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(Family Features) For seniors, keeping in touch withfriends, family and caregivers is important to maintain anactive social life and remain independent. The number ofseniors - and the need to find creative ways to be mindfulof their care - is on the rise. With nearly seven millionAmericans providing support as long-distance caregivers,according to the National Institute on Aging, staying intouch is especially important.

Nurture relationshipsEmail, cell phones and texting are some of the ways

technology is helping people stay connected today. Thesetools can be especially useful for seniors living away fromfriends and family or for those who aren’t able to travel asmuch as they used to.

One affordable option is a complete phone system,such as VTech CareLine, which has no monthly fee.Offering a wearable pendant, one-button or voice-activat-ed dialing, big buttons and volume booster, CareLine hasfeatures designed with seniors in mind. For more infor-mation about keeping seniors safely connected via aphone system, visit www.vtechphones.com/careline.

Going placesSeniors today are staying active, spending time with

friends and family outside of their home, rekindling oldpassions and exploring new activities that keep them onthe move.

Even for seniors who aren’t able to be as active,changes in scenery, like a neighborhood walk or visit tothe park, are great ways to get fresh air, uplift spirits andlive a healthier life.

Since transportation can sometimes be a challenge,especially for seniors who rely on caregivers who workfull-time, there are numerous organizations that providetransportation resources for seniors to assist in gettingthem safely to doctor’s appointments, organized activitiesat local community centers, shopping excursions andmore.

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good resource tobegin researching options in your area. Find your localagency at www.n4a.org.

Selecting a Senior PhoneA phone system can provide valuable security and

peace of mind for seniors living alone and the loved oneswho are responsible for their care. To get the maximumbenefit of a phone system designed for seniors, expertsrecommend shopping for the following features:

Voice amplificationConversations are easier to hear and understand when

you can adjust the volume of incoming sound. Look forunits that can be adjusted by up to 40 decibels.

Caller ID announceHearing who is calling announced through the speak-

erphone prevents the risk of falls or other injuries associ-ated with running to catch a ringing phone.

Photo dialAs memory and or vision fails, it can be difficult to

associate names and numbers. A phone that allows you toassociate photos with speed dial numbers will help yourloved one keep important numbers straight, which isespecially important in an emergency or time of need.

Help Create ConnectionsHelping an elderly person who lives alone stay con-

nected with others can play a major role in that senior’squality of life. As a caregiver, you can help foster thoseconnections by:

* Coordinating a rotating visitor schedule with friendsand family.

* Asking others to make regular calls to check in andchat.

* Researching local senior programs, such as classes,shopping excursions or fitness programs.

* Identifying resources such as transportation servicesthat are available to help seniors get out and about.

How seniors are staying connected

Choking occurs when food or another object par-tially or completely blocks a person’s airway. Chok-ing and suffocation are the fourth leading cause ofhome injury death in the U.S. Older adults are atincreased risk of choking due to many factors,including dental problems and appliances and diffi-culty swallowing due to age-related illness or medi-cine use. Also, older people who live alone may notbe able to get the help they need when they choke.

Common causes of choking in older adults:▪ Eating too fast or trying to swallow large

pieces of food;▪ Walking, talking or laughing with food in the

mouth;▪ Drinking alcohol before or during meals;▪ Wearing dentures; and Eating foods that are

the wrong texture if you are on a special diet.

Signs that someone could be choking:▪ Coughing or gagging;▪ Sudden inability to talk;▪ Turning blue around the face, lips and finger-

nail beds;▪ Passing out▪ Clutching at or pointing to the throat.

Choking is an EmergencyTreat every choking instance as an emergency. If

you witness someone choking, call 9-1-1 immediate-ly. If you are familiar with life saving techniques,such as abdominal thrusts, use them to try to clearthe airway. Do not attempt to drive a choking personto the hospital emergency room yourself unless the9-1-1 operator instructs you to.

