Here are the 4 strategies. 1) Clear away clutter. Bottles and jars and grooming tools frequently crowd counters, closets and the corners of tubs and showers. Make use of hangers, shelves and wall-mounted baskets to keep things neatly tucked away, providing a cleaner environment that's also better looking and less likely to cause trips or spills. 2) Bathe in safety. With limited mobility, moving in and out of the tub can be difficult, if not downright dangerous. One renovation solution to that problem is installing a walk-in tub. Premier Care in Bathing, the leader in walk-in bathtubs, offers a variety of tubs that homeowners can simply walk into, close the water-tight door, and fill for a comfortable, relaxing bathing experience. The company's Walk-in baths and EasyAccess showers configure to your existing space and allow you to maintain the look of your bathroom while enjoying greater ease. 3) Choose rugs carefully. Bath mats and rugs are both functional and decorative. They can add a splash of color while also effectively collecting water that might otherwise pool on the floor and lead to slipping. However, rugs that don't stay in place can present a problem of their own and lead you to trip. Opt for mats and rugs that have non-skid backing, but which still look harmonious with the rest of your bathroom decor. 4) Bring things up to the right height. Your bathroom routine can be an active one, which can present problems if your health limits your ability to move or bend easily. Having a commode and a sink at a higher level that prevents you from overexertion during your daily routine will add to the comfort and safety of your bathroom. And with options like Premier Care in Bathing's easy-access sink, you can integrate these new fixtures into your room while maintaining your existing decorative theme. One of the most important parts of maintaining independence throughout aging is being able to uphold your sense of self. Taking a holistic approach to creating a home environment that meets your needs but still expresses who you are enables you to live life as you choose for a long time to come. For a free brochure including more information about Walk-in bathtubs and other solutions for making living at home more convenient, visit premiercarebathing.com/saferbathing or call 888-378-7953. Visit www.seniorcaremall.com for other resources that will improve safety.

Three Steps For Seniors To Decrease Healthcare Costs

ARA Seniorcaremall 1. Be an informed consumer. Millions of seniors, their families and caregivers will be pleased to know that for the third straight year the average basic Medicare prescription drug premiums will remain steady. Since enacted, the Affordable Care Act has helped more than 5.4 million people with Medicare save more than $4.1 billion in out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. These are significant results as the law closes the Medicare Part D donut hole coverage gap, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Seniors can capitalize on those savings by knowing exactly what they are paying for - shop around for better prescription prices and ask about costs. For additional savings, use generic medications. Take advantage of Medicare preventive services, including many types of screenings, tests, shots, counseling, training and supplies now offered without co-pays or other out-of-pocket costs. 2. Ask for help. In addition to guidance on retirement, estate and long-term care planning, seniors can rely on professionals to help them with health care choices. Walters points out this can include Medicare specialists such as Allsup or financial planners who often consult Medicare experts. “Health care planning is a quality of life and a financial issue,” Walters says. “If you need assistance sorting through the overwhelming number of options, it' s important to know that help is out there for you - don't be afraid to ask.” Grace Hercules used Allsup to research her Medicare needs and found she could save more than $1,000 a year by switching drug plans. “I thought a mail-order prescription plan was best for me, but their specialists proved me wrong about this - and I am so happy,” she says. “People can probably do their own taxes, but when they pay a tax adviser they get better returns,” Hercules adds. “It's getting the mindset that good help is available. It's really worth getting expert help and not having the aggravation.” 3. Be proactive. Having known and been around seniors, Hercules says she is saddened that so many settle for high costs or keep the same Medicare plan year after year because of a lack of understanding. Just as seniors review their finances or taxes each year, Medicare annual enrollment is the ideal time to review health care coverage, Walters says. “It's OK to admit it's confusing and that help will be valuable. Look at all your Medicare options and take charge of your health care.” In addition to annual Medicare enrollment, special enrollment periods happen throughout the year for specific situations. For an evaluation of Medicare options, call an Allsup Medicare Advisor specialist at 866-521-7655, or go to medicare.allsup.com. Visit Seniorcaremall for your senior care needs.

