Navigating the COVID-19 Vaccine Process

The COVID-19 vaccine is now becoming available to others outside the healthcare industry, but it can seem like a dangling carrot with no real access. So how can you navigate the COVID-19 vaccine process? It won't be available from you primary care provider (PCP) because of the strict cold storage requirements. But some large healthcare organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, CVS, and Walgreens are able to safely store and provide it. Sites such as Disneyland or sports stadiums are allowing use of their parking lots for drive-up inoculations.

Find Information Online

The best possible means of getting truthful and transparent information is through your county public health department. Trying to reach them by phone may be almost impossible, so you will likely need to access them online and it may be a slow process because literally millions are trying to access as well. Be patient but persistent!!  You may need a family member or friend to do this for you. Your local Senior Center also may be able to assist you.

A Google search for your specific county health dept. would look like: XXX county public health department. And then search for COVID-19 vaccine information. It might be front and center. Or you may need to start with your state health department website. Go directly to the government websites and please don't fall for any scams!!!!!  DO NOT pay anyone to help you access a vaccine! You can sign up to receive emails with updated information.

FREE Vaccine

The vaccine is free of charge, and you should NOT be asked for insurance information. Vaccines are provided on an APPOINTMENT ONLY basis. Don't just show up!

Some counties or vaccine sites are charging a fee to administer the vaccine and charging your insurance for this fee. This is questionable as to whether it should be allowed. But you might have to provide your insurance info or pay a small fee - be prepared. Hopefully this is not the case in your county. 

Why Delays?

There is a shortage of vaccine in many areas. The health department or other providers will only take appointments that they can fulfill. This is why it may appear that there are no appointments. Keep checking daily. More vaccine arrives each week and appointments will open up. You can also sign up for updates or alerts to notify you of available appointments. Understand that this process is under construction and evolving as quickly as possible to be efficient and get everyone vaccinated. It was not a well though out plan and in many cases dumped on the local health departments just a couple of weeks ago with little to no notice!

President Biden will also enact the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of the vaccine to meet the need for all Americans needing/wanting the vaccine. 

Is it Safe & Effective?

Multiple pharmaceutical companies and independent research agencies have been focused on corona viruses for years. The common cold is caused by a corona virus and for YEARS researchers have been trying to cure the common cold.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not like your typical vaccine. It does NOT contain COVID-19 virus!!! It will NOT give you COVID!! It's basically an immunity booster. It contains a protein that hates COVID and will kill it off if your body becomes infected. 

You will need two doses to become 95% protected. The second dose is given 21-28 days after the first dose depending on the manufacturer. When you receive your first dose you'll be notified how and when to get your second dose. Register for any website they tell you to follow. Some will make daily check ups for the first week.

Getting Your Vaccine

Once you have your appointment, arrive on time and allow yourself time to get into line. This will vary depending on your own habits. Running late will possibly lose you your appointment so be prepared to arrive early. Your appointment time will likely have a group of people assigned the same time and you'll be ushered to check in and then wait in another line, or possible be seated. Pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine may have fewer people at each appointment to avoid crowding issues.

Once you receive your vaccine, you'll be directed to a waiting area to sit for at least 15 minutes to ensure you have no adverse reaction. You'll be dismissed once they are sure you're OK. You will receive a card with your vaccine information including the manufacturer (i.e. Pfizer or Moderna), lot number, date, dose, and person administering the vaccine. KEEP this card and take with you for your second vaccine. And the next time you see your PCP, take the card with you so they can enter it into your medical records. Keep this card with your important papers. If the entire process is efficient, it will take about an hour.  Watch your local news and newspapers for information to glean how well the process is running in your area and what glitches to expect.

Be Prepared to WAIT

The important factor is to be prepared to wait! Some sites may not be amenable to wheelchairs and you'll likely have to do a lot of standing.  Take weather in to account when going to your appointment. Dress accordingly. And be sure to wear clothing you can easily expose your upper arm in as there likely will not be privacy to undress.  Drive through locations may be preferred for the elderly.

What to Expect After the Vaccine

The main side effects include pain or itching at the injection site. This varies with the recipient and the administrator. Tylenol and warm compresses can alleviate discomfort. If it worsens or lingers, consult your PCP.

Of course, any major reactions should be reported and immediate emergency medical care sought  such as trouble breathing or sense of your throat closing up.  These are rare, but should not be ignored. 

Some are reporting more symptoms after the 2nd injection such as body aches and fatigue in addition to pain or itching at the injection site. It's suggested that you limit or avoid other activities on the day of and at least 1 day after the vaccine in case you do experience mild reactions. 

