Home health agencies make it possible for people with chronic illnesses and seniors to live at home surrounded by family and cared for by people who love them. Whether dealing with an acute incident such as recovering from surgery or the long process of finding comfort in home-based hospice care, people who receive home health services enjoy a much better quality of life. 

The simple comforts associated with relaxing in your own easy chair surrounded by familiar objects while you receive personal care are very pleasurable. Having a walker that is adjusted just for you, or using a cane that you picked out for its color and style, can make accepting the limits of disability or aging much easier. The care which is provided within the home should be tailored to meet the needs (social, personal, nursing or medical) of each individual. It should be provided on the basis of an assessment which is both timely and comprehensive. At all times it should be provided with respect in a sensitive manner that maintains the dignity of whoever is receiving care. The privacy of individuals should be guarded and kept confidential. 

Contrary to what many people think, most disabled elderly are not living in nursing homes--they are living at home and want to stay there. Home care services, such as home health care, homemaker help, personal care, meals-on-wheels programs, respite care and adult day care, enable them to do so.                                         

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at (775) 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson city NV 89701.

More than 2.3 million drug-related errors adversely affect older Americans each year, often resulting in rush trips to the emergency room, expensive hospitalization and subsequently, the potential decline of a senior citizen’s independence. There are specific precautions that seniors, their adult children and caregivers can take to prevent mishaps related to prescription use:

1. Bring current prescription medications at least once a year to your primary care doctor’s office and have them reviewed to verify that each medication is still useful and appropriate, and to ensure that the combination of medications is safe.
2. Store medications properly at home. Most people keep medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet, where they can get damp and lose potency.  A dry place such as a kitchen cabinet or bedroom is better storage location as long as the medications are out of reach of children or safely locked away.
3. Keep the appropriate medication in the correct bottle.  Don’t mix different medications in the same bottle to save space or for traveling, for example.
4. Check medications several times a year to make sure they have not expired.
5. Dispose of old and expired medications properly by flushing them down a toilet.  Don’t throw them in the trash where a child might find and ingest them.
6. Develop a relationship with your local pharmacist to consult with questions about the proper use of medications and possible drug interactions.
7. Although it may appear to be an attractive way to save money, do not order drugs from unknown Web sites.  Order only from a Web site through your own health plan or retail pharmacy that provides password protection for its members.  Unknown Internet pharmacies may not be licensed or staffed by actual pharmacists, and there are no guarantees that the medications will be effective, be the correct dose, or even be the drug they are advertised to be.                                                                  

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson city NV 89701.

As your parents get older, you might notice some changes beyond the gray hair and wrinkles. Your mom might be reluctant to leave the house when it's snowy for fear of falling. Your dad might not be able to make all the repairs to the house like he once did.

It's normal for your parents to lose some of their abilities as they age. But you might worry that your parents can't take care of themselves and their home like they used to. At some point you might start to think about long term care for your parents.
Long term care can range from some scheduled help around the house to 24-hour care in a nursing home. The point of long term care is to help your parents maintain as much of their independence as possible by helping them with the things they can't do any more, whether it's the weekly shopping or bathing and dressing. This independence is balanced with keeping your loved ones safe. Knowing someone's there to help can take stress off both them and you.

But don't wait too long to discuss long term care with your parents. If you wait until one of your parents is injured or sick, you might find yourself under pressure to make a quick decision — a decision that everyone may later come to regret. Planning now and understanding your parents' wishes will help you be ready when it comes time to make this decision.

Discussing your parents' needs regarding long term care 

Ask your parents what they would prefer in terms of long term care. You may wish to consult with their doctors, as well. You'll need your parents' permission to do this. Your parents' doctors can also put you in touch with agencies that can help you identify your parents' needs and make recommendations on their care.  Interview several home health care agencies over the phone but also visit their office in person. Talk to the staff and ask what type of certifications they each have and how long they have been doing this type of work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have the right to know and to feel comfortable with the agency you will hire to care for the people you love the most.

You may already be caring for your parents. But as your parents age, you may find they need more help than you're able to give, such as assistance with medications, changing dressings or using the bathroom. You may simply become overwhelmed taking care of your parents as well as your own family. Recognize when you can no longer care for your parents on your own. Remember that the right professional help is out there…it’s just a matter of finding it.

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at (775) 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson city NV 89701.

If your doctor recommends a cane to help you balance as you walk or to help you compensate for an injury or disability, you might be overwhelmed by your options. You have all sorts of choices when it comes to selecting a cane, including various colors and styles.

A cane with a good fit will help you prevent falls and make it easier to get around. A poorly fitted cane can be uncomfortable to use and increase your chance of falling.                                                   

Selecting a grip
Choose a grip that feels good in your hand. You might prefer a cane with a foam grip or a grip that's shaped to fit your hand. Choosing a grip is a matter of personal preference, though if you have difficulty using your fingers or your hand is injured, your doctor or a physical therapist may recommend a specialized type of grip for you.

Numbness or pain in your hand or fingers might signal that your cane's grip isn't a good fit for your hand. Try out various grips before you select one.                                                                                                                                  

Checking the tip
A pliable rubber tip on the end of your cane grips the ground much like the tread on car tires. The tip of your cane can help provide traction on most surfaces.
Make sure the rubber tip is supple and the tread isn't worn. Replace the tip if it looks worn, or at least every five years. You can buy replacement tips at a medical supply store.

