To Our Veterans and Military Patriots: We Say Thank You!

Absolute Care Management would like to say a very special thank you to all the men and women who have served or are serving for our country. Without the sacrifices you make everyday, we may not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted. We could not repay the debt we owe to you.

Absolute Care Management is dedicated to helping those patriots who served our country in the United States Armed Services navigate the many requirements necessary to receive their VA services and benefits.  


Working with the VA can be time consuming, confusing and frustrating. Let Absolute Care Management assist you in getting the help and the answers you need in order to determine your eligibility and to receive the benefits that you so richly deserve for your service. Call Absolute Care Management today for a FREE consultation at 866-935-3730 so that we can help you get the paperwork for your benefits underway immediately.

The Gift of Love

I’ll be honest… most of our blogs contain information and stories that were borrowed from other sources other than Absolute Care. We want to provide you with the best and most up to date information and tips on improving your everyday life, but let’s face it, the material is already out there. Someone else has figured it out and put it out for all to see. We just do the digging for you and bring you the content wrapped in a nice little orange and blue bow.  However, today’s blog will be about something absolutely personal. It’s about that thing that touches your heart in a way that the impressions will be felt for the rest of your life. It’s about that feeling you get. It’s about knowing that you have done something that will forever impact someone else’s life. That thing is the gift of love.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to travel to a nearby city to help some elderly folks who are in need of some basic items that most of us take for granted on a daily basis. The impact that these people had on me after leaving is something I will always remember.

Let me give you some back story:

One of Absolute Care Management’s Community Relations Managers came upon this small community of elderly people one day while doing her marketing “rounds”. (Side note here: One of the perks of working for Absolute Care is that you get to meet some amazing people with heart warming life stories.) After chatting with this group of 10 or so people, she discovered something heartbreaking. These people had been forgotten. Who was taking care of this group of elderly life warriors when their basic needs weren’t being met? The answer, was each other. One lady shared that she asks for toilet paper for Christmas so she can be sure that she will have some. Most of the others agreed that they were in need of basic items such as shampoo, hand soap, laundry detergent, and so many items that we take for granted every day. If one of their neighbors doesn’t have supper one night, they cook and invite them over. One gentleman tends a garden and shares the food with the whole complex. While they try to care for each other, sometimes it’s just not enough.

Items before we bagged them up.

So we had this wonderful idea to do a drive for these people. The employees at the Absolute Care Management Jonesboro Agency collected money to purchase the basic items that these people had a need for. The items that each person received included: laundry detergent, hand soap, shampoo, toilet paper, facial tissues, bar soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, cleaning wipes, plastic storage bowls, dish soap, and some foods items such as crackers, potted meat, pudding, peanut butter and coffee. I’m sure you can pick out any one of these items (probably all of them) and walk to your cabinet to get it out right now. These people did not have that luxury.

It’s easy to overlook someone who on the surface doesn’t “need” you. Absolute Care Management provides homecare services for the disabled elderly and homebound, but these people needed help of a different kind. They needed someone to care.

The items that we delivered yesterday were basic and very small in quantity, but the looks on their faces when we handed them the bags were absolutely priceless. One lady came out of her apartment a few minutes later to make sure she gave me a hug and thanked me. These people were genuinely excited about items that are probably going bad in my pantry as I type.

The lesson I learned yesterday is don’t underestimate the power of a simple gift. Even a sweetly worded greeting card sent at just the right time can impact someone beyond what they could have imagined. These simple items may only last these people a month, but the joy that they gave me will last a lifetime!

-Whitni, Creative Director at Absolute Care Management

The Benefits of Art Therapy and Home Care

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that encourages people to express and understand their emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process. Caregivers can encourage and assist the homebound individual in art therapy, making the home care experience even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

How can Art therapy be beneficial to older adults?

According to the American Art Therapy Association, for older adults, art therapy helps individuals cope with complex age-related issues including mental and physical illness or limitation, lifestyle transition, end of life decisions, grief, expression and communication.

With these key benefits in mind, you can see why Art Therapy can be beneficial to the elderly community and especially patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers of clients with Alzheimer’s disease can have many highly stressful and frustrating days.  As a home care professional, participating in art therapy with the one they care for can be a relaxing experience.