If you are alone and choking, and you can’tspeak, dial 9-1-1 and leave the phone off the hook. Inmost communities, emergency personnel automati-cally respond to 9-1-1 calls in which the caller doesnot speak. While waiting for the emergency crew toarrive, you can attempt to clear your airway bythrusting your mid-abdomen (the area at the bottomof your ribs) against a chair back or railing.

Even if you are able to dislodge the blockage andrestore breathing, follow through with seeking med-ical attention. Choking is a traumatic event that candamage the airway and make further chokingepisodes more likely. Medical attention immediatelyafter choking can help prevent this.

Know thesigns of choking

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From the National Council on Aging

Financial scams targeting seniors havebecome so prevalent that they’re now con-sidered “the crime of the 21st century.”

Why? Because seniors are thought tohave a significant amount of money sittingin their accounts.

Financial scams also often go unreport-ed or can be difficult to prosecute, sothey’re considered a “low-risk” crime.However, they're devastating to many old-er adults and can leave them in a very vul-nerable position with little time to recouptheir losses.

It’s not just wealthy seniors who are tar-geted. Low-income older adults are also atrisk of financial abuse.

And it's not always strangers who per-petrate these crimes. Over 90% of allreported elder abuse is committed by anolder person’s own family members, mostoften their adult children, followed bygrandchildren, nieces and nephews, andothers.

Review our list below, so you can identi-fy a potential scam.

1. Health Care/Medicare/HealthInsurance Fraud

Every U.S. citizen or permanent resi-dent over age 65 qualifies for Medicare, sothere is rarely any need for a scam artist toresearch what private health insurancecompany older people have in order toscam them out of some money.

In these types of scams, perpetratorsmay pose as a Medicare representative toget older people to give them their person-al information, or they will provide bogusservices for elderly people at makeshiftmobile clinics, then use the personal infor-mation they provide to bill Medicare andpocket the money.

2. Counterfeit Prescription DrugsMost commonly, counter feit drug

scams operate on the Internet, where sen-iors increasingly go to find better prices onspecialized medications.

This scam is growing in popularity—

since 2000, the FDA has investigated anaverage of 20 such cases per year, up fromfive a year in the 1990s.

The danger is that besides paying mon-ey for something that will not help a per-son’s medical condition, victims may pur-chase unsafe substances that can inflicteven more harm. This scam can be ashard on the body as it is on the wallet.

3. Funeral & Cemetery ScamsThe FBI warns about two types of

funeral and cemetery fraud perpetrated onseniors.

In one approach, scammers read obitu-aries and call or attend the funeral serviceof a complete stranger to take advantageof the grieving widow or widower. Claim-ing the deceased had an outstanding debtwith them, scammers will try to extortmoney from relatives to settle the fakedebts.

Another tactic of disreputable funeralhomes is to capitalize on family members’unfamiliarity with the considerable cost offuneral ser vices to add unnecessar ycharges to the bill.

In one common scam of this type,funeral directors will insist that a casket,usually one of the most expensive parts offuneral services, is necessary even whenperforming a direct cremation, which canbe accomplished with a cardboard casketrather than an expensive display or burialcasket.

4. Fraudulent Anti-Aging ProductsIn a society bombarded with images of

the young and beautiful, it’s not surprisingthat some older people feel the need toconceal their age in order to participatemore fully in social circles and the work-place. After all, 60 is the new 40, right?

It is in this spirit that many older Ameri-cans seek out new treatments and medica-tions to maintain a youthful appearance,putting them at risk of scammers.

Whether it’s fake Botox like the one inArizona that netted its distributors (whowere convicted and jailed in 2006) $1.5 mil-lion in barely a year, or completely bogushomeopathic remedies that do absolutely

nothing, there is money inthe anti-aging business.

Botox scams are partic-ularly unsettling, as rene-gade labs creating ver-sions of the real thing maystill be working with theroot ingredient, botulismneurotoxin, which is oneof the most toxic sub-stances known to science.A bad batch can havehealth consequences farbeyond wrinkles or droop-ing neck muscles.