Checking the fit
Many canes are adjustable; some are not. Make sure your cane fits you properly before you buy it by making sure:

• Your elbow is at a comfortable angle. With your cane in your hand, the bend in your elbow should be about a 30-degree angle.
• Your wrist meets the top of the cane. With your arm hanging straight down at your side, the top of your cane should come up to the crease in your wrist.
  A cane that is too tall will make you work harder to pick it up and move it. A cane that's too short may cause you to lean to one side, making you off-balance.

Stepping with your affected leg
If you don't have an injury, but your doctor recommends you use a cane to provide stability as you walk, you may grip the cane in either hand — whichever feels most comfortable to you. Pick up and move your cane in unison with the opposite leg.
If you have an injury or disability affecting one of your legs, grip the cane in the hand opposite your affected leg. Move the cane in unison with your affected leg. Each time you step with your affected leg, the cane will move, too, giving you support.

Other types of canes
Canes come in many different styles — such as canes with a folding seat and also collapsible canes. Choose a cane that fits your needs, but also one that fits you properly. Talk to your doctor, a physical therapist or a knowledgeable salesperson at a medical supply store about what's available and what might be best for you. Try out several canes before deciding on the right one.

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at (775) 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson city NV 89701.

What can you do to maintain your independence?

Independence may be something you take for granted throughout most of your life. As you become older, staying independent can present more of a challenge. But aging doesn't have to preclude independence. Maintaining a sense of independence represents a good quality of life.

Maintaining independence involves planning and action. The most important thing you can do is set goals and plan for the future. If you want to maintain your independence, talk with your doctor about how you can accomplish that. It might just mean purchasing a new pair of glasses so that you're seeing as well as possible. Or it could mean making adjustments to your home to decrease your risk of falling — for example, by removing scatter rugs or increasing lighting. If your needs are greater, it may mean using a cane or walker or hiring help for certain tasks. A home health care agency could provide you with an extra helping hand in your own surroundings but make sure you hire your caregivers thru an agency so it can handle any worker’s compensation and liability issues if they arrive. Also make sure that the home health agency you hire performs at least one criminal background check on their caregivers and that they have an office, liability insurance, worker compensation insurance and insurance bond.

Hiring a caregiver off the street could present some risks that you would want to avoid.  A lawsuit as a consequence of an in-home accident or missing items in your home are some of the risks you could encounter by hiring without an agency that protects you, your rights and your home.

Here are a few tips for maintaining your physical health and independence:

• Exercise and stay active. Set goals for physical activity, even if it's as little as walking 10 minutes a day using a walker. Exercise improves muscle and skeletal strength, which may reduce your risk of falling and help you stay in your home longer. Use assistive devices, such as canes and walkers, if you need to.
• Manage chronic health condition(s). If you have chronic health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, set goals to manage your condition(s). Take medications as directed.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you're eating enough food and drinking enough water. Maintain a healthy diet based on a variety of foods. And be sure to get enough rest. Also consider modifying your home and driving habits to create a safer environment and make it easier to accomplish daily tasks.
  In addition to setting goals to meet these basic needs, make sure you're connected to other people. Maintain a good network of family and friends. Consider volunteering to remain in touch with the community. Staying connected helps prevent the risk of isolation. I actively encourage people to be involved, to have a purpose for waking up every morning — set goals for what you want to do each day.

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at (775) 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson City NV 89701

Over-the-counter wrinkle creams: Miracle or marketing myth?
Many of today's over-the-counter (OTC) skin creams and lotions promise to do more than moisturize the skin. They also claim to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by aging and sun exposure.

Do they work? Some research suggests that wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of these ingredients haven't been subjected to intensive research that proves this benefit.

Here are some of the most common types of ingredients found in OTC wrinkle creams, organized by known effectiveness.

Modestly effective ingredients

Vitamin A (retinol)
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and is the first antioxidant to be widely used in OTC wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is less potent than the vitamin A derivative tretinoin, the only prescription topical treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating wrinkles. Both retinol and tretinoin can cause redness and irritation, but retinol's side effects are usually milder.

• Claim. Works deep below the skin's surface to smooth wrinkles.
• Brand examples. RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Line Eraser Pure Retinol Night Treatment.
• The facts. Retinol concentration varies from product to product, and the FDA warns that some OTC preparations may contain almost no retinol. Avoid Vitamin A derivatives if you're pregnant or may become pregnant because they increase the risk of birth defects.

Hydroxy acids
Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids are all synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. These acids are exfoliants, substances that remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and stimulate the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin.

• Claim. Improve the look of deeper lines and wrinkles while increasing skin hydration.
• Brand examples. Kiss My Face Peaches & Creme Moisturizer with 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acids, M.D. Forte Facial Cream III with Glycolic Acid.
• The facts. Hydroxy acids stimulate production of collagen, a protein that thickens skin and prevents water loss. Use of these acids may lead to modest improvements in fine lines and wrinkles. Side effects may include burning, itching, pain and possible scarring. Since hydroxy acids increase your susceptibility to sun damage, apply sun protection during use and for at least one week afterward.

For any comments or questions about this article please contact Maria Gutierrez a Client Support Executive from ABC Home Health Care at (775) 885-2929 or at 625 Fairview Drive, Suite 103, Carson city NV 89701.