There was a case study done in 2011 documenting the effects of the disease on a patient named Mr. Z. Mr. Z was diagnosed with moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease. During a visit at the Alzheimer Disease Societies (ADSC) monthly meeting for patients and families alike with Alzheimer’s disease, Mr. Z was evaluated and advised to participate in the Art Therapy they had available, due to his behavioral issues. Symptoms from AD include memory loss, difficulty communicating, personality changes, inappropriate behavior, paranoia, agitations and hallucinations. Due to the enormous effect that AD has on not only the patient but the family as well, sometimes pharmacological treatments are administered. In Mr. Z’s case he was treated with the anti-dementia drugs which caused behavioral issues. His primary caregiver, his wife, did not want to use antipsychotics for his issue due to a greater chance of more side effects. So she decided to explore the Art Therapy suggestion, which would be provided with his daily care. The Art work displayed by Mr. Z shows great concentration and creativity! It is not realistic, but abstract. It presents you with great emotion and frustration that Mr. Z was experiencing internally. The therapy seemed to have helped the patient with his own self-discovery and it also gave him a sense of empowerment and stress relief. His family and doctors were excited with the outcome of the therapy. Keep in mind that Mr. Z was never an artist let alone drew anything his whole life, yet he drew with great creativity and while drawing he has a tranquil calmness about himself. The Art Therapy helped greatly with not only his behavioral issues but also with his day to day life.

Absolute Care Management employs the best caregivers with the biggest hearts for home care. Each and every individual who works for Absolute Care always wants the best for their clients. If there are any ways to help a person with Alzheimer’s or a Dementia related disease, we strive to offer helping hands. Art Therapy is one of those ways that we are willing to help with. All you need is a blank canvas, a brush or pencil, and a little bit of time to let creativity loose! Art Therapy may be beneficial for stress related issues in people with dementia, but it also works for everyday people or people with other illnesses. It is an expression used since the beginning of time.  

There's No Place Like Home - For Growing Old

“The stairs are getting so hard to climb.”

“Since my wife died, I just open a can of soup for dinner.”

“I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home.”

These are common issues for older people. You, too, may share the often heard wish “I want to stay in my own home!” The good news is that with the right help, you might be able to do just that. Most senior citizens would prefer to remain in their homes instead of going to live with a family member or in a nursing facility. At home, there is a level of comfort that cannot be achieved anywhere else. By remaining at home, with the help of our Absolute Caregivers, our clients will be able to maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle while being surrounded by a lifetime of cherished memories. Also, remaining at home will improve both their physical and mental health. Not to mention, it is a much lower cost alternative than an assisted living facility. 

What do I do first?

Planning ahead is difficult because you never know how your needs might change. The first step is to think about the kind of help you might want in the near future. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home that is available to help you. Maybe you don’t need help right now, but you live with a husband or wife who does. Everyone has a different situation, but one way to begin planning is to look at any illnesses like diabetes or emphysema that you or your spouse might have. Talk to your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of themselves in the future. Help getting dressed in the morning, preparing a meal, or remembering to make medications may be all you need to stay in your home.

What kinds of help can I get?

You can get almost any type of help you want in your home. The following list includes some of the common things people need help with as they age. Absolute Care Management can offer any of these services:

• Personal Care – Is bathing, washing your hair, or dressing getting more difficult? Maybe a relative or friend could help. Or, you could hire a certified caregiver for a short time each day to help you with these tasks.
•  Homemaking – Do you need help with chores like housecleaning, yard work, grocery shopping, or laundry? Hiring an Absolute Care certified caregiver can give you the extra hands needs to get the jobs done.
•  Meal Preparation – Worried that you might not be eating nutritious meals or tired of eating alone? Sometimes you could share cooking with a friend or have a potluck dinner with a group of friends. Find out if meals are served at a nearby senior center, church, or synagogue. Eating out may give you a chance to visit with others. Is it hard for you to get out? Absolute Care can assign you a certified caregiver that will make you delicious and nutritious meals.
•  Money Management – Do you worry about paying bills late or not at all? Are health insurance claim forms confusing? An Absolute Care certified caregiver can help decipher confusing forms and help with bill pay.
•  Be careful to avoid money scams. Never give your Social Security number, credit card account numbers, or bank account numbers to someone on the phone (unless you placed the call) or in response to an email you received. Always check all bills, including utility bills, for charges you do not recognize. Absolute Care does the very best at staying on top of new scams and educating the caregivers on how to help clients avoid them.
•  Medication Reminders – Do you forget to take your medicine? There are devices available to remind you when it is time for your next dose. Special pill boxes allow you or your caregiver to set out your pills for an entire week.

