Category: Technology, Equipment, and Devices

What Happens to Your Digital Assets When you Become Incapacitated or Die?

Post by Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

What do I mean by the term “digital assets?”  This term includes any assets in a computer-readable format and stored on a computer, server, or other electronic device.  Examples include websites:  Facebook, iTunes, Twitter, Flickr and similar accounts; documents and other information saved in the “cloud;” and bank, investment and other accounts accessed over the Web.

At this time, most people have no planning in place for what happens to these digital assets when they become incapacitated or die.  Currently, Oregon, like most other states, has no law in place that gives fiduciaries (trustees, conservators, or personal representatives) access to these digital assets.  I serve on a committee of lawyers that has developed a legislative proposal to pass a law that gives fiduciaries access to digital assets.  However, the process is complicated by the user agreements that a person electronically approves when the person opens one of these accounts.  You know, the window that pops up displaying the user agreement that you automatically click the “I Agree” button on without reading the agreement?

The story of Oregon Mom, Karen Williams, illustrates the problem of accessing digital assets after a death.  When her son died in a motorcycle accident in 2005, she found his password and emailed Facebook, requesting that the administrators maintain his account so that she could read his posts and comments by his friends.  Within two hours, Facebook had blocked his account.  After a two-year legal battle, Williams finally gained access to her son’s account.

Other reasons a fiduciary may want to gain access to an account include the removal of hateful or distressing comments that may be posted (this has been a problem on Facebook memorial accounts for deceased police officers) or a conservator for an incapacitated person may need to gain access to accounts in order to determine whether the person has been financially abused.

At this time, the legal authority of a fiduciary to gain access to these digital assets is far from certain.  In fact, state law makes it a criminal offense to access the computer accounts of another person.  I invite you to think about what you would like to have happen to your digital assets when you die.  I will keep you posted on the progress of the legislative proposal in future posts.

Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, Draneas & Huglin, P.C., 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR,
(503) 496-5509, stephanie@draneaslaw.com, www.pegasusfiduciary.com

 

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2 Comments by jeanblackburn on April 4, 2012
filed in Elder Law, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues, Senior Resource Alliance NW, Technology, Equipment, and Devices, Uncategorized

Age in Place with Home Instead Senior Care – Beaverton Valley Times

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

Many of us are remodeling to age in place

Start with a safety assessment by a Home Instead caregiver

BY BY POLINA OLSEN

The Times, Nov 10, 2011

(news photo)

Nancy Watts and her dog Cruiser show off a set of wheelchair-friendly French doors that replaced single doors in her Beaverton home.

 

Nancy and Ivan Watts always said there’s no place like home.

That’s why moving to their one-level Beaverton house and remodeling for aging-in-place made sense. Experience with Ivan Watt’s elderly parents gave them insight. They started long before necessity dictated. Now both partially disabled, they find their comfortable home ready for them.

According to daughter Lynnae Rhoades, manager of Washington County Home Instead Senior Care, more than 90 percent of seniors want to remain at home. She helps people like her parents every day.

“If you let it go, you’ll get into an emergency situation and a fire drill,” she warned. “But, if you think ahead, you’ll have perspective and control.”

Control starts with a safety assessment by a Home Instead caregiver, Rhoades said. They look for trip hazards, like throw rugs and places where grab bars can help.

“We make it clear that grab bars should be installed by a professional. They need to be in the wall with studs. Seniors can rent or build a wheelchair ramp.

Rhoades believes falls are the greatest hazard. Often the elderly misjudge small things, like picking up their dog. Surprisingly, she finds they seldom fall down stairs.

“You’re taught since you were little that stairs are dangerous, and banisters are professionally installed,” she said. “But people don’t want to rearrange furniture, don’t want to use walkers, or don’t want to give up those throw rugs, and they end up falling. Bathtubs are the biggest problem. It gets unstable to stand on one foot to lift the other. Sometimes people get in the bathtub and can’t get out. They pull the towel rack off the wall because that’s how they usually support themselves. If they don’t have a medical alert or cell phone, they’re stuck until someone finds them.”