5. TelemarketingPerhaps the most com-

mon scheme is whenscammers use fake tele-marketing calls to prey onolder people, who as agroup make twice asmany purchases over thephone than the nationalaverage.

While the image of thelonely senior citizen withnobody to talk to may have something todo with this, it is far more likely that olderpeople are more familiar with shoppingover the phone, and therefore might notbe fully aware of the risk.

With no face-to-face interaction, and nopaper trail, these scams are incrediblyhard to trace. Also, once a successful dealhas been made, the buyer’s name is thenshared with similar schemers looking foreasy targets, sometimes defrauding thesame person repeatedly.

Examples of telemarketing fraudinclude:

“The Pigeon Drop”The con artist tells the individual that

he/she has found a large sum of moneyand is willing to split it if the person willmake a “good faith” payment by withdraw-ing funds from his/her bank account.Often, a second con artist is involved, pos-ing as a lawyer, banker, or some othertrustworthy stranger.

“The Fake Accident Ploy”The con artist gets the victim to wire or

send money on the pretext that the per-son’s child or another relative is in the hos-pital and needs the money.

“Charity Scams”Money is solicited for fake charities.

This often occurs after natural disasters.

6. Internet FraudWhile using the Internet is a great skill

at any age, the slower speed of adoptionamong some older people makes themeasier targets for automated Internetscams that are ubiquitous on the web andemail programs.

Pop-up browser windows simulatingvirus-scanning software will fool victimsinto either downloading a fake anti-virusprogram (at a substantial cost) or an actualvirus that will open up whatever informa-tion is on the user’s computer to scam-mers.

Their unfamiliarity with the less visibleaspects of browsing the web (firewalls andbuilt-in virus protection, for example)

Top 10 scams targeting seniors

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make seniors especially susceptible tosuch traps.

One example includes:

Email/Phishing ScamsA senior receives email messages that

appear to be from a legitimate company orinstitution, asking them to “update” or“verify” their personal information. A sen-ior receives emails that appear to be fromthe IRS about a tax refund.

7. Investment SchemesBecause many seniors find themselves

planning for retirement and managingtheir savings once they finish working, anumber of investment schemes have beentargeted at seniors looking to safeguardtheir cash for their later years.

From pyramid schemes like BernieMadoff’s (which counted a number of sen-ior citizens among its victims) to fables ofa Nigerian prince looking for a partner toclaim inheritance money to complex finan-cial products that many economists don’teven understand, investment schemeshave long been a successful way to takeadvantage of older people.

8. Homeowner/Reverse MortgageScams

Scammers like to take advantage of thefact that many people above a certain ageown their homes, a valuable asset thatincreases the potential dollar value of acertain scam.

A particularly elaborate property taxscam in San Diego saw fraudsters sendingpersonalized letters to different properties

apparently on behalf of the County Asses-sor’s Office. The letter, made to look offi-cial but displaying only public information,would identify the property’s assessed val-ue and offer the homeowner, for a fee ofcourse, to arrange for a reassessment ofthe property’s value and therefore the taxburden associated with it.

Closely related, the reverse mortgagescam has mushroomed in recent years.With legitimate reverse mortgagesincreasing in frequency more than 1,300%between 1999 and 2008, scammers are tak-ing advantage of this new popularity.

As opposed to of ficial refinancingschemes, however, unsecured reversemortgages can lead property owners tolose their homes when the perpetratorsoffer money or a free house somewhereelse in exchange for the title to the proper-ty.

9. Sweepstakes & Lottery ScamsThis simple scam is one that many are

familiar with, and it capitalizes on thenotion that “there’s no such thing as a freelunch.”

