You may not immediately think of vocational rehabilitation as something that would involve seniors. After all, this type of rehabilitation aimed at helping people who have disabilities to secure work, should they wish to.

The fact is that some seniors benefit from intense medical supervision and supportive care, such as that provided in Congregate Living Health Facilities (CLHFs). CLHF homes help to provide seniors with ongoing care needs. Needs can include some help, which is similar to that supplied during vocational rehabilitation, such as help with adjusting to health conditions. However, other seniors can make a valuable contribution to the workforce if they receive the vocational rehabilitation that they need.

Why seniors now require vocational rehabilitation 

The fact is that people far often need to work until they are older. If the economy is not to collapse under the demands of a graying population, people need  to work for as long as possible,

The result of this can seen in figures published in The Economist, which indicate that in the mid-1980s, 25% of American men aged 65-69 worked. Whereas, that figure is now approaching 40%.

As far back as 2004, researchers were suggesting that there would be a significant increase in the number of people over the age of 65 applying for vocational rehabilitation in the following 25 years, thanks to the aging population and the need to continue working to a higher age. The shift towards an aging workforce has placed greater emphasis on the need for vocational rehabilitation, given that seniors often have disabilities that they have acquired through aging.

Read Entire Blog https://www.oasissenioradvisors.com/senior-resources/blog/2020/march/vocational-rehabilitation-for-seniors/?fbclid=IwAR2P5ROBol9WY4i03xkSKPSShqlWPhmFvaBgoszLxEgoyXyZFRMqKD-AfZU

As we continue through these unprecedented times, here's a heartfelt message. Thank you to everyone on the front line, we appreciate your dedication and commitment during this time. 💚

https://www.facebook.com/DelawareOasisSeniorAdvisors/videos/589714635275325/?q=oasis%20senior%20advisors%20delaware&epa=SEARCH_BOX

We invite you to join our group of trusted partners and together we can help seniors connect to the necessary resources for their care. Call 302-865-7089 to find out how we can help each other today.

https://www.facebook.com/DelawareOasisSeniorAdvisors/videos/844790066019698/
www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Delaware

Caregiving can have a huge impact on your emotional, physical and financial well-being. With out-of-pocket caregiving costs rising, expert financial professionals can help caregivers navigate their immediate financial responsibilities while also planning for their own retirement.

Learn more about the financial burden on caregivers and the three financial professionals every caregiver needs on their team.

3 Financial Professionals Every Caregiver Needs
While most people understand the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, many don’t realize there is also a financial toll. After all, caregiving can be expensive — especially if you are a sandwich generation caregiver — making it hard for you to prepare for your own retirement. Learn more about the burden of caregiving and why caregivers should take advantage of financial professionals’ expertise to help them stay fiscally afloat.

The Hidden Financial Burden on Caregivers

Entire article ~ https://www.seniorfinanceadvisor.com/news/financial-professionals-caregivers-need?fbclid=IwAR0uO7zFRALOjge35--oF8dAj-Vn9_03fa24ICr1XbSQbZyjy9A8zwBA7NI

When Ryan Herd's 73-year-old father had cancer and other health concerns a few years ago, Herd was worried but knew his dad wasn't likely to tell him about any problems that might arise.

"We're talking about the ‘greatest generation,’ " Herd says. “They believe you should never be a burden on anybody. So if you call and say, ‘How are you doing?’ they're always going to say that they're fine.”

This realization inspired him to start Caregiver Smart Solutions, which sells a system of small Peace of Mind sensors that can be placed in a loved one's home to track their habits and alert you if something is out of the ordinary.

"If they suddenly start getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom five times, that could be a sign of a urinary tract infection,” Herd says as an example. “So you might say, ‘Let's go down to the clinic and see what's going on.' "

Herd is exhibiting his sensor system at CES, the massive annual consumer electronics show this week in Las Vegas. His is just one of many tech companies here showcasing monitoring systems whose point is, as Herd puts it, “to answer that age-old question [about a loved one]: How are they doing?”

If adult children can be reassured that their parents are OK and immediately be alerted if they're not, they'll feel better about Mom and Dad living independently at home as they age, company representatives say. And that's something that the vast majority of people say they want to do.

