What’s being done to fight elderly abuse

Connecticut Better Business Bureau has joined the state’s battle against elderly abuse, as a member of the coordinating council of the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut.
“Financial victimization is abuse,” according to Connecticut Better Business Bureau Executive Communications Director, Howard Schwartz. “In many cases, elderly victims are unsure of who to contact for help. BBB’s role is to educate the community about scam prevention, help resolve problems for consumers who are victims of unethical marketplace practices and guide consumers to the appropriate agencies as required.”
Older people are prime targets for virtually every sort of scam, including financial fraud, identity theft and dishonest business practices. They are commonly victims of additional scams involving medical care coverage, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, and the “Grandparent Scam.”
Last week, the Department of Consumer Protection, Department on Aging and AARP of Connecticut warned Connecticut residents about criminals who cheated three elderly victims out of almost $200,000 in one town alone, by claiming to be the victim’s child or grandchild or by someone claiming to have that loved one in jail.
This scam has become all too commonplace. The caller typically impersonates a resident, lawyer or police officer, and then asks the target to send cash to a specific location or make a wire transfer into a bank account. In these cases, the grandchild or other close relative is supposedly in distress, and needing the target’s help.
The Coalition is an initiative of the State Department on Aging, as part of its Elder Rights and Elder Abuse initiatives. It is made up of representatives from both public and private entities – a variety of state government departments, law enforcement, and community and advocacy groups.
The Coalition mission statement is “To communicate and collaborate with Public and Private Stakeholders that are addressing elder justice issues in Connecticut in order to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights and promote independence, security and well-being of vulnerable elders.”
Its goal is to use members’ resources to help identify, stop and prevent elderly abuse. The Coalition is in the process of creating a comprehensive list of government and other community contacts, so victims and caregivers will know how to reach the appropriate entity for a given problem.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau was appointed to the Coalition’s coordinating council this fall, to share its expertise and offer a list of the group’s members and their contact information for victims and caregivers.
The list is posted on the Connecticut BBB website in the “Get Consumer Help” section, under “Coalition for Elder Justice Resources.”

Hire Crucial Carpet Cleaning Service Richmond

When you are looking for someone to come and clean your carpets, take the time to do the research and best of the best service provider. Cleaning Richmond is very crucial at best level whether it is home or commercial place you must pay attention and we can complete your need as a clears.  We are professional cleaners and we are ready 24/7 to assist you. As we know that the first duty is to clean that particular place where we live or spend the time because if we do not clean this may be bad condition like health problem etc. Our first duty to keep the carpet or places very clean it creates a positive think and we always healthy. Commercial carpet cleaning Richmond services are offered by us with facilities management in Richmond.

You should have the right way or professionals to assist you. Large sized offices and residences that sprawl over a large area, or have large floor space require a lot of efforts in their cleaning. Your home will be fresh again for breathing! Cleaned and fresh carpets are central to all the feelings mentioned above. We are well trained to deal with stains and germs, we can provide you with the desired level of cleanliness and your carpet will look cleaners and fresher. There are companies that offer affordable quotes for monthly cleaning. It is therefore important to research on the cost of services of different companies before making a decision. These services are useful for the maintenance of big office buildings or private residences and offer several other advantages as well, depending on the type of service a customer for.

"Be a Santa to a Senior" needs help spreading cheer to elderly

The annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" program hopes to give gifts and joy to thousands of elderly for the seventh year.

Since introducing the program six years ago, Home Instead Senior Care offices throughout America have provided 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors.

But the program started with just one elderly woman.

In 2006, a group of volunteers went to a nursing facility and gave presents to the people living there.

One of them was an 87-year-old woman.

When they went back the next year, they noticed the only card on her bulletin board was the Be a Santa to a Senior card from the previous year.

They found out from caregivers at her facility that the "Be a Santa" Christmas card and gift were the only items she had received the entire year.

They then realized there were likely many more seniors like this woman and created the nationwide program to do something about it.

Since Home Instead has a presence here in the Tri-State, they take care of Christmas wish lists for seniors in our area too.