Rhoades’ advice is simple: “Don’t skimp on safety measures. Some people have the urge to do things partially. If you want to stay at home, plan and budget for each project, and have it completed well. Make sure grab bars are secure and doors are wide enough. There’s lift chairs, several kinds of walkers, you can look at putting railings on your bed. Both from studying research and knowing seniors, I can say they thrive and are much happier in their homes.”

Her mother, Nancy Watts, agrees. “Most things were not expensive,” she said. With Rhoades’ help, she and husband Ivan doubled door width by replacing single doors with attractive French doors. They removed the kitchen island so a wheelchair can pass and converted a little-used breakfast nook into a pantry complete with pullout shelves.

“Fortunately, the hall already was wide enough,” Watts said. They replaced the tub with a walk-in shower complete with a bench. A low toilet makes transfer easy.

The bedroom was also setup for the family. Sliding glass doors open to a hot tub complete with grab bars and lifts. The king-size hospital bed features separate controls on each side so one person can sit while the other lies flat. Even miniature pinchers Penny and Cruiser are set to age in place. A doggy staircase from the pet store makes it easy for them to climb up and cuddle on the bed.

 
TIPS FOR AN AGING-IN-PLACE REMODEL

1. Have grab bars professionally installed.

2. Remove throw rugs or choose models with non-slip backs.

3. Watch out for floor surfaces. Make sure carpet is low pile and tiles are non-slip.

4. Cover stairs with rough material. A light strip along each edge helps you see where each stair ends.

5. Replace the bathtub with a walk-in shower with a bench inside. Or install a bathtub slide board.

6. Don’t use ladders or stepstools.

7. Do use a grabber to reach lightweight objects on high shelves.

8. Keep it light: Think about installing motion sensor lights, and make sure the path from your garage to the house is well illuminated.

9. Pullout storage means no more crawling into cabinets.

10. Lever style handles on your doors and faucets may be easier to manage than knobs.

11. Have someone regularly check on you.

12. Use a medical alert service or carry a cell phone at all times. Remember, you designate whom the service calls first. The service will try a family member or neighbor before calling an ambulance, if you prefer.

13. Make sure your contractor is a certified aging-in-place specialist.

 

(For more information, or to find a certified aging in place specialist, visit portlandonline.com, type aging-in-place in the upper right corner search box, click the right arrow and then select Aging-In-Place Tools. Contact Washington County Home Instead Senior Care at 503-530-1527 or www.homeinstead.com/606.)

 

1 Comment by Mike Brunt on November 11, 2011
filed in Aging In Place, Practical Tips and Resources, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

How To Get A More Comfortable Night’s Sleep

Blog Post by Mark Tipperreiter of Blanketbooster, Inc.



The average person spends 1/3 of their life asleep.  Shouldn’t it be the most comfortable night’s sleep possible?

That’s the question asked by Mark Tipperreiter (tipper-writer), founder of a new bed accessory company called Blanketbooster™.  The Blanketbooster is a bar that spans across the top of almost any bed, supporting bed covers above the feet like a “tent for the toes”.

“I originally designed the Blanketbooster for myself so that I could sleep more comfortably,” says Tipperreiter, ” but when a friend who got painful gout flare-ups at night asked me how he could get one for himself I knew we had something special.”

That singular event was the catalyst which led to the discovery that people who have injuries and diseases affecting the lower body often suffer from a lack of quality sleep.  Examples of injuries include breaks, twists, strains and sprains.  Examples of diseases include diabetic neuropathy, arthritis, poor circulation, tendonitis, fibromyalgia and plantar fasciitis.

Users of the Blanketbooster report increased bedtime comfort and decreased pain, which has resulted in a higher quality of life for those users.

You can learn more on the Blanketbooster website.

Relieving the uncomfortable pressure of bed covers on the feet is one of the most important steps someone can take, and Tipperreiter also offers these 9 additional tips to help you get a good night’s sleep from the Borgess Sleep Disorder Center:

http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/10/how_to_sleep_9_tips_to_help_yo.html

And if you’re looking for a local specialty care sleep resource in the Portland area, consider the Portland Clinic’s Sleep Center:

http://www.theportlandclinic.com/specialties/sleep-center

 

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No Comments by Mike Brunt on October 25, 2011
filed in Technology, Equipment, and Devices

Care Transitions Program Extended Through End of Year

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

 

I’m pleased to announce that Home Instead Senior Care and Lifeline have extended the special “Hospital to Home” promotion through the end of the year. For only $99, this program offers 4 hours of caregiving to get the client home and settled and then includes a month of Lifeline (Personal Emergency Response System) with free activation.

