Medicine can be a safety hazard if not properly disposed.  Each year, thousands of tons of pharmaceuticals and personal care products enter the waste stream either through residential landfills or sanitary sewer systems.  Recent studies have shown that many of these substances are surviving water treatment facilities and making their way into drinking water.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended the use of pharmaceutical take-back programs to dispose of unwanted medications.  This new initiative is designed to give residents the chance to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medicines.

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control, the Cook County Bureau of Health Services and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with the Village of La Grange are sponsoring a drop off program for the safe disposal of medications on:

Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lyons

100 S. Brainard Avenue

North Campus Parking Lot west of the Vaughan Building

La Grange

DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS

• Bring only medication items from private households - NOT medications from businesses or doctors’ offices.
• Use a permanent marker to black out your name or personal information on the prescription label.
• Take medications to collection site ONLY during the drop-off site’s open hours of operation.
• Please follow directions at the drop-off site carefully.  Only give medications to personnel of the drop-off site.
• This is NOT a share or reuse opportunity.  All medications received will be destroyed in an environmentally responsible manner.

ACCEPTABLE ITEMS (Expired or unwanted medications)

• Prescription medications
• Over-the counter medications
• Medicated ointments
• Medicated shampoos
• Liquids containing medications
• Prescription inhalers
• Over-the counter inhalers
• Glass thermometers containing mercury
• Sharps/needles
• Medical devices containing mercury (blood pressure units, barometers, etc.)

UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS

• DEA-controlled substances, including narcotic medications and illegal drugs
• Biohazardous materials
• Radioactive materials
• Other household wastes

All medications received will be destroyed in an environmentally responsible manner by a certified IEPA hauler.  For more information please contact the Cook County Department of Environmental Control at (312) 603-8217 or rakers@cookcountygov.com.

Information provided by Village of LaGrange

There are over five million Americans age 65 and older that are blind or visually impaired.  A yearly visit to the doctor is highly recommended for early detection and prevention of eye diseases because neglect may result in permanent vision loss.  As a caregiver you can help your loved ones get around by just doing the littlest things that we tend to take for granted.

• Paint doorway trims and steps or stairs in bright colors.  Bright colors are easier to see than lighter ones.  If painting isn’t an option use colorful tape around the edges.
• Place extra light in hallways, stairs, reading areas or wherever you think it’s necessary.  Make sure to also distribute light evenly throughout the home as old eyes lose capacity to refocus when they shift from bright areas to dark areas.  Seniors need three times more light to see clearly than younger people.  If necessary increase bulb wattage if things don’t improve.
• Use nightlights generously as another added safety.
• Make lights in rooms accessible.  The last thing you want to happen is your loved one to get hurt because they couldn’t reach the switch.

Following some of these guidelines will not only help your loved ones but will make things a little worry free for the caregiver.

When going on trips most families don’t make a big deal bringing things that they know they will need.  The things that we lug around simply just comes with the territory.  So when traveling with an elder, especially a frail older adult, the following are ideas to make outings go more smoothly. 

• Plan what items you’ll need to keep your elder comfortable while you’re out.  Anticipate that anything can happen so make things easier by bringing their medications, pillows or snacks.
• Know your loved ones limitations and your own. Seniors get tired easily and quickly.  
• Call ahead to your destination to ask about accessibility.
• Create excitement and talk to them about the trip. Show them videos or brochures so that they are looking forward to the trip. Seniors don’t like change, the more familiar they are to a place the better.
• Invite a person to go along.  If there are things that come up you will have someone to help you.
• Don’t push to travel.  Seniors change their minds quite often. Unfamiliar places may trigger fear, anxiety and confusion in elders with severe memory loss.
• Return to places that you have had successful trips.

Information provided by Rachel Zukerman

Elder abuse has always been an issue but has increased over the last decades.  We can only guess at the number of elders who are being abused every year. The cases that are being reported are making a difference, it means that more people are aware of the issue.  But for every case that is reported there are many that go unreported.  Caregivers need to be diligent in their role as a caregiver. Take initiative, speak up.. so that you can take care of your client and yourself….

