Useful Resources

• Tips for Good Health
• Local Senior Centers
• Safety Tips
• Seniors and Hot Weather
• Scams
• Websites

Tips for Good Health

1. Play it safe. Tack down throw rugs and electrical cords, lock your windows, doors and use adequate lighting. Have a phone in the bedroom and living room. Have and check all smoke detectors twice a year.
2. Eat with your health in mind. You know the routine: low-fat, low-cholesterol diets for most meals. Can eat “finger foods” such as raw fruit and vegetables, which need no preparation. Frozen dinners will start tasting the same after a awhile. Have a good meal and a salad with lettuce, watercress, avocado or a fruit salad with papaya, watermelon, apples, bananas. Drinks eight glasses of water per day, serving fish at least once a week and limiting the amount of meat used at each meal. This is only overall guideline, please see a complete list of healthy meals.
3. Exercise. Exercise regularly. Walk 5-6 days a week, even better with someone to make the time go by. Know your limits and talk to a doctor first.
4. Use your head. Keep mentally alert by solving crossword puzzles, playing board games, reading.
5. Visit your doctor. Get regular checkups. Take advantage of any preventive health care provided through your health plan. Don’t just go when you’re ill. Pay attention to the warning signs of possible illnesses, such as breathlessness, headaches and skin changes on the face and other parts of the body exposed to the sun.
6. Get a life. Bake a cake for a neighbor (if you can safely), find ways to stay connected to people outside your home.
7. Use alternative medicines wisely. Talk to your doctor.
8. Drive safely or find alternative transportation. You have to be very alert when driving and your reflexes slow with age. Take a defensive driving course, know when it’s time to give up your license before some gets hurt, you can never go back in time to change a mistake.
9. Manage your money wisely. Sound financial management is crucial to people on fixed incomes. Con artists often target the elderly, stay away from get-rich-quick schemes and restrain yourself when strangers want your money. Be cautious about divulging information. Receiving phone calls, do not give out information, get their name and phone number – then talk to someone about it.
10. Vary your routine, except for medications and special medical or dietary needs. What’s going on at the moment shapes your life and keeps it from getting into a rut.
11. Cultivate a sense of humor. Smile, Laugh – Laughter is the best medicine, meet someone for coffee, share some jokes.
12. Mix with people of other ages.
13. We are born with no guarantees, and Life is full of unexpected events

Local Senior Centers Phone Numbers

Safety Tips

80% of all deaths for the elderly are from falls and most falls are in the bathroom. Have a low cost easy-to-use flashlight in case of a power outage. Have a magnifying glass to easily and accurately read prescriptions. Have hand towels near the sink to prevent water from dripping on the floor. Keep items organized and easily accessible. Could have a lockbox with a key at the front door for emergency personnel.

• Store your dishes and cooking utensils at an easy to reach height.
• If needed, have someone checking on the individual daily.
• Schedule a vision check.
• Use step stools with a handrail.
• Immediately clean up any spills.
• Check all throw rugs for movement.
• Check for wear on electrical cords and other equipment.
• Check the stairway treads for wear and make sure handrails are not loose.
• Steps and any uneven areas are well lit.
• Keep clear and wide paths though rooms, tape electrical and phone cords against walls.
• Check tables and chairs for loose legs.
• Look into night lights for hard to find light switches, or replace with illuminated switch.
• Have a phone within easy reach from the bed and perhaps in the bathroom where most falls occur (and/or have a cordless phone with you).
• May want a toilet seat with armrests to keep your balance when getting on or off the toilet.
• Grab bars on the bathroom walls.
• Use Non-skid adhesive textured strips in the shower and bathtub floor.
• Place a non-slip rug by your bathtub and shower.
• Think about having nightlights in the path to the bathroom from the bedroom.

Seniors and Hot Weather

CHECK HOMES FOR PROPER VENTILATION – Some homes are without air conditioners or the senior doesn’t want to spend the money to run them. Many seniors will sacrifice a cool breeze from an open window due to security concerns. Inexpensive safety latches are available for windows that allow air to circulate. Hardware stores many have other options too. When it’s very hot, go to public buildings, malls, libraries or to a movie.

OUTDOOR EVENTS – Make sure you wear loose fitting, light-colored clothing with a hat or cap. Look for shade and use a high SPF sun blocker-30 to protect the skin. Some diets (high proteins/low carbohydrate) and/or medications (particularly antibiotics & diuretics) can accelerate dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Scams

Seniors are one of the top targets for scams and represent 50% of all phone scam victims.

TELEMARKETING FRAUD

According to the AARP, telemarketers often prey upon older people who are well educated, have above average incomes and active in their community. Their sales pitches are sophisticated and include phony prizes and fake charities.

STEPS TO TAKE

Never send money or give out personal information such bank account numbers, date of birth or SSN to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

If you have doubts about a telemarketer’s legitimacy, ask for their company’s name, address and phone number where they can be reached at a later time. If they push you to act now, hang up and tell someone about this call.

Ask family, friends or accountant advice prior to making any large purchase or investment.

Sign up for the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry. www.donotcall.gov or (888) 382-1222.

Websites

Social Security Administration – SSA – This website offers benefits planning, online application to retire and more.
www.ssa.gov

American Stroke Association – The division of the America Heart Association that’s solely focused on reducing disability and death from stroke through research, education and advocacy.
www.strokeassociation.org

American Diabetes Association – The nation’s leading non-profit health organization providing diabetes research and information.
www.diabetes.org

American Cancer Society - Is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
www.cancer.org

American Lung Association – Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, but today fights lung disease in all its forms.
www.lungusa.org

CMS-Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – US Dept of Health and Human Services Website, includes resources for Medicare and Medicaid programs.
www.cms.hhs.gov

Medicare – Official US Government Website for people with Medicare.
www.medicare.gov

National Council on Aging – (NCOA) is dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities and society.
www.ncoa.org

National Organization on Disability – The mission of N.O.D. is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities by raising awareness through programs and information.
www.nod.org

American Association of Retired People – AARP – ARRP is a non-profit organization for people 50 and older.
www.aarp.com