In This Issue:

1. Tips for the Holidays
2. Fall Statistics
3. How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling
4. Drinking Alcohol
5. Home Electrical Fire Prevention
6. Be Safe From Scams
7. Ask Dr. Vanessa

We would like to take this special time of year to give thanks to you, our many friends, family, article contributors, and new members. Have a safe and healthy holiday season!

—SAFE Aging Staff

1. Tips for the Holidays by Deborah Gavin-Dreschnack, PhD

The holidays are just around the corner now, which means lots of preparation, celebration, and recuperation! Why not make it easier and safer this year? There are several ways you can reduce stress, take care of yourself and more fully enjoy this wonderful time of year.

Think about each person on your list. Consider his/her particular interests and needs. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for holiday gifts! Here are a few ideas!

Children and grandchildren might enjoy a story written by you just for them. Consider documenting your most memorable Thanksgiving, your funniest Christmas story, or what the holidays mean to you. Personalize the story for each child.

For the friend who “has it all”, give a gift of yourself by sending a beautiful hand-written invitation for a special dinner that you make after the holidays when you and the recipient can relax and enjoy time together. Roll up the invitation and put a tassel on the end.

Gift certificates to movies or restaurants are always welcome, and you can wrap them in unique ways (e.g., movie certificates in a box of popcorn, Chinese food certificates in a bright oriental box with chopsticks tucked through the bow, etc). Be creative and have fun.

If you do venture out to shop, wear comfortable walking shoes and take frequent breaks. Find places to sit, watch shoppers, have a cup of coffee or glass of juice, and really observe the holiday decorations and good cheer.

Rather than lug lots of bags around, plan to park close to a side entrance and take your items to the car before they accumulate. Your arms and legs and back will thank you!

When you decide to wrap your gifts, be sure to choose a comfortable place with room to roll out your holiday wrapping paper. Sit where you can reach everything without bending and stretching. Invite someone over for a “wrap party” and see how much more fun it is.

When attending holiday parties, be sure you know what you are drinking and eating. Often, punch is laced with liquor, and it is important to know the effects of your medication(s) if you choose to partake.

If you are delivering packages during holiday parties and visits, don’t stack them in your arms and limit your visibility. Consider purchasing a small, fold-up wheeled bag, and roll in the goodies.

Above all, take time for yourself and reflect on what the holidays mean to you. Take the time to share yourself with those you love, and make this a season to remember.

For more ideas, download the PDF "Holiday Gift Baskets Ideas for the Mature Adult".

Author Deborah Gavin-Dreschnack, Ph.D., is a Health Services Researcher at James A. Haley VA Hospital Patient Safety Center, Tampa, FL 33612

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2. Fall Statistics by Dr. Vanessa M. Dazio

Falls at home are a major cause of injury for adults 65+.
Age alone places older adults at increased risk of injury.
 

3 major causes of home injuries for the elderly are:

FALLS STATISTICS

• The risk of falling increases with age.
• For people age 65 and older, about 60% of falls occur at home.
• One out of every 3 adults aged 65+ fall each year.
• Older adults who fall once, are 2-3 times as likely to fall again within a year.
• 20-30% of adults 65+ suffer falls that result in moderate to severe injuries, which reduce mobility, independence, and increase the risk of premature death.
• After a fall, approximately 50% of people cannot return home, or live independently.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths for 65+ age groups, and account for more than 60% of deaths in 75+ age group.
• At least 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls.
• Females 85+ are 8X’s more likely than aged 65-75 to be hospitalized for hip fractures.

Reported Risk Factors for Fall Injuries

Do all that you can to reduce your risk factors.

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3.  How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling by Dr. Vanessa M. Dazio

Falls are a common and serious problem affecting the elderly. Falls generally occur due to the interaction of many risk factors that often could be reduced or eliminated. It is vital to take every precaution possible to reduce fall risks.

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4.  Drinking Alcohol*

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

What Is Moderation?
 

Women No more than one drink per day

Men No more than two drinks per day

One drink is equivalent to:

Alcoholic beverages supply calories but few nutrients, and are harmful when consumed in excess. Some people should not drink at all. Excess alcohol alters judgment and can lead to dependency and a great many other serious health problems.

Taking more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men can raise the risk for motor vehicle crashes, other injuries, high blood pressure, stroke, violence, suicide and certain types of cancer. Even one drink per day can slightly raise the risk of breast cancer.

Too much alcohol may cause social and psychological problems, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the pancreas, and damage to the brain and heart. Heavy drinkers also are at risk of malnutrition because alcohol contains calories that may substitute for those in nutritious foods. Alcoholic beverages should be consumed in moderation and with meals to slow alcohol absorption. Drinking in moderation may lower risk for coronary heart disease, mainly among men over age 45 and women over age 55. However, there are other factors that reduce the risk of heart disease, including a healthy diet, physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintenance of a healthy weight.

Don't Become a Holiday Traffic Statistic

Older Adults and Alcohol Problems

*Taken in part from The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:  Dietary Guidelines for America

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5.  Home Electrical Fire Prevention by John L.. Dazio

Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 700 Americans each year and injure 3,000 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.

The Problem

During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 90,000 fires, over 700 deaths, and $700 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.

December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.

The Cause

• Most electrical fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.
• In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.
• Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.

Home Appliances

• The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players.

Safety Precautions

1. Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.

2. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.

