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Injuries Among Older Adults
In the United States, one of
every three persons aged 65 years and older falls each year.
Among
older adults, falls are the leading cause of injuries, hospital
admissions for trauma, and deaths due to injury. And approximately
250,000 hip fractures, the most serious fracture, occur each year
among people over age 65. Many of these falls and resulting
injuries can be prevented. Strategies to prevent falls among older
adults include exercises to improve strength, balance, and
flexibility; reviews of medications that may affect balance; and
home modifications that reduce fall hazards such as installing grab
bars, improving lighting, and removing items that may cause
tripping.
Safety Tips for Preventing Falls in
the Home
Falls
can occur at any age, but the rates of injury and death resulting
from falls are greatest among seniors. This can happen because of
changes in muscle and bone strength, vision, hearing, and
coordination that take place with aging. But there are steps you
can take to reduce the likelihood of falls. The following are
guidelines you can use to make your home safer:
All Areas:
-
Contrast in paint, furniture and
carpet colors are helpful.
-
Ensure that stairways have sturdy
handrails.
-
Keep halls, stairways, and pathways
well lighted and free of clutter and obstacles. Keep walk areas
clear.
-
Apply slip strips on the edges of
steps to reduce slick stair surfaces.
-
Remove throw rugs or tack down
securely with double sided adhesive tape. Tape down carpet
edges.
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Place electrical cords and telephone
wires away from walking paths.
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Post emergency numbers at every
telephone. Carry a portable phone.
Bathroom:
-
Apply non-skid appliqués on tub and
shower floors.
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Install grab bars in the tub and
around toilet. Consider a shower chair.
-
Avoid throw rugs or tack rugs down
securely.
-
Keep bathrooms well lighted.
Kitchen:
Bedroom:
Outdoor Home Safety Measures:
-
Keep walk areas clear of clutter,
rocks and tools. Keep well lighted at night.
-
Keep walkways clear of snow and ice.
-
Make sure walkways are level, free
of cracks, loose gravel, holes, and constructed with slip
resistant materials.
Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your
Risk Of A Fall:
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Have regular vision and hearing
check-ups.
-
Clean eye glasses often to improve
visibility.
-
Wear proper fitting, supportive
shoes with low heels or rubber soles.
-
A proper diet and moderate exercise
are essential.
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Use walking aids when necessary.
-
See your doctor for the diagnosis,
management, and treatment of underlying diseases.
-
Talk to your pharmacist about side
effects of your medications.
SENIOR
HEALTH & FITNESS
It has been found that older adults,
who exercise, eat right, and engage in other healthy behaviors
improve their health and maintain their independence longer than
their peers, and we want every senior to age well and live well.
Regular exercise, even moderate physical activity such as taking a
walk, can produce long-lasting health benefits.
By walking for just a half hour, four or five times a
week, older adults can make major strides toward preventing obesity,
heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Senior citizens can take charge of their health by staying active
and physically fit.
In addition to exercise, seniors are encouraged to eat a
well-balanced diet. Inactivity, combined with poor nutrition, can
rob seniors of their health and happiness.
Also important to maintaining one’s health late into
life is to participate in health screenings that can identify
potential problems in the earliest, and most treatable, stages.
Seniors wishing to find out about exercise, nutrition or health
screening services are encouraged to call the NJEASE at
1-877-222-3737. This information and referral service helps connect
seniors and their caregivers to vital federal, state and local
programs and services.
For Those Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease or
Children with Autism Who Wander
Personal Safety Tracking Device
Project
Lifesaver’s mission is to use state of the art technology to find
people with Alzheimer’s disease, other memory disorders (such as
dementia), or Autistic children who are prone to wander.
A lost person with
Alzheimer’s disease, other memory disorders, or Autistic child
represents a critical emergency. They are often unaware of their
situation. They may not call out for help and sometimes do not
respond to people calling out to them.
If a Project
Lifesaver participant is found to be missing:
-
Call
local police immediately, and inform them
the missing person is equipped with a Project Lifesaver tracking
device issued by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Call
the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office at 732-577-8700.
-
Please do not call any cell phone numbers that may have been
given to you by the officers who change the batteries on the
Lifesaver units.
-
For
general information please call 732-431-6403 or 732-294-5970.
RAPID RESPONSE
v
Battery-powered bracelet
v
Weight equals one ounce
v
Emits radio-tracking signal 24 hours a
day
The
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office can respond rapidly in the event
that the wearer becomes missing. The Project Lifesaver program was
developed by the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. Hundreds
of rescues have already taken place nationwide with the use of
Project Lifesaver. The average rescue time remains under 30
minutes.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Where can I get
information?
Please call the
Monmouth County office of aging at: 732-431-7450
Or the toll free NJ Ease: 877-222-3737
How do I apply?
To obtain an
application, call the Monmouth County Office on Aging at the above
numbers and ask for an application for the Project Lifesaver
tracking bracelet for Autistic children.
How much will
it cost?
The initial cost
for the bracelet transmitter and battery is approximately $285.
There is a monthly cost of $9 for a new bracelet and battery. The
Office on Aging has some funds available for families in need who
cannot afford the cost, so do not let the cost keep you from
calling.
Who will supply
replacement batteries and bracelets?
Personnel from the
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office will visit the home once per month
to change the battery and replace the bracelet.
What happens
after I complete the application?
Please send the
completed application back to:
Monmouth County
Office on Aging
21 Main and Court Center
P.O. Box 1255
Freehold, NJ 07728
The application
will then be reviewed for eligibility by the Office on Aging and, if
eligible, forwarded to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. From
there, the Sheriff’s Office will schedule an appointment to meet
with the applicant’s family, to explain the program, install the
unit and train the family/caregiver on the use of the unit.