Continue to Protect Yourself

Continue to wear a mask, socially distance, wash you hands frequently and avoid any crowds or exposure. It will take 2-3 weeks to completely build your immunity. The vaccine will REDUCE your chances of infection, but not 100% protect you. It's important to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible to reduce the spread of the virus, lower infection rates, and prevent massive numbers of deaths. 

As with any virus, there are and will be mutations, and it will continue to mutate. The vaccine is thought to be effective against the new strains known to be present, but the effectiveness may be reduce. This should not deter you from getting the vaccine. As with any medical treatments or procedures, ALWAYS check with your PCP for recommendations and instructions. 

It is also important to stop the spread of false and misleading information. Please fact check your sources! 

Read more....

CDC answers Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

  

 

Avoid Fake Ballot Boxes - Make Sure Your Ballot Gets Counted!

I live in California and here the Republican Party admittedly has placed fake ballot boxes all over the place. The intention is not clear, but at all costs you want YOUR ballot to COUNT. 

There are options with mail in and absentee ballots. For instance they come with a postage paid bulk mail permit attached. This has been reported to be an OK method to return your ballot, but suggest you drop it off at the post office if possible. The newly appointed Post Master General waffles on whether the ballot mail will be treated as First Class or Bulk mail. Don't take a chance!

A better way is to attach first class postage (2 stamps is best) and then it must be treated as first class mail and not just bulk mail. The best option is to deposit your ballot in a secure ballot box in your county. Your ballot should have contained a list of the the possible official drop boxes. These are often located at your local City Hall or library.

You can always check with your state or county registrar of voting. And should you be declined as a voter, be sure to ask for a Provisional Ballot and then check with your registrar. Know your voter RIGHTS!  Report suspicious voter suppression!!!

 

There are also ways to track your unique ballot to make sure it was received and counted. 

If you vote in person, be sure to try to vote early to avoid the longest lines. Election Day is officially
Tuesday, Nov. 3. Take water, a snack and maybe a camping stool. Also take your mask and hand sanitizer. Understand that campaigning is illegal at polling places. That means don't wear your political hats, shirts, button, etc! You can be turned away. There should be NO military or militia guards present either!! Voting is YOUR RIGHT and it should be a private affair and devoid of fraudulent and illegal issues!!

Be sure to send your mail-in ballots in time. They must be postmarked no later than 17 days after the election (Nov. 20) to count!! With the expected number of mail in ballots this year, expect delays in counting and knowing who wins each election. The absentee/ mail-in ballots are often the LAST to be counted.

 

 

 

Helping Seniors VOTE

In a few short weeks America will elect its next President, a few governors, and some major legislators. In addition, state and local elections include a multitude of local propositions and candidates that can have far reaching affects on the regions and the country as a whole. Voting is a right, and with rights come responsibilities. It is therefore the responsibility of every single citizen to VOTE. 

Seniors may need assistance

Seniors may have the most difficult and complicated issues when it comes to voting. Just getting a ballot or making it to the polls can seem an insurmountable task. And if they do receive a mail in ballot, they may need help getting it safely returned to be counted. If returning it by mail, it is recommended to add postage (1-2 stamps depending on the size) so that it become a 1st class mail piece and MUST be handled as such by the post office.  Otherwise it might be delayed.

Some, including President Trump, are using every option and excuse to make voting more difficult this year. Absentee and mail in ballots are being bashed as possibly fraudulent even though some states like Oregon have had total mail in voting for years without any more issues than can happen in any election process. We are humans and nothing will ever work perfectly. Two years ago, Los Angeles county had sever issues with electronic ballots and this time around they have a backup paper ballot option for those who don't want to deal with possible technology sues.

In California, there are rumors of ballots being delivered without the presidential options. However, I have yet to actually see these so called errors. Mine arrived intact yesterday.

COVID-19 issues and voting

COVID-19 presents barriers and obstacles for voting especially in person. During the primary elections we saw people standing in line for hours huddled without social distancing and many without masks. This is extremely dangerous and not recommended for anyone, especially not the elderly!

Please check in with your elderly loved ones and neighbors to ensure they have a ride to the polls or help with their mail in ballots.  They might need postage, or help delivering it to a ballot drop box or to the polls for safe delivery. Take advantage of early voting dates to access polls when less in demand.

Track your ballot

There are apps online to ensure registration, notification of ballots sent out, ballots received and ballots counted. This is electronic tracking and your loved ones or neighbors may need your assistance in tracking their ballots. The Washington Post offers this information. Ballots have Intelligent Barcodes which are unique to each ballot.

