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Modifying Stairs for the Elderly: Reasons and Ideas

June 18, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

As people age, their abilities to negotiate tasks such as climbing stairs can become severely impaired. Stairs may seem like a simple task, but stair safety is critically important to the elderly or to those with a mobility (or even a visual) disability. Modifying stairs for the elderly is a smart idea, as it promotes safety and lessens the chances of accidents.

Read on to learn about how a stair aid device can help in modifying stairs for the elderly, and other ideas to help keep patients safe.

Modifying Stairs for the Elderly: Reasons

More and more seniors want to age in place, which essentially means growing old gracefully at home, where they are comfortable and happy. However, sometimes there are some safety risks involved with letting a loved one age in place, but with certain modifications, the risk of accidents is much less. Modifying stairs for the elderly is a big concern, as well as altering the kitchen to ensure safe cooking and food preparation. While helping the elderly with stairs works when you’re around as a caregiver, no caregiver can be present 24 hours a day, which makes modifying the stairs an important point.

Modifying Stairs for the Elderly: How to Make Stairs Safer

There are devices such as stair lifts that are extremely helpful, but in some cases, many caregivers may be wondering how to make stairs safer so that their loved one can continue to use the stairs. One of the best things to consider when modifying stairs for the elderly is sturdy, non-slip handrails. A person who can navigate the stairs fairly well, even with age, typically does well with a sturdy handrail. There are many options for modifying stairs when it comes to handrails, such as:

Wooden
Metal
Chrome

Handrails are essential not only on inside staircases, but also for porches and decks as well.

Also, when it comes to modifying stairs for the elderly, open stairs should be closed. Open stairs (stairs with open space in between each step) pose quite a safety risk as one ages. Non-slip adhesives should also be installed on steps so that the risk of falling is much less.

Modifying Stairs for the Elderly: Stair Lifts

For some, modifying stairs for the elderly will comprise of a chair to carry the elderly up stairs, which greatly reduces the risk of accident. In fact, this is likely the best way of helping the elderly down stairs and up stairs. A stair lift is a motorized chair that glides up the length of the staircase, allowing the elderly to get up and down flights without having to take a step. This is different than a wheelchair lift, which is specifically built to hoist a wheelchair up and down stairs. In a chair lift, the person has to be mobile enough to sit in the chair and exit the chair at the top. This is one of the biggest steps when it comes to modifying stairs for the elderly, but is also one of the safest.

To find out more about how a stair lift can help reduce accidents and make aging in place more comfortable, or to hear about other mobility products such as wheelchair ramps, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both patients and caregivers to live their best lives.

Finding Elderly and Retired Volunteer Opportunities in NJ

June 11, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

As people age, socializing and finding worthwhile things to do can be difficult. Long after children have grown up, gone to college, and gotten married, many elderly and retired people may be in search of something both meaningful and social to do. However, some seniors may worry that, based on their level of mobility, that they may not be able to volunteer. This isn’t so. In fact, there are a few different organizations that are committed to providing volunteer work for seniors that is a perfect match for everyone.

Benefits of Volunteering

There are quite a few reasons that volunteering is a good thing. First of all, senior volunteer programs can help combat depression. It can get quite lonely, especially if a senior is aging in place gracefully at home. Also, volunteering also bridge the generation gap and will keep seniors in contact with the younger generation. Volunteering will also promote at least some type of physical activity, which is good not only for physical health but also mental health. Volunteering when retired is recommended for many reasons.

How to Find Elderly and Retired Volunteer Opportunities: Organizations

Especially if the senior in question doesn’t have internet access or isn’t adept with computers, it may be difficult to find a good volunteering match without just going through the telephone book. However, there a few agencies dedicated to volunteer opportunities for senior citizens that can help match the senior with the right elderly volunteer opportunities. Some of these include:

Senior Corps: This is a national group with many different chapters in New Jersey. It is specifically designed for seniors age 55 and over who are interested in volunteering.
AARP Volunteer match: This is a subsection of the popular website Volunteer Match, but is associated with AARP and focuses only on elderly and retired volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer New Jersey: This organization doesn’t have any age restriction and is solely focused on volunteer opportunities in NJ, but it can help seniors get matched up well with the right opportunities for them.