Absolute Care Management spends a great deal of time looking for the best Professional Caregivers to ensure that all of our clients will continue to receive the same kind of exceptional service that people have come to expect from us. We seek out only the most Compassionate Caregivers by putting each candidate through an intensive series of interviews, Drug Test, and conduct a professional background check. Each candidate must successfully complete every part of the screening process before they will be considered.  When it comes to the care of your loved ones, at Absolute Care Management, the only higher standard than yours, is ours.

Advance Care Planning: Tips from the National Institute on Aging

Advance care planning is not just about old age. At any age, a medical crisis could leave someone too ill to make his or her own healthcare decisions. Even if you are not sick now, making healthcare plans for the future is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want, even when doctors and family members are making the decisions for you.

More than one out of four older Americans face questions about medical treatment near the end of life but are not capable of making those decisions. The following are some tips that will discuss some questions you can think about now and describe ways to share your wishes with others. Write them down or at least talk about them with someone who would make the decisions for you. Knowing how you would decide might take some of the burden off family and friends.

What is Advance Care Planning?

Advance care planning involves learning about the types of decisions that might need to be made, considering those decisions ahead of time, and then letting others know about your preferences, often by putting them into an advance directive. An advance directive is a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself. This could be the result of disease or severe injury – no matter how old you are. It helps others know what type of medical care you want. It also allows you to express your values and desires related to end-of-life care. You might think of an advance directive as a living document – one that you can adjust as your situation changes because of new information or a change in your health.

Decisions That Could Come Up Near Death

• CPR
• Ventilator Use
• Artificial nutrition or artificial hydration
•  Comfort Care

Making Your Wishes Known

There are two elements in an advance directive – a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. There are also other documents that can supplement your advance directive or stand alone. You can choose which documents to create, depending on how you want decisions to be made.

Making It Official

Once you have talked with your doctor and have an idea of the types of decisions that could come up in the future and whom you would like as a proxy, if you want one at all, the next step is to fill out the legal forms detailing your wishes. A lawyer can help but is not required. If you decide to use a lawyer, don’t depend on him or her to help you understand different medical treatments. That’s why you should 

start the planning process by talking with your doctor.

Many states have their own advance directive forms. Absolute Care Management can assist you in locating the correct forms. You can call us toll free at 866.935.3730 or go online to www.absolutecaremanagement.com and leave us a comment in the “Contact Us” section.

After You Set Up Your Advance Directive

There are key people who should be told that you have an advance directive. Give copies to your healthcare proxy and alternate proxy. Give your doctor a copy for your medical records. Tell key family members and friends where you keep a copy. If you have to go to the hospital, give staff there a copy to include in your records. Because you might change your advance directive in the future, it’s a good idea to keep track of who receives a copy.

Review your advance care planning decisions from time to time – for example, every 10 years, if not more often. You might want to revise your preferences for care if your situation or your health changes. Or, you might want to make adjustments if you receive a serious diagnosis; if you get married, separated, or divorced; if your spouse dies; or if something happens to your proxy or alternate. If your preferences change, you will want to make sure your doctor, proxy, and family know about them.

Looking To the Future

Nobody can predict the future. You may never face a medical situation where you are unable to speak for yourself and make your wishes known. But having an advance directive may give you and those close to you some peace of mind.

Happy Nursing Assistant's Week!

Absolute Care Management employs only the BEST caregivers! In honor of those who work hard to care for the ones you love, we say thanks! 