Here's a look at the latest in home monitoring devices, some just introduced at CES.

Wearables
• Electronic Caregiver's Premier, what the company calls a “mobile security and care support system,” is a wrist device that includes activity monitoring; an emergency button; a GPS locator to make the system useful to more than homebound clients; and medication reminders.

• CarePredict, a digital health company located in Menlo Park, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, unveiled the CarePredict @Home Kit, which comes with a waterproof wrist device called the Tempo Series 3, two swappable batteries and four beacons along the same lines as the Peace of Mind sensors. The system picks up on small changes in a person's daily activity patterns by sensing movement and other factors, including the amount of humidity in the air — a lack of which might indicate that Mom or Dad hasn't showered lately and be a cause for concern.

An accompanying app allows family members to receive alerts, check a colorful activity tracker that rates their loved one's activity on a scale from 1 to 10, and coordinate care. Available online, it sells for $449.99 plus $69.99 a month for the home app subscription.

Activity sensors
• Caregiver Smart Solutions. When company founder Herd tried to use a camera in his dad's home, his father covered it up with a dish towel.

"People don't want anybody watching them,” he says. “They don't like that 1984 stuff."
'If they suddenly start getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom five times, that could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. So you might say, "Let's go down to the clinic and see what's going on." '
— Ryan Herd, Caregiver Smart Solutions
That's why Caregiver Smart Solutions forgoes cameras for movement sensors to track a loved one's activities — everything from whether they've used the coffee pot to how much they're watching TV. Herd and others in the monitoring business point out that sensors are an improvement over the simple emergency call buttons, which are of no use if a loved one can't press the button because of losing consciousness in a fall or having a stroke.

This week the company announced its new Deluxe+ Monitoring Kit, $299 plus a $49 subscription fee, with sensors in five rooms, temperature and humidity sensors, a range of door motion sensors and more. The company also has more basic, less pricey kits.

• SensorsCall is showcasing its CareAlert “well-being monitor.” Still in development, its sensors detect changes in the home such as movement and temperature after taking about a week to learn a person's patterns, including when they get up and when they go to the bathroom — information that family members can see on an app. The app sends an alert if anything's out of the ordinary.

SensorsCall founder and Chief Executive Fereydoun Taslimi says he started the Atlanta-based company after he and his wife had trouble reaching her mother — their calls to her cellphone went directly to voicemail — and grew worried that something was seriously wrong. With SensorsCall, which also functions as a two-way communication system, if you're worried about your mother, “you can press a button and say, ‘Hey, Mom, what's happening?’"

By the way, his mother-in-law was fine. Her phone battery had run out.

One app modification the company is working on: A button for the grandchildren to tap that says, “I'm thinking of my grandmother.” A light on her monitor will turn a particular color.

"Then the grandma thinks, ‘Oh! My grandkid is thinking of me!’ " Taslimi says.

Read Entire Artile ~ https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2020/ces-caregiving-products.html

If you or someone you know has ever been faced with helping an elderly family member who is discovering that things are not working as well as they once did, then you may be aware of some of the complexities involved when discussing senior living options. However, most families don’t realize what a daunting task it can be to find the “right place” when looking at the vast sea of senior living community options. Oasis Senior Advisors Delaware knows the ins and outs of this difficult transition and has a great team waiting to help you every step of the way! We had the opportunity to ask Lynn Paxson, owner of Oasis Senior Advisors Delaware, a few questions.

What exactly is Oasis Senior Advisors?  

Oasis Senior Advisors is a free service for families. It is a local, community-based referral placement service. We bring families and senior living communities together using a personal one-on-one approach with our proprietary OasisIQ™ software. Each situation is different so we will only present you with communities that meet your needs. 

That’s great, but how can you be so sure you can help families find the “right place”?

While we can’t guarantee anything, we go to great lengths to help ensure the best possible match. We do that by providing a tailored approach for each family. Let me walk you through the process. First, we schedule a consultation. This provides us with the information we need to help, and for the families, it provides an opportunity to get to know your advisor. 

Next, we are able to match the communities that are the best fit, based on your specific situation. We schedule and tour communities with you. Then we provide you with the tools you need to compare your choices. 

