How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding
Timeshare

How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding

by Lisa Ann Schreier
written by Lisa Ann Schreier
Everyone knows that in the US and most other countries, there are so-called consumer protection laws allowing a consumer to cancel or rescind the purchase of a timeshare and receive all of their money back. In the US, these rescission periods range from 3-10 days. How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding
Let’s forget for a minute that most timeshare developers make the consumer follow quite strict and sometimes arcane procedures to actually rescind. Let’s further forget for a minute that at least one well-known developer goes even further and actually hides any and all mention of the rescission period in a ‘secret compartment’ in the myriad of paperwork given to purchasers.
Let’s focus on the absolute absurdity of the short period of time that consumers have to cancel.
To wit:
  1. Purchasers are given either mounds of paperwork or worse yet, a CD/ROM with all the terms and conditions. 99% of the time, the purchase is made while the consumer is on vacation. The odds of a consumer reviewing these terms and conditions are incredibly small.
  2. The Uniform Commercial Code ‘gives a buyer a right to inspect goods prior to accepting or paying for them, and a buyer is not required to pay for goods that he or she does not accept. More specifically, before making payment, the buyer has the right to inspect the goods “at any reasonable place and time and in any reasonable manner.”’ In the case of deeded-timeshare, how many purchasers actually inspect the physical unit they purchased? Worse yet, how does a consumer inspect a point-based timeshare?
  3. Shouldn’t ‘inspecting the goods’ include determining if the timeshare operates as the salesperson said it did? You’d expect this from a watch, a TV, a computer or even a pair of jeans. Not so with timeshare.
  4. The ‘use’ of a timeshare boils down to two options: using it at the home resort or trading/exchanging to another refuel, whether internal or external. Furthermore, the use of the timeshare requires an ‘account’ of some sort, generally Internet based, to be activated. Not surprisingly, the developer is UNDER NO TIME CONSTRAINTS TO OPEN OR ACTIVATE THIS ACCOUNT.
So, the consumer has absolutely no method of adequately inspecting anything. No way of seeing how many points it really takes to get that 2-bedroom condo in Hawaii, no way of seeing just how easy it is to get a studio in Daytona during Race Week. Not even a way of finding out how simple it is to come back to the home resort the following July. How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding
Now of course I hear you asking, ‘how is this possible? This isn’t fair!’ The answer of course is that the timeshare laws were written approximately 40 years ago and that the terribly clever people in the industry categorized their nifty little product in such a way that the UCC didn’t pertain to it.
As a matter of fact, those clever people made sure that the laws covering their nifty timeshare product were specific to only timeshare.
And there you have it. A legal rescission period that on the surface, is consumer protection. In actuality, it’s a total farce. Except the only ones laughing at this face are those within the industry. Consumers are crying. How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding

How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding

How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding How the Timeshare Industry keeps you from Rescinding
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety
Life Lessons

Couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety

by Rod Spurgeon
written by Rod Spurgeon

Cold winter deception

 
Cold, alone, and without shoes, a woman in her 20s sat on the ground near a light rail station. She shivered on the chilly winter evening, her worn, dirty clothes providing inadequate protection against the frosty breeze. Couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety
When Bill approached the station after a long day at work, he spotted the woman. He noted her lack of winter weather protection and saw her body trembling to keep her warm. Bill moved toward her and asked if he could help. Couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety
The woman told Bill she was cold and hungry and could use a bite to eat. Bill told the woman that his wife was at home with their two-year-old son making dinner and invited her to join them. The woman’s eyes lit up with hope, and she quickly accepted. She told Bill that her name was Melinda and that she appreciated his help.
When they arrived at Bill’s small, third story apartment, Bill introduced Melinda to his wife Beth and their son Tom. Beth welcomed Melinda to their home and offered the use of their shower and a fresh set of clothes while she finished preparing dinner.
For the next few hours, the couple enjoyed Melinda’s company. At the end of the night, they asked Melinda if she would like to stay the night. Melinda gratefully accepted the offer and went to sleep on the couch.
The next morning, the couple woke and began their daily routine. Beth tended to her son’s needs while Bill checked on Melinda. When Bill went into the living room, Melinda was nowhere to be found.
Melinda left the apartment sometime in the middle of the night. Bill told Beth about Melinda’s departure and the couple became concerned. They initially didn’t notice anything missing until Beth looked for her keys. Bill went outside to check on their only vehicle and found it missing.
Bill told Beth the bad news. The couple’s only vehicle, a 10-year old four-door which they recently purchased, didn’t have comprehensive insurance coverage. Unless the police recovered it, they wouldn’t be able to get another one for some time.
The couple’s hearts and finances were crushed from this experience with Melinda, and will probably cause them to avoid similar acts of selfless generosity in the future.
—
This story is based on an actual situation that happened to a young couple. Despite the loss of their vehicle, the outcome could have been far worse.
Bringing a stranger home and inviting that person to spend the night might seem like the right thing to do, but it can put your family in extreme danger. Melinda could have taken the couple’s son with her when she stole their vehicle. The visitor could have also caused physical harm to the couple and their child while they slept.
Always keep your family’s safety in mind when contemplating a generous act.
If you want to assist someone you encounter on the street, avoid giving that person access to your family, your home, or your home address. You don’t know the intentions of the stranger you’re attempting to assist, nor do you know that individual’s criminal history or mental stability.
Provide the assistance you can, but keep your family’s information private.
The well-being of your family is your number one priority. Give generously to those less fortunate than yourself, but don’t put you or your family in harm’s way to do it.

couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety

How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety How a couple learned the hard way to balance generosity and safety

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women
Conditions & Treatments

Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Heart disease and stroke are respectively the first and second leading causes of death in America – 30% of all deaths are from cardiovascular illness. Although heart disease is often thought of as affecting men primarily, this is a mistaken assumption. Cardiovascular disease is an equal opportunity killer and, in fact, more women die every year from heart disease than men. Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women

More than 400,000 women die every year in the United States from heart disease, accounting for one out of every 4 female deaths. Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women
However, researchers have found that many women underestimate their risks of heart attack and stroke.
Only about half of women recognize cardiovascular illness as the leading cause of death despite efforts to increase awareness.

Heart Disease is the Silent Killer of Women

Silent Killer

This low health literacy regarding heart health among women translates to suboptimal risk reduction and treatment. Studies have found that women are less likely to be counseled on steps to reduce risk and often receive less medical intervention than their male counterparts. Although nearly 7% of American women have coronary heart disease, most are unaware of the health risks entailed.
An additional challenge facing women with regards to cardiovascular illness is the discrepancy in presentation of symptoms between women and men. While men often exhibit early signs of heart disease, women frequently remain asymptomatic until the disease is very advanced and a cardiovascular incident is either imminent or has already occurred. Almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly from stroke or heart attack have experienced no previous symptoms, making cardiovascular illness a stealthy and silent killer. Furthermore, when women do experience symptoms of heart disease these may be very different from the symptoms generally described by men.

Men and Women: Different Symptoms

While many men describe chest pain – or angina – as a crushing or squeezing feeling in the chest that radiates down the arm, women may be more likely to describe sharp or burning chest pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, and back.
Women may also experience varied physical symptoms apart from chest pain, such as abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, dizziness, and fatigue.
Because of the wide variation in symptoms and the discrepancy from typical crushing chest pain, women are less likely to seek medical attention and be diagnosed with a cardiovascular illness.
Another difference in the presentation of symptoms between men and women is when episodes occur.
Frequently men who experience angina find that pain intensifies with physical activity and subsides while resting.
Women, on the other hand, are more likely to have pain while resting or even sleeping.
Angina in women will also be triggered during routine daily activities as well as during times of mental or emotional stress rather than during intense physical exercise.
These two major differences between how women and men present exacerbates the under-diagnosis and treatment of women with cardiovascular illness, which may, in turn, increase the risks of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
If heart disease is not diagnosed until the patient suffers a serious medical crisis, rehabilitation may be more difficult.
For this reason, at our cardiology practice, we strive to prevent such events through early diagnosis and prevention.