“Only” a CNA?
Who are you to refer to us,
As “Only” a CNA?
We’re the ones who wash and dress
Our patients for the day.
We’re the ones who take the time
To listen to them speak.
We listen about their lifetime,
In a forty hour week.
We also give our hands to hold
When someone’s feeling scared.
It’s not easy being a patient,
You’re never quite prepared.
We take the time to listen,
By lending both our ears.
We listen to their worries,
Or how they’ve spent their years.
Our arms were made to reach,
And even wrap around.
To give our patients hugs,
When they’re feeling a little down.
We help our patients do the things,
They used to do on their own.
Everybody needs some help,
Even when we’re grown.
So who are you to refer to us,
As “only” a CNA?
We do our best to meet their needs,
Within our working day.
We chose to do this job,
The job did not choose us.
We sympathize and empathize,
Compassion is a must.
We try to keep them comfortable,
And free of any fear.
We sit along beside them,
When that time is near.
We hold their hand, stroke their hair,
Just making sure they know.
They’re not alone, an aide is there,
It’s ok for them to go.
To all the CNAs keep your head held high,
We’re not “only” CNAs.
WE’RE ANGELS IN DISGUISE!!

10 Ways to Boost Your Cognitive Fitness and Longevity

We normally associate the term cognitive development with babies and children. While many adults do not think of developing themselves cognitively, they should do so, particularly since cognition is one of the four categories of fitness that can add up to 15 years onto our life and greatly impact the quality of those extra years.

You can be many years younger than your chronological age by making certain lifestyle choices, including those that tax or challenge the brain. Research over the past 20 years has shown that certain regions of the adult brain can generate new neurons and new synapses. In essence, whenever we learn something new, engage in new activities or even ponder a new concept, the brain will rewire itself in response to these activities. Just like babies, adults can keep growing their brain and protect cognitive functioning as they age.

There are many positive ways to build better cognition and to lessen the chances of developing diminished cognitive ability, dementia, or Alzheimer's later on in life, all of which make us act old and feel old. Here are ten of them.

1. Exercise to improve cognitive function.
Exercise increases blood flow to the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory. One recent study found that the loss of tissue density in the brain was less in those who were aerobically fit, which is another way of saying fit people have better cognitive functioning. Many other studies show that exercise increases one's ability to learn, handle stressful situations, make clear decisions, and recall facts and memories.

2. Watch TV and read "actively."
The difference between watching The Bachelorette and watching an educational science show is how active your brain has to be. Watching TV is cognitively enriching when it takes effort to understand what you're watching or sparks questions, ideas or "aha" moments. The same is true for reading. A celebrity tabloid magazine takes less brain power to flip through than, say, a magazine such as Smithsonian. Develop new connections in your brain by reading something that's instructive instead of merely entertaining. After reading or watching TV, make yourself recall what you just learned. This exercise boosts retention.

3. Take up a new hobby.
Increase cognitive enrichment by taking on a new active pursuit that requires learning, as opposed to merely attending a baseball game or concert. Some examples include: gardening, antiquing, taking up an instrument, raising chickens, learning a foreign language or selling items on the internet. Read books, talk to experts, take classes, attend conferences or join organizations related to your hobby. All of this learning activity develops new connections between neurons, which helps offset cell loss due to aging or disease.

4. Solve all types of puzzles.

Puzzles are an outstanding way to build new connections in the brain. There are many types of puzzles other than crosswords. These include acrostics, cryptograms, syllacrostics and many other word-oriented brain teasers. Some brain teasers don't involve words at all, such as Sudoku. It's particularly good for your brain to seek out a variety. Or start with one type and, as you get better, switch to another type of puzzle. Your brain will establish new connections for each particular type of puzzle.

5. Play board games and card games.
Games that involve strategy are excellent for the brain, especially those that involve puzzle solving or new learning of some sort, such as Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire--all available in digital form as well. Chess and checkers are excellent games because almost every game is unique, requiring a different set of strategies each time. Card games can similarly help preserve cognitive functioning because the player continues to perfect the most effective strategies according to the opponent's playing style. You can also play card games with a computer!

