Bruce Lavigne Connecticut

Medicaid Approved in Connecticut: MedGuard Alert

The Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging (SWCAA) is a private, not-for-profit agency, established in 1974.  SWCAA receives funds through the Older Americans Act and works with dedicated volunteers to award grant funds to community organizations serving older adults. 

Grants support services such as:

  • Home delivered meals
  • In-home care 
  • Adult day care
  • Transportation
  • Senior centers
  • Outreach
  • Social support

and much more…

You can also get a FREE state-of-the-art, emergency medical alert system with exclusive discounts through MedGuard Alert.  If you live in Connecticut, and would like to learn what benefits and discounts you can receive through MedGuard Alert, call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Colorado

Medicaid Approved in Colorado: MedGuard Alert

Medicaid in Colorado is known as Health First Colorado. Health First Colorado is public health insurance for Coloradans who qualify. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and Colorado state government, and is administered by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing.

 

Health First Colorado Benefits & Services

  • Health Care Provider Visits
  • Dental Services
  • Emergency Services & Transportation
  • Maternity & Newborn Care
  • Behavioral Health
  • Pharmacy & Durable Medical Equipment
  • Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy
  • Laboratory Services
  • Preventive & Wellness Services
  • Family Planning

You can also get a FREE state of the art, emergency medical alert system with exclusive discounts through MedGuard Alert.  If you live in Colorado, and would like to learn what benefits and discounts you can receive through MedGuard Alert, call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Arizona

Medicaid Approved in Arizona: MedGuard Alert

MedGuard Alert is an approved Medicaid provider in the state of Arizona. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) contracts with several health plans to provide covered services. An AHCCCS health plan works like a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). The health plan works with doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, specialists, etc. to provide care. You will choose a health plan that covers your zip code area. If you are approved, you will choose a primary care doctor that works with that health plan. Your primary doctor will:

  • Be the first person you go to for care
  • Authorize your non-emergency medical services
  • Send you to a specialist when needed

You can also get a FREE state-of-the-art, emergency medical alert system with exclusive discounts through MedGuard Alert.  If you live in Arizona, and would like to learn what benefits and discounts you can receive through MedGuard Alert, call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Arkansas

Medicaid Approved in Arkansas: MedGuard Alert

MedGuard Alert is now an approved provider of emergency medical alert devices in the state of Arkansas. ARChoices, the statewide Medicaid program includes home and community-based services for adults ages 21 through 64 with a physical disability and seniors age 65 or older. These services can offer help doing everyday activities that members may no longer be able to do independently like bathing, dressing, getting around their home, preparing meals, or doing household chores. To learn more about other services offered by the ARChoices program, visit them online by clicking here.

ARChoices: Available Services

  • Attendant Care – When someone helps you do the things like get out of bed, take a bath, get dressed, fix and eat meals, or use the bathroom
  • Home-Delivered Meals – Nutritious meals that can be delivered fresh each day or frozen for weekends.
  • Adult Day Services – A place provides supervised care and activities during the day.
  • Adult Day Health Services – a place that provides skilled nursing, supervised care, and activities during the day.
  • Facility-Based Respite Care – Short Stays in a facility so your caregiver can go on vacation.
  • In-Home Respite Care – Someone to stay with you in your home for a short time so your caregiver can get some rest.
  • Environmental Modifications – Changes to your home that will help you get around more easily and safely like grab bars or a wheelchair ramp.
  • Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) – A call button you can use to get help in an emergency.

If you live in Arkansas, and would like to learn what benefits and discounts you can receive through MedGuard Alert, call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Alabama

Medicaid Approved in Alabama: MedGuard Alert

MedGuard Alert is now an approved provider of emergency medical alert devices in the state of Alabama. We strive to provide our customers with easy to use products like our Care Watch, and On The Go medical alert devices. We also support them with 24hr monitoring and the best customer service. Our customers trust us to provide access to medical professionals when the worst happens.

In Alabama, MedGuard Alert works with the SAIL Waiver program. The State of Alabama Independent Living (SAIL) Waiver provides services to disabled adults 18 years of age or older who have specific medical diagnoses and who would otherwise qualify for care in a nursing care facility. The SAIL program also provides discounts to members on the costs of equipment and monthly services like emergency medical alert systems.

The SAIL Waiver is operated by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.