Silence of Heart Disease in Women

Because of the relative silence of heart disease in the case of female patients, this intervention is only possible if we can monitor risk factors and implement risk reduction even without the presentation of symptoms.
These risks also increase dramatically after menopause, making it especially critical for older women to closely monitor heart health.

Lifestyle Choices that Can Make a Difference

To reduce the risks of heart disease, there are a number of lifestyle choices that can make a significant difference. These include:
· Quit smoking: women who smoke are 25% more likely to develop heart disease and suffer smoking-related complications than men who smoke. Smoking also doubles women’s risk of sudden cardiac death, making smoking cessation a top priority.
· Healthy eating: reduce intake of fatty meat, especially after menopause, and increase intake of fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, and low-fat protein. High protein diets and yo-yo dieting in older women has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular illness. It is important to consult with your physician prior to beginning any diet.
· Exercise regularly: just 150 minutes of activity per week can reduce risks of heart disease.
· Limit alcohol to one drink per day.
· Lower stress: stress at work has been linked to a 40% increase in heart health risk and has also been linked to obesity. Finding healthy ways to reduce stress can positively impact a woman’s overall health.

What Can Your Doctor Do?

While lifestyle changes are important, it is also necessary for women to undergo regular checkups to monitor heart health. Some things that your doctor will do to ensure that you are maintaining optimal cardiovascular health include: Heart Disease is the Silent Killer of Women
· Monitoring blood pressure: high blood pressure contributes to heart disease and increases the risk of adverse events, yet is often asymptomatic.
· Testing for diabetes: uncontrolled diabetes significantly raises the risks of cardiovascular illness. While diabetes can be controlled, it is important to diagnose it and implement an appropriate management plan.
· Monitoring triglycerides and cholesterol: high triglycerides combined with high levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and low levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol speed up the buildup of plaque along arterial walls, which in turn increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. These levels can only be determined through regular blood tests.
At our Aventura, Florida cardiology practice, we strive to implement early intervention to reduce the risks of cardiovascular illness. Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women
We are here to guide and support all of our patients, and our staff is uniquely equipped to treat each patient according to their individual health needs and goals. Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women

Heart Disease: Silent Killer of Women

Dr. Leonard Pianko, the founder of the Aventura Cardiovascular Center, is board certified in cardiology and internal medicine with special expertise in cardiovascular disease, preventive cardiology, and non-invasive treatment options, including echocardiogram and nuclear stress testing. A native of New York, Dr. Leonard Pianko, M.D., F.A.C.C., was born in the Bronx, and earned an undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University in New York before receiving his medical education at top-ranked Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completing his training at the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey. For more information about this blog contact Dr. Pianko at http://www.leonardpiankomd.com/contact.php.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season
Aging

10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Spending time with loved ones during the holidays means it’s easier to spot small changes in behavior that could be the early stages of memory impairment. While this can cause initial feelings of worry and panic, taking the time to understand the situation is the first step in providing your mother, father, grandparent, sibling or other family member the best care possible. 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season
These are the most common signs that dementia-related changes are taking place in the brain:

  1. Memory lapses that disrupt daily life
  • Forgetting newly-learned information and important dates or events
  • Relying increasingly upon other people to function
  1. Problem solving and planning difficulties
  • Difficulty concentrating and following familiar multi-step processes like recipes or paying bills
  • Simple tasks take an inordinate amount of time to perform
  1. Difficulty carrying out familiar tasks
  • Getting lost or needing directions driving to a familiar destination
  • Needing help managing a budget or remembering how a favorite game is played
  • Confusion using appliances (e.g., microwave or TV remote)
  1. Locational/temporal confusion
  • Frequently losing track of dates and passage of time
  • Trouble understanding things planned for later
  • Forgetting where they are or how they got there
  1. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  • Vision deteriorating or misidentifying common objects
  • Difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color/contrast
  1. New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Difficulties during conversations, like losing track and not knowing how to continue
  • Repeating themselves
  • Problems finding the right word or referring to things by the wrong name
  1. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Placing things in unusual locations
  • Inability to retrace steps to find lost items
  • Accusing those around them of stealing
  1. Decreased or poor judgment
  • Poor judgment when dealing with money (e.g., giving large amounts to telemarketers)
  • Lapses in grooming and personal cleanliness
  1. Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Pulling away from social activities, interests, large groups, sports and hobbies
  • Trouble remembering how to participate in favorite pastimes
  • Seems introverted
  1. Changes in mood and personality
  • Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious
  • Upsets easily in places where they are out of their comfort zone