How to Find Elderly and Retired Volunteer Opportunities: Focused Organizations

If you are a senior or know a senior who may be interested in participating in a particular special interest, there are volunteer opportunities that don’t go through an outside organization and have a sharper focus. Some of these retired volunteer opportunities include:

Senior Companion Program: This is available through Senior Corps, and pairs seniors up with other seniors who are struggling with daily tasks and day-to-day living.
Medicare fraud volunteer: Senior volunteers are needed to help prevent Medicare fraud and abuse. This position is offered through SMP of New Jersey.
Foster Grandparent Program: This program pairs seniors with teenagers or young children who need a mentor. Many of the children have special needs. This is offered through Senior Corps as well.

For more information about how mobility products such as stair lifts and wheelchair ramps can help improve quality of living, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want patients and caregivers both to live their best lives.

Finding the Right Caregiver for a Veteran

June 4, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

If you or your loved one is someone who is disabled and also a veteran, they may qualify for a VA caregiver through the veterans affairs caregiver program. Just like many other military-related health services, caregivers and benefits must be approved by the Veterans Administration (VA) and there a few rules to follow so the caregiver and the veteran to qualify. Read on to learn more about how to find a caregiver for a veteran, and how to qualify for the program.

Veterans Caregiver Eligibility Requirements

Many returning vets and their families often ask, do VA benefits cover home care? In many cases they do; however, there are some guidelines that must be followed. Also, note that these guidelines only apply to veterans injured on or after September 11, 2011. Injured veterans that were injured before this date may have trouble getting a caregiver covered. There have been recent changes to the Disabled Veterans Caregiver Compensation Act, and all disabled and injured veterans should be eligible for in-home care services by 2021.

Here are the current guidelines for having an in-home, paid veterans caregiver:

The veteran must have a serious injury. Injuries include traumatic brain injury (TBI), and emotional and mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The veteran must demonstrate a need for in-home personal care services due to an inability to perform them on one’s own.
The caregiver can be related to the veteran (spouse, child, mother, father, other family members), but does not have to be.
The caregiver may or may not live in-home with the veteran.
The caregiver may not provide any financial support to the veteran to qualify.

Veterans Caregiver Benefits

The veterans caregiver is entitled to certain veterans caregiver benefits, as covered by the VA. While the veteran’s caregiver may be eligible for all of the benefits below or financial support for caregivers, each benefit may have to be applied for separately. Some of these benefits include:

Veteran caregiver stipend
Travel expenses (mainly if the patient must travel for care)
Mental health services
Respite care
Personal health care insurance

How to Become a Veterans Caregiver

If you are interested in becoming a veteran’s caregiver because of a friend or family member who needs in-home care, you must apply through the Veterans Administration (VA). Before application, there is a pre-screening questionnaire that can help determine your eligibility before you go through the formal process. Once you are approved to be a veteran’s caregiver, you can go through and apply for each benefit you feel would be of worth to you and your patient.

Dependent upon needs, some home modifications may also be covered under the VA, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts. If you are unsure about the process during any step of the journey, you can contact your local branch of the VA to get in touch with the Caregiver Support Program. This program can help guide you through the appropriate channels.

To learn more about VA caregiver benefits, or to determine how in-home modifications such as stair lifts and wheelchair ramps can increase mobility, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both caregivers and patients to live their best lives.

What to Do When an Elderly Parents Refuses to Move

May 21, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

There comes a time in many elderly people’s’ lives where it is time to make the decision to go into assisted living, have an in-home caregiver, or in some circumstances, remain living on their own. Seniors, understandably, often have much reticence about entering into assisted living facilities, and it may be near impossible to assuage their fears.

Read on to learn about what to do when an elderly parent refuses to move, and how you can help make the situation easier and solve the crisis.

Why Does an Elderly Parent Refuse to Move?