If you live in Alabama, and would like to learn what benefits and discounts you can receive through MedGuard Alert, call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Announcements

Senior Preparation for Cold Winter Temperatures

Winter officially begins on December 21, 2021. While we have had a pretty mild Fall, it may be easy to forget winter is on the way. If you are the caregiver for an aging loved one who lives alone, it’s important to help them prepare their house for the snowy season ahead. Preparation is key, and getting things addressed now will help keep your home warm before the January and February frigid temperatures hit. From furnace inspection to a smoke alarm test, we created this winter safety checklist to help you get started.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors are literal life-savers. For seniors with mobility challenges, being alerted to problems early gives them more time to safely escape. If you aren’t sure how to install or inspect smoke alarms, read this smoke detector safety checklist from the National Fire Protection Association.

Furnace Inspection

Heating systems can range in function; gas, oil, forced hot air and base-board heading. Having the professionals do a quick system check could prevent potential dangers and assure your system will stay running all winter long. You can typically ask for a system check when you are getting your oil or gas delivered, and save some costs on sending someone out. Be sure to ask if they offer a free diagnostic or discount when checking on your system, to make sure you can keep purchasing fuel from them!

Clean Your Gutters

Leaves and other debris can build up in the gutters throughout the year. When it freezes, it can cause ice jams and cause your gutters to not function properly. When water can’t drain out through the gutters, it might end up leaking into the home or basement. That can lead to a big, expensive mess. If you aren’t able to inspect and clean the gutters, ask a neighbor to help or hire someone who can.

Checking Your Pipes, Inside and Out

These days, plumbers can be hard to come by, but this is critical when it comes to freezing climates. Burst pipes can destroy homes, and be a cause for concern in frigid temperatures. It’s the last thing you need on a cold winter’s day. Protect the home’s exterior faucets by disconnecting the hoses and draining the faucets. Make sure to turn off the line before the first freeze.

Plan For Snow Removal

Falls remain the leading cause of fatal injuries among seniors. Winter can be especially hazardous. Before the first snowfall, create a plan for having the driveway, sidewalks, and entryways cleared and salted.

Local agencies on aging and senior centers maintain a list of reliable snow removal services who work with older adults. Some even offer a senior discount. Call those closest to your family member if you need a referral.

Stock Up of Canned and Non-Perishable Food

Now is the time to stock up on non-perishable food items, staples, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Bottled water, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruits and meats, flashlight batteries, toilet paper, and paper towels are just a few. If the senior has a pet, buy extra supplies for them, too.

While insurance companies may limit medication refills, do the best you can to get ahead. They should have enough medicine on hand for a few days in case a power outage or snowstorm keeps them housebound.

Stay Protected

You can stay safe all the time when you get a medical alert system with MedGuard Alert. We provide emergency medical alert systems that allow you to connect with medical professionals from anywhere. Call today to learn more about our systems that start at just $1 a day. You may qualify for additional discounts through Medicaid.

Call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Announcements

Spending Time with Family This Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is a time that families come together, celebrate and spend time with each other – That classic image of Christmas day with the whole family around the tree, enjoying each other’s company.

Sadly, seniors may be spending the holidays on their own due to physical reasons or because they have a small family that lives far away. It is important to make sure that your elderly loved one is included in the holiday festivities because it minimizes loneliness and reduces stress, promoting better physical and mental health. To help include your elderly loved one in the festivities, here are some activities you could do with them to help them out in the days leading up to Christmas.

Christmas Light Displays

If you are not handy, or are one of those ‘Clark Griswold’ types that hang lights and decor each year, not to worry. There are plenty of them out there, so simple Google search will find some charity-driven displays that are free to view. Some neighborhoods go all out with their decorations and be sure to check your local town square, which often have a large tree that is not quite Rockefeller Center, but the traffic should be much lighter!

Whether it is a large Christmas light display or a small neighborhood, take your relative out in the car and have a look. If you are planning on walking around to see the lights, make sure that they are wrapped up warm and you are close to them, the last thing you want them to do is to slip, so make sure they have good footing.

Wrapping Gifts

We recently posted about seniors shopping for gifts, and this is a simple follow up to that post. Now that the gifts are delivered, they may have some that require wrapping. Seniors may struggle to do on their own is wrapping gifts – hands can become stiff and painful, especially when intricately folding lots of presents. Offer to sit down and help them out, giving your assistance where needed.