If your loved one is exhibiting any of these signs, it may be time get support. You can use Silverado as a resource by speaking with a dementia care specialist. 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season

10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season

10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season 10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for this Holiday Season
 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man's Dogs and SUV
Life Lessons

Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man's Dogs and SUV

by Rod Spurgeon
written by Rod Spurgeon

Kevin spent the week working hard on a special advertising campaign for a client. He put in long hours, working well into the night to give the project every ounce of his mental energy. By the end of the week, Kevin felt drained but invigorated by the campaign’s progress. As a reward to himself, he planned a long hike in the mountains on Saturday with his two faithful canine companions. Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV
When that day finally arrived, Kevin loaded his dogs into his sports utility vehicle, rolled down the windows, and drove out into the crisp October morning. Before reaching his destination, Kevin stopped at a nearby convenience store to pick up a few water bottles for the journey. He parked in front of the building, hopped out of the vehicle, and went into the store. A woman sitting next to the building watched Kevin’s actions and took notice when he left his vehicle’s ignition on. The woman stood, moved casually to the SUV, and slipped into the driver’s seat. She pulled out of the parking spot and drove away.
With his water bottles in hand, Kevin exited the store but didn’t find his vehicle. He looked into the distance to see if he could spot it, but could find no trace. Kevin panicked. He could replace the SUV through his automotive insurance policy if need be. But his beloved dogs, his best friends, were gone.
Kevin called the police and frantically explained the situation. When they arrived, they took his statement and reviewed surveillance camera footage to find out what happened. Police spotted the woman in the video, clearly visible in the footage from the well-placed cameras, and tracked the direction she followed when she left. Following the thief’s path, police soon found the vehicle abandoned a few blocks away.
The woman had rifled through the contents of the SUV and stolen some items before fleeing the scene. To Kevin’s relief, his dogs were in the vehicle and unharmed.
Based on true events, this story could have ended much worse for Kevin. The woman could have set the dogs loose, stolen the pets, or caused them physical harm to silence them.
Whenever you leave a vehicle, always remove the keys from the ignition and lock the doors. Never leave children or pets in an unattended vehicle and avoid leaving valuable personal possessions in plain sight inside the vehicle. Criminals will take advantage of any easy opportunity to take items from you. It could happen in any neighborhood and at any time of day or night. If you present a tempting target to thieves, they will follow their instincts and steal it. Always protect your loved ones and valuable at all times or they could be removed from your possession – permanently. Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV
Preventing Purse Theft at Grocery Store

Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV

Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV Lessons from a Thief Who Stole A Man’s Dogs and SUV

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies
Caregiving

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

 
Seen the photos of nursing home residents sitting in waist deep water? Watch the elderly couple’s daughter flag down a CNN crew to rescue them from rising waters? These are examples of how devastating emergencies can be magnified when they involve the elderly, the infirm or the immobile. Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

 
With a few minutes of your time and their help, your elder can be prepared for any kind of emergency, reducing your worry and their exposure. Should an emergency situation arise, your elders will be in a much better situation when you take them through these simple steps now.
Stay ahead of the storm with preparation for your elders:

  • Make sure your elders have their paperwork in an easy-to-retrieve place (power of attorney, advance directive, wills, marriage certificate, birth certificates, DOD discharge papers, insurance policies, etc.) Put in a Ziploc bag, waterproof container or fireproof safe. Important to include as well – copies of their drivers’ licenses, Medicare and supplemental insurance cards, current medication list.
  • Make copies of these papers and give to siblings, keep one yourself and put one in a safe deposit box.
  • Make extra keys to your elders’ house. You keep one and put one outside their house (hidden, but easy to retrieve in an emergency). Give one to a trusted neighbor.
  • Put names, phone numbers and addresses of several of your elders’ neighbors in your phone. Make sure they have your contact info too. Ask if they will check on your elders in the event of an emergency.
  • Place a copy of your elders’ medication list, their advance directive and copies of their medical insurance cards in a Ziploc bag and tape to front of the refrigerator. EMTs and other first responders know to look there for important papers before they transport elders.
  • If your elder is a resident in a facility such as a nursing home or assisted living, ask the facility to give you their evacuation plan. How will they move residents to safety in case of fire, flood or other life-threatening event? How will they contact you if this happens?
  • Take time to scan important photos and paperwork into your computer. Put these on a thumb drive or disk and place in a safe place (a safe deposit box, if possible).
  • Take photos periodically of your elders’ home, apartment or residence, their belongings, even their vehicle and keep for insurance documentation.
  • Scan a copy of your elders’ insurance policy. Keep their agent’s contact info in the same document.
  • Add your name and/or a sibling’s name as authorized user on your elders’ financial accounts. You’ll have to make a trip to the bank or financial institution with your elder to do this. If something happens and you need to write a check or pay a bill online, you will have the proper permission to access the account. Your elder can remove the approval for this at any time, if they are uncomfortable with the thought of someone else on their account. They remain the primary responsible account owner – you are simply authorized to access the account.
  • Keep property deeds in a safe deposit box or, at the very least, in a watertight container or fireproof safe inside their home. Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

Staying ahead of the next eldercare emergency gives you some peace of mind about their safety and security. But, it also allows you to focus more on the care and less on panic when the inevitable emergency does arise (health, fall, natural disaster or any other). Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies
Author Suzanne Blankenship

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers
Conditions & Treatments

Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Every year, roughly one million cases of pneumonia are recorded in Americans over the age of 65. That’s one case for every fifty US seniors. While young children are considered the most at-risk group for pneumonia, elderly adults come in a close second. Seniors currently represent only 15% of the US population, yet they account for more than 30% of recorded pneumonia cases. Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers
Because seniors are at higher risk for pneumonia, it’s important that anyone caring for a senior learn about pneumonia and its dangers. Family caregivers and senior care professionals should have a basic understanding of what pneumonia is, how it’s contracted, and which people are at highest risk.
It’s also important that senior care providers learn what steps they can take to prevent pneumonia in the elderly. As with any other infectious condition, hygiene and safety can significantly lower seniors’ risk of developing dementia.

Pneumonia in Elderly Adults

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection, triggered when bacteria or a virus enters a person’s lungs. Once infected, lung tissue becomes swelled and inflamed, and fluid starts to build up inside the lung’s airways. The mix of inflammation and fluid limits the amount of air a person can hold in their lungs. This makes it more difficult to breathe, depriving the person of oxygen. In severe cases, oxygen levels become so low that the person’s life is threatened.
Most reported cases of pneumonia occur after a cold or a case of influenza, when a person’s respiratory system is at its most vulnerable. This makes it harder for the body to fight off the initial infection. Typically, pneumonia can be successfully treated with antibiotics and/or bedrest. Unfortunately, roughly 2% of all cases in the United States are fatal. Seniors are at an elevated risk of losing their life to pneumonia after contracting an infection.
The following factors put seniors at high risk of contracting pneumonia. Senior care providers should take extra pneumonia prevention measures when caring for elderly adults with these risk factors.

  • Existing respiratory condition (i.e., emphysema, bronchitis, other forms of COPD, asthma)
  • Compromised immune system
  • History of smoking
  • Long-term residence in area of high air pollution
  • Exposure to fumes, soot, dust, and/or airborne bacteria in agricultural or industrial setting

Protecting Seniors from Pneumonia

The most effective way to protect seniors against pneumonia is to prevent the transmission of pneumonia pathogens. To do this, you will need to safeguard against both airborne and contact transmissions of pneumonia pathogens.
In cases of airborne transmission, a person with a pneumonia pathogen will cough or sneeze. Another person will then breathe the airborne pathogen into their lungs. In cases of contact transmission, pneumonia pathogens are transmitted by touch from one person to another. This can occur when one person touches another person, or when a person touches a surface that is contaminated with pathogens. Once the bacteria or virus that causes pneumonia is on a person’s hands, it is easy for them to touch the area around their mouth or nose and then become infected.
To protect against the transmission of pneumonia, senior care providers should use the following strategies:

