Stroke strikes FAST and you should too!

Many people don’t know that being able to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms can save lives.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. That’s why a stroke should be treated as an emergency.

Recognizing stroke symptoms can be easy if you remember to think FAST.

Use FAST to remember the warning signs of a stroke:

F= Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A= Arms Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S= Speech Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

T= Time If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1, or press the button on your medical alert system if you have one.

Make sure you also take steps to have a healthy life style to reduce your risk of stroke.  Many people don’t know that stroke is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems. By making simple lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk for a stroke.

Things you can do to prevent a stroke:

• Get moving, stay active and incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
• Don’t smoke! If you are a regular smoker, make a resolution to quit. It may be one of the very best things you can do for your health.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and sodium and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation.
• If you have a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor if you are at risk. It may be necessary for you to be tested regularly.
• If you have diabetes, it is important for you to monitor your blood sugar and weight gain, including A1C levels.
• Take medicine as directed (including insulin). Follow the treatment guidelines of your doctor and if you have any questions, make sure to ask your doctor.
• Manage your diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels.

Brought to you by National Stroke Association. Learn more about stroke awareness at www.stroke.org/awareness.

Would You Know A Stroke If You Had One? is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Seniors should just hang up on medical alert scam “robo-calls”.  

Acording to Neil Winget, President of the Better Business Bureau of West Central Ohio, “Other Better Business Bureaus across the country are also receiving similar reports from consumers. The origination of these calls, as deduced from area codes, includes Boynton Beach, Fla., Louisville, Ky., and Cleveland.”

This is a scam that has cropped up sometime in March of 2013.

Here’s how the free medical alert scam calls seem to work:

• Senior citizen receives an automated “robo-call”  from a company identifying themselves as “Emergency Medical Alert Systems” ( or something similar);
• Their call list appears to be a list of seniors/elderly/infirm/diabetics, etc., loaded into an automated dialing system, which can place tens of thousands of calls a day;
• The automated message says that someone has ordered a free medical alert system for you, and this call is to confirm shipping instructions;
• The call then instructs users to press 5 on their phone to receive their free medical alert system.
• If you press 5, you get a call back to confirm your free system and verify some information, and ask for a credit card number.

We are receiving reports of this free medical alert call scam  going on nationally – see these stories:

• Missouri http://www.kspr.com/news/ky3-calls-about-free-medical-alert-system-are-scams-20130503,0,5378486.story
• Alabama http://www.waff.com/story/22085403/scam-alert-for-homeowners-and-seniors#.UXvEL-NgxCU.twitter
• Ohio http://www.limaohio.com/news/local_news/article_10534806-adf8-11e2-b130-001a4bcf6878.html#.UXpZ97z7hh0.twitter
• Colorado http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Beware-of–202421901.html?device=tablet#.UYZyP6LvtXd

You can see complaints about this from others on this complaint site http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-870-677-3182

How To Protect Yourself From This Free Medical Alert Scam Call

So what do you do when you pick up the phone with a synthetic voice on the other end? “Our advice is straightforward. Hang up,” Lois Greisman, director of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Marketing Practices Division, told CNN. “There are virtually no legitimate marketers trying to reach you to sell you something using a prerecorded call.”

• Just hang up. Don’t press 1 to speak with a live operator, don’t even speak. Just put the phone down and slowly back away from the receiver.
• Log on to the Do Not Call registry and register your home and cell phone numbers.

This won’t eliminate robocalls entirely—companies that already have your permission are exempted, for instance—but it will certainly reduce the volume of these calls. To date, more nearly 220 million Americans have signed up. You can also call the FTC’s complaint line at 1-888-382-1222 or on the DNC website.

And always beware of “free” offers.  Remember, if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is.

Let us know if you have received any of these fake free medical alert scam calls.  Please post a comment, and share this article.

BBB Warns Of Free Medical Alert Scam Calls is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Did you know that nearly 150 million cards are exchanged each Valentine’s Day?

Or that more than 40,000 American are employed at chocolate companies?

While the history of Valentine’s Day is sometimes debated, it clearly links back to a Catholic saint named St. Valentine.

The problem is there are actually three St. Valentine’s — one a priest, one a bishop, and little is known about the third. All were martyrs.

