Traveling CareGivers

Posts Tagged ‘caregivers’

Backlash grows against full-body scanners in airports

As the TSA  airports try to get a handle on quick and efficient scanning at security checkpoints, new machines may not be the answer.

Our Elder Travel Companions from Phoenix and Scottsdale report longer security delays and frazzled nerves at full body scan airports.  Our seniors in wheel chairs are not subject to this screening and will continue to be checked as usual.  The Travel Companion CareGiver can be a great asset in transiting airport security.

By Gary Stoller, USA TODAY

Opposition to new full-body imaging machines to screen passengers and the government’s deployment of them at most major airports is growing.

Many frequent fliers complain they’re time-consuming or invade their privacy. The world’s airlines say they shouldn’t be used for primary security screening. And questions are being raised about possible effects on passengers’ health.

"The system takes three to five times as long as walking through a metal detector," says Phil Bush of Atlanta, one of many fliers on USA TODAY’s Road Warriors panel who oppose the machines. "This looks to be yet another disaster waiting to happen."

BODY SCANNERS: Concerns about privacy and health set off debate

The machines — dubbed by some fliers as virtual strip searches — were installed at many airports in March after a Christmas Day airline bombing attempt. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has spent more than $80 million for about 500 machines, including 133 now at airports. It plans to install about 1,000 by the end of next year.

The machines are running into complaints and questions here and overseas:

•The International Air Transport Association, which represents 250 of the world’s airlines, including major U.S. carriers, says the TSA lacks "a strategy and a vision" of how the machines fit into a comprehensive checkpoint security plan. "The TSA is putting the cart before the horse," association spokesman Steve Lott says.

•Security officials in Dubai said this month they wouldn’t use the machines because they violate "personal privacy," and information about their "side effects" on health isn’t known.

•Last month, the European Commission said in a report that "a rigorous scientific assessment" of potential health risks is needed before machines are deployed there. It also said screening methods besides the new machines should be used on pregnant women, babies, children and people with disabilities.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office said in October that the TSA was deploying the machines without fully testing them and assessing whether they could detect "threat items" concealed on various parts of the body. And in March, the office said it "remains unclear" whether they would have detected the explosives that police allege Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate on a jet bound for Detroit on Christmas.

TSA spokeswoman Kristin Lee says the agency completed testing at the end of last year and is "highly confident" in the machines’ detection capability. She also says their use hasn’t slowed screening at airports and that the agency has taken steps to ensure privacy and safety.

The TSA is deploying two types of machines that can see underneath clothing. One uses a high-speed X-ray beam, and the other bounces electromagnetic waves off a passenger’s body.

Passengers can refuse screening by the machines and receive a pat-down search by a security officer, screening by a metal detector, or both, the TSA says.

For more information on an Elder Travel Companion go to CareToGoTravel.com and for Phoenix in home care caregiver see Care-To-Go.com

Backlash grows against full-body scanners in airports

As the TSA  airports try to get a handle on quick and efficient scanning at security checkpoints, new machines may not be the answer.

Our Elder Travel Companions from Phoenix and Scottsdale report longer security delays and frazzled nerves at full body scan airports.  Our seniors in wheel chairs are not subject to this screening and will continue to be checked as usual.  The Travel Companion CareGiver can be a great asset in transiting airport security.

By Gary Stoller, USA TODAY

Opposition to new full-body imaging machines to screen passengers and the government’s deployment of them at most major airports is growing.

Many frequent fliers complain they’re time-consuming or invade their privacy. The world’s airlines say they shouldn’t be used for primary security screening. And questions are being raised about possible effects on passengers’ health.

"The system takes three to five times as long as walking through a metal detector," says Phil Bush of Atlanta, one of many fliers on USA TODAY’s Road Warriors panel who oppose the machines. "This looks to be yet another disaster waiting to happen."

BODY SCANNERS: Concerns about privacy and health set off debate

The machines — dubbed by some fliers as virtual strip searches — were installed at many airports in March after a Christmas Day airline bombing attempt. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has spent more than $80 million for about 500 machines, including 133 now at airports. It plans to install about 1,000 by the end of next year.

