Safety For Seniors At Home

What May Not Be An Obstacle To You May Be To Your Elder Loved One.

The next time you visit an elder loved one, take a few minutes to make sure that their home is suited to the mobility and agility limitations we can all experience as we age.

Take A Walk Through The House

* Keep all areas of the house, including hallways and stairs, well-lit.

*Remove scatter rugs, or attach a non-skid backing to them.

*Reduce the risk of falling by making sure floors are not slippery. 

*Use night lights in the bedroom, hallways, kitchen, and bathrooms.

*Keep the stove area in the kitchen free of towels, paper towels, and napkins.

*Remove all newspapers and magazines from the kitchen counter area.

*Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and teach everyone how to use it.

*Inspect electrical cords for fraying or cracking; be sure they are placed away from walking.

*Make sure electrical cords are placed away from walking paths, but not under carpet or furniture.

*Set the hot water temperature at 115 degrees or below on the water heater.

*Use slip-resistant decals or non-skid mats in the tub or shower.

*Install grab bars in the bathtub and by the toilet that are securely anchored into the wall studs.

*Check to be sure that extension cords are not overloaded  and are clear of walkways.

*Install smoke detectors on every floor of the home and test them.

*Destroy out-of-date medications and those which are no longer being used.

*Place a telephone in the bedroom and post emergency numbers by all telephones.

*Keep space heaters away from flammable materials, and be sure the room is well ventilated.

*A three-pronged plug should be used in a three hole outlet, or an adapter should be used.

*Always turn off heating pads before an older person goes to sleep.

*Have an emergency exit plan and an alternative plan in case of fire.

Talk With Your Loved Ones About Any Safety Issues
After walking through the home of your loved ones, you should discuss with them any safety issues you found in their home.  If you have questions about how to make the home of an elderly loved one safer, please contact us today. 

Visiting Angels® Can Help!
Here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, let us demonstrate that Visiting Angels is "America's Choice In Home Care!"  If you would like to set up a free no-obligation assessment for your loved one, or just want to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Angels, just give us a call at 813-909-2550, or, 727-841-8440.  If you prefer, you can send us an email at wecare@visitingangelstampabay.com and we'll get right back to you.

Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Prevent The Risk Of Falling

Always Remember...Falls Are Preventable!

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in America. Seventy-five percent of these falls occur in the older adult population.

The Temple University Fall Prevention Project Suggests The Following:

1. Seeing obstacles is the first step in preventing a fall.  Keep your glasses clean.  Have your eyes examined at least once a year.

2. Wear well-fitting slippers with non-skid soles.  Avoid night clothing which drags on the ground.  Keep your robe tied.

3. Put commonly used things on shelves which are easy to reach.  If you must reach overhead, keep a sturdy stool handy.

4. Consider adding grab bars to the walls or using a tub seat to assist with bathing.  Non-skid tub mats and a hand held shower can also be useful. 

5. If you feel unsteady without holding on to something, you  may need a cane.  Consult your doctor or health care provider. 

6. Throw rugs pose a tripping hazard.  They should be tacked down or removed.

7. Using hand rails to go up and down stairs is easier and provides greater safety.  Add hand rails to all stairs, if possible.

8. Clutter such as shoes, electrical cords, and magazines is a safety hazard.  Keep pathways clear.

9. Good lighting can reduce the chance of falling.  Consider adding night lights where overhead lights are lacking.  Add bright tape strips to the edge of each stair.  Always keep a charged flashlight near your bed for emergencies.  A night light in the bathroom can also make night trips to the bathroom safer.

Remember, reducing the risk of falls begins at home.  Through education and self examination we can reduce the likelihood of falls.  We can assess your sitution and address the issues which are important to you and your family.

Contact Visiting Angels®  Don't hesitate to contact us to receive further information or arrange for a free no-obligation assessment.  Our friendly and knowledegable staff is available to walk you through any questions or concerns you might have. Call us at either 813-909-2550 or 727-841-8440, or, if you prefer, send an email to wecare@visitingangelstampabay.com and we'll get in contact with you.

When Is Home Care Needed?

The question is often asked of us, "When is home care needed for a loved one?"  The following are warning signs which might indicate when homecare is needed for someone you love:

He or she poses a threat to their own well-being
Is recently discharged from the hospital
Has physical limitations
Is undergoing rehabilitation
Experiences lapses in memory
Cannot prepare their own meals
Cannot maintain their lifestyle independently
Cannot make it through the night unattended
Over burdens your personal schedule
Can no longer be satisfied through your care giving efforts

Here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, let us demonstrate that VISITING ANGELS® is "America's Choice In Home Care!"  If you would like to set up a free no-obligation assessment for your loved one, or just want to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Angels, please give us a call at 813-909-2550, or, 727-841-8440.  If you prefer, you can send us an email at wecare@visitingangelstampabay.com and we'll get right back to you.

How Do We Care For Our Loved Ones So Far Away?