  • Quarantine yourself from elderly adults when you are sick with the cold or flu.
  • If you need to be around elderly adults when sick, wear a respiratory mask.
  • Encourage seniors to wear a respiratory mask if they are sick with the cold or flu.
  • Always cough and sneeze into the elbow or shoulder of your shirt.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially when near elderly adults.
  • Carry hand-sanitizing gel for situations where you can’t wash your hands quickly enough.
  • Use disinfectant wipes to sanitize frequently touched surfaces, like door knobs and light switches.

It is also important to encourage elderly adults to be vaccinated for pneumonia. Together, the PCV13 vaccine and the PPSV23 vaccine protect seniors against 40 different types of bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Finally, if you notice symptoms of pneumonia in an elderly adult, get them to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. Symptoms of pneumonia in seniors include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Coughing
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Lack of strength or energy
  • Pus, fluid, or blood that comes up when coughing

Pneumonia Prevention and Senior Care Services

The above advice applies to both family caregivers and senior care professionals. If you have a loved one who is at risk for pneumonia and who is cared for by a professional caregiver, you should have full confidence in the caregiver’s ability to safeguard your loved one against infection. If you haven’t done so already, speak with them about infection control and pneumonia prevention strategies to ensure your loved one is protected.
Similarly, if you are thinking about hiring the services of a senior care agency, don’t feel afraid to ask about pneumonia prevention, especially if your loved one is considered at high risk of pneumonia. A qualified senior care company will match your loved one with specialized services and a knowledgeable caregiver to limit your loved one’s risk of infection. Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers
If you are searching for a senior care provider to help you care for a loved one who is at risk for pneumonia, we invite you to contact your local Visiting Angels. Call 800-365-4189 or use our online senior care locator to connect with your local office. Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers

Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers

Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers Pneumonia Prevention Tips for Senior Care Providers

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit
Exercise & Fitness

9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

 
Today’s new exercise trends seem better suited for millennials than seniors. It’s hard to find motivation when new workouts are so daunting. But you don’t have to jump on the train of virtual boxing or hardcore parkour to stay fit. There are plenty of old-school ways to break a sweat in your golden years. 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit
So don’t worry about trying to catch on to the next fitness fad. Whether you try one or you sample them all, these nine classic workout activities will have you feeling more energized than ever.

Take to Exercise Like a Fish to Water

Working out in a pool is a great way to mix up your daily routine. Water workouts offer the added benefit of water resistance to kick your exercise routine up a notch.

  • This low impact workout easy on the joints, making swimming a senior’s best friend. Take advantage of the pool at your gym or the local YMCA to swim laps three days a week. Pro tip: a swimming cap will help keep your hair dry while adding some aerodynamics to your stroke.
  • Aqua Aerobics. Break up the days of swimming laps with fun and engaging aerobics classes. Held in the shallow end of a pool, aqua aerobics uses the resistance of the water and your own body weight to tone and strengthen muscles. Pro tip: take a class with a friend for twice the fun. 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit
  • Water Polo. Not for the faint of heart, Water Polo is the water sport version of Soccer. It’s a high intensity, high cardio workout that will keep you moving through the water the whole time. Pro tip: look into classes or amateur leagues in your area to get started.

Stay Fit Inside and Outdoors

Whether you hit the great outdoors during the summer or make use of the treadmill during the winter, you won’t have to sacrifice your workout days with these activities.

  • Universally beneficial for any age, walking is the easiest way to stay active. Take a turn around the block, or grab a friend for an hour of powerwalking. Pro tip: invest in a good pair of walking shoes to keep your feet and body supported while you move.
  • While you’re not aspiring to be the next Usain Bolt, running is still exercise seniors can take advantage of. Try your next run “off-road”—unpaved trails are easier on the feet and knees than running on pavement. Pro tip: have an expert assess your form the next time you’re at a running shoes store. 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit
  • Hopping on a bike is a great cardio boost, and the perfect time to get the wind in your hair. Map out your route and take a leisurely ride or do a couple laps for more intensity. Pro tip: always wear your helmet when cycling outdoors.

