STAYING HEALTHY AND SAFE STAYING AT HOME-- PERSONAL-TOUCH(R) participating in Wellness in the Park Festival --

BLOOMFIELD, NJ, OCT. 3, 2014 – If you ask most seniors where they want to live out their “Golden Years”, they will tell you in their own homes. Based on the Administration On Aging’s (AOA) 2001 profile on aging[i] approximately 10 percent (or 3.2 million) of households with Americans living alone are in their “Golden Years (65 years of age and older). Statisticians predict that this number will continue to increase as more and more baby boomers age.

“Helping a loved one live independently at home and age gracefully and safely can be a challenge,” said Sandy Fromm, Administrator, Personal-Touch Home Health Services, www.pthomecare.com, of New Jersey. “Figuring out how to a grant their wish is not easy for caregivers and loved ones of a Golden Ager. There are many factors to consider to help a senior live independently, and safety is a major concern.”

It can be like walking a tight rope, as one has to balance the wishes of the elder, yet make choices that ensure their safety. It is important to take a look at their surroundings to ensure everything is in order so they can avoid accidents. Many things taken for granted can leave a senior living along vulnerable to danger.

The following tips from Personal-Touch Home Health Services will help you get started to help your senior living alone avoid accidents.

General Home Safety

· Consider a medical alert or a buddy system

· Keep a fire extinguisher and smoke detector on every floor

· Get up slowly after sitting or lying down to get your balance

· Wear proper fitting shoes with low heels.

· Use a correctly measured walking aid

· Remove or tack down all scatter rugs, electrical or telephone cords from traffic areas

· Avoid using slippery wax on floors and wipe up spills promptly

· Never stand on ladders or chairs

· Have sturdy rails for all stairs inside and outside of the house

· Use non-glare light bulbs and make sure stairs are well lit with switches at top and bottom

· Cover staircase steps with a non-slip surface

Kitchen Safety

· Keep floors clean and uncluttered

· Illuminate work areas

· Mark “on” and “off” positions on appliances clearly and with bright colors

· Store sharp knives in a rack

· Use a kettle with an automatic shut off

· Store heavier objects at waist level

· Store hazardous items separate from food

· Don’t wear long, loose clothing when cooking over the stove

· Check expiration dates on food.

Bathroom Safety

· Leave bathroom light on at night

· Use securely installed bath aids (e.g., hand rails)

· Skid-proof the tub and make sure the bath mat has a non-slip bottom

· Turn water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below

· Mark cold and hot faucets clearly

· Use door locks that can be opened from both sides

· Bathe only when help is available

Drug Safety

· Review your medicines with your doctor and are clearly labeled

· Read medicine labels in good light to ensure you have the right medicine and dose

· Toss out old or used medicines

· Never borrow prescription drugs from others

· Check with your doctor before you mix alcohol and your drugs or non-prescription medications with prescription drugs

· Use a convenient dispenser to keep track of medications taken

Fromm added, “Even though you are aware of the things to do to safe-proof a home for a senior living alone, they may need a little additional help. Today there are many options available. You should consider a home health care services group that has bonded, certified and insured home health aides. These aides are trained to help with medication management, personal care, housekeeping, grocery shopping, keeping appointments, etc. In addition they can offer companionship, which helps keep elders mentally stimulated and physically active.”

Personal-Touch Home Health Services is dedicated to providing individualized comprehensive home care services and committed to helping people feel good and live independently. Personal-Touch provides a variety of home health care services by insured, bonded, criminally checked and drug screened Registered Nurses and CHHAs (certified home health aides) to patients any time of day or night. Personal Touch services include: medication management, senior care, companionship, housekeeping and homemaking, personal care, and live-in and overnight sitter services at hospitals or nursing homes. Personal-Touch serves the New Jersey counties of Essex, Bergen (lower), Hudson, Middlesex (upper), Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

About Personal-Touch Home Health Services
Personal-Touch Home Health Care Services, Inc. began operations in 1974 and since then has grown into a national company with over 50 locations in 12 states. Each office is licensed by the State in which it operates. Personal-Touch’s trained, certified and bonded staff of Registered Nurses and CHHA’s provide home health care services to patients 24/7. Services include: Senior Care, Medication Management, Housekeeping, and Companionship duties. Staff receives ongoing specialty training and certifications. For more information please visit us at www.pthomecare.com or contact Sandy Fromm, Administrator at Personal Touch of New Jersey, 973-680-1434, X202 or at sfromm@pthomecare.com.

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PLEASE COME MEET US AT: Wellness in the Park Festival at Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, NJ, on Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 10 am to 5 pm.

[i] A Profile of Older Americans: 2011; http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/Profile/2011/6.aspx

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