Here, scammers inform their mark thatthey have won a lottery or sweepstakes ofsome kind and need to make some sort ofpayment to unlock the supposed prize.Often, seniors will be sent a check thatthey can deposit in their bank account,knowing that while it shows up in theiraccount immediately, it will take a fewdays before the (fake) check is rejected.

During that time, the criminals willquickly collect money for supposed fees or

taxes on the prize, which they pocketwhile the victim has the “prize money”removed from his or her account as soonas the check bounces.

10. The Grandparent ScamThe Grandparent Scam is so simple

and so devious because it uses one of old-er adults’ most reliable assets, their hearts.

Scammers will place a call to an olderperson and when the mark picks up, theywill say something along the lines of: “HiGrandma, do you knowwho this is?”

When the unsuspecting grandparentguesses the name of the grandchild thescammer most sounds like, the scammerhas established a fake identity without hav-ing done a lick of background research.

Once “in,” the fake grandchild will usu-ally ask for money to solve some unexpect-ed financial problem (overdue rent, pay-ment for car repairs, etc.), to be paid viaWestern Union or MoneyGram, whichdon’t always require identification to col-lect.

At the same time, the scam artist willbeg the grandparent “please don’t tell myparents, they would kill me.”

While the sums from such a scam arelikely to be in the hundreds, the very factthat no research is needed makes this ascam that can be perpetrated over andover at very little cost to the scammer.

If you suspect you’ve been the victim ofa scam…

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to talkabout it with someone you trust. You arenot alone, and there are people who canhelp. Doing nothing could only make itworse. Keep handy the phone numbersand resources you can turn to, includingthe local police, your bank (if money hasbeen taken from your accounts), andAdult Protective Services. To obtain thecontact information for Adult ProtectiveServices in your area, call the EldercareLocator, a government sponsored nationalresource line, at: 1-800-677-1116, or visittheir website at: www.eldercare.gov.

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Mary Walker, RNCopeland Oaks/Crandall Medical Center Community Information

Most people admitted to the hospital hope to returnhome after illness or surgery. Even if your doctorplanned for you to go home, your recovery may be slowerthan expected. As a result, you may need the care of askilled nursing or rehabilitation facility.

Skilled nursing facilities provide care for people whoare not yet able to care for themselves at home. Afteryour stay and participation in a rehabilitation program,you should be able to return home and care for yourself.

If your surgery or treatment at the hospital is sched-uled, talk to your doctor and nurse in the weeks before-hand about plans for discharge. If your hospital stay wasnot planned, you or your family should discuss dischargeplans with your social worker or nurse case manager assoon as possible during your time in the hospital.

Your most important goal is to get safely back in yourhome. The quality of care you receive at the facility playsthe biggest role in your reaching that goal and gettinghome.

Rehabilitation often focuses on:• Physical Therapy to help your strength, balance,

mobility and fitness

• Occupational Therapy to help find new ways of per-forming activities of daily living

• Speech-Language Therapy to help with speaking,understanding, reading, writing and swallowing

• Treatment of pain

Besides understanding the rehabilitation program andtherapy treatments provided by a nursing facility, it isequally important to understand the quality of life andquality of care that the facility can provide. Quality of lifedeals with preferences and personal choices; what’simportant to you. Questions to consider regarding quali-ty of life when choosing a facility for rehabilitation include:

• Will I have my own, private room or will I share aroom with another person? Will I have my own bath-room?

• How will the staff make sure I have privacy when I

am receiving personal care or have visitors?

• How will the facility help me participate in social,recreational, religious or cultural activities that are impor-tant to me? Can I decide when I want to participate.

• Is transportation provided to community activities?

• Do I get to choose what time to get up, go to sleep,or bathe?

• Can I have visitors at any time?

• Can I decorate my living space any way I want?

• Does the facility provide a pleasant dining experi-ence?

• Will I have a choice of food items at each meal? Arethere options and substitutes if I don’t like a particularmenu?

• Can I have snacks and beverages at any timethroughout the day or night?