Seniors usually have reasons for not wanting to make the change, which leaves their children frustrated and wondering how to get parents into assisted living without being forceful. Some of the top reasons an elderly parent refuses to move includes:

They are comfortable with their routine and their life
They are afraid they won’t know anyone
They do not want strangers taking care of them
They do not want to lose their independence
They do not want to lose their homes

These are all really good reasons why a parent refuses to go to assisted living. However, finding the right facility and introducing your parent to it, can make a big difference when it comes to how to convince elderly parents to move. First of all, it’s best to validate your parent’s feelings when a parent refuses to go to a nursing home. Find a place that you think will suit their needs best, and also get a list of all activities and other information about the establishment before you present it.

Options for What to Do When an Elderly Parent Refuses to Move

Other than learning more about the facilities and trying to assuage your parent’s negative feelings when mom or dad refuses to go to assisted living, there are several more things to consider. Try options such as:

Involving mom or dad in the search. They may feel that they’re not completely losing their independence if they have a big part in the decision-making process.
Consult a geriatric manager or counselor. Likely there is one on staff at the facilities you’re perusing, but when it comes to what to do when an elderly parent refuses to move, these counselors have years of experience.
Go over all of the senior’s finances with them and discuss with them what makes the best sense.
Ask other close friends and family members for input. You don’t want an “intervention-like” situation, but the input of other close friends and family can help tip the scales when an elderly parent refuses to move.

The Final Decision When an Elderly Parent Refuses to Move

Unless your parent is in danger of hurting themselves or others, you cannot force them to move. At the end of the day, you may have no recourse when your parent refuses to go to a nursing home, other than stand by their decision. It’s completely okay to explore other options. In-home health services are widely available and are usually covered by most types of insurances. If your parent has a documented disability, you may be able to get respite care. You may also be able to make in-home accommodations to make their home more comfortable for aging in place. Make sure that you listen to your parent’s concerns. Sometimes the best thing to do when an elderly parent refuses to move is simply listen.

For more information on in-home accommodations, and other mobility products that can help, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts, contact Williams Lift Co. today to help your elderly parent live their best life.

Smartwatch and Emergency Watch Options for Seniors and Elderly Parents

May 14, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Smartwatches may be technologically advanced timepieces, but they’re not just for the younger generation. In fact, a smartwatch for seniors actually offers some excellent benefits to help keep them safe. With the right apps, smartwatches for seniors can be used as a heart monitor watch or a fall alert system.

Read on to learn about different types of smartwatches emergency watches for the elderly and how these devices can help keep your parents safe as they age.

Smartwatch Options for Seniors as Medic Alert Devices

Having the right apps is imperative so that the smartwatch for seniors is used correctly. An Apple watch for seniors (known as the iWatch) is a great idea and actually doubles as an Apple watch medical alert device or an Apple watch EKG monitor. However, there is also an app available for the iWatch known as Alert, that can send a notification to contacts when an elderly person has fallen, can’t get up, or is in another situation that requires caregiver help. This is a one-touch operation, which makes this smartwatch for seniors a great idea. It is much easier than trying to locate a phone, searching for contacts, and then dialing contacts. The app can also respond to physiological changes (similarly to an EKG) to alert the person before they are actually in trouble. This allows the senior to call for help before they’re completely immobilized or in pain.

Smartwatch Options for Seniors as GPS or Tracking Devices

There is always the fear of elopement when it comes to an Alzheimer or dementia patient, and the right smartwatch for seniors has GPS tracking in it so that the patient can never truly be lost. A tracker for dementia patients is truly a good idea so the person can never wander too far.

While the Apple iWatch has the “Find my iPhone” feature, it doesn’t have a distinct GPS tracker, so if this suits your needs more than EKG or fall alert, a GPS tracking watch for the elderly may be the better option. Of course, many of the available GPS smartwatch options for seniors also have emergency call features as well. Some notable GPS smartwatches for seniors include:

Wonbo – offers one-touch emergency call alert and trackable GPS
Synmila – simple and designed for children; offers SOS calls and GPS
Tyco GPS – can record routes, offers GPS and SOS calling

Smartwatch Options for Seniors for Medical Alerts

Some smartwatches for seniors function primarily as medical alert systems. Essentially, they’re replacing the old-style analog bracelets or call monitoring systems that were once heavily advertised and used. Everyone remembers, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” These types of medical smartwatches can help a senior feel safe, especially one who is aging in place. These are not typically used as a tracking device for the elderly and are mainly for medical purposes.