Ways to protect yourself from being charged with :

• Follow your client’s care plans making sure all their request and needs are met
• Report any signs of abuse or neglect immediately, if you don’t, you might be charged for neglect
• Listen to your clients carefully especially when your client is of a different culture. A slight misinterpretation might cause problems for your client’s needs. 
• Take care of yourself  and if the work becomes too much, seek help right away. You are no good to your client if you aren’t fully rested.
• Stay calm & relax. Your client is relying on you to take care of them. Take a deep breathe and count to ten. Repeat the exercise if you have to.
• Communicate with your Supervisor if you don’t feel comfortable with the task.  If you feel that you need more training tell your supervisor so that proper training can be given.
• If a client refuses to do anything i.e.  eating, bathing drinking report it to your supervisor right away.  If you don’t you might get charged for neglect abuse.
• Be professional don’t take personal issues to work
• Treat your clients with respect and kindness.  Patience goes a long way when working with a difficult client.   

Don’t forget what is important…taking care of someone is a very important job.  Your client needs you!!

Abuse is some action by a trusted individual that causes physical or emotional harm to the victim. There are a number of different kinds of abuse including physical, financial and neglect.  Emotional abuse is another kind of abuse that we hear of but don’t think it happens.  People who commit emotional abuse tend to hurt their victims on a regular basis or even daily.

What is Emotional Abuse?    

Emotional abuse is when someone causes anguish, pain or distress to another person by what they say or do.

Emotional Abuse includes:

• insults
• threats
• intimidation
• humiliation
• harassment
• treating an elderly person like a child
• keeping someone away from their family/loved ones
• giving someone “silent treatment” or ignoring them

Signs of Emotional Abuse:

• Seems to be afraid of certain caregivers or family members
• Are yelled at by family members or caregivers
• Are chastised by family members or caregivers
• Are suddenly very agitated/short tempered
• Suddenly confused or more confused than usual
• Talks about being worthless or who are very depressed
• Have trouble sleeping or  seems to never get enough sleep
• Have a sudden change in appetite
• Have big changes in their weight (up or down)
• Seems quiet or stops talking suddenly
• Cries all the time or is distraught
• Talks about being helpless
• Seems scared to talk to you about their lives or their health
• Are angry all the time  

What you can do about Emotional Abuse:

Keep a close eye on your loved ones or client. Don’t be afraid to discuss a situation that might be considered emotional abuse.  Report any suspicions to the proper authority.

Encourage open communication as you are their sounding board and rely on you to help  them.

Treat your loved ones/client with respect and be kind to them. Always treat them the way you would like to be treated.

Abuse happens in every community.  Every day there are elderly people being abused in their own homes. Physical abuse is one that is unimaginable but yet it still happens.  People who commit physical abuse are usually stressed out or have emotional problems of their own.  The abuser is usually a family member often with psychological problems.

What is physical abuse?

Physical abuse is the use of physical force that may cause injury, pain or impairment.

Physical abuse includes:

• punching, hitting, slapping or beating
• pushing or shoving
• shaking/kicking
• pinching
• burning
• using physical restraints inappropriately
• taking away all food or water or forcing food
• putting someone out unprotected in severe weather
• using physical punishment
• making inappropriate sexual contact

Signs of physical abuse:

• burn marks, including cigarette burns
• unexplained bruises especially bruises in the shape of a belt or fingers
• mutliple bruises/ black eyes 
• frequent trips to the emergency room
• cuts or scrapes
• sexual assault
• spots where hair seems to have been pulled out
• rope marks especially on wrist or ankles
• broken bones
• broken eyeglasses  
• limping  

Ways to prevent physical abuse:

• Keep a close eye on your loved one or client.  Report any suspicions of physical abuse to the proper authority.
• Discuss physical contact with your loved one what is appropriate and what some may consider it an invasion of their private space. Be understanding as it is a sensitive issue.
• Be gentle with your loved one or patient. Rushing may save you time but it doesn’t work out in the long run if your loved one or patient becomes hurt or injured.

If you suspect there is physical abuse don’t wait to report the abuse because you might think it’s not.  If it is abuse you can trully save someone’s life.  If it isn’t abuse no one will get hurt. You are looking out for that person’s best interest.

Financial Abuse is a growing concern in the senior community. In this day in age and with the economy being the way that it is people have become more desperate and have turned to other means of living.  Seniors need to be more aware of their surroundings as they are vulnerable to these types of abuse. 

What is Financial Abuse?

Financial abuse includes the theft or misuse of someone’s money by a trusted individual.  This includes the following activities

• committing fraud
• getting money by lying what is needed
• forging checks
• cashing someone else’s check without permission
• using someone’s ATM card without permission
• forcing someone to transfer property
• keeping someone away from his or her own home or money
• providing healthcare services to a patient that are not really needed

Signs of financial abuse

• Can’t pay their bills for housing, food, basic clothing or medications even though they seem like they have enough money to do so.
• Get credit card bills for stores they have never been to.
• Seem anxious about or don’t know where their money is going.
• Talk about having to give money to others.
• Have a family member who complains constantly about how much the patients care is costing.
• Have family members who appear suddenly and claim they have a right to the patient’s money.