See previous announcement for more details.

 

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No Comments by Mike Brunt on October 24, 2011
filed in Practical Tips and Resources, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

A Senior Safe Home for the Holidays

Post by Barbara Murphy

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

As you plan for your family gatherings this year, give some thought to how easy (or difficult) it is for everyone to enter and navigate around your home.  Has your brother-in-law with the trick knee been having a hard time with the front steps?  Remember the difficulty Grandma had using the bathroom last year?

This may be a good time to consider a safety assessment of your home.

Start at the entry.  Would a handrail make  your porch easier to reach?  Is the
door sill a trip hazard?

Go through each room and notice the other hazards.  Throw rugs and extension cords can be difficult for some people to step over.  Check the transitions between different floor coverings.

Are your door knobs and faucets easy to grip?  Lever handles on doors and faucets  make them much easier for everyone to use.

Should you add a grab bar or two in the bathroom?  If some of your guests will be staying overnight, they may need some extra help navigating the tub or shower.

If one of the gatherings is at the home of one of your older family members, take note of how easily they are getting around in their home.  This is a good time to assess their home as well.

Just a few minor professionally installed additions could make your home safer and help to make your holiday season even more enjoyable for all of your friends and family.

Barbara Murphy, CKD, CBD, CGR, CAPS, Designer/Consultant,
Neil Kelly Designers/Remodelers, Home Repair, New Homes,
15573 S.W. Bangy Road, Suite 100, Lake Oswego, OR  97035
Direct Line:  503.335.9296; Fax:  503.443.2170

 

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No Comments by conniemulligan on October 20, 2011
filed in Aging In Place, Family Caregivers, Practical Tips and Resources, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

The Future of Technology in Senior Care by Intel and GE

The Future of Technology in Senior Care

Byline: Shannon McIntyre, Communications Manager, Intel-GE Care Innovations™

 

Today, we stand at the precipice of opportunity.  We have spent centuries treating people’s health only at times of crisis, relying exclusively on hospitals and clinics to manage care, excluding family caregivers from the heart of healthcare coordination where they belong.  We have ignored the importance that wellness and social connectivity can play in keeping a population healthy and happy.  We have denied the role that homes and communities can – and should – play in our overall healthcare system.

 

There are numerous studies out there that reveal the importance of keeping older adults connected with friends and loved ones.  According to the Public Library of Science Medicine, loneliness, as a health risk factor, is twice as detrimental as being obese, and equal to the risk of smoking cigarettes and alcoholism.[1] Less frequent participation in social activities is associated with a more rapid rate of motor decline in old age.[2] And over an average of five years, seniors who were the most socially active experienced only one-fourth the rate of cognitive decline compared to those with the lowest levels of social activity.[3]

 

Technology should be harnessed to give people confidence to live independently, wherever they want to call home.  It has the potential to connect millions of people and build relationships that never could have been made before.  We see this already through well-established technology systems such as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Twitter, and dozens more – yet little emphasis has been made on how similar programs can help seniors overcome the loneliness and isolation that so many of them experience.

 

One example of a solution that was developed specifically to address this need is Intel-GE Care Innovations™ Connect, a new solution from the joint venture between GE and Intel Corporation.  Care Innovations™ Connect is a new wellness communications tool and social networking hub designed to address social isolation in older adults.  It includes an easy-to-use digital device for the senior’s residence that offers wellness surveys that communicate back to professional caregivers, brain fitness games (e.g. trivia game, card matching game), medication compliance reminders, residential community information, and simple social networking tools.

 

Connect is based on a decade of senior focused research and has been rigorously user tested with seniors and caregivers.  For seniors, personalization, a friendly touch screen with large icons and text helps them quickly integrate Connect into their daily routines.  The system also includes an online interface for the professional caregiver to securely access their residents’ wellness data, enabling them to respond immediately to issues.