Some of these include:

MobileHelp – This is integrated with AT&T, has fall detection, and offers some GPS tracking for seniors
Medical Guardian – Offers fall detection
GreatCall Lively – This medical smartwatch offers a fall alarm for the elderly and GPS tracking

Unfortunately, as of 2019, there is no one smartwatch for seniors that “does it all.” However, with a knowledgeable person downloading the right apps, the Apple watch for the elderly is a top product.

To learn more about different technological advances for the elderly and smartwatches for seniors, or to find out more about mobility products that can help, such as stair lifts or wheelchair ramps, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want seniors and their caregivers to live their best life.

Swimming for Wheelchair Users

May 7, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

If you are in a wheelchair or take care of someone who is, you may not be aware that wheelchair swimming is possible. In fact, swimming for wheelchair users actually carries many benefits, from the social aspect of swimming with others to the exercise it also provides. There are some accessories and devices that can help make wheelchair swimming easier, as well as a few benefits you should know about before hitting the pool or the ocean.

Benefits of Swimming for Wheelchair Users

There are more than a few reasons why wheelchair swimming is beneficial. First of all, swimming is fully inclusive for everyone. You don’t need full use of all your limbs in order to be able to swim in the pool. While you may need some help and guidance, and swimming aids for seniors or for those in wheelchairs may help, the buoyancy of the water will be your biggest benefit. This also allows those who take part to have more freedom.

Swimming can also be a very social sport—whether you join a class at the local gym, or you’re spending time at the ocean with friends—swimming with others can help expand your social circle. Swimming also provides exercise. While you may not be fully mobile, you can exercise what you are able, which gives you more physical strength.

Different Aids and Helps for Pool Wheelchair Swimming

From devices such as a swimming pool wheelchair to floatation devices, there are swimming aids for disabled persons that can help make the process easier. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

Floatation devices: Everything from kickboards to pool noodles can help keep you afloat in the water if you don’t have full mobility. You can also use vests or inflatable rings to help.
Human guides: A human guide in the water can also help when it comes to being in a wheelchair while swimming. For those who have other disabilities, there are also swimming guides for the blind as well, to help guide you along.
Pool wheelchair lifts and ramps: Many pools (discussed in further detail below) are already equipped with devices such as a pool wheelchair lift or ramp. There are many swimming pools with wheelchair access, to help make the process easier.

Wheelchair Swimming in the Ocean

While wheelchair swimming with a wheelchair accessible pool is a readily available option, heading to the lake or ocean can be slightly tougher when it comes to wheelchair swimming. However, more and more public beaches and town beaches are making outdoor and water recreation so much more friendly.

For example, if you go swimming at the Jersey Shore in Asbury Park, NJ, you can use one of the available floating beach wheelchairs that are designed to go into the water. This makes sure that everyone has equal access to the water. In fact, if you’re heading to a public beach or are going on vacation, it may be worthwhile to do a quick Internet search to see what kind of options there are. Helpful devices such as a sand wheelchair or beach wheelchair rental are not unheard of. However, these wheelchair swimming devices may be something you need to reserve ahead of time, so a little research is a great idea.

Swimming for Wheelchair Users and the Law

While swimming in the ocean or outdoors in nature is kind of a grey area, the 2010 Revised Standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has information about public swimming pools. In fact, all public swimming pools in the United States must have accessible entries and exits for those in wheelchairs, for wheelchair swimming. This revision extends not only to public pools but pools within hotels as well. Be sure to let a business or town know if they’re not up to code—under the law, they must make wheelchairs for swimming pools 100-percent accessible.

For more information on how to make pools and beaches more accessible for swimming for wheelchair users, or to hear about other mobility products, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts, contact Williams Lift Co. today. Having more mobility can certainly help you live your best life.

Navigating Long Term Care Insurance for Your Elderly Parents

April 30, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Like any other type of insurance, shopping for long term care insurance for elderly parents can be complicated, and it’s not without its pitfalls. Long term care costs can be quite expensive, and a long term care policy can help ensure that your parents don’t deplete their savings, 401k, or retirement fund. There are a few things to know about long term care insurance for elderly parents before you agree to a policy; read on to learn some of the details.

What Is Long Term Care Insurance for Elderly Parents?

The first question most caregivers ask about long term care insurance for elderly parents is, “what does long term care insurance cover?” There is quite a detailed explanation for this, but the bottom line is, long term care insurance (LTCI) covers more than traditional health insurance, and is designed as such to offset all of the health care costs associated with aging and the acquired disability that comes from aging, even if you aren’t technically disabled. If you’re thinking about buying long term care insurance for parents, it’s a financially sound and wise idea.

Why Is Long Term Insurance for Elderly Parents a Good Idea?

The main reason long term insurance for your elderly parents is a good idea is because of the skyrocketing amount of costs for long term care for elderly parents. Some long term care statistics in 2018 indicate that a semi-private room in a nursing home costs upward of nearly $7,000 per month—and you don’t even get complete privacy. Living in independent assisted living communities can also be quite expensive.

When it comes to care in the home, most home care aids charge at least $20 per hour, or more, depending on the level of care. So if you’re asking yourself the question, “can I buy long term care insurance for my parents,” you will pay much less out of pocket in the long run. Of course, there are alternatives to long term care insurance, and it’s wise to talk to a financial planner about some of these options. These might include life insurance living benefits (having a life insurance policy with what is known as accelerated death benefits), having life insurance with long term care, selling your life insurance policy, or tapping into an annuity. So, there’s no reason to feel cornered if you don’t want to purchase long term care insurance for your parents. There are always other avenues.

Shopping for Long Term Care Insurance for Elderly Parents

As with all types of insurance, there are ins and outs when it comes to shopping for long term care insurance for your parents. Cost of the policy will vary, and is dependent on things such as age at time of signing, gender, and current state of health (present health problems will cause the policy to be more expensive). When you’re looking at the fine print, keep in mind the following tips:

Pay close attention to inflation protection: many policies go up every year with rising costs of inflation
The certification period: the period you are allowed to receive long term care
The daily benefit amount (DBA): the maximum amount per day that an insurance company is willing to pay.

There are also hidden benefits to long term care insurance for elderly parents an agent may not necessarily inform you of. Some long term care insurance for your parents allow in-home modifications, such as stair lifts or wheelchair ramps, depending upon your policy. If you believe these are things you need now, or may need in the future, choose a policy with these benefits.

To learn more about navigation policies for long term care insurance for elderly parents, or to hear more about mobility products that can help you live your best life, such as stair lifts or wheelchair ramps, contact Williams Lift Co. today.

The Best Senior Driving Safety Advice

April 23, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Some seniors are well aware of a slight cognitive decline as they age, which may affect their driving, while others may be more insistent about driving “business as usual.” No one wants to hear that they’re too old to drive, but for some, this may be the case. For others, senior driving safety is a must. Awareness is the most important thing when it comes to elderly driving, in addition to senior driving safety tips that everyone over the age of 65 should follow.

Senior Driving Safety and Statistics

Elderly driving statistics report that there are 33 million drivers over the age of 65, which is quite a large population. Of that group of elderly drivers, the fatality rates are 17 times higher than that of the 24-year-old age group. This has to do, in part, with the fragility of seniors, but also with a lack of awareness and cognitive decline. Simply put, elderly people driving can be a little scary, and there have been numerous attempts at retesting elderly drivers. In fact, some states do have graded licenses, and some do have special requirements such as retesting. New Jersey is not currently one of those states that offer an elderly driving evaluation. Therefore, senior driving safety must be an implemented standard to keep everyone safe on the road.

Health-Related Senior Driving Safety Ideas

It’s always important to take care of your health, but taking care of your health with regard to senior driving safety is imperative. Experts advise that those over the age of 65 should have their vision checked. Even if it seems okay, the gradual decline of visual acuity as we age might not be noticeable.

It is also important to get your hearing tested, another “sense” that can affect old age and driving and senior driving safety. You need to be able to make sure you can hear a horn or other sounds on the road clearly.

Lastly, it’s important for a senior driver to understand their medications. When it comes to older driver safety, it’s important to know what medications interact with other ones, which ones interact with alcohol, and which medications simply should not be taken before driving (such as opioids). One of the most prominent senior driving safety tips is to know your medications well before you get behind the wheel.

Other Senior Driving Safety Advice

Beyond health, there are many older driver safety tips to consider. Some of these include:

Be aware of driving conditions. Generally, a good piece of senior driving safety advice is to simply stay home in low visibility, extremely wet weather, ice, and snow. Some seniors are also uncomfortable driving at night. If you are uncomfortable, you should not drive.
Buy and drive a car with automatic transmission. It’s much more common these days to have only an automatic. For senior driving, operating a manual gear shift can be tough for someone who has arthritis.
Take familiar routes. It’s best to drive where you are familiar so that you feel more comfortable and drive with confidence.
Keep up with your auto maintenance. Another good piece of senior driving safety advice is to ensure that your windshield wipers, headlights, seat belts, and defrost controls are working properly at all times.
Make sure your vehicle is properly equipped for your needs. Wheelchair-friendly cars are an ideal choice for those who have mobility issues. This can help increase your confidence and comfort.
If your state does not offer a driving assessment for the elderly, take a defensive driving course for older persons, which is usually offered through AAA or AARP.

One of the most important things to keep in mind with regard to senior driving safety is to not drive if you feel uncomfortable or unsure. There is no shame in having to take the bus or call a taxi if you’re simply not feeling well that day.

For more senior driving safety information, or to learn about mobility products that can help improve your mobility, such as stair lifts or wheelchair ramps, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We’re here to help you live your best life, at any age.

Learning About Senior Citizen Scams and Elder Financial Abuse

April 16, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Whether you are a caregiver or a person over the age of 65, it’s important to keep up with the latest senior citizen scams. Unfortunately, new scams crop up every day, and oftentimes seniors are bullied or talked into spending their life savings or retirement money on an idea or product for a return that they’ll never see. Senior citizen financial abuse is a real thing, and it’s a good idea to look for the signs. Unfortunately, financial elder abuse by a family member is even possible.

Outside Elder Financial Abuse

While senior financial abuse can happen by a family member, it is more often the act of someone who doesn’t even know the other person. For example, telemarketing scams are very common and should send out elder financial exploitation red flags. It’s a good reminder that Social Security or the IRS will never call you and ask for money.

There are also charity scams (asking an older person to give to a favorite charity), or a fake call regarding “found” money. In this scam, the caller asks to split a sum of money with you but needs your bank information. To prevent these types of senior scams, the best advice is to never give your credit card information or bank information out to someone you don’t know over the phone.

Internet Senior Citizen Scams and Elder Financial Abuse

Senior citizen fraud happens quite frequently on the Internet as well. More and more seniors are aging in place, and many older generations are not that familiar with computers or the Internet, and cannot detect a phishing email. Just as with the phone, Social Security, the IRS, your credit card company, or any other reputable agency, will never ask for any type of account information via email. If you take part in online shopping, use a site that is secured and verified.

It is possible for someone to “eavesdrop” or “listen” in on an email, should they really wish to. To prevent senior citizen scams and elder financial abuse, never give out personal information.

More Senior Citizen Scams to Avoid

There are even more senior citizen scams to avoid that older people and their caregivers should be aware of. Some of these include:

Investment schemes. This will likely be a real, live, face-to-face person involved in senior citizen scams and elder financial abuse. Don’t use any investors you don’t know or don’t trust.
Fake anti-aging products. There are plenty of products on the market that are supposed to “erase wrinkles” or perform some kind of other miracles, but many of these are financial abuse as well.
Grandchild scam. A person will call claiming to be the granddaughter or grandson of the person, reveal that they are in trouble, and will ask the grandparent to wire money to a certain location. Unfortunately, this isn’t a real grandchild, and the money disappears into thin air.
Sweepstakes and mortgage scams. Just like investments, be wary of someone asking you to be part of a reverse mortgage or second mortgage if you didn’t ask for the information. Also, never enter a sweepstake or lottery that asks for large sums of money upfront, as these are simply senior citizen scams.

