Proper Lighting. Every room should have a light or light switch at each entryway, so no one needs to enter a dark room. Nightlights should be used to illuminate paths from the bed to the bathroom, kitchen, or any other place in the home that may need accessed during the night.

Uncluttered Walkways. Walkways should be clear of electric cords, pet’s toys, or any other trip hazards.

Appropriate Floor Surfaces. All carpets or rugs should be flat and stay in place. Rugs that slip should be replaced or secured in place by carpet tacks or carpet tape. Any spills on smooth floor surfaces should be cleaned promptly.

Easy Phone Access. A cell phone to wear on a belt or put in a pocket is ideal. Or have multiple phones spread in strategic places around the home, so no one needs to hurry to a phone to answer it.

Suitable Footwear. Supportive rubber-soled shoes should be worn.

Safe Stairways. Sturdy handrails should be installed at stairways, even if only one or two steps are involved and uneven or loose steps should be repaired promptly. All steps should have non-slip surfaces and be well lighted.

Appropriate Chairs. Chairs should be sturdy and have armrests that can be used to help you stand up.

Sturdy Furniture. Furniture, especially near any walkways, should be sturdy enough to support the weight of anyone who may need to reach out to steady himself or stop a fall.

Organized Closets/Cabinets. Items that need to be accessed with regularity should be placed where they can be reached easily and safely.

Properly Equipped Bathrooms. A non-slip tub or shower surface is essential, as well as strategically-placed handrails near the commode and bath.

Appropriate Eyewear. Eyeglasses, if needed, should be worn consistently and be readily available next to the bed and sitting areas.

As fall risk increases with age or illness, we need to develop special safety awareness and adjust our habits accordingly. We need to see our environment through new eyes, being deliberately conscious of factors that can precipitate a fall. It is okay to let the phone ring or let the person at the door wait while we safely take our time to respond. It is okay to ask for help more often than we otherwise would.

Author: Unknown

Letter from a Mother to her Daughter

 “My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter. ”

Author unknown

Most people do not know that there are also secondary risk factors for heart disease. There has been much research done in this field and many articles written.  We will briefly discuss a few terms that will help you to understand some of the secondary risk factors for heart disease.

When you go into the lab and have your blood drawn for a cholesterol check, do you know what is actually checked?  It is much more than simply your cholesterol level – you are actually getting the total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels checked.  The higher your cholesterol the more likely you are to have plaque buildup in your blood vessels.  There are now interventions that can target these plaque producing molecules.

Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid.  Amino Acids are known as the building blocks for proteins.  When our bodies have too much homocysteine we are at higher risk for strokes and heart disease.  This is a case of having too much of a good thing!  What causes a rise in homocysteine levels?  Age, kidney disease and hormonal imbalance are a few things causing this phenomenon.

Fibrinogen provides an important blood clotting effect that is essential to healing if you have a cut, however, when levels are elevated, it can put you at increased risk of heart disease.  Women are especially prone to this as they go through menopause and begin decreasing estrogen levels. This decrease in estrogen can cause their fibrinogen levels to increase, thereby increasing cardiac risk.

Iron levels are important to keep balanced.  Iron is essential to bone marrow production of red blood cells.  Low levels of iron can cause anemia (loss or under production of red blood cells) while too much iron can increase the risk of heart disease.  Iron levels can fluctuate from dietary intake and also as a result of hormonal changes due to the aging process.

CRP is a blood test known as C Reactive Protein.  It is a marker of inflammation in your body.  Research has shown that individuals with elevated CRP levels are at higher risk for heart disease.

We know that heart disease is multi-faceted and affects thousands of patients annually.  Medical research into the treatment of heart disease has reduced the number of people who die from coronary events.  But thousands continue to develop heart disease each year.  Prevention and knowledge are two important keys to unlocking the secrets for decreasing this disease.  How can you find out what your risk is for heart disease?  Ask your primary physician to refer you to a metabolic specialist in your area.  Your primary physician may already have the specialized training in metabolic medicine and can discuss with you how the aging process impacts these particular risk factors. Prevention is the best way to decrease risk and help you to maintain your vitality and health!

