People with Parkinson’s can have trouble speaking clearly. But simple drills can train them to talk louder to regain vocal Regina Nuzzo December 25, 2006(The Times) – Martin Romoff used to rely on his voice to make a living as a Los Angeles tire salesman. But two decades of Parkinson’s disease muffled his speech and spoiled the art of easy conversation. Even his wife, Shirley, asked him to repeat himself over and over.

Then he learned about a special kind of voice training. For four one-hour sessions over a month, Romoff worked with a speech therapist in a program designed specifically to help people with Parkinson’s disease retain — or reclaim — the clarity of their speech.

Developers of the therapy, called the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (also known as LSVT or LOUD), say that by making a healthy, intensive effort to speak more loudly, people with Parkinson’s disease can regain control of their speaking voices. Although the program is now administered in 30 countries, the neuromuscular mechanisms behind its effects are still unclear. Nor have there been state-of-the-art, double-blind controlled studies to test how well it works.

Now researchers are studying LSVT in a small clinical trial that could help pinpoint how the program’s simple drill profoundly affects the speech system.

Parkinson’s disease afflicts 500,000 to 1 million Americans, most of whom are diagnosed after age 65. The disorder involves the death of brain cells that produce the nerve chemical dopamine, which helps carry commands from the brain’s muscle-control centers.

People with Parkinson’s disease move slowly, and their arms and legs may be rigid and shaken by tremors. Less well known is that Parkinson’s can also take away patients’ normal voice because it strikes vocal cord muscles as well. Speech becomes slurred, and voices soft, hoarse or shaky.

The problem can be tremendously isolating. “One of my patients in New York would say to me, ’If I have no voice, I have no life,’ ” says Lorraine Ramig, speech science professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder and one of LSVT’s developers.

Although up to nine out of 10 of people with Parkinson’s disease have speech and voice disorders (known collectively as dysarthria), only about 4% receive any type of speech therapy. Researchers have tried nonbehavioral approaches, such as implanting collagen into vocal cords and stimulating the brain with electrodes, but nothing has proved to have lasting success. In fact, some older types of brain stimulation have been shown to make dysarthria worse, not better, says Bruce Gerratt, professor of head and neck surgery at UCLA medical school.

The LSVT program, developed at the Lee Silverman Center for Parkinson’s Disease in Arizona, uses exercises that focus on a single, simple goal: producing a healthy, louder voice through extra effort.

“We tell people, ’Speak louder than you think you need to,’ ” says Cynthia Fox, a researcher at the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver and vice president of the LSVT Foundation.

The focus on volume is “deceptively simple, but you get a lot of bang for your buck,” says Geralyn Schulz, a speech science professor at George Washington University. “Even without a speech therapist telling you to open your mouth wider, or take a deeper breath, or move your tongue more, you automatically do those things when you speak loud.”

That is the opposite of what normally happens with Parkinson’s patients, who generally make short and small movements: Handwriting gets tiny, walking strides get shorter, and speech suffers from a lack of bigness .

Also crucial, Ramig believes, is concentrating on a single aspect of speech. This keep-it-simple approach is especially relevant for Parkinson’s patients, who often have memory and learning problems.

To explore whether volume is the key, or if other simple goals can also work, Ramig and colleagues are conducting a clinical trial in Denver. Healthy volunteers and Parkinson’s patients will undergo either LSVT training or a program that targets articulation instead. Researchers hope to enroll a total of 80 patients; results are expected next year.

Scientists also need to get a better sense of how well LSVT works. Although small studies have shown promising results, larger-scale multicenter clinical trials of the therapy are lacking, Ramig says. It’s also not clear what affects an individual’s success with the program, including factors such as the patient’s age, time since diagnosis, cognitive abilities and stage of disease.

Nor do therapists know how long the effects will last.

After Martin Romoff completed the LSVT program about three years ago, he and his wife noticed that his voice was stronger. “Speaking was easier, and people understood me better,” Romoff says.

The positive effects lasted for a while, he says, but his voice has since slipped back into old patterns.

To help Romoff and others like him, Ramig and her colleagues are experimenting with Web cams, software programs and other technology to help patients continue their practice.

Parkinson’s: A focus on big movements

Parkinson’s patients can learn to “speak loud,” but can they also learn to “move big”?