SENIORS CUT VEHICLE COSTS

How senior drivers can cut vehicle costs SENIORCAREMALL (ARA) - For most of us, driving is a necessity, and so is doing it as cost-effectively as possible - even in retirement when most of us stay in our suburban homes. Saving money on automobile-related expenses like gas and insurance can help free up cash for other important things. Fortunately, many tactics can help you minimize vehicle costs, from doing basic maintenance tasks yourself to taking a driver safety course that could qualify you for insurance discounts. The driving experts at AARP recommend drivers 50 and older focus on three key areas of opportunity for cost-reduction: Insurance Older drivers have lower rates of police-reported crashes per capita, limit their driving to familiar routes and better weather, and drive fewer miles than other age groups, but accident rates per mile start increasing when drivers reach 70, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Even if your personal driving record is clean, your age may put you in a demographic that insurance companies view as higher risk - and you'll pay higher auto insurance premiums because of it. Shopping around for auto insurance may help you secure a better rate, but if you're facing very high premiums, it may make sense to take an extra step. Many insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete driver safety courses. Check with your insurance company to see if such a discount is available to you, then look for a program, like AARP Driver Safety's course, that is specifically designed to help people 50 and older refresh their driving skills and adapt to age-related changes. There are no tests to take for the course. To find an in-person course near you, visit www.aarp.org/findacourse, or sign up for an online course. Fuel efficiency After insurance, fuel can be one of the highest costs of operating a vehicle, especially for those who travel far, such as older drivers commuting from winter to summer residences. Car makers have improved overall fuel efficiency for many newer vehicles, but you can take steps to cut your gas costs more - even if you have an older car. AARP offers these tips for improving fuel efficiency: * Lighten the load. The heavier your vehicle and contents, the more gas it will consume moving down the road. Remove excess weight from the trunk and avoid traveling with luggage or bike racks that create drag, add weight and decrease fuel economy. * Watch your speed. While it's important to safely keep pace with the flow of traffic around you, keep in mind most cars are at the optimum fuel efficiency around 50 mph. * Drive smoothly. Abrupt stops and starts, and fast, erratic movements in traffic all decrease fuel economy. * Try to consolidate trips. Rather than making one trip to the grocery store today, then the doctor's office tomorrow and your book club the next day, try to group errands together. Starting a cold engine consumes more gas than keeping it running longer. Maintenance With the average age of cars on the road approaching 11 years, according to R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive market research firm, routine maintenance is more important than ever. Doing simple tasks like oil changes, windshield wiper replacement and air filter changes yourself can help save you money. Tasks that you can easily perform yourself include: * Changing the oil and oil filter. * Changing the air filter. * Monitoring tire inflation and adding air if needed. * Checking and cleaning battery connections. * Replacing worn windshield wipers. * Replacing headlight or brake light bulbs. Other DIY tasks, like replacing brake pads or sparkplugs, or flushing the radiator, require a bit more know-how. Fortunately, plenty of online resources offer step-by-step guides for doing more complex vehicle maintenance tasks. And, you can always check with your local community college to see if they offer a basic auto maintenance course. Visit www.seniorcaremall.com

Are you ok?

In Massachusetts they offer an R U OK program. SENIORS can receive daily calls by an automated system to ensure they are OK. Call us for more  information 508 868 2801 or to sign up call 866 900 7865.

Emergency Response

There are many options for senior care health and safety. Emergency response is one of those many  confusing areas.

Emergency response usually falls into one of two categories.  No monthly fee and monthly fee emergency response.

The no monthly fee pendant is very simple. You purchase the unit and when the senior presses the emergency button a call goes to an emergency contact of your choice.

The other option is typically 30.00 to 45.00 per month, and if pendant is pressed the call goes to an emergency call center.

Both are good options. Choose the one that works for you and your family.