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Older adults sustain injuries in and around their homes every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that on average 1.4 million people aged 65 and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with consumer products.Falls in and around the home are a top cause of injuries to older citizens. The rate of injury is the highest for people 75 years of age and older. Many of these and other injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking simple steps to correct them, you can prevent injuries to yourself or visitors to your home.Begin making your home safe by going through your home room-to-room. Make sure hallways and walkways are clear and free of obstacles. Remove throw rugs and runners.If you have stairs in your home, make sure there is at least one hand rail. Two rails are ideal. Check to make sure they are anchored and can support weight.Ensure you have adequate and reachable lighting in every area of your home. Consider changing your bulbs to new energy efficient lighting.Check to make sure that items you use regularly are within reach of your bed or chair. If you need to reach something, its best to avoid the need to climb or stand on objects.Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. Keep an easy-to-use fire extinguisher in an accessible place.It may be a good time to install a grab bar in your bathroom next to the toilet or in the bathtub. A riser or frame over your toilet makes it higher and easier to get on and off. Would a shower bench or chair in your bathtub make it easier to bathe? Hand-held shower heads are easy to install. Non-skid mats or decals in the shower/tub prevent the chance of falls.And finally, make sure you have a phone within easy access at all times in case you ever need to contact emergency services.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Janel Wangsvick-Lane, OTR/L , Director of Therapy Services and Occupational Therapist for Community Nursing Services. She may be reached at 801-233-6100 or by email at [email protected]

Why would we call arthritis the silent disease? Most people don't recognize the signs and symptoms of arthritis as they begin to get them. Arthritis is not an injury and does not happen overnight. Arthritis is actually part of the aging process, and while aging cannot be prevented, we can learn how to age gracefully.Based on 2010-2012 data from the National Health Interview survey an estimated 52.5 million, or 23% of adults, have been diagnosed with arthritis. Additionally, 23 million adults have some type of activity limitation.Its projected that by 2030 more than 67 million adults will be diagnosed with arthritis. Of those, 25 million will have activity limitations.So, what can be done?Obesity is a known risk factor for the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Mechanically speaking, body weight is a 1:4 ratio. This means that one pound of added body weight translates into four pounds of pressure in the knees and hips. Simply losing 10 pounds can relieve 40 pounds of pressure in the lower extremities.Did you know that obese adults are up to four times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis? Reduction in body weight can be a significant healthy improvement in the lives of those with arthritis.Movement has been proven time and time again to benefit those with arthritis. Most people who have been diagnosed with arthritis report that they have no leisure time activities in their lives. That is considerably higher than those without arthritis.Those who suffer with arthritis also suffer from other diseases associated with inactivity, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other limitations. Physical activity not only reduces the symptoms of arthritis, but lowers the risk of other conditions associated with low activity.Not surprisingly the CDC reports that arthritis is the number one disability in the United States. The most common reported disability is difficulty climbing a flight of stairs or walking three blocks. That means that 1 in 10 adults have trouble walking a distance comparable to walking from a parking lot to the back of a large store or strolling through the mall.The TOSH Arthritis Program is a multi-disciplinary program designed to help people with arthritis become more physically active and to help them better manage their arthritis symptoms. Simply put, if you have arthritis, we can help improve the quality of your life.Editors Note: this article was written by Dale Aguirre of the TOSH Arthritis Program. For more information or questions, please call the TOSH Arthritis Program at 801-314-2210.