6. Visit museums, zoos and historical sites.
There are many specialty museums as well as zoos and historical sites that will help you build better cognition. To get the most out of the visit from a cognitive standpoint, don't be a passive visitor. Read the signage next to the exhibits, try to repeat the key information to yourself, and then do it again once or twice during or after your visit. Not only will you retain what the exhibits were about, but with some occasional recall attempts, you increase the odds of being able to recall the information months or even years later.

7. Become a student again. 
Many continuing education courses are available that do not require being in a degree program—you merely sign up for one or two courses whenever you feel like it. Relatively inexpensive courses are available through community colleges. As a student, you will get many chances to learn new things, and most instructors will give you tests that will force you to recall the information learned. Non-degree classes are offered in many areas, from technical subjects to local community history, public speaking, relationships, poetry, and other friendly topics.

8. Attend workshops.
Workshops, conferences and other gatherings where professionals in their field share their knowledge offer another way to build cognitive function through active learning. While these are commonly offered in a person’s profession, you may find many others connected with hobbies and personal interests. One that came across my desk recently, for example, was a workshop on how to trace your family’s ancestry. Another was amateur backyard astronomy.

9. Reduce stress. 
People with high amounts of stress are more likely to suffer from cognitive problems than those who are free of stress. While medications can reduce the symptoms of stress, they do not cure the problem or help you understand the root cause of the stress, which is key. Since many meds require ever-increasing dosages to be effective, and many have side effects, it is important to reduce stress in more natural ways, including exercise, naps, individual counseling, meditation, relaxing hobbies, spiritual growth, and other means.

10. Address depression.
Depressed individuals are more likely to suffer from cognitive problems later in life than those who are free of depression. As with stress, many people who are depressed merely run to their family doctor and say, "Can you give me something for being depressed?" and walk away with a prescription. No attempt is made to find out what is causing the depression in the first place, let alone cure it. As with stress, there are ways to bring about a long-lasting solution to depression besides medication, including individual counseling, exercise, spiritual growth, career rejuvenation, goal setting and other techniques.

Why Is Going For Your Annual Exam Important?

Every 50,000 miles a car needs an oil change to stay in top condition. While it is up on the lift they do a bit of an inspection to let you know if anything is out of the ordinary. It is tempting to let an oil change go but you know that you are in for trouble if you do. The same goes for an annual exam, you know you should go but it is very tempting to put it off. Why would you take care of your car better then you take care of yourself?

A routine check-up is an opportunity to see the doctor when you are well. Many things can be detected early when the doctor is giving you a once over and not focused on something that is ‘broken’. Some people actually like the annual exam because it confirms that you are as healthy as you feel. Many people feel they get more out of an exam if they come with a list of questions. During the weeks before jot down any question that come to mind and bring the list. It is pretty easy to forget things when you are in a paper gown.

If you have been skipping your exam here is a quick list of what may be checked:

·         Blood pressure

·         Heart rate

·         Breathing 

·         Resting temperature

·         Memory and mental quickness

·         Skin and extremity health

·         Throat and tonsils

·         Teeth and gums 

·         Ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid

·         Nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, are all checked

·         Gender dictates some specific checks.

·         Depending on the last time you had it; cholesterol, colorectal screening, and a few other blood tests might be ordered.

Getting a benchmark on all these stats yearly help show a pattern of your personal normal health that is very important if you ever do become sick. A year over year review can also show things that sneak up on you like a mole that has gotten bigger so slowly you never even noticed.

The theme of an annual exam should be prevention. This is the time that you and your doctor should discuss not just how to prevent further deterioration but how to get MORE HEALTHY. Each of us is in a different place physically and mentally but there is always room for improvement. Take the opportunity to ask the doctor what they recommend for improving your health, they might be pleasantly surprised at the question since so many people are just looking for status quo.

While you are scheduling your annual physical exam don’t forget an appointment with the eye doctor and any other specialist you are supposed to check in with. If this is a chore for you, schedule a treat to look forward to. Even if it is not a chore, scheduling a treat is good for you too. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Interesting Infographic about Diabetes in America

Source: http://dailyinfographic.com/diabetes-by-the-numbers-infographic

Noah the Caregiver

By Dr. Vicki Rackner, MD 

You may have heard the story of Noah, the one-legged homing pigeon.