Key issues for older voters

There are several key issues at stake for our elderly loved ones in this election. Among them is the status of Social Security, SSI and other disability income, Medicare and healthcare options. Voting is not an option this year it is essential for every voter to VOTE and every vote to be counted! It's not about political party- it's about all of us! Please VOTE and help others if they need assistance! Thank you!!!💞

 

How To Help Your Aging Parents Manage Their Fixed Income

We are all taking care of our aging parents. Unfortunately, some of them are living on such a fixed income that it feels almost impossible to help them meet their needs and cater to some of their wants. Fortunately, with a bit of financial rearranging, they can have it all. Here are a few things you might suggest that can put them on the right track.

Home refinancing

Interest rates are historically low. And if one of your parents is a veteran, they may be able to refinance with a VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan), which typically has fewer out-of-pocket costs and flexible eligibility. It is essentially a streamlined loan for those who already have a VA mortgage. The biggest benefit is that they are quick to close and, depending on the amount of equity your parent has in their home, can give them a lower mortgage payment so that they have extra cash available at the end of each month.

Medicare upgrade

If your parents worked the majority of their adult lives and they’ve already reached 65, they have Medicare. But traditional Medicare, despite low cost, may actually be the wrong plan for your parents’ medical needs. Start looking into Medicare Advantage plans; open enrollment, which is when your senior loved ones can make changes, begins in October. An Advantage plan is similar to private insurance, may cost the same as what they have now, and can give them access to a wide range of medical professionals at a potentially lower rate.

Getting cozy with coupons

Coupons are like cash you don’t have to earn, and they can help your aging parents save a pretty significant chunk if they don’t mind doing their research. Many of their favorite stores, including Walgreens, offer great prices online on everything from beauty products to health supplements. Not only can they find great deals directly on the website, but deal sites often offer cash back when a purchase is made via a special link.

Budgeting fun

Many seniors don’t have the cash to take an extended vacation. But, one of the greatest freedoms that come along with retirement is having the time to see the world. Talk to your parents about what they would like to do, and then look at their budget to see what kind of funds they have available. They may not be able to travel abroad, but they can visit US National Parks, which rank #1 on The Senior List’s best senior travel destinations this year. For the more adventure-minded seniors, a home exchange is another budget-friendly way to experience different parts of the country (or world) at a much lower cost.

Show them the money

For some, it might not be enough to simply talk about ways to save. It’s not uncommon for older folks to want to live the way they did when they had a regular income. You may need to create a monthly expense spreadsheet to show them exactly how much money they have and where it’s going. This can give them a new perspective on their spending habits. Something else you can do is open a bank account just for discretionary spending. You might, for example, deposit $100 per month into it for dining out or other nonessential entertainment.

Budgeting when you get older is different than when you’re in your 20s, 30s, and 40s. When you are living off Social Security and savings, you have to be intentional with the way you spend. As the adult child of seniors in this situation, you can help your aging parents get a grip on their income without sacrificing quality in the best years of their life.

Image from Pexels

Andrea Needham created Elders Day to remind everyone that getting older isn’t synonymous with slowing down. Everyone has their own pace, but age shouldn’t be what stops you from fulfilling dreams, goals, and desires.


Great points Andrea
Thank you!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider purchasing my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours to go through, however, you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

5 Services and Tools to Help Care for Seniors While Social-Distancing

We all want to spend more time with aging parents and loved ones. So, when forces outside of your control force you to keep your distance, you may feel afraid, anxious, and guilty. While these feelings are completely normal, you should know that distance doesn’t have to mean sacrificing care or connection for your loved one. It just means you may have to get creative to ensure that your senior feels safe, loved, and protected.

 

 

Smartphones

One device that every senior should have is a user-friendly and reliable smartphone. You can find senior-friendly cell phones that will work with most carriers. Look for smartphones that are designed to be more accessible and efficient for seniors, with larger displays, durable screens, and long-lasting battery life. That way you won’t have to worry about your loved one dropping their phone or forgetting to charge it throughout the day. If you prefer iPhones, you can also use accessibility settings to make their phone easier to use. A smartphone can help keep seniors connected to loved ones and essential services during the pandemic.

 

Parental Controls

If you add your senior’s phone to your existing wireless plan, you may be able to take advantage of parental controls that can make keeping track of your loved one’s whereabouts and activities effortless. Some carriers provide these services for free, while others require a monthly subscription fee. Fees are typically affordable but check in with your provider to see if there are any specials or discounts that can help keep your bill low. If you want even more insight into your loved one’s health and well-being, you can also consider senior location or activity trackers. Then you can ensure your loved one is staying active while protecting him/her from wandering.

