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Offices located in Fairfax and Mannassas Resources for Seniors
There
are many excellent resources available to help seniors, their caregivers
and families. Ready Hands is constantly updating its database of such
resources. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Local Providers of Services for the Elderly
Concierge Services: Buckley’s for Seniors, LLC is an excellent local company offering transportation, social outings, errands, home maintenance, bill paying and more. Buckley and her wonderfully talented staff do a great job. Serving Northern Virginia, D.C., suburban Maryland and the greater Baltimore area.
Assisted Transportation Services: Contact Stacey Heaney of Driving Miss Daisy, Too, based in Fredericksburg. Stacey will take clients to medical appointments, shopping trips, hair appointments and more. She will even help unload and put the groceries away!
Personal Emergency Response Systems: If you are concerned about someone who may need assistance in an emergency, the MediPendant system can be a valuable solution. With its built-in two-way speaker, the device permits communication with an EMT-certified operator directly through the pendant.
Resources for the Visually Impaired
Visual impairment due to macular degeneration,
retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and many other
diseases affect millions of Americans. Every year about 50,000 Americans
become blind. About half of all blind individuals are over the age
of 65. Our favorite resource is the National Federation of the Blind, the nation's
largest and most influential organization dedicated to serving the
visually impaired. The NFB offers extensive information and resources,
including an excellent catalogue of reasonably-priced aids and appliances.
Fall Prevention and Home Safety
About one out every three seniors over 65
experiences at least one fall in any given year. Falling is a major
cause of disability and even death in the elderly, and fear of falling
cause many seniors to curtail physical and social activities. Fortunately,
much can be done to reduce the risk of falling. An excellent starting
point to educate oneself in this area is the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,
a division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Another good information source on falling is the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons,
the professional organization representing the specialty of orthopedics.
Caregiver Support
Caregivers face unique demands and stresses. The Well Spouse Association is a national
membership organization which gives support to the wives, husbands
and partners of the chronically or disabled. Local chapters offer
regular support group meetings.
Another excellent organization for caregivers is the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA). The NCFA believes in a philosophy of self-advocacy and self-care
for family members responsible for a loved one.
Finally, we also recommend the Family Caregiver Alliance, an organization
founded in 1977 to serve as a public voice for caregivers, a champion
of their cause and source of extensive practical information about
caregiving.
Disease-Specific Non-Profit Organizations
Most people may already know about these, but if you or a family member
have one of these disorders and you haven't checked, all these organizations
are excellent sources of help and information. Most have local chapters
near your area.
For Alzheimer's
Disease, there is of course the Alzheimer's Association, with its many
programs and services for patients, caregivers and professionals.
Information on various forms of arthritis
and related disorders can be found through the Arthritis Foundation.
The American Diabetes Association is a great
resource for diabetics and one of our favorites. There is loads
of patient information. Also take a peek at their section for health
care professionals to see what clinical practice recommendations
this highly respected body publicizes for doctors, dieticians and
diabetes educators.
Most people know that one of the best educational
resources for individuals with heart disease is the American Heart Association. However,
many do not know that one of its divisions is the American Stroke Association, which offers
similarly valuable resources for stroke victims and their families.
Finally, for cancer sufferers and those
caring for them, the American Cancer Society's services and
programs are invaluable.
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