When a Family Member Is Responsible

It can be the most heartbreaking of all when a family member is responsible for elder financial abuse. Still, identifying elder financial abuse is important, so all aspects must be discussed. With a family member, this is usually done without the older person’s knowledge; for example, the person has access to accounts and is slowly pilfering money away, or is abusing a trust or some other kind of fund. Alternatively, the family member could be bullying or pressuring the person to give him or her money as a demand.

What to Do if You Suspect Elder Financial Abuse

The Older Americans Act of 1964 was enacted to help protect older people from any type of abuse, including senior citizen scams, so you should know what to do if your elderly parent is being scammed. The best thing to do, first of all, is to contact the local authorities and file a police claim.

Next, if the scam was “through an agency” (for example, a person claiming to be an IRS agent), you must also contact the agency to report the fraud. In many elder financial abuse cases, money is often not recovered, so it’s best to be on the lookout before scams occur rather than after.

For more information on what to do if you suspect senior citizen scams or elder abuse, or to hear about life-changing medical products, such as stair lifts, that can help improve an elderly person’s mobility, contact the Williams Lift Co. today to speak with a member of our professional team.

Finding the Best Wheelchair Accessible Trails in NJ

April 9, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

When you or your loved one is in a wheelchair, finding wheelchair recreation (such as vacations, hiking, and outdoor activities) may be kind of tough, although it shouldn’t be. While many parks and recreational facilities are compliant with ADA standards, that doesn’t necessarily mean that wheelchair accessible trails in NJ are so readily available. Sometimes, ADA compliance can refer to bathroom or picnic facilities, without much adaptation for wheelchair hiking. However, there are quite a few wheelchair accessible trails in NJ and handicap accessible trails for you to enjoy.

Federal Wheelchair Accessible Trails in NJ

Federal parks are maintained and run by the federal government, while state and local parks are maintained by the state or municipality. Federal parks are more likely to be ADA compliant, however, that’s not a guarantee. There are several federally owned wheelchair accessible trails in NJ:

Dingmans Creek Trail. This is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is located on the Pennsylvania border, and much of the park is in PA. This particular trail is a 0.4-mile boardwalk, which takes you past two lovely waterfalls (Dingmans and Silverthread Falls).
McDade Recreational Trail. This trail is also part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and is said to have handicap accessible trails. However, not all trails may be accessible trails, so it’s best to call the park at 570-426-2452 before making the trip.

State Wheelchair Accessible Trails in NJ

In addition to federal locations, there are several state parks that have wheelchair accessible trails in NJ. However, park websites may not always have the most up-to-date information, so if in doubt, it’s always best to call before making plans to ensure there are wheelchair accessible hiking trails. Some state areas include:

The Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. This forest is located in New Lisbon, NJ, which is also reasonably close to Connecticut and Pennsylvania. There is a 1.1-mile loop trail that is paved. Reportedly, there are other trails within the park that are easy to manage but may be a long journey.
Cape May Point State Park. This state park is located in the southernmost tip of New Jersey in Cape May and offers a 0.5-mile wheelchair accessible trail. It may be one of the most scenic paved walking trails in NJ, as it offers views of a lighthouse and large pond on both sides, with glimpses of area wildlife, such as osprey.
The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. This trail is 34 miles in length, but the trail at mile marker 31.5 is ADA accessible. This state park is located near Princeton, which is central.

Making Non-Accessible Trails Work for You

If you are an avid hiker, you may wish to consider the possibility of adaptive wheelchairs for hiking. There are several different types of all-terrain wheelchairs (and add-ons) that you can use to make non-paved, yet simple, trails, more accessible to you. While wheelchair accessible trails in NJ are likely the best option, these off-road “power chairs” give you the mobility to access much more. There are both manual and motorized choices, and additional options, such as off-road walkers or crutch tips, depending on your depth of mobility. For one-time hiking trips, all-terrain wheelchair rental is also a cost-effective idea.

For more information on ADA-compliant recreation, or to learn about products that can help give you more mobility and freedom, such as stair lifts or wheelchair ramps, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want to help you live your best life.