 

Smart Speakers

Another device you can use to stay connected to your elderly loved one is a smart speaker. In fact, many seniors have found Google’s smart speaker to be a welcome companion in self-isolation. A smart speaker will allow seniors to search the web, get help at home, and even find entertainment. With the speaker connected to a smartphone, your loved one can also receive and answer calls from you and other family members. Another perk of picking up a smart speaker for your senior, especially one with a display, is that they can find and follow along with recipes, which can ensure that your loved one eats healthy while at home.

 

Delivery Services

If you need to make sure that your loved one has ingredients for those healthy recipes, grocery delivery services from stores like Costco could be an option. Currently, Costco is offering these helpful services in most metropolitan locations, and some customers may even be able to take advantage of same-day services for fresh grocery orders of $35 or more. Your loved one can order delivery from their smartphone, or you can set up deliveries from afar. To protect your family member, just be sure to request contactless delivery of goods from service providers.

 

Video Doorbells

Your loved one will need to know when their groceries are delivered and having a video doorbell can make this much easier. The best video doorbells come with a variety of options, including facial recognition and voice communication services that can provide comfort and peace of mind to older folks who live alone. With a video doorbell, you and your loved one will know exactly when deliveries arrive and exactly who is coming to the front door. Installation for many of these doorbells is simple as well, but if you need to arrange for a professional installation, be sure to take the proper precautions to protect your senior family member from COVID-19 exposure.

While staying away from aging loved ones may seem cruel, it’s really the best way to protect them from the potentially deadly coronavirus. So, know that keeping your distance is the most compassionate thing you can do right now. Also know that there are services and tech tools you can use to connect with and care for your elderly relatives.

Photo Credit: Rawpixel

Claire Wentz: Claire, a former nurse, writes for caregivers who don’t live near their loved ones. Her hope is that her writing will inform them, uplift them, and give them peace of mind when they need it. Caringfromafar.com


Thanks Claire!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

Review: The Senior Years Master Plan

Here's hoping everyone is healthy and safe!! COVID19 has touched all of our lives in many various ways. The one things most evident is our mortality, and how life can change on a dime! Planning is an essential part of life and as we all age, taking hard looks at possibilities is essential.

 

Turning 60?

So while you're caring for your aging parents as well as dealing with COVID19 and all of the news restrictions on our lives, you suddenly find yourself 60!! Happy Birthday, and many returns of the day! Now it's time to take a look at your own life and begin to plan for your own aging process. Getting old is your new job.

In The Senior Years Master Plan, author Ralph Mroz lays it all out in simple terms with an easy to follow plan. No, this isn't a "how to" book. He's not taking you by the hand and telling you how to take each step, but he covers all the steps you will need to take at some point and provides information and insight you'll need to make decisions for yourself. He provides enough resources to get you started on your own path to research what you're going to need to do as you age.  At 60 you're going to begin to see signs of slowing down and aging. Making it your new job to plan and implement changes, you'll not be caught in perhaps the mess you're dealing with with your own aging parents. Learn from their successes and failures.

 

Don't wait until you can't

As Mroz points out throughout the book, if you wait until you have to do something, you can't. Mroz also advises that you'll need to build a team from friends and family to a variety of professionals to assist you with this plan. The Senior Years Master Plan is well written in a conversational manner that makes it very easy to read and understand. It's a great resource to refer back to often and something to share with your team as you pull it together. Available on Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback formats. This is a must have tool for your new job. Make it a birthday gift to yourself.
Stay well and be healthy and prepared!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

5 Exercises All Seniors Should Avoid

As you grow older, you will realize that age isn’t just a number. Unfortunately, as the years add on, you will notice that your body just isn’t capable of doing things it once was. For individuals who like to stay fit, this tends to be a problem. You want to continue to hit the track or the gym like you used to but your body just doesn’t let you do certain things anymore. This is why we have listed five exercises that anyone over 50 should be wary of attempting due to the danger they pose.

Squatting with weights

Squats with just your body weight is a great way to keep your legs in top shape as you grow older. It also helps you improve stability. However, your joints, especially the knees, aren’t as youthful as they once were. So, if you are thinking of using weights while squatting, you may want to reconsider. The additional weight will exert even more pressure on your knees which puts it at risk of an injury.

Photo: Deposit Photos

Knee problems become common as you age, you don’t want any issues with your knees intensified by squatting with weights. Instead, you can do bodyweight squats and slowly increase the number of reps you perform. If that is too hard, you can try a form of chair exercise that works with squats. In this, you squat on to a chair, pause for a second, get back up and repeat.