In 469 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 a day to honor St. Valentine, one of these three men.

One legend says that a Roman emperor banned soldiers from marrying in the third century, but St. Valentine took issue with this. He became an advocate for soldiers and was executed as a result of his outspokenness.

Another legend says St. Valentine was executed for his beliefs in Christianity and just before he died, he left a farewell note for a loved one and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

A conventional and widely accepted belief about the holiday itself is that Valentine’s Day grew out of a Middle Ages tradition of celebrating Feb. 14 as the day “the birds began to pair.”

The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.

Many believe the ‘X’ symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn’t write their names signed in front of a witness with an ‘X.’ The ‘X’ was then kissed to show their sincerity.

Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouse.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve.”

In 1537, England’s King Henry VII officially declared February 14th the holiday of St. Valentine’s Day.

No matter how Valentine’s Day got started, we all hope you have a lovely time and get your fair share of chocolate and flowers….and love!

Where Did Valentine’s Day Come From? is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Medical Care Alert Earns 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting the company’s consistently high level of customer service

We are really excited to receive this award, and to thank you for your support!  As Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton famously said “The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.”  We hope we can meet that expectation every day! Below is an excerpt from our press release.  

Medical Care Alert, a national provider of emergency medical alert systems for senior citizens, has earned the 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award in recognition of superior customer service.  This recognition is only awarded to the top 5 percent of all companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reports and reviews on local service companies.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive both an “A” rating and the Super Service Award from Angie’s List members,” said Erin Rogg, Vice President of Medical Care Alert.  “We protect seniors in all 50 states with our ‘Help At The Push Of A Button’ monitoring service, and our Angie’s List subscribers really do their homework.”

Ms. Rogg also noted that Medical Care Alert has an “A” rating, and is an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Medical Care Alert earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

About Medical Care Alert:

Medical Care Alert’s “Help At The Push Of A Button” medical alert monitoring service provides independence and peace of mind for thousands of seniors and their families in all 50 states.  Systems cost around $1 day, with nothing to buy and no long term contracts.  The company has an A rating with the BBB, an A rating with Angie’s List, and received the Super Service Award from Angie’s List members. Learn more at www.MedicalCareAlert.com

About Angie’s List:

 Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 550 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. More than 1.5 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain unlimited access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine, and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. 

You can read the full press release here at Medical Care Alert.

Medical Care Alert Wins 2012 Super Service Award From Angie’s List is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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We’ve pulled together some of the top ideas from our award-winning “Caregiver Tips” blog to bring you some easy ways to keep your home safe.

WHY THIS FREE GUIDE? 

We know that millions of seniors are at risk of falling in their own home.  We know the consequences of a senior being left for hours or longer without being able to get help.  Our mission is to give you the tools to keep yourself or a loved one living at home, independently.

WHO IS AT RISK?

• One out of three Americans age 65 and older falls at least once a year.  The chances of surviving a fall are six times greater if you are found within one hour, according to the CDC Center for Disease Control.
• The National Heart Association reports that 350,000 of the 1.6 million Americans that suffer from heart attacks die because help does not arrive on time.
• Every minute that a stroke victim goes unattended, the chance of permanent disability or death increases dramatically.

Enjoy our guide and lets us know if you have any ideas for future guides.

Download “One Step Ahead” by clicking this link: One Step Ahead – From Medical Care Alert 855-272-1010
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One Step Ahead – Our New Free Guide To Living Safe At Home is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Even if Hurricane Sandy didn’t hit you directly, you still may have some clean up to do.

In Michigan, where we are based, we got hit with heavy rains and winds and sleet from the storm.  Ohio and West Virginia are getting blasted with show.

Even if you haven’t been effected by a hurricane or natural disaster, these tips are helpful to know in advance.

Flood Cleanup

There is no limit as to what can be expected upon returning to a home after a flood. The furniture could be ruined or strewn about the house. The windows could be busted. The home may be uninhabitable just because of the mold and mildew left behind by flood waters.

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Reentering Buildings

Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. You may want to wait to return to buildings during daylight hours, when it is easier to avoid hazards, particularly if the electricity is off and you have no lights.

Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure may fall or if you smell gas or suspect a leak. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.

Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

Trees and Shrubs

If a tree that was planted in the last year or two blows over, stand it back up as soon as possible – preferably within a day of blowing over. Stake the tree to help it recover but remember to remove the stakes in 6 months

If a tree splits in half, as Bradford pears are prone to do, or loses over ½ of its canopy it really is not worth saving. The tree may continue to live for some time but will never recover its shape and eventually decay will set in and the tree will fail.

For broken branches that you can safely reach and remove, make sure you know where to cut! Poor pruning cuts result in decay and future problems.

If removing a branch requires you to climb a ladder with a chainsaw then play it safe! Hire a professional. Many tree care professionals can remove a tree, but if you want to preserve the tree, be sure to hire a certified arborist.

If multiple branches are broken in a shrub, cut the shrub back to 3’-4’ tall. Many shrubs can recover from this type of damage. Wax myrtles are particularly prone to falling apart during strong wind.

For perennials and ornamental grasses that blow over, go ahead and cut them back to around 2’ tall. They will not stand up again and staking them up is rarely successful. Add the clippings to the compost pile.

For annuals that fall apart, you may as well pull them up. It will be time to replace them in another month anyway.

If you live close to the ocean and salt spray has covered your shrubs and perennials rinse them off with clean water as soon as possible if rainfall does not do this for you.

General Safety Measures

Have at least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, at every cleanup job.

Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank) for cleanup work.

Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).

When using a chain saw, operate the saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions, wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid contact with power lines, be sure that bystanders are at a safe distance, and take extra care in cutting trees or branches that have gotten bent or caught under another object. Use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock when using an electric chain saw.

If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of the affected area.

In hot weather, try to stay cool by staying in air-conditioned buildings, taking breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms, drinking water and nonalcoholic fluids often, and wearing light and loose-fitting clothing. Do outdoor activities during cooler hours.

Hurricane Sandy impacted many of our medical alert customers, and our hopes and prayers are with all of you to get home safely!

Hurricane Sandy Clean Up Tips is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Transitioning to life in a nursing home can be difficult, especially after living independently.

When thinking about the next step for yourself or a loved one, it is important to consider how the quality of care you receive will affect your health and well-being. It’s helpful to plan ahead, consider all your long-term-care options, and make good financial plans early.

Here are five tips on how to choose a nursing home that is right for you or your loved one:

Determine if a nursing home is your best option

Depending on your needs and resources, you may have other long-term-care options available to you. For example, you may be able to get the services and support you need in your own home or in other types of community housing. If you’re in a hospital or working with a home health agency, a discharge planner or social worker can explain your options and help arrange your care. You can also talk to your doctor, family members, friends, neighbors or clergy to get additional opinions on long-term care options.

A medical alert system can often provide the extra security and access to emergency personnel needed to continue to live independently.   With prices around $30 a month, a medical alert system can significantly reduce a family’s costs compared to living in a nursing home or assisted living.

Find nursing homes in your area

If you or someone you know has access to the Internet, visit Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare to help find nursing homes in your area. You can search by nursing home name, city, county, state or ZIP code. If you do not have access to the Internet, your local library may be able to help you find the information on Nursing Home Compare. You can also call 800-MEDICARE for further assistance.

Your area agency on aging can also help you choose a nursing home, as well as help you and your family plan for long-term care. Contact the U.S. Administration on Aging to get in touch with your area agency on aging by visiting the Eldercare Locator at www.eldercare.gov or get information by calling 800-677-1116.

Compare quality of care

It’s important to compare the quality of care that nursing homes provide in order to find the home that meets your needs. Nursing Home Compare has a five star quality rating system for certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes that indicates meaningful differences between high- and low-performing homes. On Nursing Home Compare, you can evaluate the nursing homes you’re considering by clinical quality measures, staffing, and health and fire safety inspection results.

Visit potential nursing homes

After comparing the quality of care provided by nursing homes in your area, it is important to visit the homes you are interested in to see if you would be comfortable and happy living there. Nursing Home Compare provides maps and directions to listed nursing homes. The easy-to-use information provided by Nursing Home Compare can guide you in talking to nursing home staff about the quality of care they provide. Medicare provides a great Nursing Home Checklist that outlines things to look for – and key questions to ask – when visiting potential homes.