The machines are running into complaints and questions here and overseas:

•The International Air Transport Association, which represents 250 of the world’s airlines, including major U.S. carriers, says the TSA lacks "a strategy and a vision" of how the machines fit into a comprehensive checkpoint security plan. "The TSA is putting the cart before the horse," association spokesman Steve Lott says.

•Security officials in Dubai said this month they wouldn’t use the machines because they violate "personal privacy," and information about their "side effects" on health isn’t known.

•Last month, the European Commission said in a report that "a rigorous scientific assessment" of potential health risks is needed before machines are deployed there. It also said screening methods besides the new machines should be used on pregnant women, babies, children and people with disabilities.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office said in October that the TSA was deploying the machines without fully testing them and assessing whether they could detect "threat items" concealed on various parts of the body. And in March, the office said it "remains unclear" whether they would have detected the explosives that police allege Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate on a jet bound for Detroit on Christmas.

TSA spokeswoman Kristin Lee says the agency completed testing at the end of last year and is "highly confident" in the machines’ detection capability. She also says their use hasn’t slowed screening at airports and that the agency has taken steps to ensure privacy and safety.

The TSA is deploying two types of machines that can see underneath clothing. One uses a high-speed X-ray beam, and the other bounces electromagnetic waves off a passenger’s body.

Passengers can refuse screening by the machines and receive a pat-down search by a security officer, screening by a metal detector, or both, the TSA says.

For more information on an Elder Travel Companion go to CareToGoTravel.com and for Phoenix in home care caregiver see Care-To-Go.com

Our seniors Maintain Their Independent Life in Phoenix, with In-Home Care

No one likes staying dependent upon others. Seniors don’t embrace the idea of needing others to assist him or her. Freedom and independence can be amid the qualities that a lot of elders treasure the most-and this is why a lot of elders prefer to keep living in their very own homes. Elders don’t want to give up their independent way of life; therefore, the elders are electing to give up moving to elder care centers and assisted living facilities.

Because self-reliance is so critical to the senior, many elders often cringe at the thought of accepting home care help. Elders may believe that they have been handling everything satisfactorily on their own; consequently, elder care isn’t necessary. Rather often, though, the adult children or other family members or friends of the elder could realize that some kind of home care could be essential–possibly the elder doesn’t want to admit it or doesn’t comprehend it. Because the elder’s chief aim is to hold on to her independent life style, it’s important to mention the topic of senior care gently.

It may be better to speak about in home care with the senior on neutral ground with an friend there. Meeting with the elder person at their medical doctor’s appointment for a conversation about the subject may be a good idea for some; some could find it more comfortable to take the senior to lunch with a companion of hers who is in agreement with the plan. Regardless, the focus of the talk should be about keeping the senior at ease with the home care and helping her to make decisions.

Beside what some seniors may think, elder care could truly aid the senior to retain her independence. No, possibly she won’t be completely self-reliant as they were before; on the other hand, they will no longer have to rely on calling public transportation to take her to appointments and shopping trips because their home care aide can drive her. Also, they won’t need to call for take-out food when she does not feel like cooking, because her home care caregiver can prepare a meal for her. Yet she will still maintain her independent life style while she is still living in her own home–not in a elderly facility.

It is truly better for seniors to maintain their independence when they have a hired senior care assistant. Using a caregiver makes it simpler for seniors to complete tasks. This is because the caregiver does or helps with whatever the senior can’t do, while the senior takes care of other activities. Caregivers provide support and services that are tailored specifically to the senior for whom they are giving care; so the senior has the option of choosing what the caregiver does to help her.

Lots of caregivers become friends with the seniors they assist because they spend so much time together. The hired companions really start to become almost like part of the family. The elder will no longer think about any loss of freedom or independence at all,she will simply be content to still be living in her own home, with the assistance of her home care caregiver.