What can you do about financial abuse?

Watch your loved ones carefully for signs of financial abuse.

Call Elder Abuse Hotline at (866)800-1409

 Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Director Charles D. Johnson today launched the fifth annual statewide “Break the Silence” campaign and announced that July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois, with a proclamation from the Governor. It is estimated as many as 80,000 older adults in Illinois are elder abuse victims each year. Elder abuse is defined as neglect, physical injury, mental, sexual, or financial exploitation to an adult 60 years of age or older.

 If you are a victim, know or suspect someone who is being victimized, pick up the phone to get them some help. No one should have to go it alone.

Signs of elder abuse:

• Untreated injuries, sprains or dislocations, scratches and cuts
• Sudden changes in behavior and/or withdrawal in social settings
• A caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors
• Dehydration, malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, untreated health problems, hazardous or unsafe living conditions
• Sudden changes in bank account or banking practices, the inclusion of additional names on a victim’s bank signature card, unauthorized withdrawal of the victim’s funds using the victim’s ATM or credit card and abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.

 If you are a victim, know or suspect someone who is being victimized, pick up the phone to get them some help. No one should have to go it alone.

 Information provided by Illinois Dept. on Aging

Backyards can be a relaxing place to stroll or enjoy the sunlight for some Alzheimer’s disease patients; however, you should ensure the area keeps to Alzheimer’s safety guidelines. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may still be able to enjoy gardening with some supervision. Alzheimer’s patients who are prone to wandering will require greater safety precautions in order to ensure they do not leave the area.

Some tips to make sure your backyard is safe for seniors.

Secure the area: Make sure the yard cannot be accessed by others and that your loved one cannot leave the area on his or her own.

Watch out for water hazards: If there is a swimming pool, build a fence that’s appropriate. Keep the gates closed at all times. Fountains and fish ponds that are being used should also be fenced up properly to prevent seniors from accidentally falling into them.

Store Garden Tools and Chemical Safely: Store garden tools and chemicals such as pesticides, paint and other poisons out of reach. If there is a garden shed, store in the shed and keep it locked at all times.

Check the plants: Remove plants that have spiky ends, thorns or are poisonous if ingested.

Watch out for uneven sidewalks: When walking make sure the sidewalks or brick path is even, any unevenness can cause accidents.

Have a covered porch or shaded area: Exposure to constant sunlight may not be good for seniors. Make sure there is an area where they can sit comfortably that is cool or in a shaded area.

Keep water or beverage nearby: Dehydration in seniors is very common, make sure there is water nearby so that seniors can be hydrated. Drink first thing in the morning and 2 hours after meals.

Remember that making your home Alzheimer’s disease friendly will require a bit of ingenuity to work for every individual.

Some information provided by Gilbert Guide.

When it’s hot out, it is important to remember to:

• Avoid long exposure to the sun
• Drink plenty of fluids (water is best)
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned or cool environment – either at home or at cooling centers (community shelters made available during heat emergencies)
• Use fans in well-ventilated areas (a fan in a closed room simply redistributes the heat)
• Have family, friends and neighbors check on Seniors regularly to see how they are withstanding the heat
• Never ignore danger signals like nausea, dizziness and fatigue. If you or anyone you know needs medical attention, call 911 immediately
• Take cool baths or showers
• Wear lightweight, light–colored clothing
• Avoid strenuous activity, especially during hottest time of the day
• Avoid heavy meals, using cooking ovens, and don’t take salt tablets unless directed by a physician
• Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows slightly open
• Keep electric lights off or turned down

During heat emergencies, communities are involved in door-to-door outreach; Senior Centers, Adult Day service sites and other familiar buildings serve as cooling centers, and information is provided on an ongoing basis through agencies serving seniors.

Cooling Center Available in La Grange

Hot weather conditions are being forecast for the next several days.  The Village, in cooperation with La Grange Memorial Hospital, is prepared to provide temporary shelter for residents in need of this service.  These conditions can be especially dangerous for older adults.

If you, a family member or a neighbor are in need of such assistance, go directly to La Grange Memorial Hospital.  Use the main emergency room entrance, ask for security, and indicate the need for the cooling center.  Hospital security will provide an escort to the center.

For additional information or emergency assistance, call the Village’s Emergency Dispatch Center at 9-1-1.

Information provided by Illinois Department on Aging & Village of LaGrange