Curved Stair Lifts – An Overview

If you are looking to purchase a stair lift and are worried about getting one to fit because you have a curved, odd shaped staircase or multiple landings – dont be! Curved stair lifts are just what you need.

No matter what the configuration or layout of your staircase, stair lifts can be tailor made to the size and shape of virtually any staircase easily coping with bends, straights and landings.

But of course, this extra flexibility comes at a price generally speaking these types of stair lifts are more expensive than their straight counterparts. Depending upon the configuration of your staircase the price will be based upon several factors: the number of bends, the angle of the bends, the length of the actual staircase, cost of labour etc.

Another design plus with curved stairlifts is their ability to be installed on either the inside or the outside path of your stairs. Basically, this means the stairlift can run along either side of your stairs and the profile of your stairs will ascertain which would be the most suitable option for you.

Although there is a buoyant market for second-hand and used straight stair lifts there is little market for curved stair lifts. And as such they have no real resale value, because they are custom made to fit individual staircases they are not suitable for installing in other properties.

In view of this, if you find that after a few years you have to move out of your home, unless you have an identical staircase, it is best to leave your stair lift in situ.

Again, because they are individually made, be prepared to pay your supplier a substantial deposit when ordering a curved stair lift. This practice does not generally take place with a normal, straight stair lifts but the one you are ordering will only fit in your house and if you pull out of the deal the supplier will not be able to resell it.

If you are considering having a stair lift in your home the website below contains free information and impartial advice on this topic.

These are, of course, just a couple of minor considerations you should bear in mind when deciding to buy a curved stairlift… you may decide that the advantages of being able to access all the floors your existing home far out way these points – especially when compared to the stress and expense of converting your house or moving to a single storey residence.

The Benefits Of Continuing Care Retirement Community

People nowadays have already realized the importance of saving for the future, especially for their retirement. This is because when they reach their retirement age, all they have to do is to relax and enjoy life together with the financial benefits that they themselves have tried to save little by little.

That is why, when it comes to retirement and the benefits that can be derived from it, people should take the matter seriously.

Because of the growing trend in retirement issues and programs, one area of retirement is gradually taking the limelight. This is known as the continuing care retirement community or the CCRCs.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are consistently gaining some recognition because of the features and benefits that retirees get from them.

To know more of the CCRC, here is a list of the benefits that a retiree can derive from them:

1. Continuing Care Retirement Community provides various housing projects and selection for their members. With a wide variety of choices, people are opting to choose a house that will correspond to their lifestyle and personality.

These housing privileges are not just mere housing projects, in which likes of them are usually made from low-quality materials. However, those that were provided by CCRC, the houses are surely apt for the family. In addition, these are, indeed, low cost houses.

2. The CCRC also offers optimum security, specialized services, and support to their residents. In this way, people who live in the area have peace of mind because they are surrounded by tranquil setting.

Moreover, in CCRC, people are entitled to enjoy three stages of care made available within the context of the Continuing Care Retirement Community.

3. The CCRC have programs that are always available (round-the-clock) to their customers. This means that the residents or their customers can readily avail the services that they need, in which all of the services are all focused on the well-being and health of the people.

No wonder why more and more retirees are aiming to obtain their new homes from the CCRC. Surveys show that approximately 625,000 elderly people are planning to have their own houses through this program.

4. The agreements stipulated therein are all stated in the contract. That is why retirees are more than secure because they will know that the things that they have worked for will not just go to waste.

CCRC is another way of enjoying life’s simple pleasures after working so hard all their lives.

Providing Respite For The Family Caregiver

Progress is being made on the homefront for those caring for family members suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia. Currently, about two-thirds of Americans with those conditions are cared for at home.

As the disease progresses it carries with it a tremendous burden, both physically and psychologically on the family members-usually the husband, wife or partner--who are doing the caregiving. That is why it is vital that the family access community support systems, such as local Alzheimer's organizations, that can provide reassurance and support groups.