Researchers are experimenting with training patients to take big steps, make large gestures and generally exert a grand effort in all movements. The goal is to combat the characteristic slowness of Parkinson’s disease — known as bradykinesia — by encouraging them to crank up the drive to their muscles, says Becky Farley, a physiology professor at the University of Arizona and a developer of the program. As with the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for voice control, patients focus on a single goal: bigness.

In a study of 29 Parkinson’s patients and healthy volunteers, the new therapy program improved some facets of patients’ movements. Their strides were longer and their torso rotated more freely, both immediately after therapy and three months later. And they could remember to take bigger steps even when their attention was diverted elsewhere, such as having to recite the days of the week backward.

Early-stage patients saw better results than those with more advanced Parkinson’s, especially in walking speed.

RIGHT ACCORD specializes in Parkinson Care. Our caregivers are trained and certified and has special training in Parkinson Care. For FREE Care Consultation and Assessment, please call 1.941.366.0801 or Toll Free 1.877.685.3889.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is a supporter of the Parkinson Neuro Challenge Foundation in Sarasota, Florida. On March 3, 2011, Neuro-Challenge brings 2nd Annual Cause 4 Fashion, a Fashionable Fundraiser for Parkinson Disease.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education, and research.  For more information, please call 1.888.623.4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org

New Certification Raises Standard for In-Home Caregivers

The senior care industry has grown dramatically in recent years along with the number of seniors needing care. Some seniors move into assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities as chronic conditions begin to affect their daily lives. Many more, however, are choosing to remain in their own homes with the help of companion caregivers. “Home is where the heart is” as the saying goes. But it can be difficult to find reliable help and the skills and quality of caregivers can vary greatly. Add to that limited supervision of those caregivers, if any, and home care comes with a set of uncertainties all its own. But one senior care network is changing all that with a landmark program aimed at setting a new standard for senior home care.

Hired caregivers, also called personal or companion aides, frequently perform daily services for seniors including light housekeeping, laundry, meal prep, shopping and errand services. In Florida, there are home health aides who may also provide personal care assistance for their clients such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and transfer and ambulation assistance. They often serve clients recovering from injury, surgery, and those suffering from arthritis, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. A growing number of caregivers are the sole custodians of seniors suffering from Alzheimers disease and other dementias. Under these circumstances, a caregiver’s responsibility can be very great. One might expect the average caregiver to be a highly trained professional. In contrast, however, the occupational characteristics of the typical caregiver, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are characterized by low skill requirements and high emotional demands. Frequently, caregivers rely only on care experience they gained while caring for an ailing family member. They then hire themselves out, either independently or via an agency, to perform similar care for others. Unfortunately, each caregiver’s personal experience and skill level can vary greatly.

According to Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN, owner of RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care  in Sarasota, Florida  “Training, or lack of it, is the issue. We’ve always insisted on a standardized training program for our caregivers. But we’re an exception. Many companion care companies, some of them franchises, offer very limited caregiver training. And some provide no skills training at all to their employees. Independent caregivers, those who are not affiliated with any agency, certainly don’t seek training. That’s a scary situation when you are hiring someone to care for yourself or a loved one.”

Most care agencies depend on the personal experience that each new caregiver brings with them. Without a training program, there’s no predictable skill standard. Until recently, the only consistent measure of skill was among state certified nursing assistants and home health aides, most of whom work for hospitals, facilities and home-health companies. It’s clear, however, that a majority of seniors prefer to remain in their own homes and will continue to rely on home care providers or companion caregivers for ongoing assistance.

To rectify the varying skill set of caregivers, The Senior’s Choice, Inc, the leading membership network of independent companion care companies, has established a new certification for companion caregivers, the Certified Companion Aide, (CCA^® ). Steve Everhart, president and founder of The Senior’s Choice stated, “Our mission is simple, we want to ensure the best home care possible for seniors – they’ve earned it, they deserve it. The CCA^® will stand head and shoulders above standard caregivers in both education and skill. And the type of person drawn to the CCA is big-hearted and committed to exemplary senior service.”