It is important to still give them some independence and not completely take over the task. Wrapping up gifts is a great way for you and your loved one to talk about the gifts, who they are for and what they are about, giving them an opportunity to talk and communicate with you.

Movie Marathon

Watching films is a great way to lower stress levels among seniors because they can focus on spending time with you and the film. Although watching films as a family is a simple activity, it is very effective and is a form of socializing, even if you are not speaking.

It also opens up questions about the plot and the characters when the film is finished, helping to encourage good conversation.

Cookie Bakes & Cookie Swaps

Seniors typically love cooking, but it can be quite difficult if they are feeling weak or if their hands just aren’t able to move like they did when they were younger. Bring everyone into the kitchen for some cookie and gingerbread baking and decorating in the days leading up to Christmas. This helps bring people in the family together whilst making some quick, easy and delicious food.

If your family and friends are up to it, the best way to get the most variety in your cookie jars is to have a Cookie Bake. Everyone makes a predetermined amount of a specific cookie (enough to give 4-6 cookies per person, for everyone coming). Everyone meets up, swaps cookies, and goes home with a mountain of homemade goodness.

A Night Out

Cooking a Christmas dinner can often be overwhelming for anyone, but it can be extra stressful for those who are elderly with decreased mobility. Christmas is meant to be enjoyable, not exhausting, so it might be a good idea to eat at a restaurant for Christmas dinner.

There are many restaurants both lavish and budget-friendly that offer set Christmas menus around and on Christmas day for families to enjoy. Allow your loved one to pick out their favorite menu, book for a certain day and then just turn up to eat! This allows them to delve into some enjoyable food, spend time socializing with family and friends whilst not worrying about meal preparation. Food brings everyone together.

Stay Protected

You can stay safe all the time when you get a medical alert system with MedGuard Alert. We provide emergency medical alert systems that allow you to connect with medical professionals from anywhere. Call today to learn more about our systems that start at just $1 a day. You may qualify for additional discounts through Medicaid.

Call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Announcements

Safe Holiday Shopping Tips for Seniors

Turkey Day is done, and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Shopping this year may be a different experience with many seniors starting to shop from home and using marketplaces like Amazon to buy and ship gifts for friends and family. Holiday shopping is becoming a very real concern for many senior individuals that are less mobile than they used to be. Seniors can be slower than many of the people crowding the stores this holiday season.

Shop All Year

Preparation for the holiday season is always recommended. Getting a jump on Christmas shopping starts in January, yes, January. If you have the space to keep gifts in your home, shop small, and throughout the year to make sure you are ready to roll when the busy shopping season starts. When it comes down to crunch time and no one has any good gift ideas, it’s best to start early and get the right gift for everyone on the list.

Pace Yourself

Seniors are often responsible for getting gifts for a wide variety of people. Families have grown to include more than just their children: grandchildren, sons- and daughters-in-law, and other relatives have joined the festivities. A one-stop shopping trip will wear out your loved on and leave them exhausted. If you have your list of people to buy for, be sure to keep your shopping goals to an attainable number.

Bring A Friend

Walking through the mall can be daunting., and shopping alone is never any fun. Instead, encourage your senior loved one to shop with a friend or family member or offer to escort them while they do their shopping. Having a family member on hand will provide them with someone else to carry the bags, a great companion for conversation and fun, and an extra supporting hand if they start to get wobbly on their feet.

Start Early

Seniors typically wake up early, so best to take advantage of the slowest time in the day for many retailers. After work, many stores become overcrowded, especially during the busy holiday season. Instead of being just one more face in the rushed, bustling crowd, encourage your elderly loved one to shop earlier in the day when the stores will be more peaceful.

Shop Online

Online shopping is clearly the best way to get your shopping done without any compromise, but some seniors have no clue where to start. Seniors may need help, so if your parent or grandparent is looking for help making online purchases, offer your assistance. We think nothing of asking Alexa to buy us a 24 pack of Gatorade, and it’s at the front door the next day. This is strait out of the “Twilight Zone” for many seniors, so some hand holding may be required.

Take MedGuard Alert With You!

If you plan on making these trips on your own, bring us with you! You can stay safe all the time when you get a medical alert system with MedGuard Alert. We provide emergency medical alert systems that allow you to connect with medical professionals from anywhere. Call today to learn more about our systems that start at just $1 a day. You may qualify for additional discounts through Medicaid.