It is also important that family caregivers seek outside help if they feel they are becoming ill from the strain of caregiving as the disease progresses. The strain can easily become intolerable for spouses trying to cope all alone at home with an Alzheimer's sufferer and they themselves can have a physical or mental breakdown.

There should be no shame or guilt in seeking respite care from a professional home care agency. People who are not trained professionals often find it a strain to be caregivers, and should not feel that this makes them a bad or unloving partner or child. By turning to outside resources, a family can delay having to place Alzheimer's sufferers in a long-term-care facility and, instead, keep them in the comfort of their own home.

Interim HealthCare has formed a strategic partnership with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) to support AFA's goals related to dementia care professionals, including:

- Raise the level of professional care provided to individuals who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia;

- Support professionals as they support those in need by providing practical training;

- Set standards of excellence through the AFA qualification program;

- Offer networking and advocacy opportunities.

Interim HealthCare, a leader in the home healthcare industry, recognizes the special needs of Alzheimer's and dementia patients and their families. Creating an Alzheimer's- and dementia-friendly and safe environment is an important step in making it possible for people to remain at home much longer and further into the disease.

Buying Furniture for the Elderly with Special Needs

If you are challenged with buying furniture for an elderly person, there are a few things you should keep in mind as you start your search.

First, how is that person’s health and physical condition? Can he or she easily rise from and sit down into a chair? If not, furniture with special options are available. The seats of chairs and recliners rise to a higher level with the push of a button. The elderly person can simply back against it, then lower himself down to a seated position by pushing another button. Furniture technology is great!

Another thing to consider when picking out furniture for an elderly person is the fabric or upholstery on the item. If the elderly person tends to slide out of seating easily, a couch with a slick leather upholstery might not be as good a choice as one with a textured fabric. The texture of the fabric can help prevent slipping out of the seating.

Make sure the furniture you pick out for an elderly person is easy to clean. If they have other health issues that might mean occasional soiling of the furniture, they will need to be able to clean it quickly and thoroughly.

Most important when buying furniture for an elderly person is to remember that even though his or her eyesight might be a little less than it once was, the furniture should still be appealing to his or her taste.  If your grandfather hates floral fabric, don’t buy him a room full of furniture with huge magnolia blossoms on it just because you happen to like it. If you are incorporating this furniture into your living quarters, and you and the elderly person who will be sharing your space disagree on furniture tastes, do your best to get the new furniture in a complementary shade or fabric. It doesn’t have to be an exact match. Use a solid blue lift chair to coordinate with your blue, burgundy and green floral sofa and loveseat. Make every effort to respect his or her taste while accommodating any special needs.

If you are buying furniture for an elderly or special needs person, ask questions of your furniture rep. Tell them about your special needs and concerns. Furniture sales reps are trained to help you fill your needs. If your local furniture store doesn’t carry what you need, chances are the salesperson can refer you to a website or medical supply store that does.  If ordering furniture from a website, be sure you know all the shipping and handling costs up front. Also, find out warranty information. Don’t overlook medical supply stores in your furniture quest. In addition to medical necessities such as oxygen tanks, portable toilets and wheelchairs, many carry furniture items like lift chairs and recliners that can greatly improve comfort and quality of life.

If at all possible, take the elderly person you are buying furniture for on your shopping trip. Ask for input. This will insure your furniture purchase is one you’ll be happy with for a long time.

Choosing The Perfect Retirement Home

Making the decision to move from the comfort of your own home into a retirement home is not one to be taken lightly and needs a lot of thought and preparation.

So what should be you be looking for?

Peace of Mind

Whether you are able to live without assistance or need extra care, you want to know that you're going to be getting the best and most secure facilities on offer to fit within your lifestyle.