There is always more to consider than just the information found online. We understand it can be an overwhelming process without the expertise of a trusted advisor. We are available to answer your questions at any point of the process.

How do your clients know when it’s the right time for a senior living community? 

Adult children with parents living at home struggle with this question all the time. Let me be the one to tell you, there is no universally right answer to this question. There are many factors that need to be taken into account and our parents should be included in the conversation. This is not a decision you want to have made for you, due to an unfortunate event. Waiting too long often results in loss of independence dictated by their new situation. 

Where does a family begin when making this decision? 

A good place to start is by asking the following two questions. What are the family’s primary concerns for their loved one? What are the senior’s primary concerns for themselves? Let’s remember it is normal to be a little scared when talking about change. Patience, understanding and honest direct dialogue are key. 

Why would someone choose Oasis Senior Advisors over other options?

Our advisors provide a personal and tailored approach to the process and treat each client like family. We are there to guide and support you every step of the way. As the owner, I felt it was important to obtain and maintain my Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation. We have a broad-based knowledge of health, social and financial issues that are important to our clients, and the dynamics of how these factors work together in their lives. As with most designations, we are bound by a code of ethics.

Interested in learning more about Oasis Senior Advisors’ approach to finding the right option and care for your loved one? Visit www.delaware.oasissenioradvisors.com or call 302-668-0298.

Bio

Lynn Paxson is the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors Delaware which provides a free placement service for seniors and their families. Helping seniors’ transition from home to assisted living, memory care or supportive independent living communities. We do this by meeting with the seniors and their families to determine their medical, financial, geographical and lifestyle needs. It is her mission to promote successful aging by bringing older adults and resources together, thus achieving an improvement in their lives and leaving a positive mark on society. Lynn has a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation.

Article from DE Women's Journal ~ https://thewomensjournal.com/how-to-find-the-right-place/

Having pretty plants to look at in your home is a nice perk of indoor gardening, but research suggests the activity can boost your health, too.

"Gardening has been shown in multiple studies to be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline or dementia in older adults,” says David Carr, M.D., a professor of geriatric medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Plants help you become more competent and give you something meaningful to do and take care of,” notes Patty Cassidy, a registered horticulture therapist. Other research suggests that gardening may help reduce blood pressure in older people and improve psychological well-being. One perhaps surprising benefit: Just talking about a common interest in plants helps to create positive relationships with others.

If you live in a cold-weather region — or just lack yard space — it's easy to grow plants indoors that you can enjoy year round. Here are a few plants to try:

Orchids ~ While they look delicate and exotic, they are not as high maintenance as you might think. An orchid makes a good gift for recovering hospital patients, as studies show that viewing plants during recovery is linked to less pain and anxiety. Plant an orchid in a container with good drainage; once a week, add three ice cubes to it. Mist it to create humidity, which orchids love.

Rosemary ~ The scent of this herb may help with memory by boosting a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Clip the leaves to use them in the kitchen, too.

Peace lilies ~ Not only do they produce beautiful foliage and white hooded flowers; they also do double duty as air purifiers, removing toxins such as trichloroethylene, found in paint and varnish.

Lavender ~ Grow this plant in your bedroom, as it's said to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation.

Spider Plants ~ These hearty houseplants remove formaldehyde from the air.

Tools to care for houseplants
You don't need a lot of equipment. These are the basics.

• An old spoon, fork or chopstick. Poke around in the soil occasionally to loosen it, which helps deliver air to the roots of the plants.
• A lightweight spray bottle. Spritz leaves and blossoms once every day or two to add humidity.
• A pair of cuticle scissors. Use these to cleanly remove dead blossoms or leaves without damaging the plant.
• A lightweight watering can. Choose one with a long, narrow spout so you can deliver water directly to the roots.

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2019/houseplants-health.html

Most people are familiar with phone scams through the occasional local news item that highlights a warning from law enforcement or perhaps the victim’s own sad story about losing their life savings.