For more information on Home Care in the Phoenix area visit Care-To-Go.com For a

Personal Travel Companion anywhere, contact CareToGoTravel.com

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Explains How To Talk With Someone With Cancer Or Other Serious Diseases

One of the most important ways to help your communication is not to ask "how are you" but also what are you feeling If you think about it, how are you is one of the most common questions we ask, but it can be a rather thoughtless one. The expected answer is OK or good. It does not lead to much discussion. When you ask, "What are you feeling?" you are digging deeper. Someone who is asked that may get the notion that you want to know how they are doing.

When you ask, what are you feeling be ready to hear anything. The person could say he thinks a great deal about death or he is worried about whatever the future has in store for the children. Or perhaps he is fearful that he won’t survive a year. Be ready to pay attention and hear the reaction he tells you. You do not have to have a response, but you have to be ready to hear the pain and anguish that the inquiry may provoke.
Communication with your loved ones must be direct and on an adult level.  The last thing an elder wants with a serious affliction is for you to be condescending or treat them like a kid. Your loved one needs straight talk constantly being empathetic and kind. Here’s a opportunity for caring support from their loved ones and their friends.
Elders with cancer every now and then need to get an opinions of those near to them on their illness, treatment, and treatment outlook. Stay open and honest, but don’t endeavor to respond to questions that you don’t know a good answer to. A senior with cancer will sense your honesty and appreciate it.

While having their illness, the elderly with cancer and serious diseases may express frustration and anger to friends and family. Remember that seniors with serious diseases pass through quite a few stages including denial, negotiation anger, and acceptance. Within the denial and anger stages, their conversation can offend families and their friends, but it can help to bear in mind that elders frequently shift their feelings onto friends and family close to him or her. Your loved ones do this since the people closest to them are safe. They know you will still be there for him or her, even if they act badly or create tension. Often, the senior is really frustrated and angry concerning the illness and the losses it brings, but that is hard to discuss. So they could take out their feelings on family, friends, or anyone else that happens to be near by at the time.

Commonly a high quality caregiver helping in the home can be a bridge for communication among family members.
More help for seniors posts can be found on Care-To-Go.com

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Reveals Twelve Things for Elderly Vision Loss Safety–How to Reduce the of Dangers at Home

Among the most overwhelming physical conditions linked to aging is the loosing of eyesight as a result of conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts.  As this happens it becomes obvious how important eyesight is to the elderly.  In later life seniors spend a lot of time just looking out the window, reading and watching TV.

Here are a few ideas to consider which could reduce the probability of this resulting in  problems at home:

Security In The Home
1.    Eliminate anything the elderly might trip over, such as small coffee tables, games on the floor, small rugs.
2.    Ensure there are clear pathways to and within all rooms.
3.    Paint doors and door trim colors that contrasts with the wall colors, so the doors will stand out more. Do the same thing with stair rails.
4.    Place yellow strips on the edge of steps and also at the beginning and ends of ramps.
5.    Install grab bars for the shower and tub areas.
6.    Ask your loved one and let him or her tell you what kinds of assistance, could be valued.

Patients and Physical Concerns
7.    Try to be as accepting as possible during the adjustment time, because frustration and anger could be forthcoming.
8.    Studies have found that eating big quantities of some carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly may have a better probability of developing some vision reduction when they age. Some examples of these foods are: white bread, white rice, potatoes, pasta, sugars and corn syrup.
9.    Encourage your senior to get together with a support group, where other seniors in an identical situation share their feelings about and strategies to cope with the loss of vision.
10.    Encourage your loved one to take part in eyesight treatment services, then accompany her or him to several. This will teach you what your senior can do independently, enabling you to support his or her successes.
11.    Encourage your loved one to get help from someone trained in vision issues, either individually or in groups.
12.    A lot of people with eyesight reduction are told to discontinue smoking, because smoking will double their chance of having macular degeneration, one of the main causes of vision loss in the elderly. Support your loved one to get help to stop smoking.

More help for seniors tips and articles are available at Care-To-Go.com   Home Care CareGivers in the Phoenix area are available for Senior assistance