COOPERATION
The Monmouth
County Office on Aging is pleased to be a partner with the Sheriff’s
Office for this new Senior Safety Initiative. Project Lifesaver is
a strong addition to our County resources that meet the needs of our
senior population.
Seniors & Law
Enforcement: A perfect partnership for safe communities!
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM
For Senior
Citizens
The Monmouth County
Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved participation in a
Prescription Drug Discount Program designed to provide special
discounts on prescription drugs. The program will benefit senior
citizens and disabled citizens who are residents of Monmouth
County.
There is
an annual registration fee of $20.00. There are no income
limitations nor are there any exclusions for pre-existing
conditions. Also, there are no exclusions for participating in
other prescription programs.
Participants must enroll in the program by completing a form that
can be obtained by calling the Monmouth County Office on aging, at
the toll-free number: 1-877-222-3737. Eligible members will then
receive a personalized Monmouth County Prescription Discount
Identification Card. The Card must be presented at a pharmacy along
with all prescriptions. The discounts will be applied
automatically. Eligible members of the Prescription Drug Discount
Program will receive discounts on both brand name products and
generic drugs, as well. Savings can amount from 10% to 50%.
The
Prescription Drug Discount Program is neither a managed care program
nor an insurance program. Membership gives one access to
approximately 55,000 chain and independent pharmacies. While
enrollment forms can be obtained through the Monmouth county Office
on Aging, the completed forms must be sent, along with the
membership fee of $20.00, to GSPO Provider Services Corp., 44 West
Taylor Avenue, Hamilton, New Jersey 08610. For additional
information, please call the Office on Aging at 1-877-222-3737.
HOME REPAIR SUSPECT ~ WANTED ~ GENEVA,
NEW YORK

GUY W. PANE W/M 12/7/57
5’4”, 150 LBS, Gray hair, brown eyes
FBI 811110P3 SS 091 44 6075
NY ID NY3853873P NC ID
NC0299422A
SC ID SC00701142 CA ID
CA08083988
AKA Anthony Bertinelli,
Anthony Celestino, Frank Draffin, Anthony J. Sabatini, James
Sabatini
Pane is currently wanted in
Geneva, New York for Grand Larceny in regards to taking payments for
House Painting. Pane took the money and fled the area without
completing any work. He was last known to be in the Little Rock,
Arkansas area in late October 2006. He is also wanted for Parole
Violations and told officers that he is armed and will not be going
back to prison. He has numerous arrests throughout the United
States for fraud related activity.
PIGEON DROP SUSPECT ~ IDENTIFICATION NEEDED ~
EVESHAM TWP., NEW JERSEY

Unknown W/F 31-40 years-old, 5’7” – 5’8”,
medium build brown eyes, wearing an auburn color
wig
Information is wanted on the identity of this suspect who took
$15,000 from an elderly female in a Pigeon Drop offense in Evesham
Township, New Jersey on November 16, 2006.
In this case, the suspect approached the victim and displayed what
appeared to be a box full of currency that she claimed she just
found. As the offense progressed, the suspect called a male who she
said was the manager of a nearby bank on her cellular telephone.
The male told the victim that they could split the money but she
would have to produce $15,000 to open an account at the bank and the
two of them could split the found money. The victim withdrew
$15,000 and gave it to the suspect who left and was not seen again.
~Keeping Senior
Citizens Safe~
Holmdel Township Police Department, Traffic
Safety Unit
If you would like further
information or have any questions, you can contact Sgt. Kenneth
McGowan, Traffic Safety Officer at 732-946-9690, Extension 1731 or
at
KMcGowan@holmdelpolice.org.
Walking Tips for
Seniors
Walking may be the best fitness activity
for many seniors given the relatively low physical risks and the
enormous long-term health benefits. Two major long-term studies
confirmed the beneficial effects of regular walking on a person’s
overall health and well-being.
One study revealed that regular walking lowered the risk of
death from cancer and cardiovascular disease and – in general
prolonged life. The second study found that taking brisk half-hour
walks just six times a month appeared to cut the risk of death by 44
percent, and even occasional exercisers were 30 percent less likely
to die than sedentary folks.
In addition to the long-term benefit of prolonging life,
seniors can experience many short-term benefits from walking.
Walking controls weight, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
A brisk walk can burn up to 100 calories per mile or 300 calories
per hour. Walking is the perfect complement to a sensible diet to
lose weight and keep it off.
Walking improves cardiovascular fitness and circulation
getting the heart to beat faster to transport oxygen-rich blood from
the lungs to the muscles.
Walking facilitates medical rehabilitation and recovery from
many ailments, including heart attack.
Walking generates a sense of well being, and can relieve
depression, anxiety and stress by naturally producing endorphin, the
body’s natural tranquilizer.
Warm up and cool down – Stretching improves circulation, it
also helps alleviate any muscle stiffness and prevents future muscle
strain. As a result, you can walk farther, longer and injury free.
Choose proper footgear – Buying shoes is the only real
expenditure necessary for walking, so don’t cut corners on your shoe
budget; treat your feet well!
Walk on soft ground paths – With age, the natural shock
absorbers in your feet deteriorate, as does bone density,
particularly in women. These factors combined make seniors prone to
stress fractures. Softer ground is more foot friendly, producing
less shock than harder surfaces.
v
Avoid
walking in cold weather. Cold weather causes numbness, limiting
your ability to detect trauma or wounds to the feet. It also makes
surfaces harder, exerting undue shock on the feet and ankles. Head
to the local mall or walk at an indoor track or exercise facility.
v
Set
appropriate and realistic goals and pace yourself, pay attention to
what your body, including your feet, tells you. Drink fluids on hot
days to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
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