Quality of life and care important in rehabilitation

m o r n i n g j o u r n a l • p r i m e t i m e • f r i d a y , f e b r u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 • 7

The team of professionals at Crandall Medical Center can help you get well and stay well. The goal is to enable you to live well....at home. And while you

experience Crandall’s rehabilitation programs, you can enjoy a private room....at NO extra charge. We protect your privacy and respect your dignity.

SPIRITUAL

Social

Wellness Emotional

Physical

• Can I bring my pet or can my pet visit?

• Will I be able to leave the facility for a few hours if Ichoose to do so?

Quality of care deals with your specific, individualizedplan of treatment. Questions to consider regarding quali-ty of care when choosing a facility for rehabilitationinclude:

• Who makes my plan of care and how do they knowwhat I want and need?

• Will I be included in planning my care?

• Who are the doctors and nurses who will care forme?

• Is there enough staff to give me the care I need.

• Will my interests and preferences be included in thecare plan?

• Will I be able to change my plan of care if I feel thereis a need?

• Will I be given a copy of my plan of care?

“After you identify what’s important to you, visitthe rehabilitation facilities you are considering. A visitgives you a chance to see the nursing home setting, meetthe staff and talk with some of the folks in residence andtheir family members.

A visit can help you see the quality of life and the quali-ty of care as it actually occurs,” suggested Jason Cicchillo,LNHA, administrator at Crandall Medical Center.

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Due to the growing popularity of in-home care for sen-iors, it's important to make sure you and your loved oneare aware of the potential dangers present in the home forseniors living alone and prepare accordingly. You can helpprevent falls and accidents by making changes to unsafeareas in the home with these tips.

General Home Safety

Please use the following home safety tips to help yourloved ones stay safe:

• Consider a medical alert or a buddy system• Keep a fire extinguisher and smoke detector on

every floor• Never smoke when alone or in bed• Always get up slowly after sitting or lying down.• Take your time, and make sure you have your bal-

ance.•Wear proper fitting shoes with low heels• Use a correctly measured walking aid• Remove or tack down all scatter rugs• Remove electrical or telephone cords from traffic

areas• Avoid using slippery wax on floors• Wipe up spills promptly• Avoid standing on ladders or chairs• Have sturdy rails for all stairs inside and outside the

house, or, if necessary, purchase a stairlift

• Use only non-glare 100 watt or greater incandescentbulbs (or the fluorescent equivalents)

• Make sure that all stair cases have good lightingwith switches at top and bottom

• Staircase steps should have a non-slip surface

Bathroom Safety

• Leave a light on in your bathroom at night• Use recommended bath aids, securely installed on

the walls of the bath/shower stall and on the sides of thetoilet

• Skid-proof the tub and make sure the bath mat has anon-slip bottom.

• To avoid scalds, turn water heater to 120 degreesFahrenheit or below.

•Mark cold and hot faucets clearly• Use door locks that can be opened from both sides• If possible, bathe only when help is available.

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• Avoid wearing long, loose clothing when cooking

over the stove• Make sure food is rotated regularly and check expi-

ration datesDrug Safety

• Review your medicines frequently with your doctoror pharmacist and when you take newmedication

•Make sure medicines are clearly labeled• Read medicine labels in good light to ensure you

have the right medicine and always take the correct dose•Dispose of any old or usedmedicines• Never borrow prescription drugs from others• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you

mix alcohol and your drugs• Have medication dispensed in a bubble pack or con-

venient dispenser• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing

non-prescription drugs and prescription drugs

Keeping your loved ones safe at home

Better bathroom safetyAny real estate agent will tell you that that updating

your bathroom is one of the best things you can do if youwant to sell your home. But, it's also one of the best thingsyou can do if you plan to stay in your home for a long timeto come.

As we age, our physical abilities and needs change. Ifour homes don't keep up with those changes, problemscan arise, and the bathroom is the room that often pres-ents the most challenges. Fortunately, there are severalways you can modify your bathroom to make it safer,most with little effort or expense.