To help them reach as many as possible, you can figure out where the nearest "Be a Santa" tree is to you by using this finder tool.

Ornaments on the trees list the items the seniors are looking for. Many of them want what most of us would consider basic necessities like socks, toiletries and blankets.

That's what Home Instead franchise owner Stephen Bryson wants people to remember when they're feeling bombarded by charitable organizations and programs to support.

"When you think about it, a lot of the senior adults are veterans and community leaders and people who have in the past given so much to our community and to our country," Bryson says. "They've really given a lot to us and now I think this is a unique opportunity that we have to give back to them in their time of need."

Gifts should be returned to the store locations no later than December 17th.

Volunteers are also need for the wrapping party to bundle the gifts will take place at the President's Place December 22nd from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Neuroscience & Neurology 0 If Brain Training Won’t Help the Elderly, What Will?

In October, the Stanford Center on Longevity published a statement, signed by about 70 psychologists and neuroscientists, that likely shocked millions of consumers and disgruntled a number of tech companies.

The statement, which criticized brain training companies’ claims to improve cognitive abilities included the following: “We object to the claim that brain games offer consumers a scientifically grounded avenue to reduce or reverse cognitive decline when there is no compelling scientific evidence to date that they do.” Soon after the statement was released, the Dana Foundation posted an interview with Professors Walter Boot and Arthur Kramer regarding the recent scrutiny of brain training.

On the heels of this public degradation of apparently scientifically-backed strategies to enhance cognition, Aging2.0 held a pitch event in Washington, DC for start-up companies aiming to improve the lives of our aging citizens. Over 100 people assembled in downtown DC on November 7th for the event, many wondering how recent statements about brain games might undermine some of the participants’ products.

Only a couple of presenters claimed that their products affect the brain. However, their pitches may have been influenced by recent news that brain scientists are taking a more active role in assessing the validity of relevant claims made in the private sector. While these individuals effectively conveyed the value associated with the ability to induce certain types of neural activity, they did little to persuade us that they are actually able to do so.

One company representative, for example, alluded to the “very, very complex algorithm” the company uses to make its recommendations, while a gerontologist representing a company that deploys kits developed to stimulate the brain evaded questions about what the kit actually contains.

Brain training is estimated to be about a $1.3 billion a year industry, regardless of whether the task-specific improvements in performance that are demonstrated by brain training companies actually represent global cognitive changes that will help consumers with other tasks that are actually relevant to their daily lives. The market share that relevant companies enjoy speaks to the significant market opportunity surrounding both strategies for impacting the brain and strategies for helping the growing elderly demographic.

Though the recent statement put out by scientists may deter some young companies from attempting to create products that are grounded in hard science, science does provide some clues for addressing complaints commonly made by older members of society. For instance, cognitive decline is associated not only with a reduction in mental exercise but also with reductions in physical activity, sleep, and proper nutrition. Nutrition in particular is often overlooked as a critical component of brain health, even though certain nutrients are required for the maintenance and growth of the very brain cells that support cognition. In addition, brain changes that occur with age do much more than promote cognitive decline. They also alter peoples’ moods and behaviors, and helping Grandma feel less depressed may improve her quality of life more than helping her remember where the remote control is.

As the leaders of Aging 2.0 and several participants in Friday’s event pointed out, the brain is not the only worthy target for start-ups interested in helping the elderly. Quality of life results from a combination of factors, including mental and physical health, mobility, and social engagement. Each of these factors was addressed by at least one company at Aging 2.0’s event. The winner of the event, Luna Lights, prevents and detects falls.

Though the companies that pitched ideas more relevant to the social aspects of older peoples’ lives did not get as much attention from panel members, much of the panel conversation that followed pitch presentations focused on ways to reduce the isolation that often comes with aging. Anne Marie Kilgallon, the AARP’s Director of Corporate Relations and Business Development emphasized that technology is a “hugely important way to connect people.”

Sandra Timmermann, a gerontologist, reiterated Ms. Kilgallon’s point, pointing out that older women don’t have the same community networks they used to have when they were more likely to have lived in the same town for years and years. Technology, she said, can provide means for companionship.