Call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Announcements

Laundry Room Safety Tips for Seniors

As the holiday season quickly approaches, the last thing on your mind is your laundry room. There are a handful of hidden dangers that should be addressed before the kiddos come over for presents, “roast beast” and eggnog.

Hosting friends and family during the holidays usually means kids will be in attendance. If you have a separate laundry room, a quick safety check can often be overlooked and accidents can happen quickly. It’s best to prepare before your guests arrive with a quick walk through of the following recommendations to keep your guests and their kids safe.

Here are some quick and easy tips to keep your laundry room safe this holiday season.

Store all liquid laundry packets in a locked cabinet.

The bright colors of laundry packets make them look like some sort of candy to an untrained eye, so it’s best to keep these out of sight. If you don’t have a cabinet available, place liquid laundry packets into a larger bin with other laundry and household products and put it up high where those at risk won’t be able to see it.

Keep liquid laundry packets tightly secured in their original packaging, stored up and out of reach.

While clear or glass jars can be a creative way to display household items, storing liquid laundry packets visibly in these jars could be confusing for adults with memory impairments.

When purchasing laundry packets and other household cleaners from the store, have them bagged separately.

A separate bag makes it easy to put them away in their designated safe storage spot – out of sight and out of reach – as soon as you get home and unpack your groceries.

Keep Visual Safety Reminders in the Laundry Room 

FIRE PREVENTION: Your dryer can be a risk, with the possibility of overheating and potential to start a fire. This can be the case for both electric or gas dryers, so be sure to keep that lint trap clear of any build up and keep your vent clear. Follow the vent hose to the exterior wall, make sure there are no bents or folds in the pipe. You also want to make sure the vent on the exterior of your home is clear from any vegetation, piles of leaves or snow.

INGESTION: If you have grandkids that may access your laundry, ingestion of some of your cleaning chemicals can be deadly. Even if all precautions are taken, accidents can happen. It can be helpful to keep this number readily available or posted in your laundry:

Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222)

Following these easy tips ensures that your laundry room is a safe space for loved ones in your care with cognitive decline or for the children of your friends and family who visit during the holidays.

Now that your laundry room is safe, you can stay safe all the time when you get a medical alert system with MedGuard Alert. We provide emergency medical alert systems that allow you to connect with medical professionals from anywhere. Call today to learn more about our systems that start at just $1 a day. You may qualify for additional discounts through Medicaid.

Call today. 1-800-716-1433

Bruce Lavigne Announcements

Companionship & The Best Pets for Seniors

We love pets, and in the US more than 70% of households own a pet. In fact, over 55% of adults older than 50 and have pets. Owning a pet can help battle senior mobility limitations, health issues and low energy that can keep them isolated. Seniors that live alone can succor to social isolation which can lead to loneliness, depression and poor physical health. Companion pets for lonely seniors can literally be life saver for these folks.

Seniors and Pets

Pets can contribute to the well-being of seniors. Having a pet can helped seniors enjoy life, feel loved, reduce stress, and feel more inclined to be more physically active (walking a dog, or playing with a cat). Pets can also help with safety, protection and creating and maintaining routine.

Other Considerations

Pets are great, but seniors should consider whether a pet fits their lifestyle, their home and capabilities. Seniors who use wheelchairs or are confined to bed might have difficulty with any pet that requires a lot of maintenance.

Things to consider:

  • How long will you have this pet?
  • Are you capable of handling this pet for the long term?
  • Is the cost of a pet manageable (food, medical care, training)?
  • Can your home accommodate a larger pet?
  • Before heading to a pet store, keep in mind the many pets in shelters. 6.3 million pets are placed into shelters every year, and 4.1 million are adopted.

Common Pets

Dog

70% of pet owners are dog owners. We all love dogs, but they need a lot of care and exercise. Some dogs are also more likely to trigger allergies.