As we age, our physical abilities and needs change. Ifour homes don't keep up with those changes, problemscan ariseIf it is difficult to get up and down from the toiletseat, it may be time to swap your standard toilet for a com-fort height model. You can also have grab bars andhandrails professionally installed for added stability. Formore affordable fixes, you can purchase a raised seatattachment or a safety frame to use with your existing toi-

let at many drug and medical equipment stores. If youhave to stretch, turn or bend to reach the toilet paperholder from the seat, invest in a moveable holder that canbe placed in a more convenient location.

If you find it harder to step into and out of your bathtubthan it use to be, have grab bars professionally installed.There also are temporary grab bars available at mostdrug and medical supply stores that use suction cups. Ifyou choose this option, make sure the grab bar isinstalled properly and check it frequently to make sure itremains firmly attached to the wall. Invest in a hand-heldshower sprayer and shower chair made of sturdy plasticwith slip-resistant rubber feet to make bathing easier. Askid-resistant bath mat or adhesive shower stripsdesigned to increase traction are also nice additions.

Never use towel racks, toilet paper holders or showercurtains for stability or to hold your body weight; theysimply weren't designed for that purpose and eventuallywill let you down... literally.

If you can't see the floor or obstacles in your bathroomwithout shadows or glare, consider having brighter ormore even lighting installed.

If your bathroom floor is tile or linoleum, add a rugwith a non-slip rubber backing to increase traction. If youuse a cane or walker, always take it with you to the bath-room, but make sure you have an out-of-the-way place tostow it where you or someone else won't trip on it.

If you or a loved one are age 60 or older and need helpmaking your bathroom safer, contact your local areaagency on aging.

They can point you to resources such as minor homerepairs and modifications and other services to help youlive safely at home. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected tothe area agency serving your community.

Visit the STEADY UOhio website for more things youcan do to make your home and everyday life safer.

m o r n i n g j o u r n a l • p r i m e t i m e • f r i d a y , f e b r u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 • 9

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I would just like to share my experience with wearing hearing aids. My name is Eric Everson and I’ m 37. I never thought I would need hearing aids at my age. But I noticed my wife had to repeat things and tell me to turn the TV down and I couldn’ t talk on the phone because I would misinterpret things. That’ s when I said enough is enough and set up an appointment at Hearing Aids and Devices in Salem, Ohio. She gave me a thorough hearing test and walked me through each step of the way and was very helpful in answering all my questions.There is nothing to be ashamed of young or old about wearing hearing aids. I thought hearing aids were big and bulky but with today’ s technology they’ re small and very comfortable to wear. I’ ve been hearing things I have never been able to hear before. I don’ t have to turn the TV up so loud, I can hear talking on the phone, and my wife doesn’ t need to repeat things as much anymore. These hearing aids have made my life so much more enjoyable. So young or old if you’ re thinking about getting hearing aids don’ t be ashamed because life will be so much more enjoyable.

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Evelyn Jones, PresidentState Licensed Hearing Aid Specialist

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Dear Evelyn,Just a note to let you know what a pleasure it has been working with you to improve my hearing, and we have! I had a hearing aid that was old and not powerful enough. The aid I have now makes me feel normal again. Asking people to repeat themselves is an embarrassment.I had to have closed captioning on my TV. No amount of volume helped me understand the words. Now I don’ t need the captioning. I’ m also hearing things around the house that I never heard before. It’ s like a different world! Thanks again! Lisbon, Ohio

Omega 3 fatty acidsThe acids have been proven to reduce

inflammation, which can cause heart disease,cancer and arthritis. They can be found inmany different types of fish and in flaxseed oil.Your parent should have foods rich in thisnutrient twice per week. If this is impossible,check with their doctor to see if an Omega 3supplement would be beneficial.