Does My Loved One Need Care?
In today's world, it's common for families and friends to be separated by great distances.  At some point in their lives, your parents, grandparents or a loved one may need in-home care.  Suddenly you are faced with the challenge of long distance caregiving.  The best approach to dealing with long distance caregiving is to educate yourself and family and to prepare ahead of time.

Institutional Facilities vs. Their Home
Sometimes, nursing homes and retirement housing seem like the only options available for care.  However, there can be significant emotional trauma when your loved one leaves their cherished home and familiar surroundings.  Studies have shown that seniors thrive more when they remain in their homes and familiar communities with their friends and neighbors.

I Feel Guilty That I Am Not There For Them.
Guilt is a natural emotion.  It's frustrating to be separated by distance and trying to manage remotely.  Reduce your anxiety and share the load with other family members.  Know your strengths, your limitations, and let others help.  If your loved one is dealing with a specific illness, like Alzheimer's disease, cancer, or the aftermath of a stroke, contact a local association or support group.  Most importantly, stay in contact with your loved one.  Establish periodic phone calls and visit as often as possible.

How Do I Choose A Home Care Agency?
Home care agencies offer different levels of service.  Choose an agency that can offer more than basic homemaker services.  Eventually, your loved one may require personal care services, like dressing, bathing and hygiene.  The agency you choose should be bonded, insured, and licensed.  Their caregivers should be experienced and screened including a criminal background check.  You or your loved one should be able to meet with the caregiver before you agree to the services.

Let Visiting Angels® Bring You Peace Of Mind.
In today's world, long distance caregiving is becoming a necessity and Visiting Angels is a leader in delivering the care you need where you need it!  Rest assured with peace of mind that your loved one will be in the experienced and caring hands of our Angels of Tampa Bay.  So, there really is a solution to long distance caregiving, and that solution is Visiting Angels.

Contact Us Today
Don't hesitate to contact us to receive further information or arrange for a free no-obligation assessment.  Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available to walk you through any questions or concerns you might have. Call us at either 813-909-2550 or 727-841-8440, or, if you prefer, send an email to wecare@visitingangelstampabay.com and we'll get in contact with you.

Not All Home Care Service Providers Are The Same -- Read Why We're Different

There's No Place Like Home!
Nursing homes or retirement centers seem like the only options for care.  VISITING ANGELS® non-medical home care services allow people to maintain the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings.  We can help your loved ones avoid the emotional trauma  of leaving their cherished home.  We believe that you and your family should have a choice about where and how to live, as well as who will provide your care.

You Choose Your Caregiver
We know it isn't easy to make the decision to invite a caregiver into your home to provide home care.  That's why our personalized screening system is designed to maximize your peace of mind.  You'll have the opportunity to interview any caregiver that we refer to you.  We let you choose the caregiver you trust.

You Are In Charge
You are in charge of everything.  Because we are a non-medical agency, we will not dictate to you what your schedule is to be.  You are the boss.  Your schedule is our schedule!  It is our job to adjust to your schedule and to keep you comfortable in your home.

You Can Afford The Best
Our philosophy of home care is to never compromise on providing high quality services to your family.  Our system allows you to afford a top quality caregiver.  We keep our overhead low to avoid passing high costs to you.  In addition, we believe that our caregivers should be paid and treated with respect.  For this reason, we can attract and maintain the best quality caregivers available.

No Minimum Number Of Hours
Some home care service providers require that you agree to a certain number of hours per visit or they will not provide assistance.  We don't think that's right. We understand that you may have needs from time to time that don't require large blocks of hours.  That's why we don't require that you give us a certain number of hours per visit.  Instead, we give you options!

We're Proactive
You won't get "lost in the shuffle" with us.  Some agencies simply react to calls from clients rather than anticipating your needs in advance.  We begin by reviewing your needs through discussions with family members and when necessary, with healthcare providers.  Our service coordinator carefully selects the caregiver with the necessary experience and personality that is best suited to the needs of each client.  Next, we arrange for the caregiver to visit your home so that you can participate in the selection process.  After services begin, we implement our system of ongoing personalized contacts with your family to insure that the care recipient is receiving the best possible care.

15 Minute Response Time
If you call a home care agency in the evening or on weekends, nothing is more frustrating than to receive an answering message and wait long periods of time for a return call.  If you receive a voice message when you call us, we'll call back within fifteen minutes.  We're committed to serving your needs in the way that's most convenient to you!

We're America's Choice
When you need care for a loved one, you'll want the agency you choose to be deep in home care experience.  Visiting Angels franchised home care agencies serve thousands of client families from hundreds of Visiting Angels office locations in more than 40 states across the USA.  Here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, we are proud to be among them. 

Contact Us Today
Don't hesitate to contact us to receive further information or arrange for a free no-obligation assessment.  Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available to walk you through any questions or concerns you might have. Call us at either 813-909-2550 or 727-841-8440, or, if you prefer, send an email to wecare@visitingangelstampabay.com and we'll get in contact with you.