In the groundbreaking program, caregivers study 19 core subjects relating to senior care and then pass a battery of tests to ensure competency in the material. Topics include Communication, Understanding Aging, Emergency Preparation, Personal Care, Disability Issues, Mental Health & Illness, Nutritional Needs of Clients, and much more. The process prepares caregivers to consistently and professionally perform exceptional in-home care for seniors who choose to remain independent at home as long as possible.

Network members are very excited to be part of this certification opportunity. Everhart commented, “Our caregivers are great people who give tirelessly of themselves to help seniors. Now, they’ll have something that not only shows their level of dedication but actually improves the service they’re providing. The caregivers benefit by the additional education and seniors will certainly benefit through the CCAs’^® service. At the heart of it, that’s what counts.” The program is being rolled out exclusively among over 250 Senior’s Choice network member agencies throughout the US and Canada and raises the bar for companion care nationwide.

For further information contact:

Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care

Phone: 1.877.685.3889 or 941.366.0801

Email: rose@rightaccordhealth.com

www.RightAccordHealth.com

Our senior clients and their caregivers enjoy Arts and Theater in Sarasota, Florida. This month at the Van Wezel has exciting shows. For more information, visit www.VanWezel.org

Home Care Executive Earns Approval for Alzheimer’s Disease Training Provider

Sarasota, Florida, January 17, 2011.  Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN – RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care, Administrator and Owner becomes a certified Home Health Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) training provider through the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging (FPECA), A Multi-University Consortium at the University of South Florida.

According to facts and figures reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. This figure includes 5.1 million people aged 65 and older and 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 500,000 Americans younger than 65 with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Of these, approximately 40 percent are estimated to have Alzheimer’s. One in eight people aged 65 and older (13 percent) have Alzheimer’s disease. Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. By mid-century, someone will develop the disease every 33 seconds.  www.http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp

The Home Health Care Alzheimer’s Disease Certification is a two-hour State mandatory training required for employees hired to work with elderly in a home care setting. The curricula must be taught exactly as approved. No modifications are permitted. The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) reserves the right to attend and monitor training courses, review records and course materials approved pursuant to State Rules and Florida Administrative Codes.

Upon successful completion of the ADRD training, the trainee shall be issued a certificate of completion by the approved training provider. The certificate shall include title of the approved training course and the DOEA curriculum approval number, the expiration date of curriculum, the number of hours of training, dates of attendance, location, trainee’s name, the providers name and DOEA approval number.

A list of all approved Home Health Alzheimer’s Disease and related Disorders curricula is posted on www.trainingonaging.usf.edu.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care specializes on clients with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Caregivers are trained, certified and undergo monthly in-service training to review on different home care procedures. Clients and families are assured that  home care providers assigned to their loved ones are experienced,  well aware of the disease process and care at different stages.

In-Home Care Services provided in Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Osprey, Nokomis, Casey Key and neighboring cities.

For free professional in-home care consultation and assessment, call 941.366.0801.

Alzheimer’s Support Groups are available in Sarasota, FL.

Alzheimer’s Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter affiliated support groups are for family members, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease.  Meetings are open to everyone and free of charge.  Support group facilitators have received training as required by Chapter and National Alzheimer’s Association standards.  For program information and to verify meeting dates, times, and locations, please use the telephone contacts listed below.  For other questions or to arrange free respite care so you can attend a group, call the  Sarasota office at (941) 365-8883 or 1-800-772-8672.

November 15, 2010

Right Accord-Private Duty Home Health Care

Earns the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval

Right Accord Private Duty- Home Health Care demonstrated the highest level of quality and safety after passing through a full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Thursday, September 23^rd, 2010.  Right Accord is proud to be one of the first private duty home care companies to earn this gold seal of approval.

The Joint commission, founded in 1951, is an independent not-for-profit organization that seeks to continuously improve health care for the public.  The Joint Commission facilitates this goal by rigorously evaluating health care organizations and motivating them to exceed in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. To earn and preserve The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™, an organization must endure an on-site survey by a Joint Commission surveyor at least every three years.

The Joint Commission’s standards vary depending on the type of services the healthcare organization provides.  As for Home Care, the standards include maintaining a high quality environment of care, upholding infection prevention and control practices, demonstrating life safety and trained medication management, as well as recording and revising care, treatment and services.   Home care organizations must also manage emergency situations safely and effectively, facilitate training and staff development, and exude professional leadership. Right Accord passed the rigorous evaluation with flying colors!