Heʼs a permanent resident of the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch.

Noah recently showed an interest in three 6-day old orphaned bunnies brought to the ranch. He repeatedly looked into the bunny cage and event slept in front of the cage door.

The vulnerable bunnies were under close observation. Imagine the surprise when the staff found only two bunnies in the cage. Noah moved a bit, and there--under his wing--was a tiny bunny sound asleep.

They speculate the bunny slipped through the cage to rest in Noahʼs soft feathers. Now, they’re all together, and all doing great. When the bunnies scoot underneath Noahʼs feathers, he carefully extends his wings to surround them. When one of them moves, he gently nudges them back, He even coos them to sleep.

Noah is an unlikely caregiver. Sometimes sources of support for aging parents or bunnies come in surprising packages!

The bunnies have since been released. Noah continues to help with other rescued babies, although bunnies seem to be his favorite. You can keep up with Noah on his Facebook page.

The Importance of Senior Centers

For seniors who have retired and enjoy their retirement years in the comfort of their homes, a senior center can be a strong form of socialization. Senior centers offer social benefits, emotional benefits and in some ways financial benefits. When it is hard to see how a community can justify maintaining a senior center or you find it hard to locate a volunteer opportunity, consider these important benefits of senior centers in the community.

Emotional Benefits

Seniors who attend senior center activities on a regular basis are shown to have better emotional health. The senior center offers an escape from lonely homes, lonely lives and isolation. There are also volunteer efforts to offer seniors counseling free of charge a community centers. These small efforts make large and lasting impressions within the community.

Social Benefits

Socialization is vastly important to happy senior living. Seniors who participate in senior center activities enjoy being around other seniors, sharing stories and participating in community activities. With the volunteer efforts of community members, seniors who would normally be isolated are offered the chance to maintain friendships and create new ones.

Financial Benefits

This is probably the most important of the unspoken senior center benefits. Senior centers generally offer services from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening. This means that if a senior wants to spend their day at the center they could receive two to three meals, beverages, free health evaluations and other benefits that would normally be far outside of their monthly budget. Just two meals per day and the chance to socialize with friends offers many seniors benefits beyond measure.

Fighting Alzheimer’s Stigma

It can be difficult to open up about challenges in your life. Sometimes you don’t want to share something private with the world. Other times you’re going through denial, and talking about it would make it real. But then there’s the fear of stigma.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s, that’s often what keeps people quiet, points out an article at the website for Norwalk, CT, newspaper The Hour. Both people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers go through this, but some are fighting their way out of it. Opening up, letting family, friends and colleagues know what’s happening and loosening the chains of denial is a liberating decision. Nine times out of ten, people find that almost everyone knows someone affected by Alzheimer's and has experiences to share. This openness is necessary to fully understand symptoms, learn about lifestyle changes and bring relief and support to caregivers.

In the article, one man with Alzheimer’s shares his story of opening up. Still in an early stage of the disease, he was able to teach others about it and advocate for early diagnosis and for research funding.

Another man whose wife had Alzheimer’s finally told his clients and co-workers so he wouldn’t have to lie if he had to change his schedule. “It was the right thing to do,” he says. “In fact, several co-workers opened up to me about family and friends with Alzheimer’s.”

What about you? If you’ve dealt with a difficult diagnosis, have you told friends and co-workers about it? How did that go? How did you feel? If you haven’t told anyone, why not?

Top Tips for DIY Home Safety

With just a small investment in time and a few dollars, you can make your home safer and more comfortable by following these do-it-yourself tips. All of the home modification suggestions below are easily implemented by you, the homeowner, and do not require the services of a professional contractor. So why wait? Modify your home today and feel happier and more secure.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: All Rooms

1.     Keep emergency numbers (911, doctor, relatives, neighbors) in large print near each phone.

2.     Arrange furniture to create unobstructed pathways and strategically place heavy, sturdy furniture pieces for resting and support.