Dr. Melissa Dean has a private practice in Vero Beach and Winter Park, FL.  She has been in the Vero Beach community since 1989. She is trained in Internal Medicine, has a Master’s prepared in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, and recently completed a Fellowship in Functional Medicine.  The primary focus of her practice is preventative medicine and wellness.   She practices an integrative approach to medicine, utilizing bio-identical hormone replacement and nutritional evaluation to help prevent disease.

by Melissa Dean, MD

Is this a new time in your life? Do you need to find a home health care provider either for yourself or your loved one? Research and asking the right questions will help alleviate your concerns.

Family Private Care specializes in answering home health care questions. From the basic questions of “How does home care work?” to “What kind of caregiver will be referred?” to detailed answers about the questions you should ask before you get a caregiver.

When you call Family Private Care feel free to ask:

1. Are your background checks and screening process reliable?
2. Does Family Private Care follow up with their clients?
3. What if my caregiver calls in sick or goes on vacation?
4. Can you please tell me about your service agreement?
5. How do I know my loved one will get the most appropriate caregiver to take care of her needs? How long has s/he been with your company?
6. For what duties, in addition to personal care, will the caregiver be responsible?
7. Will the home health caregiver be able to transfer someone from a wheelchair into a car or bed?
8. If meal prep is needed will my caregiver be a good and knowledgeable cook?
9. I want the same caregiver every day. Will this be possible?
10. Do the caregivers have reliable transportation and insurance? How far do they drive?
11. What if a caregiver is not comfortable with some of the assigned duties?

See! That’s how easy it is to ask questions!

You’ve heard it said, “There are no dumb questions.” This is true. And when it comes to protecting and caring for your loved one Family Private Care invites you to ask questions! Call us today! 800.962.0884

By: Janene Fiala

Have fun with your texts and tweets. . . Share your STC with your children and grandchildren so you will be understood.

• ATD – at the doctors
• BTW – bring the wheelchair
• CGU – can’t get up
• CML – call me later
• CU@TSC – see you at the Senior Center
• CWS – car won’t start
• FWIW – forgot where I was
• GF – gone fishing
• GHA – got heartburn again
• IMHO – is my hearing-aid on?
• INAR – I need a ride
• LMDO – laughing my dentures out
• LOL – living on Lipitor
• OMMR – on my massage recliner
• TFM – time for meds
• TTS – time to sleep
• TTYL – talk to you louder
• WAITT – who am I talking to?
• WWNO – walker wheels need oil

If you qualify for senior discounts these are the codes for you!

By. Janene Fiala

Family Private Care was founded on three guiding principles that have defined our uniqueness and which have not altered from that time until this:

The value of life. We believe that human life is of inestimable value and significance in all its dimensions, from the unborn to the aged, from the mentally handicapped to the physically challenged. Every condition in which humanness is expressed, from conception to the grave, reflects some aspect of God’s image and is therefore of immeasurable worth.

The value of relationships. We believe that the intrinsic human dignity we all possess should be the starting point of every relationship we form and every family we serve. In the heart of every human being there is a desire to be loved, cared for, respected, and treated with dignity in spite of any physical, emotional, or psychological differences.

The value of integrity. We believe that a commitment to integrity forms the foundation of all healthy relationships, whether in business or in our personal lives. Integrity is displayed in the small daily decisions that demonstrate whether our words and actions align with our core values and beliefs. Yes means yes; no means no. Our word is good, our handshake confirms the deal, and our signature is worth something.

From the first day we opened our doors we have continued to take great pride in referring the most compassionate and competent caregivers to clients in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and private residences. Now in our second decade of service, we plan to continue being the company most recognized for doing whatever it takes to ensure that our clients and their families receive the care they deserve. Our goal is to exceed our clients’ expectations, living by our motto, “Excellence in all we do, and integrity in how we do it!” It’s in our DNA.