RIGHT ACCORD provides services in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and its neighboring towns. Longboat Key, Venice, Siesta Key, Casey Key and Osprey.
For information please contact:

Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN,BSN,CCRN,MHA

Administrator/Owner

(941)366-0801

www.RightAccordHealth.com

rose@rigthaccordhealth.com

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care offered a training  class on  Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation to all the staff and caregivers on August 26, 2010. The program was presented by Diana Hayden, Director of Community Education  from the Department of Children’s and Family/Adult Protective Services.

Many elderly people rely entirely on family or other trusted individuals to help them. Whether it is for physical needs or emotional needs, as people grow older they tend to need more and more help from others. This dependence on caregivers or family members makes an older person more vulnerable for abuse.

For example, an older person relying on her children to provide meals and transportation and help her with financial decisions finds it difficult to complain when one of her children takes advantage of her. If, for instance, the child takes her money, hits her or neglects her care, the parent may be threatened with loss of support from the child if the parent complains. The child may also use threats of violence to keep the parent in line.

It is estimated that 5% to 10% of elderly Americans are suffering abuse. According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,

“Spiraling rates of elder mistreatment are reported by both practitioners and researchers. In a recent national study of Adult Protective Services (APS), typically the agency of first report concerning elder abuse, there were 253,421 reports of abuse of adults age 60+ or 832.6 reports for every 100,000 people over the age of 60 (Teaster, Dugar, Otto, Mendiondo, Abner, & Cecil, 2006). The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (National Center on Elder Abuse, 1998) found that more than 500,000 persons aged 60+ were victims of domestic abuse and that an estimated 84% of incidents are not reported to authorities, denying victims the protection and support they need.”

Much attention has been focused on abuse in nursing homes but most of the elder abuse in this country is at the hands of family members or other caregivers in the home.

In 2004, Utah Adult Protective Services workers investigated approximately 2,400 allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. In Utah, a vulnerable adult is defined as an elder adult (65 years of age or older) or an adult (18 years of age or older) who has a mental or physical impairment, which substantially affects that person’s ability to protect or provide for themselves. The majority of the victims were females between the ages of 60-89 and 60% of the perpetrators were family members/relatives, while 24% were non-related paid caregivers.

The protective needs identified were as follows:

• self-neglect 31%
• physical abuse 16%
• exploitation 19%
• caretaker neglect 12%
• emotional abuse 19%
• sexual abuse 3%

In conducting the investigations, it was not uncommon to find that adults who were self-neglecting were also being exploited or abused. As stated previously, these statistics are based on approximately 2,400 cases, thus, if only one in ten cases are ever reported, it is possible that there were actually 24,000 or more cases in Utah that year. We suspect 9 out of 10 is close to the actual ratio of unreported versus reported cases in Utah.

We also believe that Utah’s lack of reporting elder abuse is not unlike other states in the country. We suspect all the states are experiencing close to the same ratios of underreporting as in Utah.

There are a number of reasons why incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation are not reported to Adult Protective Services or other authorities. One of the most common reasons is the victim’s fear of losing support. Many of the perpetrators are family members and the victim fears that reporting the crime will result in removal of the caregiver, as the perpetrator may face incarceration or may discontinue relations with the victim once accused, charged, or convicted. Many of these victims fear that by reporting abuse they will be left alone and expected to care for themselves or they will be forced to live in a nursing home.

Many states have implemented mandatory reporting laws to assist in the prevention of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Utah is one of the many states to have a mandatory reporting law (U.C.A. § 76-5-111). Utah law states that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been the subject of abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement agency. Anyone who makes the report in good faith is immune from civil liability in connection with the report; however, any person who willfully fails to report is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

It is important to note that the anonymity of the person or persons making the initial report and any other persons involved in the subsequent investigation shall be preserved and may only be released in accordance with the rules of the division (U.C.A. § 62A-3-311). In addition, all investigation information is confidential.

The following is a list of indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation. It is important to note that the following lists are merely indicators and may not always be violations.