Bring Your Mind and Body Into Harmony

Not all exercise means you have to sweat it out. Balance your workout days with gentle stretching and mindful movement.

  • Fine-tune your Downward Facing Dog while quieting your mind. With different styles and levels of yoga, seniors can tailor their practice to fit their needs that day. Pro tip: look for gentle yoga classes for a solid introduction to the practice.
  • Granted, meditation is not a physical workout, but the mental benefits make adding this practice into your routine well worth your time. Calming your mind lowers stress levels and boosts feelings of rejuvenation. Pro tip: try meditating before your normal workout to bring extra focus to what you’re working on that day.
  • Tai Chi. A rhythmical, almost dance-like form of martial arts, Tai Chi is promoted as a moving meditation. With slow controlled movement, Tai Chi is great for seniors looking for a more accessible starting point to exercise. Pro tip: take a class outdoors for a breath of fresh air.

Love the New You with Old-School Moves

Forget worrying about trying to beat the computer in virtual boxing. You’ll be rocking your way to a new you with any of these nine effective workouts. Get ready to break a sweat well into the best years of your life. 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit
By Sonja Wright
Bio: Sonja Wright is a writer for Alert1, a personal safety and technology firm dedicated to helping seniors live safely and independently. A graduate of San Francisco State University, Sonja has an extreme weakness for yarn and the fiber arts. She unevenly divides her time between yoga, dance, and petting her cats.

9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit

9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit 9 Great Ways for Seniors to Stay Fit

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Local Travel

Go local for your next vacation

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

With busy schedules and tighter budgets, more people are looking for ways to have fun without spending a fortune. Whether you have a long weekend to enjoy or just an afternoon, going local lets you get away without going very far. Go local for your next vacation!
Small towns and big cities have something in common: There are always new experiences to be had. Here are some fun and easy ways to go local, no matter where you live.

HOW TO FIND FUN THINGS TO DO

  • Check your local newspaper – in print or online. Look for stories about hot spots, family-friendly activities or unusual shops. There are usually event calendars that highlight activities sponsored by civic, cultural and faith groups.
  • Search locally on websites like www.yp.com. With access to a database of millions of local businesses, you can search in specific neighborhoods, watch business videos and use enhanced maps to get directions immediately. Find a restaurant and book a reservation, browse movie times and buy tickets, or get ticket prices to live local events – and even purchase them on the spot. Check out local users’ reviews and post recommendations of your own, too.
  • Pop into a library or coffee shop and check out the fliers, brochures, and other free information on local events.
  • Tap your online communities to discover and share recommendations for favorite local spots. Websites like www.buzz.com offer you a personalized version of local search, based on the recommendations of people you know and trust.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Company museums, firehouses, factories and police stations often offer formal tours of their facilities. Some television and radios stations offer tours, as well.
  • Theatrical Productions. Community theatres, touring Broadway productions and local dance studios all offer wonderful experiences for people of all ages. Look for matinee pricing, or for special group rates if you want to go with other families.
  • Family Fun Centers. You can play mini golf, go bowling and even play laser tag at these all-in-one places for fun. Sometimes you can find coupons in local parenting publications or the newspaper.
  • Local Bed and Breakfasts. You don’t have to travel to wine country or the mountains to enjoy a good B&B. Search online and check local ads for a romantic getaway that doesn’t involve air travel.

GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED
Make discovering local treasures a family affair.

  • Write down different categories on slips of paper such as restaurants, museums, activities, etc.
  • Have each family member draw a category out of a hat and give them each 24 hours to find five things in their category that cost $10 or less per person (or choose another price depending on your budget).
  • Present findings to each other, then start adding activities to the family calendar.
  • Consider making a game out of your local adventure by creating a scavenger hunt within a specific venue or across several local spots.

Take time to discover your town and you may be surprised at how just much there is to explore.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts