Medicare can also help improve the in-home setting for Medicare recipients. The Medicare patient’s physician can prescribe a home risk assessment by a physical or occupational therapist before the patient returns home from inpatient treatment. “They’ll check for clear pathways and make suggestions about rearranging furniture to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. They’ll make recommendations for elevated toilet frames for stability, installing grab bars and even creating a downstairs bedroom in older homes when patients can’t make it up the stairs – MedicareResources.org
A very important aspect of caring for a loved one at home is their safety and comfort. Below you will find a list of equipment and supplies that will help you with their care.
Products (also see Supplies)
The Alzheimer’s Store has many items that can be very helpful. They research products that can assist caregivers in the daily management of loved ones who have dementia and strive to offer products that “help to reduce anxiety and agitation” for the person with dementia and the caregiver. Their website is: http://www.alzstore.com
The SafePresence™ 200 (for falls, wandering and communication) provides essential communications to a caregiver located nearly anywhere in the home: http://www.alzstore.com/safepresence200-for-falls-wandering-communication-p/0389.htm
Nest Cam Camera – to help you keep an eye on your loved one: https://www.engadget.com/2015/07/30/nest-cam-review
Comfort Zone Check-in Mobile – Offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, this is the companion app to a GPS tracking system that helps care partners instantly track a loved one who may wander. Together, patient and caregiver can decide on a geo-fence perimeter; if this boundary is breached, the caregiver gets an instant alert and knows where the loved one can be located. The app is free, in the iTunes App Store, with the monthly Comfort Zone system that includes a variety of products and cost options.
Medical Alert Bracelet – www.americanmedical-id.com – Important for those with Lewy Body Dementia – should list medications that should not be administered8
Floor Mat – wireless – When the floor mat is stepped on, a signal is sent to an alarm monitor in another room:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UWBSOW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Door Guardian (LOCK) – helps prevented unwanted exits from the home
PROGRAMS
NYC: CaringKind’s Wanderer’s Safety Program: (646) 744-2900
http://www.caringkindnyc.org/wandersafety
Town of Hempstead Senior ID Safety Program: bit.ly/childseniorid, 516-812-3046
They will provide free wallet size ID Cards containing Personal Data, Dr. Contacts and Emergency Phone Numbers along with a form that can be placed on the refrigerator door. This can be obtained at: Town Clerk Office, 1st floor of Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, 8AM-4:45 (Thurs till 7:00)
Project Lifesaver – This service, which can track people who wander, is currently only available in Westchester and Suffolk Counties in the New York City area.
Project Lifesaver International is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the first pioneer to apply tracking technology for the search and rescue of individuals with cognitive disorders.
Westchester County: The ElderServe Safe Center for Seniors, part of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, administers the program. For more information and to register, call ElderServe at (914) 365-1983 or send an email to [email protected].
Suffolk County: Enrollment applications can be obtained by calling (631) 852-3003. Your enrollment application must be completed and submitted to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. Once your application is reviewed, an appointment will be made for a home visit by a Project Lifesaver specialist from the Sheriff’s Office.