Signs of Abuse:

• Unexplained bruises, welts, fractures, abrasions or lacerations
• Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
• Multiple/repeat injuries
• Low self-esteem or loss of self determination
• Withdrawn, passive
• Fearful
• Depressed, hopeless
• Soiled linen or clothing
• Social Isolation

Signs of Neglect/Self-Neglect:

• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Inappropriate or soiled clothing
• Odorous
• Over/under medicated
• Deserted, abandoned or unattended
• Lack of medical necessities or assistive devices
• Unclean environment
• Social Isolation

Signs of Exploitation:

• Missing/”disappearing” property
• Inadequate living environment
• Frequent/recent property title changes or will changes
• Excessive home repair bills
• Forced to sign over control of finances
• No/limited money for food, clothes and other amenities

Prevention can only occur if there is awareness, the statutes are adhered to, and any suspicions of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults are immediately reported to Adult Protective Services and/or law enforcement.

For more information or to report abuse, please visit: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/report.shtml

According to local statistics, Sarasota County has the largest percentage of older adults in the nation. It is the third largest county in the United States  with older adults.

More than 30 percent of the population  in Sarasota is over 65 years old and over 45 percent of all household include someone over 65 years of age.

According to National statistics conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10,000 Americans will turn 65 each day by 2012, and by 2030 our overall senior population will reach nearly 71 million.

There are more than 30 million senior drivers aged 65 or older who are on the road today (NHTSA).

Seniors in Sarasota County will experience difficulty with transportation sometime in their life.

ITN Sarasota, Inc. is a non-profit organization that in organized in providing safe, dignified rides in private cars for seniors and adults with vision impairments.  The mission of ITNSarasota is to provide a community-supported, consumer-oriented, economically sustainable transportation service to seniors and adults with visual impairments who want to preserve their mobility and independence.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and rides are available within the service area for any purpose. Rides are provided in private automobiles by trained trained volunteer and paid drivers. People 60 years and older and adults with visual impairments are eligible to ride. Door to door service with assistance is also provided for those who require help with folding walkers or carrying packages.

For more information on this program, call ITN Sarasota at (941)364-7530 or visit their website at www.itnsarasota.org

Right Accord Private Duty-Home Health Care also provides in-home care  services to seniors who want to maintain their lifestyle and independence by arranging caregivers who can provide assistance in their physical mobility including errands and  transportation.  Sarasota care providers are available to become senior helpers as needed for as little as 4 hours to 24 hours.

A little help at home is sometimes all what you need to give you and your family peace of mind. Home health aides, companions and certified nursing assistants are certified to provide care.

For free care consultation and free assessment from a registered nurse, please call our toll free number 1-877-685-3889.

When we talk about caregivers, we talk about the people we see around us everyday. We see them in stores, churches, banks, shopping malls, our neighborhood or among our own circle of friends. We see them as a person caring for an aging or frail parent or spouse.

It is estimated that there are approximately 22 million American caregivers. They typically are  caring for an aging parent or elderly wife of an elderly husband and vice versa.

Caring for  a disabled loved one or aging parent is  overwhelming and a life changing experience for many.  An example  is when a parent or loved one falls, family members are usually in panic or in crisis.

Here’s a few step by step process to take you through some challenges of caregiving:

1. Identify the needs of your family member who needs the care
2. Getting everyone involved in the decision making
3. Develop an action plan and calling to action your family members and your loved one to get through difficult times
4. Gather information necessary to effectively meet the needs of your loved one
5. Recognize that there are community resources available to meet the needs of your loved ones such as in-home care assistance like Right Accord who can provide help at home.

Marilyn Tait, RN  is the author of ‘The Happy Caregiver”, a new book written for caregivers. She is  an educator and facilitator of the Parkinson Wellness Club and Caregiver Connection given by Sarasota Memorial Hospital conducted every month at the Institute for Advanced Medicine located at 5880 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, FL.  Community Calendar available at www.smh.com

The book  is dedicated to her parents but based on her personal experience as caregiver to her husband and her father. It is simple, fun, easy to read and jam packed with basic caregivers skills that you may implement instantly. This is a great gift for anyone who is doing caregiving for a loved one. This little book is huge and overflowing with fun, fast and easy ways to be a happy caregiver.

Marilyn Tait is having a book signing event on March 9, 2010 Tuesday at 2pm at Savannah Grand of Sarasota Assisted Living located at 7130 Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida.