The BeenVerified Phone Spam Complaint Monitor sought to analyze these calls at a national level to identify the most common types of phone scams and their associated tactics. The report analyzed more than 200,000 phone complaints sourced directly from customers over a period of 2016 through the first half of this year.
Based on this data, the report has identified the top five phone scams everyone should be aware of in 2019:

1. Social Security scams – This scam has skyrocketed in 2019, with consumers complaining about social security related calls at a 23x higher rate compared to the same time period in 2018. In fact, they make up nearly 10% of all phone complaints in the report. There are many variations of this scam, but nearly all rely on threatening calls (or voicemails) from impersonators of federal or state government officials indicating that the victim’s social security number is “suspended” “compromised” or affected in some way, following a demand for quick payment to rectify the situation. A significant number of these calls were also accompanied by threats of a lawsuit.

2. IRS/tax scams – Last year’s previous top phone scam, reports of the IRS tax scam have declined markedly as social security scams have skyrocketed. It’s unclear if this a permanent trend or simply a temporary shift in tactics. It’s possible we will see a revival of this type of scam, which again relies on threatening calls from government impersonators demanding immediate payment of (bogus) back taxes, as we get closer to tax season in the new year.

3. Credit card offers – Complaints about robocalls offering unsolicited credit card offers grew this year. While some of these calls may be from legitimate companies, they also present scam artists with cover for attempting to obtain sensitive personal financial details.

4. Debt-related calls – Debt consolidation calls remain a persistent problem. Many of these offers promise a “quick fix” to repairing credit, but actually consist of practices that could harm your credit score in the long run.

5. Free offers or giveaways – While most phone scam calls rely on fear tactics, appealing to greed can also be an effective way to victimize targets. Remember if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is!

Tips for avoiding this year’s top phone scams:

• Understand that the Social Security Administration does not “suspend” your social security number for any reason. Any type of call or voicemail you receive with language to this effect is a scam.
• Be wary of threatening voicemails: Scam callers increasingly rely on voicemails to accompany their impersonation schemes.
• Dismiss threats and pressure tactics: All phone scams rely on an element of time pressure (demanding payment right now). Government agencies do not operate this way and will communicate by mail if there is an issue.

https://seniorplanet.org/2019/12/06/top-phone-scams-of-2019/

December is here and the holiday season is in full swing! Decorations are transforming our homes and gatherings are in the works. With just a few weeks left in the year, everyone is packing a lot into a short time. This hectic season can become especially overwhelming for those who have Alzheimer’s Disease, and for their caregivers. Below are a few tips to help restore the festive mood to the holidays.

Prepare for visitors:

Preparation can make all the difference. Whether it’s readying your home to be more accommodating for a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s or letting family members from out of town know how to help when they visit a loved one with Alzheimer’s, preparation is key.

If you are a caregiver expecting additional family or friends as guests this holiday season, consider updating them on changes in your loved one’s day-to-day life. Keeping friends and family members in the know about limitations, physical changes such as weight loss, and shifts in temperament can reduce stressful additions to an already stressful time.

If you are hosting an event where you expect someone in attendance who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, slight modifications can make your home a more welcoming place. Reducing slip-and-fall hazards or making space for wheelchair access are easy ways to be more accommodating.

Set realistic expectations:

Whether for yourself or for others, realistic expectations help make the holidays more enjoyable for all.

As a caregiver, it’s important to set realistic expectations of yourself. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Over committing to events or volunteering for additional responsibilities can cause unnecessary stress. It’s also important to set realistic expectations for other people in your life. If you haven’t talked to your brother all year, don’t expect him to visit mom for the holidays. Don’t count on young children to avoid somewhat awkward questions about your loved one’s condition. Setting more realistic expectations of your loved ones can make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.

Ask for help:

Caregiver burnout is very real. The holiday season can be especially taxing. We shared some tips to avoid caregiver burnout in a previous blog, which emphasizes that the best way to help others is to find help for yourself when you need it. Whether preparing for a holiday gathering or spreading Christmas cheer at a senior living community, an extra hand is always beneficial.

These are just a few of the ways to make this holiday season run more smoothly. We hope they allow you to enjoy more of the time you have with friends and family. If the topic of senior housing comes to the forefront this holiday season, we encourage you to reach out to your local advisor to learn how Oasis can help make the process as simple as possible.