Modern day retirement developments are thought out very carefully with special attention paid to detail, from the style of the property and its natural surroundings, to the distance from local shops, hospitals, transport and social aspects such as meeting clubs and restaurants.  Security entrances, 24 hour care lines, smoke alarms and lifts are generally included and designed to make you feel secure and protected.  A house manager is also a reassuring presence. Whether you need them or not, from keeping an eye on your apartment to answering any questions you might have, they are there to provide assistance.

Independence

Special attention isn't just paid to the local amenities and facilities outside your home. In order to live as independently as possible, you need access to everything you'd expect in your own home such as enough space for storage, right down to the types of tap fittings used and the heights of units. These small details mean that you can continue to look after yourself well into your retirement.  Assisted living is a great option for those who can maintain a good degree of independence and are well enough not to need a full time care home but need a bit of extra help. Many retirement developments offer assisted living for those that need it while still allowing its residents a high degree of independence.

Comfort

To be comfortable, you need to feel at home, relaxed and secure. This is mostly achieved by choosing a good quality retirement apartment but extras such as laundry rooms and residents lounges also offer you companionship and conversation when you want it and fully equipped guest suites for when friends or family wish to stay overnight.

Cost

Cost of living is obviously high on the agenda for many people.  While it's usually tempting to go for the cheapest option, that's not always best.

Try to find somewhere within your budget with a clear cost structure so there are no hidden costs.  Various service charges including garden maintenance, water rates, the use of the care line, the house manager etc can soon add up causing a great deal of stress and worry.

You want value for money in a location suitable for you, with the facilities you need and a clear idea of what extra charges you will need to budget for. Energy efficiency should be high on the tick list too because the more efficient a property, the less costly it will be.

Location

If you are planning to retire it usually makes sense to choose a location where you already have some form of connection.  For example, some people might select a location to be near to family whilst others might select a location which is close to their friends.  Many choose to retire to a location because of the countryside - or indeed that very popular option, to be near the sea.  Many people select a location on the basis that it is the place where they feel comfortable and of course "gut feeling" may well play an important part in that judgment.

Finally, whatever grounds you might give for selecting a retirement apartment or flat it really is worth looking around to see what's on offer.  One of the best places to start is by going to the largest builder of retirement homes in the UK as they have extensive resources on their website to help the retirement home hunter.  Happy searching!

Maintain Your Brain - Strategies to Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

It's almost become a joke. Forget the word you wanted to use and joke 'Must be early Alzheimer's.' Lose track of where you left your keys? "Doh! Guess I'm getting Alzheimer's." Alzheimer's Disease is no joking matter, though, and we know it even under the casual, joking jabs at our own memory problems. I suspect that more than one of us, when those occasional lapses of memory happen, wonder if we really ARE starting to lose our memories to one of the most baffling and devastating diseases we know.

According to the Center for Disease Control statistics, 20% of adults who are in nursing homes have a primary diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - over 214,000 people. For many of us who are approaching the far side of middle age, that's a frightening statistic. Those jokes have the air of gallows humor. There is good news on the Alzheimer's front. Research into risk factors and predisposition have turned up some interesting correlations between general health, social well-being and Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association has some suggestions that may help lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease, and even slow its progression among those who have already started showing symptoms.

Eat your fruits and veggies.
   Mother always told you to eat all your veggies, and this is one more good reason. In one study of over 1,800 elderly men and women, researchers found that those who drank fruit or vegetable juice at least three times a week had a 75% less risk of developing Alzheimer's than those who drank less than one glass per week. Why?

  The answer probably lies in the effects of antioxidants. Fruit juices - especially berry juices - are among the highest sources of antioxidants around. Dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, berries and citrus juices are all up there as excellent sources of antioxidant goodness. Get out the juicer and drink up!

Eat a healthy, balanced diet - and don't forget your fats.
   A healthy diet is basic to a healthy brain. Whole grains, vegetables and fruits should be your major source of calories, but doctors are starting to take a closer look at fats again. One source of fat that appears to be vital to rebuilding and maintaining brain cells is fish. The omega-3 fatty acids that are found in high concentrations in cold-water fish like tuna and salmon, as well as in shellfish, are an important ingredient in building neural pathways that function properly. Nutritionists suggest including a source of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet at least three times a week. Tuna casserole, anyone?