Running stairs

If you are an avid runner, you know the importance of adding stairs to your run. It helps change the momentum of the run and adds an extra level of difficulty to it. Like with squats, running up and down the stairs puts your knees at risk of an injury. As you run up the stairs, with every step, you exert tons of pressure on the knees. Not only that, but there is also the chance of you tumbling over a step and falling, injuring multiple parts of your body.

Instead of running up and down the stairs you can jog on a treadmill, steadily increasing the incline after every 2-3 seconds or just use the stair master in the gym.

Bikram yoga

Photo: Deposit Photos

Yoga is all the rave and it will help you stay flexible as you age. But you want to stick to low-intensity yoga which means Bikram yoga should be off your radar. Bikram is an intense form of yoga that leads to a lot of sweating and has numerous difficult positions for people with age to try to get into. All the sweating can lead to dehydration while difficult positions can lead to an injury.

You want to stick with light yoga which incorporates a lot of stretches and aids your body to remain flexible.

Bench press

The bench press is a staple exercise that anyone that goes to the gym does. You don’t have to be a pro to know the benefits bench press has on your upper body. But keep in mind that as you age, your muscles aren’t as strong as they used to be. If you aren’t a regular weightlifter, your muscles deteriorate and lose strength. Which is why bench press isn’t ideal for you as you grow older. The slightest issue with form can lead to pain from the wrist to shoulder joints.

Instead of bench press, try doing push-ups with your knee touching the ground. Building your way up to doing them without the knees off the ground.

Long-distance running

Cardio is a great way to get exercise. However, you don’t want to overdo it by running long distances. Running in itself puts a lot of pressure on your overall body. You want to run with intervals of walking and make sure you do it on a soft surface. Otherwise, you will exert pressure on your knees and risk an injury.

Don’t run for a long distance at a time, do it in short intervals and mix it with jogging and walking.

Growing old doesn’t mean you completely give up on exercise. Through exercise, you can help maintain your body. Just be wary of the exercises you choose and make sure they aren’t too dangerous.

Author
Joseph Jones has been writing senior care and aging-related articles for years. He got his start while writing for a personal blog before he was offered to work at California Mobility in 2018 as the Content Marketing Manager, creating highly informative guides and health awareness articles for aging adults.

He’s currently contributing to a variety of blogs in the senior health industry in hopes to spread information about taking care of seniors and what to expect in the aging process.


Thanks Joseph!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

On the Subject of Self-Care for Caregivers

Last week, Leanne Meier RN, BSN had as her guest on her voiceamerica.com podcast Once a Nurse, Always a Nurse, Tina Marrelli MSN, MA, RN, FAAN (see post below). Tina was asked to speak about her award-winning book for caregivers A Guide for Caregiving - What's Next? and on the topic of self-care for caregivers.

It was a terrific episode and I really recommend you take time to listen to the on-demand replay. They both presented some great points!

The Episode Description reads: Tina Marrelli, BSN, RN joins me Monday, December 23,

2019 on Once a Nurse to talk about Caregivers giving themselves the gift of self-care. She is a Best Selling Author of an interesting set of easy-to-use handbooks to help caregivers in the home deal with issues as they arise: Body systems understanding, what to do if something goes wrong, who to call, resources in general, tips and much more. She is a delightful advocate for Caregiving. She will focus on self-care and why it is SO critical before, during and after the Holidays; how to bring relatives who rarely visit into the assistance of their loved one; arranging time off for the usual caregiver; and recognizing the dangers of overwhelming the loved one with “surprises” and unusual commotion or parties. Join us! I know it will be worth your while!

Listen live at: https://lnkd.in/e9HKJqs

If you miss it, the archive will be posted at: https://lnkd.in/epSWrXD

Book Review: A Guide for Caregiving - What's Next?

I am pleased to call Tina Marrelli, MSN, MA, RN, FAAN, a friend. She is also a fabulous award-winning, best-selling author. Everything she writes is done to perfection and so it's no surprise that she has combined her vast knowledge as a nurse from the home health and hospice field with the art of caregiving for her loved ones. Tina has chosen to share some of the very best tips that you'll find anywhere in her award-winning book, A Guide for Caregiving - What's Next?  

Caregiving for your aging loved ones is probably one of the most difficult roles you'll encounter in your life. Any assistance you can get to reduce the burden and let you know you're not alone in your feelings that can include anger, resentment, depression, loneliness, as well as satisfaction and joy is worth its weight in gold! Even for seasoned nurses, caregiving for your aging loved ones is foreign. All assistance is welcome! This book is an essential resource.