Consider your needs

When you have all the information about the nursing homes you’re interested in, consider which ones will best meet your personal needs. Think about location and proximity to family and friends, availability and when you can move in, any cultural or religious preferences you may have and other personal factors important in creating a comfortable living environment.

If you’re helping a loved one choose a nursing home, keep the person you’re helping involved in making the decision as much as possible. People who are involved from the beginning are better prepared when they move into a nursing home.

All the resources mentioned above can be found at www.medicare.gov/nhcompare or by calling 800-MEDICARE (TTY 877-486-2048). To objectively compare other types of health care providers such as hospitals or home health agencies, visit medicare.gov/qualitycarefinder.

How To Choose A Nursing Home, 5 Tips is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Choosing the right hospital can have a big impact on your health, mindset and wallet.

Americans are faced with many purchasing choices every day. From cars to restaurant meals, informed consumers often take the opportunity to research their options before making a decision to buy the item that best fits their needs. So why don’t Americans apply the same rigor when choosing a hospital?

Like any other product or service, all hospital care is not equal, and not every hospital is right for every person. In fact, the quality of care you receive can have a big impact.

Oftentimes, people don’t realize that they can choose among the hospitals in their community in a non-emergency.  As part of our medical alert service, you can tell us your preferred hospital and we’ll keep it on your medical alert profile.  This way our EMT-Certifiied medical alert monitoring center agents will have that information on their computer screen in an emergency.  situation. When you can plan ahead, whether it’s a knee replacement or elective heart surgery, you should look for the hospital that’s right for you.

Here are five tips on how to choose the right hospital:

1. Talk to your doctor.  Find out what hospitals your provider works with, which ones they think will give the best care for your condition, how well the hospital monitors and improves its quality of care, and if it participates in Medicare.
2. Make a checklist of your needs.  Medicare’s Guide to Choosing a Hospital provides information on what steps to take to research and compare hospitals, including an easy-to-follow checklist that walks you through the process and highlights important questions to ask along the way.
3. Compare quality of care.  Whether you are on Medicare or not, Hospital Compare is a great resource that allows you to find and compare hospitals that are close to you or across the nation. Using Hospital Compare, you can determine how often a hospital gives the right treatments for certain conditions – like heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia; the number of patients who got a knee replacement or other procedure; infection rates and more.
4. Compare the experiences of patients.  Hospital Compare also provides information on patients’ experiences during recent hospital stays. You can find patients’ answers to more than two dozen questions, including:
1. How often did nurses explain things in a way you could understand?
2. Did you get information in writing about what symptoms or health problems to watch out for once you leave the hospital?
3. Would you recommend this hospital to your friends or family?
5. Consider coverage, pricing and logistics.  Check with your Medicare, Medicare Advantage or private health insurance plan to find out if you need permission from your health plan before you’re admitted for non-emergency hospital care, or if you have to use certain hospitals or see certain surgeons or specialists. This could have a big impact on your choices and costs.

Consider how close the hospital is to your home, family and friends; flexibility in visiting hours; and whether a family member can stay with the patient.

It is important to note that in an emergency, getting the fastest treatment is usually best. Many conditions are more treatable in the minutes after they happen, such as strokes or heart attacks. Hospital Compare is not meant for use in a potential emergency.

All the resources mentioned in the article can be found at hospitalcompare.hhs.gov or by calling 800-MEDICARE (TTY 877-486-2048). To find and compare other types of health care providers such as home health agencies or nursing homes, visit medicare.gov/qualitycarefinder.

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How To Choose The Right Hospital, 5 Important Tips is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Our GPS Medical Alert Systems Protect You At Home, Or Away!

We’re pleased to announce our new GPS Medical Alert Systems for folks with no landline phone, or are on-the-go!  We have had so many requests from our customers who still drive, like to golf, and like to travel…but still want to be protected.  Now we can offer you an easy to use solution that is affordable, works in all 50 states, and has true GPS pin-point accuracy.

Our unique GPS Medical Alert System works anywhere…both inside the home and outside of the home wherever AT&T nationwide cellular network coverage is available.

Perfect if you don’t have a traditional phone line, or if you use a discount phone service like MagicJack or Vonage.
Walk to your mailbox, or take a trip to the post office…either place you are protected! It even works in Alaska and Hawaii .