Do you know the name of every medication youre taking and why it was prescribed?Forty percent of older adults take five or more prescription drugs each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The clinical term to describe the issue is polypharmacy defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications, common among seniors. Administering multiple medications can feel like a juggling act for many seniors, and Anthology Senior Living is dedicated to improving seniors quality of life through medication management.Medications are generally safe when following the label and while under the care of a qualified physician, says Peggy Brekke, Vice President of Clinical Services at Anthology Senior Living, but the regular use of multiple prescription drugs must be closely monitored for any redundancies or potentially harmful drug interactions.Medication management is one of the first steps Anthology Senior Living clinicians take when a new resident joins the community.When residents arrive at our community, theyll typically bring with them a large number of medications, and it is not uncommon to learn that the medications were not being administered correctly, says Brekke.Improper use of medications can lead to multiple symptoms and negative outcomes. A negative outcome can occur when one specialist isn't aware of what another specialist has prescribed, and as a result a senior may take two medications that do the same thing. In some instances, a senior, family member or caregiver is not clear about the full list of prescriptions or the purpose of the medications and may fail to pick them up or refill them on time.When taking multiple drugs at the same time, there may be contraindications, which are conditions that make a particular treatment or procedure potentially inadvisable. Contraindications can cause a senior to feel sick, dizzy or tired. In turn, this can lead to another medication being prescribed for that "symptom," possibly causing further complications. Another potential risk occurs when combining over-the-counter medications and supplements. Many people arent aware that these can cause harmful side effects or interactions.For each resident, Anthology Senior Living creates a customized care plan, including a review of all medications and their potential interactions. At the community level, clinicians maintain a quality-assurance program around safety practices, auditing, and the verification of new medication orders. Information gets centralized in an electronic record which is shared with the primary care physician and reviewed by one of Anthology Senior Livings national pharmacy providers every 90 days.For roughly 14 million seniors living at home, here are Anthology Senior Livings top five tips to help improve medication management for yourself or a loved one.1. Take Medications as PrescribedIt may sound simple, but it is important to take medications as prescribed. Some eye-opening statistics from the CDC: Medication is not taken as prescribed 50 per cent of the time, and 20 to 30 percent of new prescriptions are never even filled. Yet taking medications as prescribed is essential in treating both chronic and short term conditions. You can reduce the risk of complications by carefully following the instructions on your medications and by asking questions of your healthcare provider if you need clarity on any aspect of taking your medicines, such as dose, time(s) of day, how long to continue taking the medication, and whether or not a refill will be needed once the prescribed number of pills have been taken. At the same time, do let your physician know if you are experiencing undesired side effects, and discuss if adjustments to the prescription could help.2. Organize Prescription and Over-the-Counter DrugsSort your medications. Some may be prescription medications while others may be over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or supplements. Prescription medications are prescribed by a doctor whereas over-the-counter medicines can be obtained without a prescription. Over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements could have adverse effects or harmful interactions when combined with prescription medications, so it is important to have an accurate account of every medicine you are taking. Keep a list of all medications you are taking, and consider investing in a pill organizer so you can stay on top of your medication regime.3. Understand the Label and Ask QuestionsWhenever you use a medication, reading the label is an important step in taking care of yourself and your loved ones. If the information on the drug label is unclear or you have questions, consult your healthcare provider. According toConsumer Reports, more than half a million Americans misinterpret prescription drug labels each year. Both prescription and over the counter drug labels include safety information, directions for use, warnings, medication guides, and other information. Before you start taking a new medication, review the drug label with your health care provider and let them know of any health conditions you have, and any medications and supplements you take.4. Review Medications with Your Primary Care Doctor on a Regular BasisBring a complete list of your prescription medications, vitamins and supplements to your next primary care physician visit. If you havent created your list of medications, bring in your pill bottles and labels.Review the medications and dosages that have been prescribed to you, and whether you are actually taking these medications regularly. Discuss any known allergies youve had to medications and let your doctor know any specialists. Prepare to ask your doctor these questions: are there drugs on your list that you should no longer be taking? Could two or more of your medications cause harm if taken together? It is best to talk with a single health provider, ideally your primary care physician, about all of your prescription and OTC medicines. At Anthology Senior Living, we complete a medication review process every 90 days for all members of our community. Mark a date on your calendar every 90 days to review your medications.5. Review Your DietCertain medications cannot be taken with certain foods or drinks. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grapefruit can affect the rate at which your liver processes drugs, potentially causing adverse effects when taking certain medications. Some green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli can counteract the effectiveness of blood thinners used to prevent strokes. We advise consulting your doctor and reviewing your diet for any potentially dangerous interactions caused by food or drink. It is also important to be aware if you should take medications on an empty stomach or with meals.

Today, we're discussing how to choose between appointing a guardian or conservator. When deciding what kind of protection you need in an aide, there are many things to consider, including:1. What is your personal capacity to care for yourself?2. What areas of life do you need supervision over? Healthcare? Daily maintenance? Or, do you only need help safeguarding finances?3. How extensive is your estate?4. What is the difference between a guardian and a conservator?5. What combination of conservator/guardian would you most benefit from? Guardian only? Conservator only? Or both?Differences Between Guardians and Conservators A guardian is a person (or an institution) who is given authority to act on behalf of a protected person as though they were that person. A guardian can be given a full guardianship over all aspects of your life, or authorities limited to certain areas such as health care, education, or finances. A conservator is given authority only over your finances. Like a guardian, a conservator must be appointed by a court order. However, unlike a guardian, a conservator cannot make personal decisions for you. Conservators DutiesOnce appointed, a conservator becomes the trustee of your estate, which includes income (wages, social security, annuities), real property (a house, other buildings, and land), as well as stocks, bonds, retirement funds, etc. In fact, once appointed, and unless specifically limited, a conservator has all of the authority given by law to conservators, additional authority given to trustees, and the authority of the protected person, except the power to make or change a will. This amounts to a lot of power. Thus, when acting on your behalf, a conservator must act as a prudent investor would. A conservators duties and powers include:Managing your incomeContinuing or participating in the operation of your business or enterprises Making necessary estate paymentsOrganizing and protecting your assetsAppraising and safeguarding your propertyMaking prudent investmentsPaying or contesting any claims against the estateRegularly reporting to the courtThe list above is by no means exhaustive. Because a conservator does have so much power, their authorities and responsibilities are highly regulated. An in depth conversation about these powers is outside of the scope of this blog post, but must be understood and tailored to your specific needs in order to best serve them. Deciding What Is Best For YouIf your are able to care for yourself in every area other than their finances, you might only need a conservator. If you need help in other areas of their life, you probably need a guardian. If your capacity to care for yourself is diminished and you have an extensive estate, you might need both a guardian and a conservator. We understand that deciding how to best plan for your future might seem complicated and daunting. We can help you balance the choices that you have with your needs. Contact us today. [email protected] skvlegal.com/book-online