Calcium and Vitamin DThe need for calcium and vitamin D

increases as people age. This is primarily topreserve bone health. One added benefit ofcalcium is that it helps to lower blood pressure.

Adults over the age of 50 need at least 1200milligrams per day of the nutrient – equal toabout four cups of milk per day. Many peoplefind it challenging to consume this much calci-um per day by eating and drinking, so checkwith your parent's doctor to see if he or sheshould take a calcium supplement.

Limit sodium contentMost elders have hypertension – high

blood pressure. One of the most importantthings caregivers can do to help reduce a par-ent's hypertension is to prepare foods with lowsodium. Most people are surprised to knowthat table salt accounts for only a small percent

of sodium content in food. Avoid giving yourparent frozen, processed or restaurant food, asthese are extremely high in sodium. The foodswith the lowest sodium content are fruits andvegetables, so try and incorporate them asmuch as possible in their diet.

HydrateAs people age, they do not get thirsty very

often, even though their bodies still need thesame amount of liquids. If you notice that yourparent is not drinking liquids very often, makesure that you provide them with it. If they donot feel thirsty, chances are they may not thinkabout drinking a glass of water.

Healthytips for

a seniordiet

1 0 • m o r n i n g j o u r n a l • p r i m e t i m e • f r i d a y , f e b r u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

Flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mildto severe illness and, in some cases, can lead to death.

Flu viruses are spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing or by touch-ing an object that has flu viruses on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Fluseason runs from late fall through the winter months and generally peaks in FebruaryandMarch.

Symptoms of flu may come on quickly and may include fever, headache, extremetiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle achesand stomach symp-toms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Complications of flu may include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections,dehydration, and worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asth-ma or diabetes.

How to Avoid the FluFlu shots are your best defense against the flu. While it is best to get a flu shot as they

become available for the coming flu season (usually in the fall), you can still benefit froma flu shot later in the season. Check with your doctor before you get a flu shot to makesure it is right for you. Your doctor may recommend another approach, such as the useof certain antiviral medications.

Other prevention steps:•Maintain good health habits: Get plenty of sleep, be as physically active as is appro-

priate for you, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritional foods.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, scrubbing for about 20 seconds. Usean alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tis-sue away immediately and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneezeinto your shoulder or arm, then wash any affected skin immediately.

• Limit your contact with persons who are ill. Avoid shaking hands if you are ill andwith others who are ill.

• Limit going out and into crowds as much as possible during the flu season,or whenflu cases are common in your community.

How to Care For Yourself When You Have the Flu• Stay home and rest to fight the flu and avoid spreading it to others.

• Drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost through fever and sweating.

• Take medication for your symptoms. If you have a chronic health problem or aretaking medication, get advice from your doctor or pharmacist about the best over-the-counter medications for you. Your doctor may want to prescribe antiviral drugs to lessenthe length of the flu.

•Wash your hands often to avoid spreading the virus to others.

• Let your case manager know that you have the flu and if you need anyadditionalservices, such as a ride to the doctor or help getting food, liquids and medications. If youare moving to another location to receive care while you recover, let your case managerand service provider knowwhere you are going and again when you are coming home.

Avoiding the fluEveryone should have fire prevention and response plans in place, but this becomes

especially important for older adults because of changes that come with aging orimpaired health. According to the National Fire Protection Association, adults over 65years old are twice as likely to die in a fire and those over 85 are four timesmore likely.

Prevent Fires▪ Safe Cooking: Always watch stove top items andturn off burners if you must walk

away – even for aminute. Turn handles of pots and pans toward the back to avoid acci-dentally knocking them over. Avoid loose-fitting and dangling clothing on your arms andchest while you cook. Keep flammable materials like towels, potholders, papers, etc.,away from heating appliances. Use a timer to remind you if you are using the oven. If youdon’t feel safe cooking, contact your case manager or an area agency on aging, 1-866-243-5678 about receiving home deliveredmeals or other assistance with meal preparation.