To order her book,  you can reach her directly at (941) 321-8700 or email her at marilyntait@comcast.net

October 9, 2009

Sarasota, Florida. RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Care is proud to be chosen by the Sarasota community as a finalist in the Herald Tribune’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Home Health Care Agency in Sarasota, Florida.

RIGHT ACCORD’s owner Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova is a nurse with over 20 years of experience, and who is committed to compassionate caring of the elderly and disabled who prefer in-home care. Families are assured peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are being cared for by compassionate and qualified care providers. Clients are assisted in maintaining their independence as long as they possibly can while reducing the burdens of caregiving imposed on family members.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Care refers Home Health Aides, Certified Nurse’s Aides, homemakers, companions, personal attendants, and caregivers as 24Hour live-ins or hourly basis. All care providers are bonded and insured, properly screened and background checked. Skilled nurses are available on an as-needed basis. A Registered Nurse in on call 24 hours a day.

In an era where disaster preparedness is more necessary than ever before, we should all have emergency documents ready in case of a natural or man-made disaster. Here are few tips:

Ask several relatives or friends who live outside your immediate area (approximately 100 miles away) to act as a clearinghouse for information about you and your family after a disaster. It is often easier to place an out-of-state long distance call from a disaster area, than to call within the area. All family members should know to call contact person to report their location and condition. Once contact is made, have the contact person relay messages to your other friends and relatives outside the disaster area. This will help to reduce calling into and out of the affected area once the phones are working.

Emergency Documents includes important information typically needed after a disaster. Copies of emergency documents should include vital information:

• Specifications for adaptive equipment (in case it needs to be replaced)
• Proof of ownership or lease of your residence. (This is important when applying for disaster assistance).
• Social security numbers of family members
• Charge and bank account numbers
• Insurance policy numbers
• Securities, deeds and loan numbers including company name, address and telephone numbers
• Wills/ Living Trusts and letters of instructions
• Important Business documents
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificate)

The documents should be placed in a water proof container.

Should you be requested to evacuate your home you should remember to bring this container with you.

Right Accord participates in the Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan in the Sarasota County by submitting an Emergency Preparedness plan to the Sarasota County Health Department.

Seniors in Sarasota, Longboat key, Bradenton and Venice area who are receiving help at home from our Agency are automatically encouraged to fill out the Person with Special Need (PSN). Right Accord assists with registering seniors to the County Emergency Management Services if necessary. Right Accord will continue to provide services at the designated shelter to seniors who were receiving help at home.

Families living out of Florida who are looking for help for Mom or Dad in the Sarasota County or Manatee County who feel that they may need assistance during the hurricane season may contact our agency to arrange for care providers. We may arrange transportation to a safety place if it is needed especially seniors who require wheelchair transportation. Caregivers will assist the elderly with all the necessary documents and items needed to prepare prior to the actual evacuation.

Hurricane Preparedness is everyone responsibility. Be Prepared!

Generally speaking, these senior transportation services are more suited to helping people who are slightly more immobile than the rest of the population.  I’m sure we’ve all seen, and felt sorry for, an older person who is struggling to get off a bus (usually with some kind soul helping out) but with everyone huffing and puffing about the time taken to do so.  This behaviour by ‘the masses’  is, and will be, around for much time.  So will the high steps to get on and off the bus to begin with.

Most forms of transport that cater for seniors have wider doors, seats and some have air suspension that lower the bus to the ground when people get on and off.  One thing that is hugely important is that everyone on that bus is in the same situation and there certainly wont be anyone complaining about the time taken to get through the door.  An added bonus is that the driver will have been employed to drive the minibus or transport because of a decent, relaxed and helpful mannerism.

The specialist kind of non-emergency transport usually has to be booked through an agency and is date, time and distance specific. You have willl have to provide details of the immobile client with regards to wheelchair or stretcher uses, their height and weight. If your loved one is medically stable but requires medication to be close at hand or needs a care provider to escort them most transport services are closely aligned with senior care provider agencies so they can help with your needs.

For non-emergency senior transportation services, they can be found through your local church, charities provide transport to their centers where they usually have activites, the local Town Hall will either have information or have their own transport, shopping centers or malls can provide means of transport as well.