Get social!   
In a study of over 2,500 men, those who had the least contact with friends and family were nearly 3 times as likely to develop dementia as those who had more active social lives. Social activity and maintaining family and social ties seem to stimulate the brain cells and keep them from atrophying. When's the last time you had coffee with your sister, hm?

Exercise your brain.
Recent studies strongly suggest that elderly people - including those with Alzheimer's Disease, can improve their memories with practice. Researcher suggest that activities like crossword puzzles, memory games and challenging mental activities could help the brain create new neural pathways as old brain cells die off. Get out the word-search books and have some mental fun!

Stay physically active.
  In one study of almost 500 adult children of parents with Alzheimer's Disease, researchers found that those who exercised regularly scored better on memory and problem solving tasks than those who were sedentary. It may be that exercise, which promotes healthy circulation and gets the blood flowing through your entire body, helps nourish the brain by getting more nutrients to it on a regular basis. Take a walk or take up swimming - or join a fitness group to combine social AND physical activities in one.


The bottom line? Doctors and researchers aren't sure what causes it, so there's no surefire way to prevent Alzheimer's Disease from developing. They do know that people who share certain traits are much less likely to develop the symptoms though. Stay fit, get active, get out with your friends often and do what you can to enjoy your life. As a prescription for preventing Alzheimer's disease, it sounds like a great way to live!

Aging Parents and Role Reversal

This is the day you thought would never happen.  Your roles in life are reversing.  You’re trying to make decisions for yourself and your Aging  Parent.  What will be best for them without altering your life too drastically.  How do you keep up the pace and ultimately please everyone around you?  You are not alone in life, you have a family, significant other, a career to think about.  You want to balance everything to keep everyone happy and life as normal as possible.  Think again!  Those once a week visits or daily phone calls aren’t enough anymore.  Your parent needs care, the real kind.

The care includes making sure they eat, that they take their meds, that their money isn’t being floundered away on TV shopping.  You have siblings that think Assisted Living or Nursing Facilities are awful and they don’t want to put Mom or Dad in one even though they also don’t want to help out.  How do you cope?  How do you deal with this situation without alienating every member of your family?

First understand, it’s not about you.  What I mean by that statement is that it is not about guilt and what some think is the “Right thing to do”.  It’s not about hanging on to someone that they used to be.  They are an elderly person in need of constant care and attention.  If you need a dose of growing up, this situation will make it happen whether you’re ready or not!

Start with their doctor.  Have an appointment to discuss the faltering health of your beloved parent.   You can also check into the hospital that their health care is associated.  Every hospital has an elder care group of some type.  The  medical coverage will also have affiliations with elder sourcing.  Between the doctor and the medical coverage group, you may be able to determine the types of help and living style your parents current status requires.  Keep asking until you have the best situation for all concerned.

It may be as simple as an Aide visiting once or twice a day to help with showering, dressing, meals and meds.  Their health may need more than that and the visiting nurse or doctor’s office is the place to apply the concern.  The best word to learn to help an elder parent is the same as if your infant child were being cared for and that is SAFETY. If safety is not at the level necessary, keep pushing until you get the help you need.  Keep on insisting the area of SAFETY.

It may take you time to uncover everything available to your parent to help with this care process but trust me, it will be worth it in the many years elder care can stretch out to be.  It is best to discuss with them  all their health and medical, financial and personal situations before that day arrives.

When they are older the best thing you can give them is you.  Spend quality time instead of stress time.  Have them over for a day and dinner instead of needing to pawn them off on someone else.  The resentment builds if you do this alone and there are many really good care facilities to take that  burden off your shoulders.

Safety and honesty is what makes those later years a good memory!