In 2017, the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) honored the book with 3rd place in their Book of the Year- consumer health listing. Caring.com also honored the book in 2017 as a Best Caregiving Book.  In January 2019, Caregiver.com bestowed a Today's Caregiver Friendly Award on the book. 

A Guide for Caregiving - What's Next?  plays a dual role as a guide for caregivers as well as for health care clinicians to work through the process of caregiving aging loved ones at home. Ms. Marrelli provides a wealth of resources and information to make the task easier. This includes information about home safety, infection control issues and prevention, and how to use a caregiver notebook to simplify the process. Work with your home health or hospice nurse to help you provide the very best care for your loved ones.

There is an important chapter about self-care for the caregiver! This is a very important part of being a caregiver; taking care of you. If you don't, you're going to break down and be unable to provide the care. Don't let yourself become part of the problem.

The book also has a wealth of information about disease-specific care such as for Alzheimer's or other dementias, diabetes, cancer, COPD, stroke, and cardiac conditions. There is a specific chapter on caring for bedbound patients, on for those with arthritis and another devoted to amputations.

There is also a section on a glossary of health care terms and a section on how to become an advocate and coordinator for your loved one's care. And no book would be complete without a multitude of other resources. The book is spiral bound and easy to read and locate the information you need.

This is one of the best caregiving books on the market and a must-have for any caregiver's library. Order online from Marrelli.com.

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

Gift Recommendation : Laminator

I got a new laminator that will laminate papers up to 13" wide. It's reasonably priced and comes with a great supply of various sized pouches to get you started. It also came with a trimmer and a page rounder. The instructions are easy to follow and it works quite well.

While not all legal documents can or should be laminated, copies of them can be so you can place the originals in a safe place and be able to access the copies as needed for information purposes.

Laminators are also great for work projects like training materials and marketing or reference materials. Arts and craft projects like placemats, bookmarks, and other projects that need to be waterproof or preserved for a while can be laminated. It's also great for preserving artwork or school work from your children or grandchildren.

Note that lamination is not recommended to serve to preserve papers and photos for archiving.

I got mine from Amazon and it was delivered promptly.

#Laminator

#sponsoredpost #influencer

Caring for Your Aging Parents Course On Sale

Celebrating Black Friday through Cyber Monday

The price for the Caring for Your Aging Parents course on the Teachable.com platform is on sale from Black Friday through Cyber Monday for just $12. That a 48% DISCOUNT!

Purchase and download today and enjoy the course anytime in the future. You can even download it and listen to the audio while you're multi-tasking, and review the slides later to make note of the points that will help you best on this journey.

I have just completed that last leg of my journey in this sandwiched generation with the passing of our 4th parent, my mother-in-law. As a home health care and hospice nurse for over 35 years, I've combined all of my knowledge and experiences into a course designed to provide you support and shortcuts to make your journey easier. It's clearly the best gift you can purchase for yourself or a loved one!

Special Guidance for Those Facing a Terminal Diagnosis

Little is more overwhelming than finding out you or someone you love is terminally ill. However, when faced with life’s final journey, covering some critical details can provide peace of mind, both for the dying and for those who must carry on. Read on for information that can help you forge a pathway during this most difficult time.

 

Add Financial Security

On top of the emotional distress that accompanies a terminal illness, many people find themselves in financial upheaval. There can be substantial medical expenses involved, and it’s not unusual for families to face mortgages, credit card debt, and other lingering obligations. And as much as we hate to dwell on it, there will also be funeral expenses. The average cost of a funeral in the United States is roughly $9,000, so finding ways to finance your burial, as well as any services you wish to have, could relieve your family of a significant burden, allowing them the room to grieve.

This is also a good time to discuss personal particulars relating to services, memorials, and preferences. Sometimes, people have very specific requests, which you can delineate in a letter of last instructions. Also, consider including things like contact information for various insurance policies, retirement account data, safe deposit box information, passwords for online accounts, marriage certificates and divorce decrees, and bank account information.

Note that shared bank accounts will automatically fall to the surviving party, which alleviates one worry for many people. Similarly, many banks allow account holders to designate beneficiaries.

 

Putting Things in Order

You’ve probably heard the expression “putting affairs in order,” and you might have even been told to do so at this time. While it’s a common expression, it can seem vague, especially when you’re the one in crisis. This generally means putting legal documentation in place that ensures property, funds, and decision-making are secure.

