Staff

Return to Community Initiative

The MinnesotaHelp Network, Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging have implemented a new Legislative initiative called “Return to the Community”. Official commencement of the initiative is scheduled to begin April 1, 2010. Despite scheduled road shows and DHS training workshops, many senior care professionals are unaware of this initiative.

The initiative targets elderly adults who are currently residing in skilled nursing facilities and are paying privately for their room and board. The state of MN has developed this initiative with the hopes of saving dollars that would be otherwise used to provide funding for long term care. The initiative was created using two assumptions

General Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments

Effects of Summer Heat on Older Adults

Submitted by Chris Austin, My Life LLC

Summer for most is a season that holds great enjoyment, with the anticipation of picnics, vacations and outdoor events. But for older adults, summer can threaten overall health and wellness. Elderly individuals are much more vulnerable to illnesses related to sun and heat exposure. Dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are just a few hazards of warm weather months.

Why are older adults at greater risk for heat related illnesses? There are a number of factors that contribute to this

Health Care Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments

Exercise No Longer a Dirty Word

Submitted by Allison Bakke, OTR/L Above & Beyond Senior Services

Exercise should no longer be a dirty word for seniors. At one time exercise was judged to be too dangerous, too vigorous for older adults due to frailty and/or fear of being injured by exercise. However, a number of well-conducted studies over the last several years have shown that a variety of exercises are not only safe for older adults but have enormous advantages. In fact, staying active can help you

Health Care Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments

No Excuse to Not Exercise!

Submitted by Allison Bakke, OTR/L Above & Beyond Senior Services

Almost anyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. You can still exercise even if you have a health condition like heart disease or diabetes. In fact, physical activity may help. For most older adults, brisk walking, riding a bike, swimming, weight lifting, and gardening are safe, especially if you build up slowly. But, check with your doctor if you are over 50 and you aren’t used to energetic activity. Other reasons to check with your doctor before you exercise include

Health Care Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments

Slow the Flow

Submitted by Allison Bakke, OTR/L Above & Beyond Senior Services

Incontinence is not an inevitable consequence of aging, but it is a major problem for a lot of people, and has a major impact on quality of life. The National Association for Continence reports some alarming statistics about incontinence:

Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people world wide.
53% of homebound elderly are incontinent
More than ½ of nursing home residents are incontinent.

Health Care Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments

What is a Daily Money Manager?

Submitted by Kathy Green, A Little Help Inc.

A Daily Money Manager (DMM) is a professional who provides a wide range of personal business assistance to individuals who want help managing their day-to-day monetary affairs. Some tasks usually performed by a DMM include organizing and tracking financial and medical insurance papers, paying the bills and maintaining bank accounts.

A Daily Money Manager will also help with organizing tax documents, negotiating with creditors and appealing medical claims. A DMM can save you time and frustration by helping you prepare for a move, or when buying or selling a home.

Financial Posted by Staff 14 Apr 2013 / 0 comments