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Hospitalization Riske-Booklet

A quick read with over 30 resources

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INTRODUCTION

We have created this simple, consolidated e-Booklet* to provide you with an easy-to-access download filled with all the resources presented in the interactive Hospitalization Risk Meter. We hope you find this resource helpful, and encourage you share it with friends and family as you strive to take preventable measures to help keep your senior loved one out of the hospital.

Throughout this e-Booklet are online resources with more information on potential risks and how to help Prevent Senior HospitalizationsSM.

* Please note that the content included in this e-Booklet is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as being medical advice or a substitute for receiving professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical provider for any questions you or a loved one may have regarding a medical condition. Home Instead, Inc. and the Home Instead Senior Care® franchise and master franchise network expressly disclaim any liability with respect to the content in this e-Booklet.

Check out more information at PreventSeniorHospitalizations.com (in Canada, PreventSeniorHospitalizations.ca)

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LOWER RISK

1. Physical & Mental Health: Lacking interests and hobbies

• Visit GetMomMoving.com for activity ideas to do with your loved one, like a movie night or daily puzzles. [GetMomMoving.com]

• Learn more about the Give Back Program, developed to allow seniors who are homebound or frail to be able to give back to their community. [caregiverstress.com/geriatric-professional-resources/share-clients/volunteer- activities-seniors-well-being-boost-us/]

• Contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office to learn more about companionship services. [homeinstead.com]

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LOWER RISK

2. Diet & Mealtime: Problems with cooking and mealtime routine

• Senior Shopping List: 12 Staples Your Senior Shouldn’t Live Without [caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/senior-cooking/being-prepared/]

• Nutritious Recipe Ideas can be found on www.CaregiverStress.com, within the “Cooking Under Pressure” program. [caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/senior-cooking/recipes/]

• Tips to Get Mealtime Conversations Going [caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/family-meals/how-to-mealtime-conversations/]

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MODERATE RISK

3. Medical Care: Missed doctor’s appointments

• View this instructional video series to get tips on helping your senior loved one communicate with health care providers. [caregiverstress.com/family-communication/patient-doctor-communication/]

• Download a Doctor Visit Worksheet to help you and your loved one keep track of information given at doctor’s appointments. [caregiverstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Doctor-Visit-Worksheet.pdf]

• If your senior loved one doesn’t have transportation to a medical appointment, contact a relative, friend, a local Area Agency on Aging or a professional caregiving company, such as your local Home Instead Senior Care office. [n4a.org/] and [homeinstead.com]

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MODERATE RISK

4. Medical Care: New or increasing medications

• Download a medication tracker at www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/health-information-management/senior-health-tracking-tools/prevent-medication-errors-with-helpful-reminders/]

• View the educational video series on How to Help Your Senior Manage Medications [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/medication-management-seniors/]

• View 5 key ways to help keep your senior loved one on track with his or her new medicine [caregiverstress.com/home-care/hospital-to-home-care/managing-medications/]

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MODERATE RISK

5. Diet & Mealtime: Weight fluctuations and nutritional issues

• Learn about the signs of poor nutrition on CaregiverStress.com, within the “Cooking Under Pressure” program [caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/senior-cooking/]

• For loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias, view Caregiver Advice on Nutrition and Mealtime [helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/dementia-support-network/nutrition-mealtime/]

• Understand Nutritional Risks: The Warning Signs [caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/family-meals/nutritional-risks-warning-signs/]

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MODERATE RISK

6. Safety: Problems with vision or hearing

• Honest Assessment Key to Keeping Senior Drivers Safe [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/senior-driving/honest-assessment-keeping-safe/]

• Hearing Loss Adds to Caregiver Stress [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/medication-management-seniors/hearing-loss-adds-caregiver-stress/]

• View the Simple Modifications for Senior Home Safety video [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/making-home-safer/simple-modifications-for- senior-home-safety-video/]

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HIGHER RISK

7. Safety: Falls, accidents and mobility issues

• Visit USC Davis School of Gerontology for information on aging in place [gero.usc.edu/faculty/pynoos/]

• Visit Fall Prevention Center for Excellence for fall prevention information [stopfalls.org/]

• Take the Home Safety Tour to help identify potential hazardous areas in the home [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/making-home-safer/interactive-safety-guide/]

• Download this Home Safety Checklist to determine if your loved one’s home is hazard-proof. [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/making-home-safer/safety-checklist/]

• Here are Five Fixes Under $500 to help modify a senior’s home for safety. [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/making-home-safer/fixes/]

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HIGHER RISK

8. Physical & Mental Health: Chronic conditions

• 10 Practical Coping Solutions for Chronic Conditions [caregiverstress.com/illnesses-conditions/10-practical-coping-solutions-for- chronic-conditions/]

• Common Senior Conditions that Contribute to Hospitalization and Readmissions [caregiverstress.com/illnesses-conditions/common-senior-conditions/]

• How to Avoid Depression Due to Chronic Illness [caregiverstress.com/illnesses-conditions/senior-depression/avoid-depression- chronic-illness/]

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HIGHER RISK

9. Medical Care: Ignoring the symptoms

• View this video for tips on what to look for that may indicate physical or mental issues. [caregiverstress.com/home-care/aging-parent-care/physical-symptoms- emotional-mental-video/]

• When It’s Time to go to the Doctor, Here’s What to Ask [caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/planning-tips/doctor-office-what-to-ask/]

• View the Educational Video Series on Patient/Doctor Communication [caregiverstress.com/family-communication/patient-doctor-communication/video/]

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HIGHER RISK

10. Physical & Medical Health: Alzheimer’s and other dementias

• Confidence to Care: A Resource for Family Caregivers Providing Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias Care at Home [helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/alzheimers-dementia-dealing/confidence-to-care/]

• Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Daily Companion App – Available for iOS and Android devices [helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/alzheimers-dementia-dealing/daily-companion/]

• Download the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Senior Emergency Kit [helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ HAlzFam_AlzSeniorEmergencyKit.pdf]

Check out more information at PreventSeniorHospitalizations.com

(in Canada, PreventSeniorHospitalizations.ca)