▪ Safe Electrical Equipment: Unplug small appliances like toasters and can openersafter each use. If an appliance appears to be malfunctioning, have it checked andrepaired before using again. Be sure that electrical cords and any extension cords are inproper working condition. Be sure outlets are not overloaded.

▪ Safe Heating: Do not use your oven to heat your home. If you use electric spaceheaters, be sure the electrical cords are in good condition and the outlet can handle theload. Do not share an outlet used by a heater with any other device. Avoid using exten-sion cords with heaters. Use only the correct fuel in kerosene heaters to avoid fire orexplosion, and be sure to let the heater cool before refueling. Store and handle the fuelsafely. Be sure fireplace flues are clear and always use a screen to deflect sparks. Keepcombustible materials like blankets and clothing at least three feet away from any heatsources. If your utility services have been cut off, contact your utility company to makearrangements or contact your case manager or an area agency on aging for resources toassist you in resolving thematter.

▪ Safe Decorating: The use of candles and other open flames requires direct andconstant supervision. Keep flammable materials at least three feet away and extinguishflames before leaving a room. For electrical decorations, avoid extension cords and over-loading outlets. Turn off and unplug electrical decorations overnight and when you willnot be home.

Be Prepared▪ Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and in all sleeping areas and

test them monthly. Change the batteries every six months. For help obtaining andinstalling smoke detectors and batteries, contact your local fire department, your casemanager or an area agency on aging.

▪ Use only deep-seated ashtrays. If you or others in your home must smoke, keepsmoking materials away from combustible materials and wet them before disposing ofthem. Never smoke while lying down, when tired or when taking medications that causedrowsiness. Always turn off medical oxygen while someone in the house is smoking,then turn it back on when they’ve finished.

▪ Develop and practice a fire evacuation plan. Identify at least two ways to get outand review safety steps like checking closed doors for heat before opening, using youremergency alert device if you have one and crawling on the floor below the smoke. Getout fast and stay out!

▪ If you require assistance getting out of the house, close the door toyour room, staynear a window and stay on the phone with rescuers. Alert your local fire department pri-or to a fire that you may be unable to evacuate without assistance in the event of a fire –this will help keep you and your rescuers safer.

Be fire safe and smart

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Preventing theft in your homeTheft is most often a crime of convenience. Money and

valuables left within sight of even the most trustworthyperson may be an irresistible temptation in certain cir-cumstances.

Invite people into your home,but don’t invite theft.

▪Know who is in your home and why. Verify the iden-tity of any person who wishes to enter your home. Ask tosee I.D. and ask who sent them. Call to make sure the vis-it is authorized.

▪ Store your valuables, including medications, jewel-ry, cash, checks and credit cards, in a private place.

▪ Retrieve your mail daily. If you can’t get your mailyourself, have a trusted friend, family member or neigh-bor retrieve it for you.

▪ Destroy unwanted or unneeded documents thatidentify you in any way, including bank statements, bills,financial documents, records and other papers that con-tain information that could be used to conduct business inyour name.

▪ Do not allow someone to write checks for you orpay your bills with your credit or debit card unless youhave previously and formally authorized them to do so.

If you need assistance, contact your case manager orarea agency on aging, 1-866-243-5678.

• Monitor purchases. When someone runsan errand for you, give him or her only themoney needed for the task.

Get the receipt, check it andcount your change. Do not lendmoney or belongings to someoneworking for you. If you suspect some-one may have stolen something thatbelongs to you, do not confront theperson yourself.

Immediately contact the appropri-ate authorities (police or sheriff) andthe individual’s employer, your casemanager and your family.

If you can’t get yourmail yourself, have atrusted friend, familymember or neighborretrieve it for you.

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Providers of Skilled Nursing Care, Short Term Rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s Care, Assisted Living and Home Health to the residents of Mahoning Valley for over 50 years. Windsor House is a family owned and operated organization and

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