Cold Weather and the Elderly

  As the temperatures drop, the risk rises for injury and even death among the elderly population.  It's a good time to be a "nosey" neighbor if you know someone who is at risk.   Here are a few suggestions:

  Check the thermostat. We began care for a client with dementia, after she had turned on the air conditioner instead of the heat. She nearly froze to death.  Even those without dementia, may worry about a high heating bill and keep the temperature dangerously low, or supplement with another heat source that puts them at risk for a fire.

 Check the Refrigerator.  (If they will let you. This was always a battle with my mother.)  Whether it's the "depression mentality" to never throw food away, or the inability to see the expiration date, many people will have a refrigerator full of old food.  Make sure they have a good supply of food that is easy to prepare. I like a company called  "Simply EZ" that delivers food at a reasonable cost. It can be frozen and heated later.   "Meals-on-Wheels" is also a great option for those who have trouble using a microwave or stove.

Check the Windows and Doors. This sounds crazy, but make sure they aren't open.  I visited an elderly client who didn't realize her side door was open. It was literally snowing in her kitchen. She had no idea that the door was open or for how long.  (Accumulation was less than an inch, so I'm guessing it was for an hour or so.)

Check the Pathways. The sidewalk, driveway, porch, stoop, and inside hallways, should all be clear and maneuverable.  Emergency Services, and the mail carrier need to safely reach the house, and the resident inside needs to safely reach the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and outside doors.

  Cold weather can be isolating for the elderly. Even those who don't need your help, will likely appreciate a visit.  Sometimes a "nosey" neighbor becomes a much appreciated friend.

-Eileen

    For anyone planning to remodel or build a home:  Caring.com has a great article on the small changes (doorknobs, hallway width, faucet handles etc.) that make a home attractive, and more livable at any stage of life. It's called "Universal Design."

 Design that's equally appealing to all users

What it means
Wherever possible, universal design creates spaces that can be used by everyone equally and that are appealing to all. UD doesn't stigmatize any one group of users -- like those obvious wheelchair ramps tacked onto the fronts of older homes, for example.

 click the link below to read more....
www.caring.com

A nice note from Florida

Our Florida office recently received a phone call from a man who decided it was finally time to seek home care.  At the pressure of his family and doctors, he ordered his daughter to "Call Hanson Services." He didn't care how many companies were out there that did this work, he only wanted Hanson Services.

He told his daughter that every time he went to the pool at his condo, he would listen to the radio and hear Maryann's voice streaming across the airwaves in her commercials.  He said "Her message was very clear, and her voice always captured my attention.  I can hear the passion in her voice and can tell she was sincere and cared about her business." He said that it is rare that an owner can have such passion and hire employees that share the same passion and vision.

We are delighted to be able to provide service at the level that we believe is due; to the people that have worked so hard their whole lives and are owed the respect, and privacy that old age demands.  This was Maryann's vision when she was managing and designing In Home Assisted Living Facilities.  This is something she told me once that stuck with me:

"These 98 year old ladies would come in and take a tour of the facility and tell me our place is so wonderful, and this is where they will come when they are ready.  I knew then they would never be ready.  These people need to be in their home." - Maryann Hanson

WCLV Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Hanson Services is thrilled to be able to celebrate thee 50th anniversary with Bob Conrad and the staff at WCLV.  Hanson Services has actively supported WCLV for the last 14 years and will continue our support after the transition.

The transfer was a tremendously generous gift to Northeast Ohio listeners. Bob cared and has succeeded in making certain that Northeast Ohio always has Classical Music available to its loyal supporters and listeners. You will recognize the voice of Jim Mehrling, the voice that has always introduced Maryann Hanson will now be the voice of Hanson Services underwriting WCLV.

We hope you're safe!

Over the past few days hurricane Sandy has definitely left her mark on Cleveland.  We have power at the office, but many of our employees are without power (including myself) and have taken shelter at our friends, hotels, and parents houses.

Over the past few days all of our caregivers have made it to their destinations!  We have been relocating some of our clients to hotels and relatives that have lost power.

If you or anyone you know is in need of transportation or services, please don't hesitate to call.  It's what we are here for! 216-226-5425 and 216-712-6245 after 5:00pm and weekends.

Have you had our Chocolate Covered Oreo's?

Yes, they are quite possibly the best tasting cookie desert I have ever had!  They are dangerous, and they must remain illusive in the office or they will disappear very quickly.

Our friends over at Sweet Designs created these for us, with a custom candy Hanson Services apple. If you have not been to Sweet Designs, I highly recommend a visit.  They were the first chocolate that NASA took into space!

Our cookies are usually packed in a nice little bag with our Hanson Services pamphlet, and you can find them at some upcoming events:

Nov. 1 - American Diabetes Assoc. Awards
Nov. 5 - Breakfast with the Mayor (Lakewood)
Nov. 7 - Veterans Pinning Ceremony (Eliza Bryant)

Meet Bentley Hanson

This is Bentley "Hanson", as he is most notably registered as at Lakewood Animal Hospital; the misfit dog that has been so adopted by Mary Ann Hanson and many others at the Hanson Services office.  As Mary Ann Hanson often reminds me, "You know you can never work anywhere else, because Bentley can never leave Hanson Services!"  He is laying at my feet as I write this, as he does every day I am at work.  He is my dog for sure, but he's nestled a little place for himself at Hanson.

Our CFO adds a side of chicken on his salad from The Soupermarket every day at lunch, and Bentley is off like a bullet when he hears his re-entry to collect on his chicken, that was purchased, just for him.  At a recent meeting celebrating our one year anniversary in our new building, Bentley's other adopted Grandma cited "This little guy" as her most memorable Hanson moment (who will often overlook his owner when introducing a new caregiver to the office and say "This is Bentley...He works here.")

In her ongoing effort to make Hanson Services one of the best work environments around (my favorite job hands down), Mary Ann Hanson has not just allowed, but demanded of me, that I bring my little guy to work.  Google, Amazon, Ben & Jerry's, Build-A-Bear, and many more corporations have been on the forefront of a dog friendly workplace for almost a decade now.  Google has been written up extensively on it, citing that it improves employee moral and productivity, and has even created a "doggie park" at their headquarters in California; Amazon has gone as far as weekly meetings to address any issues between the dogs (they get demerits for bad behavior), and converse about their benefit to the company.

Some people at the office have said he is the most loyal dog they have ever seen, as he follows a few feet behind me everywhere I go.  Some call it separation anxiety.  But it has become apparent that his presence has become mutually beneficial to the office and Bentley himself, as I am starting to believe he really does think this is his job now.