Do you remember when gay meant happy? Now it has a completely different connotation. When something went well you were pleased as punch, or even happy as a clam at high tide.

A person who was astonished was likely to exclaim sakes alive. What about the term lands-a-goshen? Gee-whiz, that goes way back. Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.

Make no bones about it, people use profanity much more these days. When angry or frustrated, folks used to utter dagnabit, jeepers, cripes or for pete’s sake.

Someone who was off their rocker was mad as a hatter, not playing with a full deck, a complete numskull and ready for the funny farm. On the other hand, you could be sharp as a tack.

Mum’s the word. Keep it close to your chest. Hearing a doozy straight from the horse’s mouth may put you in such a tizzy that you let the cat out of the bag. A cock-and-bull story is likely to spread like wildfire. Better to let sleeping dogs lie than entice people to pick up their ears. Gossip is usually full of malarkey.

A wiseguy was called a smart aleck or smarty-pants. A good-looking guy was a dream boat. A gal was called a dish. She could be persnickety and still keep her dance card full, staying out on a Saturday night until the cows came home.

If you had the Midas touch your money could help you live high on the hog and buy something for an arm and a leg. Hard workers would get it by hook or by crook or just make it by the skin of their teeth.

When manna from heaven falls, you are in like Flynn. But a fool and his money are soon parted when falling for a pig in a poke. It doesn’t matter whether hoisted by your own petard or you can pass the buck. Golly, it’s hard to keep your chin up when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Does anybody get lumbago anymore? Of course they do. This is an old-fashioned term for lower back pain. I bet it was harder to find a chiropractor back in the olden days. Scrivener’s palsy might be a thing of the past. After all, who uses a feather pen and ink well anymore? BlackBerry thumb is more common these days.

It just goes to show you, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Stay cool, and don’t be a fuddy duddy.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

Raised-bed gardening.

Planters are raised to a height so that someone in a wheelchair can easily reach them. This can provide easy outdoor activities all Spring, Summer, and Fall, even for the elderly who require senior care.

Local Trips

Most malls, fairgrounds, farmers’ markets and other places now have wheelchairs or scooters you can rent for the day if necessary.

Local State Park with a Lake

Fish from a handicap ramp or pier. Eat hot dogs and hamburgers cooked on a grill.

Call ahead and talk to the park employees. They can tell you where the wheelchair accessible area of the park is. Reserve it in advance.

Easy Projects

You can find tons of easy crafts for seniors for the aging parent who is creative. There are websites everywhere that give directions for crafts that older seniors can do.

Those who have a difficult time holding things with their hands might do best with crafts that use large pieces or where painting is the main activity.

What about the Wii?

You may have heard your own children or grandchildren talking about the new game called Wii. This is a device that mimics a sport, such as bowling, tennis, etc., without actually using the sport’s equipment. They’re fun and good for keeping fit in any age.

Have a Singer in the Family?

Many towns have senior clubs, senior centers and gatherings…some of them include senior groups who get together just to sing!

Summary

Even though your aging parents may need senior care, keeping them active physically and mentally is really important for quality of life. Anyone in the home who is providing senior care on a regular basis can easily incorporate a few of these activities into their weekly schedule.

What kinds of activities can you think of that are appropriate for aging adults who are requiring senior care?

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

View it here:

Regards,

See our client samples: http://MySeniorService.com
Register for our webinars and marketing videos: http://LTCSocialMark.com

(February 2012) LTC Expert Publications is proud to announce the launch of a proprietary customer service and communications portal for many of LTCEP's larger clients. This portal allows clients to instantly see how their websites rank for certain keyword phrases, all of their social media, blog post and video content, leads and much more.

Roland Lacey, an SEO expert and programmer with many years of experience was instrumental in building the proprietary portal for LTCEP. The information provided to clients is accessible 24/7 and gives them the ability to use one username and password to access almost all of their accounts.

LTCEP is now the only elder care and senior service marketing company providing this level of instant access and unsurpassed communication for clients.

"We've always known that being able to see results instantly and to calculate ROI is a high priority for our clients. The addition of this portal allows this to happen 24/7. We also use this portal to provide access to educational videos, webinar replays, and tutorials on blogging and more. It's totally comprehensive and we are proud to provide this level of support." says Valerie VanBooven RN BSN Co-Owner of LTCEP.

George Novoson, Co-Owner of LTCEP adds, "The way businesses handle customer service has changed dramatically over the last few years. In order to meet the needs and demands of business owners, this is one step that we knew would be essential for our customers and provide the best service possible, 24/7."

The new Client Communications Center will allow LTCEP clients to do all of the following:

·         Easily track search rankings over time for greater insight into how their ongoing SEO efforts impact keyword positions across major search engines. All without downloading, installing or updating any SEO software.

• Web Rankings Overview

• Are they on the first page of Google for any of their keyword phrases? They can find out! One look through the report overview lets them quickly identify major successes, key trouble spots and the latest trends and changes in their search engine rankings and keyword positions.

•  Watch individual keyword performance fluctuate over time, and check each URL to see where it ranks for specific search terms. Filter by position or search engine, and sort by gains, losses or rank.

• Our portal runs the queries for them without risk to their own local IP address.
  

• Scheduled reports to automatically get the updated data on the first and fifteenth of the month.

• They can see who their competitors are and how they compare. The Reporter identifies their top competitors so they can track their search rankings alongside their own.

•  Download reports to PDF for sharing with clients, colleagues and supervisors. Export data to XML or CSV files to use in spreadsheets or add to their records.

• See the exact traffic to their website over the last 60 days, and even as recently as today.
• Learn the exact keyword phrase that the visitor typed in to find their website, and exactly what page they visited.
• See their lead reports instantly.