3. Use electrical extension cords wisely and don't overload them.

4. Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

5. When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) standard for safety.

6. Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

7. Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.

8. If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

9. Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.

10. Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

For More Information Contact:

The United States Fire Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/public/circuit.cfm

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6.  Be Safe from Scams by Wayne K. Ekren, Esq.,  Attorney at Law

Every year the media reports on new and improved scams that are taking our elder citizens’ nest eggs.  Every year thousands of elders are victims of abuse by individuals who prey on trusting natures, loneliness, or vulnerability.   Scams seem to increase during the holidays.   How can a person be protected from the scam artists?  What can the victims and/or families do if they suspect scams?  What are some of the current scams? 

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SCAMS? 

The scams are as varied as the imagination.  Each day a new scam or a revised scam rears its ugly head.  However, here are a few of the most popular scams used on the elderly:

1. Home repairs.   Someone posing as a government home inspector requests permission to inspect the elder’s home.  (Currently in Florida, the damage from the hurricanes is the driving factor for scam artists.  In the northern states, as the temperature dips, home repair scams increase.) Once inside, the scam artist will either case the place for possible valuables, find something wrong with the home and note he/she could fix it right then or refer a friend to do the work (normally at a higher rate than is reasonable and for repairs that are not required.)   The other aspect of the home repair scam is a scam artist will collect a large fee up front to repair a home then never come back to complete the repair.  The elder believing that the money was needed for supplies calls for the repair man only to find out their repair man and money are gone. 
    

2. Roofers.   A group of “roofers” will drive through a neighborhood, knocking on doors of the homes in the area with dirty roofs.  Then they convince the homeowner that a new roof is needed.  They will start the work at a quoted price then in order to finish it will charge a larger amount.  Some scams are very creative in that the scam artist will suggest other repairs and get the elder homeowner to sign a mortgage agreement at a large interest rate that can force foreclosure because of fixed incomes and too large a mortgage payment.
    

3. Utility.  Normally two people work together, convincing the homeowner that they are from the utility company with a refund for the homeowner.  They get into the house.  Then, one distracts the homeowner and the other rummages through the home, stealing valuables.
    

4. Lottery and sweepstakes.   This scam preys on peoples’ natural desire to be a winner.  Scam artists call elders, telling them that they have won a prize and in order to redeem it the “winner” must send a dollar amount for processing of the prize.  This scam can and does escalate into mega dollars either through credit card fraud or through multiple progressions of alleged winnings by the same person, each winning requiring more money sent for processing.

How can elders protect themselves?

1. Do not let strangers in the home.
2. If repairs are needed, call a company with a good reputation for the type of repair needed.

• negotiate a price up front.
• never pre-pay the entire amount. (place a small amount down and then pay the rest only upon completion.)

3. If a contract is involved seek legal advice, have the contract reviewed. (The small amount to have an attorney review a contract is worthwhile and cost effective.) Avoidance of financial risk is better.
4. If something appears too good to be true, IT IS! Telephone solicitation concerning lottery or sweepstakes winnings is dangerous and can be very costly. Tell the telephone solicitor that you are not interested and hang up immediately. Packages of sweepstake material in the mail can be just as dangerous. Throw it out.
5. REMEMBER—when in doubt check it out! Consult the Better Business Bureau, police department, state attorney general’s office, and/or legal counsel.
6. Listen or watch the local radio and television programs which continually issue advisories concerning scams in the area.

What can the victims and/or families do if they suspect scams?

1. Report suspicions to local authorities.

2. Communicate daily with family members to increase awareness of needs of the family and guard against unwanted solicitations.

3. Be PRO ACTIVE. Periodically complete a survey of the home environment. Contact only reputable service providers after doing some investigative homework.

4. If scammed, prosecute the bad guys; don’t be afraid to turn them in to the police and press charges. Testify as to what the scam artists did.

5. Be aware of scams in your area and follow these suggestions to avoid abuse! Protect yourself and your nest egg.

For further information or questions you may contact Attorney Ekren at ekrenlaw@msn.com, or call 727-845-0700.

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7.  Ask Dr. Vanessa by Vanessa M. Dazio

Question: I have arthritis which is really affecting my hands. I can’t pinch them together very well. I love wearing jewelry, and have a lot of necklaces and bracelets that I would like to wear. Most of my necklaces are impossible to clip. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Jewelry makes a personal statement. It often has emotional meaning and represents special events, people or places. It makes us feel pretty or handsome, proud, and happy. Many jewelry items are designed with small clasps that are difficult for anyone to clasp.

Unfortunately, small clasps can be very difficult to open for a person who has declining vision, change in sensation, limited hand function, tremors, coordination changes, loss of joint motion or pain. So, what is the answer?

The answer is a very cool product that does not require good vision, strength, range of motion, sensation or coordination. The answer is magnets!   

Here is a picture and an Internet site where you can order a clasp converter. The magnet clasp converter attaches to the clasp of your necklace or bracelet. If you have gold or silver jewelry, you can purchase gold filled or silver clasp converters.

Visit Ageless Elegance  

These clasp converters are a handy dandy design for anyone, making it a good product with universal appeal. It is easy to use, and looks great. For people with challenges, it is a simple answer to an annoying problem.  

There are other well known stores where magnet jewelry can be purchased. Enjoy your jewelry!

If you have a question for Dr. Vanessa, email her at vmd@safeaging.com

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