1. How long has the company been doing business in your community?
2. Does the company have a current license to practice in the State ofFlorida?
3. Does the company have printed brochures describing the services they offer and how much it costs?
4. Is the company a member of a national oversight body such as the Private Care Association  (PCA), the National Private Duty Association (NPDA), or the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC)?
5. Does the company confer with the client, family member(s), and/or physician on the clients’ needs so that tasks to be performed by the caregiver are clear?
6. How do the caregivers keep family members informed about the care their loved one is receiving?
7. Does the company have a skilled nurse available to provide 24-hour on-call assistance? How accessible are they? How can you contact them if necessary? How often do they visit the client to maintain quality of care?
8. What is the procedure for resolving problems if they occur? Who can I call with questions or complaints? Are staff members available around the clock, seven days a week?
9. What type of caregiver screening is done? Is it thorough—does it include criminal background check, skills validation, and personal/professional references?
10. Who do I call if the caregiver cannot come when scheduled? How does the company handle this issue?

When selecting a home healthcare partner, there are many options from which to choose. If you ask these questions before making your selection, you will better ensure that your most valuable possession – the health of you or your loved one – is protected.

By: Deborah Irvine, President, Family Private Care

Note that some questions may not apply.

- Have you received written information about your current condition? Do you understand it?

- Have you been trained on how to care for your special needs? Do you know how to provide care in the case of an emergency (such as CPR, first aid, and other emergency care)?

- Do you have prescriptions for all of your medications and services?

- Have you been told about community benefits and services (like meals on wheels), and how to get them?

- Have you had a discharge-planning meeting?

- Has a Medicare certified home health care agency been identified? Has nursing coverage been confirmed?

- Have you identified caregivers who will accompany you home, pick up your prescriptions, prepare your home for your homecoming, shop for fresh and nourishing food, prepare your meals, etc.?

- Have you talked about making your home accessible? What type of equipment will you need?

- Do you have the supplies and equipment you will need at home? Have you been set up with a durable medical equipment (DME) provider? Has a delivery date been set?

- Has an Emergency Response Plan been developed?

- Have public utilities (such as electricity, water, etc) been contacted about your needs? Have you been put on a priority list to restore utilities during emergencies such as a hurricane or tornado?

- If you need to evacuate after an emergency, have you identified the closest shelter and have you thought about what you need to bring?

No one wants to think of their home as a hospital or wants it to be equivalent to a medical facility. Are you looking at your loved one’s home and feeling like the pill bottles, medical equipment and supplies have taken over?

Studies show that those receiving home health care can adapt and recover from stress more readily, and will have better health if their home surroundings feel homey.

Here are a few ideas to help your loved one continue to love their home:

Professional Cleaners - When your loved one becomes homebound a Nurse Registry offering homemaking services can help get the home fresh and clean as it is set up for home health care.

Arrange and Change - If your loved one “lives” mainly in one room redecorate to fit his or her needs. Move the favorite family pictures to this room so they can be seen and enjoyed daily.  You may want to place books, magazines, favorite games, puzzles, a radio or portable DVD player in an easy-to-reach area.

Safety First - A Home Safety Council survey reveals that falls are the leading cause of home injuries amongst seniors. Help make your loved one’s home safe by using night lights in every room; remove or secure rugs; use a nonslip mat in the tub and nonskid rug on the bathroom floor; add grab bars in the tub/shower; install handrails where needed; and remove clutter.

Organization - It is a good idea to rethink and reorganize where things are placed in the home so it’s more convenient for your aging parent.

Fresh Air - To avoid a stale or medicinal air in your aging parent’s home open the windows on both sides of the room for cross ventilation. If this is not possible try an air purifier; use fragrance sticks to add a pleasant odor; or absorb smells by placing a bowl of vinegar or baking soda in an out-of-the way place in the room.

Beautify with Art and Nature - Surrounding a health care environment with art reduces stress and helps the healing process! It doesn’t have to be a Picasso. Beautiful pictures from calendars and magazines, art work from a child or grandchild, or a picture from the family photo album gives enjoyment to the homebound.  Plants and flowers help clean the air and brighten the room – especially Peace lilies. If a plant takes too much care, silk plants and flowers will also give color and serenity.

Enjoy your own personal creative ways to keeping your loved one’s home beautiful so he or she can say, “I love my home.”

By: Janene Fiala