 

Care Innovations also offers a variety of other tools to help seniors live independently: the Care Innovations™ Guide, a next-generation remote health management solution that connects patients and healthcare professionals; GE QuietCare®, an advanced motion sensor technology that learns the daily living patterns of senior community residents; and the Intel® Reader, a mobile device that transforms printed text to the spoken word for those with reading-based disabilities or impaired vision.

 

At the heart of all these initiatives is the importance of supporting a spectrum of healthy living from wellness and independence on-the-go to managing serious chronic illnesses.  Aging must be viewed in a more positive light, and we have the responsibility to support new innovations and solutions that can help support these great generations.

 

Copyright ©2011 Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC. All rights reserved.  Care Innovations and the Care Innovations logo are trademarks of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC in the United States and other countries. QuietCare is a registered trademark of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC.  Intel and the Intel corporate logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries, used under license.  GE and the GE Monogram are trademarks of General Electric Company in the United States and other countries, used under license.  *All other third-party trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.  Any use of the trademarks of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC (and its related companies) is prohibited without express written permission.

[3] Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (http://tinyurl.com/3szfzkr)

 

No Comments by Mike Brunt on August 23, 2011
filed in Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Isolation and Depression, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren – Conference May 20

Blog Post by Deborah Letourneau
Program Coordinator - Washington County Department of Aging and Veteran Services

Dear Colleagues and Community Partners:
 
Please help to spread the word about the Third Annual Washington Co. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference. This is an important opportunity for those who are parenting the second time around to meet one another and share a day of fun and learning.
 
The event is co-sponsored by WCDAVS Family Caregiver Support Program and the Washington Co. Commission on Children and Families.
 
We have taken seriously past requests for an event for Latino grandparents, and for the first time presentations will be offered in separate English and Spanish sessions.  English and Spanish flyers are attached along with speaker information.
 
DATE:  Friday, May 20th, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:  the former Hillsboro PCC Center, 102 SW Washington St., Hillsboro
TO REGISTER:  Grandparents should call 503-846-3089 to save their space!
 
Printable Event Flyer
 
Thank you,
 
Deborah Letourneau
Program Coordinator
WCDAVS
503-846-3083
deborah_letourneau@co.washington.or.us

No Comments by Mike Brunt on April 5, 2011
filed in Family Caregivers, Legislative and Political Issues, Practical Tips and Resources, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

The Age Lab at M.I.T.

Blog Post by Mike Brunt
Content from New York Times Video Article

The AgeLab at M.I.T. is partnering with businesses to develop new technologies geared toward helping seniors stay healthy, active and independent.

I really like the part of this video where they demonstrate the Age Gain Now Empathy System (AGNES). Its purpose is to simulate the mobility challenges and sensory deficits many seniors live with every day.

age gain now empathy system - agnes

Link to Full Article

No Comments by Mike Brunt on February 17, 2011
filed in Baby Boomer Age Wave, Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

New Cell Phone for Seniors with Emergency Response Button

Content from Ruth Peñafiel, Public Relations Associate, Just5

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

New Mobile Phones Help Save Lives With Innovative Emergency Response Function
Ideal for seniors, people with sight and hearing loss or other medical condition, and children

Las Vegas, NV – July 15, 2010 – In December 2009, a woman in her 50s was walking home on a dark, icy road, slipped and injured herself and was not able to get up. On a cold night, no one was around to help. Fortunately, she owned a phone with an easily accessible emergency SOS button, which she pressed. The woman’s daughter received an emergency text message, followed by a phone call. The daughter came to her mother’s aid and eventually called an ambulance.

According to Alex Petrov, vice president of operations for Just5, a global provider of mobile phones that are designed for optimal ease of use, reliability and emergency response, the company’s phones are designed exactly for these types of emergency situations. “Sadly, these types of urgent situations occur every day, and our phones are meant to provide the same type of emergency ‘safety net’ that is found with emergency onboard systems in cars,” said Petrov. “Once users press the SOS button, even if they drop the phone, the process of connecting with help happens automatically.”