 

Last Will and Testament

The legal document people are most familiar with is a last will and testament. This document addresses how the terminally ill person’s estate will be distributed. There are several legal requirements surrounding a will, and while there are online templates you can use to create one, it’s in everyone’s best interests to meet with an estate planning attorney to ensure the document is legally binding and accurate.

 

Living Will

People are often confused by the terms “living will” and “last will and testament,” but as the Balance explains, the terms address entirely different situations. A last will and testament comes into play after death, while a living will determine what medical procedures you would like to sustain life if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. A living will specifically directs what medical personnel are allowed to do.

 

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal designation of who can make decisions on your behalf; you decide how broad or limited the decisions will be. This can pertain to particular accounts, properties, types of decisions, and so forth. You still retain the right to control your funds and properties, but it ensures someone else can address things like paying bills from your checking account if you should have a time when you are unable to do so.

 

Medical Power of Attorney

A medical power of attorney is similar to a power of attorney, but it relates specifically to health-care-related decisions. Contrary to a living will, medical power of attorney gives decision-making to a designated person, and in this way, it is more flexible than a living will.

A terminal diagnosis is devastating news. For the sake of yourself and loved ones, make sure affairs are in order, and that family members have financial security. Addressing important details can help provide guidance and comfort during this trying time.

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-holding-hands-1773113/

Craig Meadows is the creator of Surviving Day One, a site he created to offer support to anyone going through a traumatic or difficult experience.

Thanks Craig!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.

Internet Security for Seniors

What your parents must know when online

Nowadays, Internet use among seniors is on the rise. But unfortunately, predators frequently prey upon the elderly taking priority of their trusting nature and a lack of tech knowledge. Statistics tell no lies. According to the Aviva agency survey, 73% of over-45s internet users confessed that they had been targeted by email scam and 6% of these claimed they had been caught in a cheat's net.

Although there are many techniques that everyone can use to identify a possible intruder before it causes any real harm, some older adults may say “I am too old for that stuff.” So it becomes their children's task to make their parents a more difficult target. Moreover, a lot of security tools are easy to set up and use, so even a twelve o'clock flasher can manage them.

These are some important things you must teach your grandparents to ensure they are safe when online:


1. Never assume any stranger online is a good man
Some older adults behave as if they were born yesterday. They trust every stranger that seems to be tender-hearted. There is a golden rule your parents must know: "unless you have a real-world relationship with the person trying to establish communication with you via email, video chat, messengers, he is likely looking to profit at the expense of you.”

Sometimes a stranger offers a deal that is too good to be true. There is every likelihood that the offer is fictitious and was created to make you reveal private information, install software with malicious code, or wire money to a hacker.

2. A good and secure password is a half the battle
Your parents' computer has to be protected with a password that is both hard to guess and complex. Just teach your lovely relatives how to create these passwords. In a perfect world, it will be a combination of random numbers, letters, and characters. No personal information such as date of birth, maiden name, or pet's name should be included. (And have a secure plan for remembering/retreiving passwords.)

3. Use security software
If you have a computer or any other device with Internet access, make sure that security software is installed.

• Use a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.
• Use antivirus software to protect your system from viruses and malware. 
• Use a VPN to encrypt all incoming and outgoing bandwidth and hide your IP for secure internet shopping. 

All these tools are easy to install and use, some of them enable automatically when your computer system turns on.


4. Put your parents up to common scams worth knowing

Here are only a few of the rampant internet scams your parents have to watch out for:

• Phishing It is the most popular type of scam nowadays. Scammers create a fake website of a church, hospital or any other company to make people reveal their personal data. Although the fake websites look legitimate (scammers use a company`s color scheme, logo, design), you can notice that it is a fake. Keep your eye out for a domain name. It may originate from a domain like Am.azon.com.

• Banking Scams Hoaxers often send out emails that look like an email from your bank. They claim that they need your account details to confirm something or investigate unusual activity. Needless to say what they can do with access to your private data.

• Lottery scams If you think that nobody believes in fake lottery emails, think again. That scam is both actionable and easy to perform. You receive an email that congratulates you for being the only winner. You are overjoyed. All you have to do is to enter your data in order to get your money. Guess what happens next...

5. Let them know you are there to help

Some older adults don't know what's what and might not be sure whether a website or email message is legitimate. That is their children's task to show them that we are ready to help in them become Internet literate. Let your parents know that they can ask you questions if they have any suspicions.No question is a dumb question when it comes to safety!

