Tablet Helps Seniors Go Digital, Research Says

We get it. Computers could be intimidating and tiny phones might be . . . well, just too tiny. Why not consider a tablet? Those smaller, lighter, easy-to-use computers that sometimes replace laptops appear to be a way to help seniors make the transition to digital communication.

In fact, new Michigan State University research has found that the use of tablets does make it easier, breaking down some of the barriers that keep seniors from getting connected.

In addition, tablets allow people to maneuver online without having to move and click a mouse. “The dexterity required to control a mouse is really hard for some older adults,” said Shelia Cotten, an MSU professor of media and information who led the research. “A certain level of muscle control is needed. And some older adults have shaking issues, in addition to muscle-control issues in their hands and arms.”

Cotten also said that in most cases, tablets are just easier to use, especially for people who don't have a lot of computer experience. “You don't have to click on 12 different things to do what you want to do. It helps to ease their tech anxiety.”

To learn more about this study, visit http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/tablets-can-help-elderly-cross-the-digital-divide/. 

 

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Trouble Distinguishing Odors Tied to Shorter Life Span

A study of 1,169 Medicare beneficiaries found that older people who have trouble distinguishing between odors appear to have a short life span.Results of the four-year study found that the mortality rate was 45 percent in participants with the lowest scores on a 40-item smell test compared with 18 percent of participants with the highest scores.

 

“The increased risk of death increased progressively with worse performance in the smell identification test and was highest in those with the worst smelling ability, even after adjusting for medical burden and dementia,” said Dr. Davangere Devanand, lead author of the Annals of Neurology study.

For more information about the study, visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.24447/abstract?campaign=wolacceptedarticle.  
 

Each Home Instead Senior Care^® franchise office is independently owned and operated.

Home Care Project Reveals Cost Savings, Quality Care

Results from the first year of the Independence at Home Demonstration, a program that provides chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries with primary care services in the home setting, included both higher quality care and lower Medicare expenditures. 

On average, those with home care:

• Have fewer hospital readmissions within 30 days;

• Have follow-up contact from their provider within 48 hours of a hospital admission, hospital discharge, or emergency department visit;

• Have their medications identified by their provider within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital;

•  Have their preferences documented by their provider; and

•  Use inpatient hospital and emergency department services less for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection.

The CMS analysis found that Independence at Home participants saved more than $25 million in the demonstration’s first performance year – an average of $3,070 per participating beneficiary – while delivering high quality patient care in the home.  

 For more information about the research, visit http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Independence-at-Home/.

Each Home Instead Senior Care^® franchise office is independently owned and operated.

4 Fears Surrounding End of Life Care and How to Overcome Them

Many families find conversations about end of life care difficult to broach with a parent or aging loved one, but surely they have come up. Perhaps you were driving away from a nursing home visit with your mother when she told you she “never wants to live in a place like that.” 

Or, maybe you were sharing coffee after a family funeral when your father told you that he “never wants to be hooked up to ventilators like Uncle Mark was.” Statements like these open a window into their desires as they relate to end of life care, but they don’t provide you with the full picture you need to adequately plan ahead. 

The 40-70 Rule^® is a good rule of thumb: have an intentional conversation surrounding these concerns by the time you are 40 and your parent is 70. But no matter your age, it can bring immeasurable peace of mind to communicate openly with your family about end-of-life fears and wishes so you can plan ahead to ensure those wishes are honored.

Here are a few of some of the most common fears and ways to overcome them.

Fear #1: “I hate the thought of having feeding tubes and ventilators keeping me alive.”
What you can do about it: Consider establishing a living will. Living wills detail an individual’s treatment preferences in the event he or she is unable to make those decisions for him- or herself. The requirements for living wills vary from state to state, so you should also consider having a lawyer assist with this. Many lawyers will prepare a living will as part of an estate planning package.

Fear #2: “I’m afraid I will end up in a nursing home, and I don’t want to die in a hospital or institution.”
What you can do about it: There are many options for end of life care outside of nursing homes and hospitals. Make sure that you have a conversation with your parent about his or her wishes and look into home care options together so that you are prepared when the time comes.

Fear #3 “What if I get dementia and can no longer make my own decisions?”
What you can do about it: It’s wise to have your parents designate a trusted person with power of attorney (POA) who will act on their behalf in the event that they are no longer able to advocate for themselves. Designating a person with POA will give them peace of mind that their care wishes will be met regardless of their mental acuity.

Fear #4: “I don’t want to lose my independence.”
What you can do about it: Look into the home care options in your area so that your parent can have the help they need to continue living independently at home without feeling like they have to rely on you to help meet their daily needs.

The best way to address the end-of-life fears your parent may be struggling with is to communicate clearly with them about their wishes in advance. If the topic doesn’t come up naturally, set up a specific time to talk. Try to remain open and put yourself in your loved ones’ shoes to better understand their wishes and the reasoning behind them. Be sure to record your discussion by taking notes so you have something to refer back to when making plans and decisions in the future. 

For many, it’s normal to feel anxiety surrounding this topic, but know that having open communication with your loved ones will likely give your family a sense of peace that will far outweigh any anxiety you feel broaching the subject.

For additional guidance when it comes to discussing end-of-life wishes with your loved ones and developing a plan, download the 40-70 Rule: An Action Plan for Successful Aging^SM or call your local Home Instead Senior Care office.

Each Home Instead Senior Care Office is Independently Owned and Operated