For emergency situations, users can preset up to five phone numbers for 911, family, friends, doctors, etc.  When users press the emergency SOS button, the phone will text an urgent message (e.g. “I’m having an emergency, please answer”) to these five numbers, then dial them in prioritized order.  When dialing, the phone will sound a loud siren to attract the attention of others.  Once someone answers a call, the phone automatically switches to loud speaker mode for easier communications.

Petrov cites a customer testimonial regarding the value of the Just5 phones for people coping with eyesight or hearing problems: “My Mom is almost blind, and we were looking for the phone that she can use for a while. We decided to try a Just5 phone and ordered one. The speaking keypad option is really helpful for her. Now she can call me when she needs me!”

“The phones are ideal for senior citizens who have limited or no mobility, those who suffer from hearing or eyesight loss and children as a ‘starter’ phone or for specific instances when they are away from their parents,” added Petrov. “Our phones have proven very valuable to put the minds of children with elderly parents at ease.”

About Just5
Just5 is a global provider of mobile phones that are designed for optimal ease of use, reliability and emergency response, offering basic features that are ideal for seniors, people with poor eyesight or hearing problems, people with medical conditions that require constant care and children who need a “starter phone.” Features include large buttons, a high-volume speaker for amplified sound, a long-lasting battery for reliability, and an emergency SOS button. Just5’s unlocked GSM 850/1900 band phones enable users to connect with any U.S. or Canadian GSM service provider. For more information, visit www.just5.com.

1 Comment by Mike Brunt on January 17, 2011
filed in Practical Tips and Resources, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

Home Safety for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Other Types of Dementia

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

Last month, a friend referred me to a web site with information and products to enhance the safety and comfort for people with dementia who are still living at home.

http://www.thiscaringhome.org/

My interest was piqued since a good number of my in-home care clients suffer from Alzheimer’s or other dementing illnesses. One of the main questions families have is how to make home a safe place when the aging loved one can’t be relied upon to exercise caution and good judgment.

Dementia victims also often suffer from anxiety and fears that rob them of peace of mind and can contribute to other problems with their physical and mental health (blood pressure, heart issues, depression). I’ve observed that with dementia clients, one of the main goals is to prevent emotional escalations through distraction, re-direction, and also practical tools.

This web site, www.thiscaringhome.org, is full of practical tools to help dementia clients (and their family or professional caregivers) get through the day more easily.

Here are a few of my favorite finds from the site:

  • Bathing Outfit
    • This bathing outfit can restore dignity to the bathing experience while reducing agitation. This special waterproof bathing outfit has a wrap-around skirt and a bib-like top with a Velcro closure. The garment remains on during washing, while you, the caregiver, and the person, wash around and under it. Price is $30 for women and $20 for men.
  • Quilted, Machine-Washable Seat Pads
    • These quilted waterproof pads are made out of nylon and polyester and have a vinyl waterproof backing. Machine washable.May reduce embarrassment and shame that often occurs when regular incontinence pads are used. Available in several colors. This gives you more options to choose a color that also contrasts with the floor color. This make’s the seat more visible to people with dementia, as many have problems with depth perception. Price is $20
  • 5 Common Environmental Triggers for Agitation
    • People with dementia are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. But not everyone is bothered by the same stimuli or events, so the first step is to find out what’s upsetting the person you care for. The next time the person is agitated, take a look at or think back to exactly what happened just before they got agitated. Then you can remove or change the trigger(s) and the associated agitation. You’ll both experience less stress and, hopefully, a calmer day. Here are five common environmental triggers known to cause agitation in persons with dementia… 

 

The site also has tips from experts such as “Sometimes it’s small things, like a grandchild giving a safety product as a gift, that makes all the difference in how well a product is received.”

As a final note, I think this is a great resource that I think will come in handy for anyone working with senior loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementing illnesses.

If you have found other products or tips that were effective for dementia care at home, please comment on this blog post.

2 Comments by Mike Brunt on August 31, 2010
filed in Aging In Place, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Family Caregivers, Technology, Equipment, and Devices
At Home Instead Senior Care, we provide non-medical services to senior citizens in their own homes or apartments. Our services include companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, escorting to appointments, personal care, and dementia care. We help seniors maintain their independence and help them stay safe, healthy, and happy at home, wherever home may be.

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