The panel also talked about the potential for technology to support older folks’ general desire to stay at home as they age. Even better, the panel agreed, would be for people to start sharing houses, as such a solution would provide companionship, as well as safety and economic benefits. Andrew Carle, Executive Director of George Mason University’s Program in Senior Housing Administration, said that this idea is particularly appealing because baby boomers like to congregate more than members of previous generations did.

Regardless of how companies choose to address the needs of our aging citizens, Scott Collins, President and CEO of Link-age, said that he likes to invest in companies that use technology as enablers for the elderly. The mission of such companies is likely well-aligned with that of Aging2.0.

Stephen Johnston, Aging2.0 Co-Founder, explained that he believes we need to shift our mindsets from Aging1.0, where the older generations represented a problem dealt with by the government, to Aging2.0, where we recognize the opportunity to create a “holistic community that connects medical, lifestyle, financial services, etc… that make life worth living.” Creative applications of science and technology should certainly bolster this opportunity.

Get Dedicated Professionals For Cleaning At Falkirk

When you are looking for someone to come and clean your carpets, take the time to do the research and best of the best service provider. Cleaning is very crucial at best level whether it is home or commercial place you must pay attention and we can complete your need as a clears. You may get in touch at any time and we are here to make your complete solution. We are carpet cleaning Falkirk expert and we are ready 24/7 to assist you. This may become your first choice so just try to have our best service and you will feel you have taken right service by right experts. Our team is dedicated to work and finish work at given time so you may save the time as well as money.

It is important to research on the cost of services of different companies before making a decision. The institute of inspection, cleaning provides guidance and has standardized carpet cleaning in a professional way.  Professional carpet cleaning includes steam cleaning, simple rotational brush cleaning, absorbent method, dry foam extraction, dry extraction and vacuum extraction. We put our best efforts in cleaning service because we value your money and time so now do not worry regarding cleaning carpets and places just think and we are here with best efforts. This is right decision to have the assist by the perfect cleaners Falkirk, by having the service you will feel that your wise decision is going to come true and you are at right place.

NHS releases plans to help elderly and reduce hospital visits

NHS England and the Department of Health (DH) have collaborated to create a plan to improve care for the elderly and reduce A&E admissions.  The plans - which will be paid for through the government’s 5.3 billion pounds ‘Better Care Fund’ - have been designed to provide more dignity for older people and reduce the amount of time they spend in hospital.  It will see GPs, community nurses and care workers coming together to supply better care that is closer to home, allowing the elderly to retain their independence and health for longer.  The plan also aims to prevent unnecessary hospital stays and instill families with more confidence in how their loved ones are being treated.  According to estimates from NHS England, the scheme should support around 18,000 individuals working in roles that require them to provide care in the community, including social workers, occupational therapists, care navigators, doctors and nurses.  Eric Pickles, secretary of state for communities and local government, commented: “People are happier and healthier when they have family and friends nearby. So investing in care services that are tailored to individual needs make sense. It means people can stay at home for longer, which is better for everyone involved.”ADNFCR-8000103-ID-801759069-ADNFCR

Projects designed to help the elderly in Guernsey receive funding

Projects to help increase mobility and activity in elderly patients and to assist those living with dementia have received extra backing.
The Insurance Corporation Healthcare Bursary is awarded to the best projects designed to help the elderly in Guernsey.
The winners of the £2,000 top prize were Nancy Golland advanced physiotherapist, Judy Moore lecturer in healthcare studies and Olwen Bain-Brehaut ward sister at Le Marchant Ward, for their project: Activity Levels In The Elderly – A Pilot Study.
They will use the funds to implement the introduction of new measures that promote increased mobility and activity for elderly inpatients during admissions on Le Marchant Ward.
The runner-up prize of £1,000 was awarded to Susan Steer, an occupational therapist on the older adults mental health team.
Her project ‘To Develop An Assistive Technology Resource And Demonstrate Its Effectiveness In The Older Adults Community Mental Health Team’ aims to develop a resource pack of assistive technology (sensors etc) to use in helpingassess people living with dementia – both as a patient and carer.