•  Log into their own trackable number account to instantly see the number of calls generated by their online marketing efforts. Here the recordings. Note leads vs employment calls etc.

• All social media accounts are listed with usernames and passwords and are instantly accessible from the new portal. This includes Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and more.

• ·         Wondering when their last blog post went up or what it said? Instantly see all of their latest blog posts and content.

For More Information about LTC Expert Publications and their Customer Communications Center for clients, visit them online at www.LTCSocialMark.com or call 888-404-1513.

Regards,

See our client samples: http://MySeniorService.com
Register for our webinars and marketing videos: http://LTCSocialMark.com

UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF ELDER CARE SERVICES:

According to the MetLife Mature Market Annual Survey on the Cost of Care in the United States, the findings look like this:
• The national average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home rose 4.4% from $229 in 2010 to $239 in 2011.
• The national average monthly base rate in an assisted living community rose 5.6% from $3,293 in 2010 to $3,477 in 2011.
• The national average daily rate for adult day services rose 4.5% from $67 in 2010 to $70 in 2011.
• The national average hourly rates for home health aides ($21) and homemakers ($19) were unchanged from 2010.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST YOUR FAMILY?

The very best way to know specifically how much home care services will cost is to seek advice from one of our professionals. All together you can come up with a plan of care and a number of hours that are not only cost-effective, but keep your aging loved one safe and in their own home.

Ask about options like The VA AID and ATTENDANCE PENSION BENEFIT, Reverse Mortgages, Life Settlements, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Chances are that one of those programs may be able to help with the cost.

HOW SOON CAN HOME CARE SERVICES START?

As soon as today in most cases. The start date is up to you, but our team is dedicated to getting a caregiver in your home as soon as you need them.

Contact us today: 888-404-1513

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

If you use a friend or family member providing In-home care for a loved one, you should really look into acquiring her a special treat for Valentine’s Day. In-home caregivers allow clients to delight in cheerful, healthier lives in the coziness of their own property. While they offer amazing handling to your loved ones, the holidays are the best time frame to point to how exceptional they are by showering them with a range of gift ideas to express how much they are valued.

Massage
Get a gift certificate for a massage for your caregiver. Thirty minute and Sixty minute massages are being offered to decrease strain, anxiety and problems. Seek out local massage parlors in your vicinity and find a respected place to send the caregiver. A fantastic intensive, hands-on massage could possibly motivate them to make it portion of their regular monthly habit.

Gift Basket
You can buy pre-packed gift baskets at a number of retailers, on the internet and florists. If you know the caregiver, you can build the basket yourself by including some of her favorite things. For example, if you know she likes to garden, pack the basket with small garden tools, packages of flower seeds and a flowerpot. If the caregiver is a male, fill the basket with sports-themed objects and a gift certificate for a round of golf.

Gift Certificates
Give the caregiver a Valentine’s Day card along with a gift certificate to eat or to the movie theater. Try to discover some of the caregiver’s favorite restaurants and get a certificate to that distinct place. Order movies tickets online so they will not become expired and the caregiver can use them at anytime.

Spa Treatments
Women caregivers will appreciate a spa day or spa treatments. Present her a gift certificate to a neighborhood spa. Several spas provide you with half day and full day offerings. Another notion is to get a gift certificate to a nearby nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. This helps the caregiver to spend time on herself and relax.

Tea or Coffee
If the caregiver enjoys tea or coffee, make a special gift to give them on Valentine’s Day. Fill huge coffee mugs with a variety of coffee and a gift card to a local coffee shop. For a tea lover, fill sizeable glasses with different bags and boxes of tea.

Overview
In-home care takes an extraordinary person with a lot of patience. Show your caregiver how much you care about the things they do for you or your loved one by giving them a special gift on Valentine’s Day.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

This list is not intended to all inclusive and your doctor should be consulted about the various screenings that pertain to you and any health condition you may have.

Influenza vaccination for the elderly is recommended each year. Annual vaccinations are necessary because the virus changes each year.

Pneumonia can be a serious condition and can even lead to death. Did you know there are more than 80 different pneumonia bacteria? Twenty-three are covered by the current vaccination. The vaccine stimulates the body’s normal immune system, thereby producing antibodies that fight the pneumonia bacteria. This vaccine does not protect you from pneumonia caused by microbes other than pneumoccous bacteria.

Colon cancer screenings are recommended for those 50 and older. Those in a high-risk group who have had family members with colon cancer need to start earlier.

Friday is Go Red for Women day. Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power women have to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke. The event is designed to raise awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Women are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their family health history to determine appropriate medical tests and strategies for managing risks.

Mammogram recommendations have changed. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms for women 50 to 74 every other year. It says women and their doctors should discuss the benefits and risks of mammograms beginning at age 40. The findings don’t apply to high-risk patients, such as those with a family history of breast cancer.

Prostate cancer screenings can be done with an annual rectal exam and a prostate-sensitive antigen blood test. This screening is recommended for men 50 and older.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and there are more than 1 million new cases each year. From the very least to the most dangerous they are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma first stage called actinic keratosis and melanoma. Those who have had long-term exposure to the sun should be checked annually by a dermatologist.

Osteoporosis is a disease where your bones become less dense, increasing the possibility of bone fractures. Osteoporosis or low bone mass affects an estimated 44 million Americans, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women are four times likely to develop this disease than men. Postmenopausal women should have a bone density test and follow up at intervals according to their doctor’s recommendation.

Blood testing can reveal conditions including diabetes, liver disease, cholesterol and thyroid issues, just to name a few. Your doctor will start by following general maintenance guidelines as well as creating an individualized plan based on your family medical history.

No one wants to get bad news, but avoiding medical tests doesn’t mean problems will go away. In fact, delaying testing only serves to delay treatment. Early detection and early treatment are your best defenses in effectively managing a health condition.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com