Some of the best breeds for seniors include:

  • Pug – These small dogs are affectionate and playful, requiring less exercise, but they can be stubborn.
  • Cavalier King Charles spaniel – These small dogs are affectionate, easily trained and love being with their owners.
  • English Bulldog – These dogs are low-activity pets, and are shy and quiet, but need regular grooming.
  • French Bulldog – Like their English cousins, they’re quiet and don’t need a lot of exercise, but need grooming.
  • Bichon Frise – These small dogs have more grooming needs but don’t shed too much and have moderate energy.
  • Boston Terrier – These dogs are friendly, well-mannered, affectionate, have a lot of energy and are easy to groom.
  • Miniature Schnauzer – These dogs are energetic and playful, obedient and eager to please, but can be vocal.
  • Pomeranian – These perky little dogs are energetic, love attention and need regular grooming, but don’t need too much exercise.
  • Poodle – These intelligent dogs adapt well to different environments and don’t shed much but need a good amount of exercise and grooming.
  • Yorkshire Terrier – These tiny dogs don’t shed, don’t need too much exercise and don’t need too much grooming.

Cat

Cats come in second with pet owners, according to the APPA survey, at 43%. Cats are more independent and need a little less looking after, but they have their demands, too. Cats need space and a warm lap to occupy.

Some of the best cat breeds for seniors include:

  • Chartreux – They are calm and playful, making them a good match for seniors.
  • Himalayan – These cats are gentle and calm, preferring to live in a calm environment, which makes them a good match for older pet owners.
  • Persian – These are calm, easygoing cats that love a quiet atmosphere that a one-person home can give them.
  • American Shorthair – These cats are people-oriented and love to cuddle, which makes them a good companion for seniors.
  • Birman – This is an affectionate, gentle and intelligent cat that loves companionship, has a playful side and is low-maintenance.
  • British Shorthair – These fuzzy cats are good-natured and playful as kittens but mellow as they age.
  • Ragdoll – This cat is very laid back, loving and calm, with a tendency to follow you around.
  • Russian Blue – These cats are friendly, affectionate and loyal to their pet family.
  • American Bobtail – These cats are affectionate and don’t like to be left alone, bonding with their humans.

Fish

They may be easier to care for, but setting up an aquarium may take some time and effort. 14.7% saying they have either a freshwater or saltwater fish. They need only food and a good tank cleaning now and then. The top expense will be the equipment for its living space.

Here are a few of the best low-maintenance fish:

  • Goldfish – This is the most common pet fish, with the fancy-tailed varieties considered the most attractive. They can be a little more messy so might need more water maintenance.
  • Guppy – These fish love company, so have an environment large enough for a few. They come in a variety of colors.
  • Molly – This hardy and easy-to-keep fish is a live bearer, so there is a chance that any molly you adopt will be female and pregnant. You might have several fish before you know it.
  • Betta – These fish, also called Japanese or Siamese fighting fish, are lovely and small with flowing tails. They are a clean fish so require a change of water less often.
  • Dwarf Puffer Fish – These tiny freshwater fish are relatively inexpensive. They keep an eye on their owners, like bettas.
  • Tetra – These consist of many subspecies of colorful fish. Tetras should be kept in groups, about five or six per species.

Bird

Compared to dogs and cats, birds can be relatively low maintenance. Many never leave the cage, which makes them a good option for seniors with mobility issues. The singing, twittering and talking of birds can be a therapeutic comfort to seniors who are otherwise alone.

  • Lovebird – These pets chatter quietly, so they make a good choice if you have apartment neighbors. They can be intelligent and personable, but nippy and opinionated.
  • Canary – These birds are considered calming, with softer songs and less vocalization from the females compared with the males. They are active, friendly and social and can be kept in their cages permanently.
  • Cockatiel – These whistling, singing birds are medium sized. They can also learn to mimic sounds around the house, so don’t be surprised if the “telephone” starts ringing.
  • Parakeet – These birds have tiny voices and can be taught words and basic tricks. They’re active, intelligent and social. They are affectionate to humans and require more out-of-cage attention.
  • Zebra Finch – These quiet birds are sociable and active, but should not be allowed out of their cages. They prefer to be kept in flocks of two to four.
  • Additional Companion Options

Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice and ferrets can have short lifespans or can live as long as dogs and cats. They all require routine care, food, company and protection. Some of these animals may be nocturnal so won’t make as good a companion during the day.

Consider whether there are other pets in your household that can be a threat to these small animals.

No matter what pet you choose for your companion, getting a medical alert system with MedGuard Alert is sure to keep you safe. We provide emergency medical alert systems that allow you to connect with medical professionals from anywhere. Call today to learn more about our systems that start at just $1 a day. You may qualify for additional discounts through Medicaid.

Call today. 1-800-716-1433

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