Author's bio:
Sam Chester is a tech enthusiast, computer geek, and founder of www.cooltechzone.com. This site was created as a non-profit project; it neither sells anything nor advertises any IT product. Together with his brother, Sam is struggling for the internet that is open, globally connected, trustworthy, secure and available to everyone.


Thanks Sam!

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business. 

 
 

MobileHelp Introduces TRELAWEAR

MobileHelp introduces a new line of pendants for the fashion conscious user. I know with my Mom, she hung "that ugly pendant thingy" on the lamp next to her recliner (where it was basically useless to her) and definitely refused to wear it when she went anywhere. And my Mom was far from being a diva about her fashion.

But I've heard these complaints from patients and family members for years. The pendants are ugly. They don't want to wear them. They remind them that they are getting old and need help. So that being said, TRELAWEARTM is now available for purchase and use with MobileHelp systems.

Per MobileHelp, "TRELAWEAR is a beautiful high-end “smart” jewelry accessory that includes best-in-class emergency response technology when paired to a compatible MobileHelp base station or mobile device that takes you anywhere you want to go...safely."


Safety is one thing you cannot put a price on. Falls are a leading cause of death among the elderly. And even if your loved one doesn't suffer a major injury, they may not be able to get up and lying on the floor or ground for hours can be just as serious. This is something you can control.

With the holidays approaching, perhaps a pretty jeweled pendant would be the perfect gift for Mom, especially when she's impossible to buy for these days! And be sure to use the savings links on our site. (Yes, they are affiliate links and I make a small commission to help keep this site going. Thanks!)

For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business. 

Helpful Tech That Can Be Accessible and Affordable for Seniors

By Andrea Needham

 
Our lives revolve around tech these days. For senior parents and relatives, however, accessing the latest tech isn’t always easy. Learning how to use technology can be a challenge for some older adults, but thankfully, some of the most useful new gadgets are actually very simple to operate. So if you know a senior who could benefit from having more technology in his or her life, here are some basics you should know about the latest senior-friendly tech.



Mobile Technology Can Be Helpful for Seniors

Seniors may not be attached to their tech like younger generations, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dialed into the ways technology can make their lives easier. For example, many older adults have fully embraced mobile technology, which includes smartphones and wearable tech. However, even though seniors may be keen on mobile technology, they aren’t always sure what features to look for when upgrading or buying a cell phone. Thankfully, there are tons of options for seniors when it comes to the right phone and data plan. Whether you or a senior loved one is looking for something that’s as simple as a flip phone (like the LG Exalt LTE), as durable as a military-grade phone (like Kyocera’s DuraXV LTE) or even a smartphone with senior-friendly modes included (such as the Samsung Galaxy J3 V 3rd Gen), finding the right fit in terms of features and price shouldn’t take much effort. Cell phones are not the only mobile tech that can be fun and practical for seniors; older adults can benefit from using wearable gadgets as well. For instance, smart watches are simple wearable tools that seniors can use to track their health and fitness, or even set reminders for medications and other essential tasks that need to be taken care of throughout the day.

Smart Home Tech Can Help Seniors Age in Place

If you are a family caregiver who is concerned about the safety of an aging parent or relative in their own home, you should really consider all of the ways that smart home tech can make aging in place safer. For example, installing smart lighting throughout the homes of older adults is a simple update that can reduce falls and help seniors move around their home with more ease. Motion detector lights are a great solution, since they activate when they sense movement and remove the need for seniors to switch them on and off themselves. Voice-assistant speakers, such as Google Home, can also be a valuable tool for seniors aging in place at home. These speakers not only provide seniors with a simple and effective way to call for help during an emergency, but they can also provide some much-needed relief from loneliness and isolation. Isolation-related depression is a common concern for aging adults living alone. Having the right tech can alleviate those feelings and provide some additional peace of mind for family caregivers, especially when they live far away.
-->Although not technically new, medical alert systems are another tech feature that can make aging in place safer for seniors, and can relieve stress for family members and caregivers.
Tech doesn’t have to be simple to be senior-friendly; it just needs to be easy for seniors to operate and use in their everyday lives. Thankfully, a great deal of the most advanced and newest tech is user-friendly and even affordable, so seniors can take advantage of all of the added convenience, comfort and quality of life that modern technology can provide.

Andrea Needham created Elders Day to remind everyone that getting older isn’t synonymous with slowing down. Everyone has their own pace, but age shouldn’t be what stops you from fulfilling dreams, goals, and desires.

Photo Credit: Pexels
#guestpost


For more information about caring for your aging parents, please consider downloading my course, Caring for Your Aging Parents, from Teachable.com. It takes a couple of hours, and you can just hit play and listen while you go about other business.