You can now feel safe on a walk, in your car, golfing, in the park, at the lake, and even beach. Where do you enjoy going?

• The GPS Medical Alert System can get help to you anywhere you drive in the United States.
• The system can get you help on the road.
• It will send operators your location…. usually within just a few feet of where you are.
• You don’t have to leave your car to get help.
• It works around town, as well as on cross-country trip.
• You can use it when travelling in an RV.

To learn more about our new GPS medical alert systems, click on the link or give us a call at 1-855-272-1010.

New GPS Medical Alert Systems is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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Many Americans are in the process of reassessing their spending patterns, and boomers and seniors are no exception.

Seventy-three percent of adults over age 50 started saving more or cutting back on spending last year, compared to 2010, according to a November 2011 report by the AARP.

In many cases, the new spirit of frugality is not necessarily born out of financial necessity, but also out of a desire to simplify life, avoid excessive consumption and focus on what’s really important – family, friends and community.

If you’re an adult over 50, maybe you’re exploring the hidden treasures of your own region instead of taking exotic vacations. Maybe you’re barbecuing with friends in the backyard instead of going out to eat. Maybe you’re spending more time playing with your grandkids instead of buying them the latest electronic gadgets.

In short, you’re trying to cut back on spending without sacrificing quality of life. Here are five tips to help.

Examine recurring expenses. It’s easy to overpay for utilities and other recurring expenses if you don’t periodically review your options and make sure you’re getting the best deal. Many utility companies offer senior discounts, for example, but you have to ask.  Also consider switching to a lower-cost, no-contract medical alert system plan. Medical Care Alert, for example, offers a variety of affordable no-long-term-contract medical alert system plans that can be changed without penalty at any time. You’re never locked into a plan that forces you to pay for more service than you need, and the equipment is provided at no charge.  Plans start as low as $27.45 a month, compared to many other medical alert companies in the $35-55/month range

Increase energy efficiency. Another way to reduce your bills is by increasing the energy efficiency of your home. You can unplug battery chargers when not in use, turn off appliances rather than leaving them in standby mode, use energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off the lights when you leave a room. If you’re able to invest a little to ensure longer-term savings – whether through weatherproofing or upgrading aging appliances – you can schedule an energy audit to find out how to get the biggest bang for your home-improvement buck.

Be a smart shopper. If you’re not into clipping coupons, that’s OK. There are other ways to save. For example, try store-brand products rather than automatically reaching for the brands you’ve always purchased – in many cases, you won’t be able to tell the difference. Buy in bulk if you use large quantities of something. Watch for sales on items you purchase regularly, but don’t buy something just because it’s on sale – if you wouldn’t have bought it otherwise, you’re not saving money. For bigger-ticket items, be sure to comparison shop to make sure you’re getting the best price. Websites such as pricegrabber.com allow you to research numerous retailers without leaving your home.

Take advantage of free entertainment. Wondering what to do this weekend? Low-cost, or sometimes free, options are abundant. Check the events sections of local newspapers and websites to see what’s happening in the area – festivals, exhibits and other special events are often free, and high schools and colleges frequently host sporting events, plays, concerts and lectures that are open to the public. Libraries are also an excellent source of free entertainment – you can try out new authors, artists and genres with no risk by borrowing books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs instead of purchasing them. You might even meet some interesting people while you’re out and about in the community.

Reassess your gift-giving habits. If you’ve ever found yourself rushing to the mall to buy a last-minute gift for a loved one’s birthday, chances are you’ve spent more than you originally planned, settled for something you suspected the recipient might end up exchanging, or avoided the decision by purchasing a safe but impersonal gift card. However, most of us don’t really need more things. Instead, consider giving your loved ones the gift of a shared experience. If your grandson loves animals, take him to the zoo. If your sister is into jazz, take her out for an evening at a jazz club. Of course, you might not end up spending less money this way – experiences come in all price ranges – so do keep your budget in mind. The point is that instead of wasting money on something that might just sit in the garage for years, you’ll enjoy a meaningful experience together. And that’s what quality of life is all about.

5 Money-Saving Ideas For Seniors and Boomers is a post from: The Caregiver Tips Blog.

                          

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