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Hydration Tips for Seniors

August 13, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

When it’s hot outside, it’s important for everyone—from age 1 to 101—to hydrate properly. However, for the very young and very old, becoming dehydrated can lead to much more than just a sudden need for water or a brief rest—it can lead to serious medical problems.

Hydration for seniors especially is important, but sometimes simply saying, “Hey, you should drink more water” is not quite enough to do the trick. Not only are there hydration tips for seniors that every caregiver or family member should know about, but there are also signs of dehydration in seniors that everyone should be aware of. Read on to learn about seniors and hydration, symptoms of dehydration in seniors, and how you can help if there’s an emergency.

Hydration for Seniors: Why the Elderly Are More at Risk

While everyone is at risk of becoming dehydrated during the summer if they don’t drink enough water, hydration for seniors is especially important and lack of water can become a medical emergency.

Why Is Dehydration a Problem?

As people age, the ability to conserve water is affected. Also, electrolyte imbalances can change over the years. Water requirements typically increase, not decrease. Hydration for seniors is important as a senior doesn’t retain fluids in the same way that a younger person does. Sometimes, this is apparent if the patient is suffering from incontinence, but it may not always be so obvious. Causes of dehydration in the elderly can be many things, from incontinence to imbalances, to simply just not drinking the recommended amount of water each day.

Hydration Tips for Seniors: How to Notice Dehydration

Whether you are a senior yourself or take care of someone to which hydration for seniors is important, it’s a good idea to know what dehydration in senior citizens looks like. Keep on the lookout for:

No urination at all or very little
Urine with a pungent smell
Darkly-colored or orange urine
TachycardiaWeak pulse
Cold hands and feet

All of the above signs could easily be effects of dehydration in the elderly. Once symptoms begin to appear, this is when dehydration in seniors may require immediate care. The first thing to do, sensibility, is to make sure that the person drinks some water or drinks such as Pedialyte, in order to restore any electrolyte imbalance. If this isn’t possible, the best hydration tip for seniors who are visibly dehydrated is to take them to the nearest emergency room for intravenous (IV) fluids. If the electrolyte imbalance is not corrected, seizures may occur.

Hydration Tips for Seniors: Preventing Dehydration

The best thing to do is to prevent dehydration before it happens. Most adults should drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. This can be tough to track, so it’s a good idea to ask a friend, family member, or caregiver to help. If you’re a caregiver taking care of a patient, presentation is everything, Provide them with cups that are easy to drink out of, are aesthetically pleasing, and help them enjoy drinking water and staying hydrated. Also, make sure cups are clean, sterile, and free from germs, as food safety is also imperative. A good hydration tip for seniors is ensuring that they are actually enjoying the act of drinking water. For some, it’s a cheerfully-colored cup.

If you want more tips on how to prevent dehydration or would like information on how mobility products can help you or your patient live their best life, contact Williams Lift Co. today to learn more about our wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, and other products.

Downsizing and Moving Tips for Seniors

August 6, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Starting the process of downsizing for seniors typically begins with an honest talk. This talk doesn’t always have to mean that your parents are headed into an assisted living facility, although that is one of the options. Downsizing homes for seniors may simply mean that they’re going to age in place in a smaller apartment or smaller home, entering into a retirement community or condo, or even living with you. There are a few downsizing and moving tips for seniors that can help across the board, no matter where the destination is. Read on to learn about some of these moving tips for seniors and how you can be of help with senior moving assistance.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors: Starting Early and Small

One of the best moving tips for seniors is to start early, make a plan, and stick with it. A written plan is the best idea, which allows you to outline a downsizing attack for each room of the home. After a lifetime of living, those who are aging have a propensity to collect many things, often with sentimental value, so this step can sometimes be hard. Helping seniors move also involves helping them decide what should stay and what should go. Concerning each room and further concerning each item, you and your parents should ask yourselves the following questions:

Is this something I use often?
Does it have financial value?
Does it have sentimental value?
Is it something someone else (friend, family member) would appreciate?
Is it necessary?
Do I have multiples of it?
Will it fit in a smaller space?

Depending upon the answers to these questions, the items should be placed on the moving list for seniors (i.e., they are going to the new residence), or should be donated, sold, or given away. When providing downsizing help to seniors, it’s a good idea to tackle each room one at a time, until the entire room is finished, and then moving onto the next room.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors: Going Through the List

There are some moving and downsizing tips for seniors that involve solely going through the moving checklist for the elderly. This list shouldn’t help you decide what to pack, but rather what to get rid of. First of all, every item should have a definitive answer. When asked, “should I keep this,” the answer should be yes or no—no “maybes.” Decluttering and downsizing may be tough for the aging parent, so be patient—but also don’t be afraid to sell things yourself, adding the surplus to the retirement fund. Downsizing also doesn’t mean just throwing out or donating.

If your parent has boxes of photographs, for instance, a great downsizing tip for seniors would be having the photos changed to digital copies. This helps keep the memory alive, but not the item. Similarly, you can donate collections of things to museums, or take a photograph of the collection to be framed and appreciated.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors: When and How

If you’re wondering at what age should seniors downsize, there is no set age, but it should be done well in advance of the “golden years.” Downsizing should likely be performed before mobility aids are needed, or prior to any cognitive decline. This gives seniors who are downsizing ample time to reduce the amount of clutter without feeling rushed or hurried. If it is an emergency-type situation and downsizing must occur quickly, there is free moving help for seniors as well as paid moving help.

There are companies and agencies that can help you reduce and downsize quickly, along with professionals who can help you simplify declutter and offer the best downsizing tips for seniors. For those having a tough time detaching from certain items, sometimes calling in a professional is a must.

To learn more about downsizing tips for seniors or how to modify homes for the elderly, or to learn about mobility products that can help reintroduce freedom to the aging parent, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both patients and caregivers to live their best lives possible.

More About National Senior Citizens Day

July 30, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

National Senior Citizens Day is held on the same day every year, and just like all years before it, Senior Citizens Day 2019 will fall on August 21. The day was first enacted in the 1990s under President Ronald Reagan, to help bring awareness to issues that affect senior citizens and the elderly, as well as to give them a special day to celebrate. Whether you’ve never heard of Senior Citizens Day or it’s something you celebrate every year, there are a few ideas (and discounts) to take part in to enjoy this day with friends and family.

Things to Do on Senior Citizens Day

There’s perhaps nothing better to do when it comes to senior citizens day activities than to spend time with family and friends. Maybe your family and caregivers will throw a barbecue or light lunch, but there are many senior citizen day ideas besides, including going out and being social. Many senior citizen centers and agencies that advocate for the elderly have celebrations at their facilities, such as concerts, bingo, dancing, video games, among other events.

As the day approaches, it’s a good idea to call several local senior centers to see if there is anything happening on August 21 – and if friends and family are invited. Another fun thing to do is go out to eat on Senior Citizens Day. Some corporations regularly give travel and meal discounts in addition to their regular ones.

Possible Discounts on Senior Citizens Day

While different organizations offer different discounts or opportunities on August 21, many of the same restaurants and businesses offer the same discounts year after year. Some of these include:

Denny’s, in addition to their usual senior discount, often has a senior menu on this day as well.
Amtrak, in addition to discounted fares, also offers extra discounts on this day also.
Kohl’s typically offers special discounts on this national day as well.
Other stores or shops that may offer discounts include Verizon Wireless, Pep Boys, and T-Mobile.

Beyond offering discounts on the day, many restaurants, such as IHOP, offer discounts every day, all year round.

How to Help the Elderly on National Senior Citizens Day

If you’re not a senior citizen, but are a caregiver, a family member, or simply someone who wants to help, there are several things you can do, such as volunteer at a Senior Citizens Day celebration, or become involved with nonprofit organizations that help senior citizens. Not only can you help out and volunteer specifically on this day, but you can find out how to get more active year-round. The National Council on Aging is a good place to start, but there are also other local places to volunteer that are easy to find. Local senior citizen centers are often looking for help.

To learn more about Senior Citizens Day or to find out about mobility products, such as stairlifts and wheelchair ramps, that can help improve your quality of life, contact Williams Lift Co. today to speak to a member of our professional staff.

Learning More About New Jersey Home Health Agency and Assisted Living Regulations

July 23, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Even if you’re completely satisfied with the level of care that your parent or loved one is receiving, it’s still a great idea to be aware of the different New Jersey regulations. Perhaps your loved one needs more advanced medical care, has a home health aide to help with daily tasks and to combat loneliness, or is in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Knowledge is power, and learning more about the different state and federal laws can certainly help in the unfortunate event that your loved one is being mistreated or is not being taken care of properly. Read on to learn more about what the regulations are, what agency regulates home health care agencies in NJ, and how to file a complaint if you need to.

Who’s in Charge of New Jersey Home Health Agency and Assisted Living Regulations?

Learning more about the bureaucracy behind New Jersey home health agency and assisted living regulations is paramount, particularly if you ever have to ask the question, “how do I file a complaint against a home health agency in NJ”?

The New Jersey Department of Health is the agency that is behind both NJ home health agency regulations and NJ assisted living regulations. In fact, their reach extends far beyond home health agencies and assisted living facilities. The NJ Department of Health also polices, guides, and can investigate complaints and claims for all hospitals, nursing homes, medical day care centers, and ambulatory care centers. The Department of Health is also the licensing agency that provides aides and administrators who work in these fields.

How Do I Find New Jersey Home Health Agency and Assisted Living Regulations?

If you feel that a regulation has not been followed properly, or you if you feel that a patient is being abused or mistreated, you may be wondering what the New Jersey regulations are before you file a complaint. Whether it pertains to assisted living violations or home health care workers, the NJ Department of Health lists all rules and regulations on their website at state.nj.us. The regulations are many and this may be tough to weed through; it may be a good idea to ask a healthcare advocate about home health care regulations in addition to doing your own research.

How Do I File a Complaint Based on NJ Home Health Agency and Assisted Living Violations?

If you need to know what agency regulates assisted living facilities in NJ, the answer remains the NJ Department of Health, although depending on the nature of the violation, the person at fault may also have to answer to Medicare noncompliance or the violations division, as many state agencies are also mandated with regulations through Medicare. In most cases, the regulations are tied to the federal level, incorporating many of the same standards and rules.

If you are wondering, “how do I file a complaint against a nursing home in NJ,” or you want to file a complaint against an assisted living facility or home health worker or aide, the Department of Health can manage your complaint in one of several ways. You can file a complaint online via the state.nj.us website, or you can call 1-800-792-9770, which is a 24-hour hotline. This hotline is the best number to call for complaints about hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care workers, and any other licensed healthcare worker or facility.

All licensed healthcare workers must be in compliance with regulations at all times. Concerned parties may also file a complaint by fax or by mail, to the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations, PO Box 367, Trenton, NJ, 08625-0367.

To find out more about New Jersey home health agency and assisted living regulations, or to learn more about mobility products that can help with home healthcare, such as wheelchair ramps or stair lifts, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both patients and their caregivers to always have access to living their best lives.

I Am Worried My Parents Have No Retirement Savings

July 16, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

It’s a common fear in this day and age that growing old gracefully will occur with very little funds to grow old with. Numerous worries about Social Security benefits are a real concern, and many seniors simply haven’t been able to tuck away the funds they’ll need for retirement.

If you’re a caregiver or child of aging parents and your parents have no money or have no retirement savings, there are some things you can do to help your parents before it becomes a real problem.

The Honest Conversation When Your Elderly Parents Have No Money

Experts advise that as long as your parents are still cognizant, the best thing to do is to have an honest sit-down talk about helping your parents plan for retirement. Many children report that they simply don’t feel comfortable having this conversation with their parents, particularly when there’s a good chance that the parents have no money for retirement. The best thing for you to do is to push past the awkwardness and have a real conversation about the financial situation of your parent’s retirement. Some key financial questions to ask them include:

Is their home completely paid off?
Are there any 401K or savings accounts?
Is there an updated, legal will?
How much debt are they in (credit card and otherwise)?

If you are concerned that your elderly parents have no money, these questions are the best way to get a feel for the situation. Depending on their answers, you may want to call in a financial advisor or expert if you feel you can’t provide financial aid for retired parents or the problem is too big for you to handle.

Suggestions When Your Elderly Parents Have No Money

If you’ve had the honest conversation and have come to the conclusion that your parents have no retirement savings, there are a few things you can suggest before you offer financial aid or other types of help. Firstly, you can help your elderly parents become financially responsible. Talk to them about budgeting, if this is something they haven’t been doing, and help them create a usable budget. This includes advising them to make more frugal living choices (perhaps forgetting the vacation this year or not opting for a new set of furniture)—and saving as much as possible.

If your elderly parents have no money and are also deep in debt, they should try to pay the debt off as much as possible. Worst-case scenario ideas also include advising them to delay retirement by a few years, if possible, to save additional funds. Another option for aging parents with no money is to attempt other sources of income, such as a part-time job or even online work. Caring for aging parents is not easy, and you may have to delve more into their financials than you feel comfortable. This is to help them get organized, avoid scams, and not end up as parents with no retirement savings at all.

Offering Aid When Your Parents Have No Retirement Savings

Beyond advice and becoming more involved in your parents’ financials, there are other means to help when it comes to saving for your parents’ retirement. If you are financially able, you can help them save. One of the most responsible things to do if this is your means of help is to open a retirement account for parents—and contribute to it. If you own your own business, you can also offer your elderly parents with no money a part-time position, which can help them save.

If you’re not financially able to help, you can help out in other ways, such as helping your parents around the house or yard, perhaps freeing up their time to explore other financial avenues.

To learn more about saving for your parent’s retirement or to learn about mobility products that can help enhance your parents’ quality of life, such as wheelchair ramps or stair lifts, contact Williams Lift Co. today.

How Mobility Assistance Dogs or Service Dogs Can Help Quality of Life

July 9, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Research supports the fact that service animals can be of great help to a number of different people with varying degrees of disabilities. One of the concerns with an elderly or aging patient who choose to “age in place” is the worry that they have significant mobility issues, which hampers them from doing daily tasks, or the risk of accidents or falls.

There are many types of service dogs, but mobility assistance dogs are a great choice for the elderly or aged, or for those with a significant physical disability. Read on to learn more about specific rules governing mobility assistance dogs in New Jersey, how to qualify for one, and the difference between different types of dogs.

Mobility Assistance Dogs and Other Types of Service Animals

There are different kinds of service dogs (and animals) so it’s best to know a little bit about them to ensure you make the right choice for your patient.

An emotional support animal is often provided to a person that has significant developmental or mental impairment as part of therapy. These types of dogs and animals can help with cases of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders, among many others. Rules are much stricter governing emotional support animals, but in New Jersey, they are still covered under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and a patient cannot be discriminated against because of one.
A guide dog is a type of service dog that is to help the deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or those with low vision or vision loss. This special type of service dog can help with mobility issues but is specifically trained to help the deaf and blind. Like all other types of service dogs, in New Jersey, this type of animal is fully allowed under the umbrella of the ADA.
A mobility assistance dog is trained specifically to help those with profound physical disabilities or impairments. While this animal may help when it comes to emotional support, it is not their specialty. These dogs can help with many different conditions, including arthritis, cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, ataxia and gait problems, and those with loss of limbs or those in wheelchairs.

How Mobility Assistance Dogs Can Help

Because mobility assistance dogs are specially trained, they can help with a lot of different tasks that the elderly and those with mobility problems may struggle with. If you’re wondering, “what does a mobility service dog do,” some tasks include:

Pushing elevator buttons
Retrieving items that are dropped
Carrying shopping bags or objects
Opening drawers, closets, and doors
Answering a phone
Help with dressing and undressing
Providing support and stability

Depending on the patient’s specific need, your specific mobility assistance dog can be trained to perform other tasks to help with daily living.

How to Qualify for a Mobility Assistance Dog and Other Questions

Very often, patients or caregivers may wonder, “how do I qualify for a service dog?” Anyone with a documented disability is eligible for a service dog. This will require proof by a physician, or the patient can typically show other types of proof, such as a statement from the Social Security Administration if SSI or SSDI is received. It is also possible to register your own dog as a service dog; however, this is a more complicated option when it comes to mobility assistance dogs, as they must be specially trained. It is easier to register your own animal as an emotional support animal (but remember, laws are stricter in public places regarding this).

If you’re wondering how big should a mobility service dog be, the answer is that there are no size limits on service dogs. Any breed and any type/size can be a service dog; the only regulation is that the dog must be registered with the Service Dog Registration of America in order to be legally recognized under the ADA.

For those wondering “how much does a mobility service dog cost,” the answer is roughly $17,000, which is the national average. However, there are many organizations dedicated to ensuring that those who truly need mobility assistance dogs receive one through funding and grants. This is especially true when it comes to service dogs for paraplegics or those with severe developmental disabilities.

For more information on how mobility assistance dogs can help with daily living, or how mobility products such as stair lifts and wheelchair ramps can improve quality of life, please contact Williams Lift Co. today to learn more about what we do.

What Is Adaptive Clothing?

June 25, 2019 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Adaptive clothing is clothing designed specifically for those who may have mobility or other issues and may not be able to use features such as buttons or zippers. While adaptive clothing for wheelchair users is the most popular type of adaptive clothing, there are also pieces for those with sensory issues, such as autism or related disorders.

Read on to learn more about what adaptive clothing is, what types may work well for your or your family member’s situation, and which companies are considered tops when it comes to adaptive clothing for the elderly or disabled.

Adaptive Clothing: Versatile and Varied

There are several types of adaptive clothing, and many of these types work well for different situations and disabilities. Adaptive clothing is a feature typically seen as one of the following:

Zippers with large pull tabs, so that they’re easy to pull
Back-style garments, for patients who cannot lift their arms
Open-back garments
Dresses, shirts, and pants with Velcro closures
Side zippers on pants and skirts

Adaptive clothing is not just limited to the clothing itself, but to accessories also. It’s not uncommon to see shoes with Velcro closures instead of shoelaces, or shoes and slippers that have a width adjustment for when feet are swollen and larger than normal. Adaptive clothing is also not just limited to house clothes or casual clothes. There are several wheelchair clothing and adaptive clothing companies that manufacture formal clothing as well. Designers of adaptive clothing are also aware of new designs in wheelchair technology and are creating designs with those needs in mind as well.

Adaptive Clothing: Not Just for Mobility Issues

Some patients with a disability may need a different type of adaptive clothing. This type of adaptive clothing is more designed for sensory issues and is advertised as such. Some people have an aversion or dislike certain feelings and materials, and this adaptive clothing is made with textures that are sensitive to those issues. These lines are made for everyone including children, and there are many styles available for adults. Quite often, adaptive clothing made for wheelchair or mobility use also uses texture-friendly material to keep in mind sensory needs as well.

Adaptive Clothing Is Readily Available

If you’re wondering where to buy adaptive clothing, the easiest answer is to look online. There are quite a few shops that sell many different types of adaptive clothing. However, Target also recently designed and introduced a line of adaptive clothing for children and adults, which is available both in stores and online. Adaptive clothing is sold by the following online retailers:

Silvert’s: This store is known for both consultation and design and adaptive clothing is their specialty. They will work with you to provide solutions for any problem, ranging from mobility issues to scoliosis to incontinence.
Izzy Camilleri: This line of clothing is more on the professional and formal side, and is designed for wheelchair users. Their adaptive clothing is described as making “wheelchair users feel amazing.”
Adaptations by Adrian: This company manufactures a lot of different accessories and adaptive clothing like swimsuits and boots. You can also find helpful items such as cell phone holders and arm warmers.
Able2Wear: Adaptive clothing is their speciality, and this company designs a line for all ages and for all abilities, with both casual and more business/professional selections.

For more information on adaptive clothing, or to find out how products such as wheelchair ramps or stair lifts can increase mobility, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want to help you and those you care for live their best lives.

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.