning of the bones, and dementia. A study was done of married elderly couples. In one group e a spouse was a caregiver, in the other group the spouse was not a caregiver. Due to the stress of caregiving the spouse who was a caregiver had four times more IL-6 than their non-caregiver counterparts. Caregiver spouses are less likely to visit the doctor, have increased mental health problems and do not get enough sleep. This study supports what I see in the field, that caregiving spouses have more health problems in general. In the United States there are close to 30 million spousal caregivers. These caregivers need to be taken care of. Another study was done of spousal caregivers to figure out how to lower one’s IL-6. One group received nutrition information and another group received phone calls helping them to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise four times per week. The group that exercised had less IL-6 in their bodies. Working in exercise can be challenging for spousal caregivers and that is why it is important to hire caregivers to give the spousal caregiver some much needed respite. It costs more in the long run to not hire help because if the spouse is unable to remain the caregiver , then alternative arrangements will need to be made for the disabled spouse. Make sure your loved one, who is a caregiver has time to exercise because exercise matters. Kathy Cocks, RN CarePlus HomeCare During the recent and ongoing Corona Virus pandemic, so many things have changed in our lives! Schedules, entertainment options, who we congregate with, where we go, what size groups we gather in, what we wear(masks, gloves, etc.) and so much more! One thing that stands out so much though about this time is that it has highlighted for nearly everyone just how much our family matters!
Family matters because of the deep love and concern most family members have for each other. We're concerned for each other's health and safety, emotional and mental well being, and even just making sure we all have the basic necessities of life during these crazy, uncertain times! Family matters because of the impact those loved ones have made and continue to make on our lives. This especially true for our parents, grandparents and other elderly family members who have spent a lifetime investing in the care and nurture of their younger family members. Now as they grow older, and their need for care increases, family matters should "matter" most to those who care for these elders. Member agencies of the Oklahoma Partnership for HomeCare are designed to assist you and your loved ones in this journey! Navigating the uncertain and sometimes confusing waters of home health care is less difficult when guided by an experienced and educated professional in the field! You can contact any one of our the fantastic member agencies of the OPHC for advice, direction and assistance with their services for your loved one! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC 
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March 2022
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