3.     Try to create bright, uniform lighting by adding lights to dark areas and  changing light bulbs to a higher wattage (without exceeding manufacturer's maximum).

4.     Ensure ample reading and task lights in the bedroom, kitchen and living room; consider under-counter lights and natural spectrum desktop or magnifier floor lamps.

5.     Remove personal items, decorations and any clutter on floors, tables and counters.

6.     Clean out and reorganize contents of closets, cabinets, shelves and pantries for easy access of the most frequently used items.

7.     Remove throw rugs, but if you can't part with them, secure with double-sided tape, tacks or a non-skid mat.

8.     Remove or rearrange electrical cords and extension cords that interfere with  pathways.

9.     Make sure electrical outlets are not overloaded with plugs; consider switching to a surge protector.

10.  Make sure smoke/carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries, are in working order and are placed near bedroom, kitchen and utility area where your boiler, furnace, hot water heater and washer/dryer may be located.

11.  Keep a working fire extinguisher in the home that is easily accessible, preferably near the kitchen, and know how to operate it.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Kitchen

1.     Move frequently used small appliances to the counter or waist-height cupboard and near an outlet.

2.     Consider upgrading to small appliances with an automatic shut-off feature such as a coffee maker, electric kettle, toaster oven and iron.

3.     Reduce the risk of fire around the stovetop area by relocating potentially flammable fabrics such as curtains, aprons and dish towels; and refrain from  wearing clothing with billowy or wide sleeves when cooking on the stove.

4.     Reduce the risk of burns by placing a heat-resistant surface near the stove, oven and microwave for placing hot pans and dishes; keep potholders and mitts handy.

5.     If you must use a step stool, make sure your foot stool has a support handle and never use a chair in place of a step stool.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Living Room

1.     Make sure curtains and shades are easy to operate; and consider adding sheers  to reduce glare.

2.     Upgrade to a lighted, big-button universal remote control to easily operate the  television and entertainment system.

3.     Make sure your favorite chair or sofa is easy to sit down in and get up from, and  has sturdy arms for support; otherwise consider a lift chair or uplift seat device.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Bedroom

1.     Use a sturdy nightstand with ample surface for a lamp, phone, glasses and  water; use a drawer to store a flashlight and extra batteries.

2.     Use nightlights with sensors that illuminate your path from your bed to the bathroom and to the hallway.

3.     Have a sturdy chair with arms in your dressing area for support and comfort while putting on shoes, socks, pants, jewelry, etc.

4.     Ensure your bed is high enough to get in and out of easily; consider adding sturdy wooden risers and remove casters.

5.     If possible, consider relocating your bedroom to the first floor of your home.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Bathroom

1.     Install non-slip strips or a suction-cup bath mat on the floor inside the shower and tub.

2.     Place a non-slip, absorbent floor mat outside the shower and tub to soak up excess water and dry the bottom of your feet.

3.     Consider using DIY suction cup grab bars with green-light safety indicator, a tub rail and bath transfer bench or bath lift inside the tub.

4.     Install an elevated toilet seat with support arms to help with sitting and standing.

5.     Make sure toilet paper is comfortably within reach and extra rolls are handy in case you run out; consider installing an L-shaped holder that makes changing  the roll easy.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Exterior

1.     Mount battery-operated, motion-detector lights outside to illuminate doors and walkways.

2.     Make sure address numbers are visible at all exterior doors and easily seen from the street in the event of an emergency.

3.     Clean garage floor to remove slick spots, pick up any sharp objects (nails, screws, shovels) and use a non-slip floor mat to wipe moisture and debris off  shoes and boots before entering the home.

4.     Clear a path, free of overgrown grass, bushes and shrubs, to a sturdy mailbox that is easy to open and close.

5.     Make sure garden tools are easily reached from a flat-footed stance; and use a retractable reel to keep hoses coiled.

6.     Consider hiring a local service for wintertime ice and snow removal, spring and summer yard maintenance and fall leaf removal and gutter cleaning.

For more extensive home modifications such as ramps, grab bars, curbless showers,  recessed lighting and wider doorways, just to name a few, hire a reputable company  that is certified in aging-in-place solutions.