SAFEGUARDING SENIORS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY CARE

CLASSIFIEDS

By Mark “Six” James CPO, EPS, CAS

For Protectors safeguarding seniors, independent of if they are client or family member, no two situations that are alike.

Every individual may be dealing with a different level of senior capability and caregiver capacity. However, we generally share a common objective to help our senior clients or family members maintain the quality of their life.

Assessing Capacity Before we can determine the best way to assist our senior, we need to first assess their current readiness whether we are taking mental acuity, mobility or capacity. Mental acuity is the sharpness of the mind. When it comes to assessing a person’s mental acuity are memory, focus, concentration and understanding. An elderly person with Alzheimer’s is less likely to remember how or when something happened or the identity of a loved one.

Mobility is the ability to move or be moved freely and easily. When we think capacity, we may incorporate a number of functional areas from medical consent, sexual consent, financial, driving, testamentary consent or independent living. The capacity to manage one’s health and medications is an important area related to the capacity to live independently.

If any of us find a senior in our care that we may find in the early stages of Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, there are a variety of GPS trackers which provide both the caretaker as well as the caregiver enhanced peace of mind. It allows users to monitor their charges while still providing independence but remaining connected in the event of an emergency. Some of the top rated GPS trackers for seniors: AngelSense, GPS SmartSole, iTraq, Medical Guardian, Pocketfinder, SPOT, Spy Tec Mini, Trackimo, and Trax.

While GPS trackers may provide increase accountability particularly for those at a distance, they are no replacement for in person contact and care. As one of the greatest challenges many seniors face is loneliness which can manifest itself in depression. When utilized the GPS tracker can provide location assistance it will never be a replacement for personal emotional contact.

Preparing the Residence As we look at preparing and, in some cases, hardening the residence, the goal is to make the home functionally more efficient as well as secure. Aging in place is a growing trend, that focuses on keeping seniors in their homes longer as they age. One core element of aging in place is allowing a person to maintain their

quality of life through enhanced technology. Assistive Domotics focuses on home automation which may include assistive, adaptive or rehabilitative devices or it may be as simple use of remote control technology depending on the needs of the senior and their functional capabilities.

When it comes to preparing the residence, I break the residence into four distinct areas, the perimeter barriers, building exterior, building interior and the security plan. The perimeter barrier is the first line of defense it should be designed with the intent of deterring those who might consider entering the property uninvited. Typically fences, shrubs and lighting are examples of perimeter barriers. Lights may be motion controlled, remote controlled or automated. Who says security can’t be astatically pleasing. Rose or holly bushes make great exterior scrubs. While very pleasing to the eye, their thorns are often enough to repel many unwelcome quests from trying to enter particularly through windows. Perimeter defenses should funnel people toward controlled access points and away from undesired access. Visibility of the protected dwelling should not be significantly reduced.

Remember perimeter defenses often only delay intrusion they don’t guarantee prevention of intrusion. However, in many cases delay is good, as criminals don’t

like to work and will often seek easier targets. Perimeter defenses should funnel people toward controlled access points and away from undesired access. Visibility of the protected dwelling should not be significantly reduced. Please make sure any fences meet local building codes, laws or homeowner’s covenants. When we think building exterior think: solid doors, hurricane resistant storm doors, windows, lights, roofs, and signage (beware of dog, alarm companies, etc.). Home Interior Internal controls are the internal countermeasures used to enhance the protection of the respective dwelling, inhabitants, or contents. Consider: Biometric access controls, automated deadbolt locks, intrusion alarms, intercom systems, cameras, peep holes, privacy curtains, safes, internal doors, reinforced door jams, and safe rooms. When I think safe rooms for seniors because of limited mobility, I recommend reinforcing the parts of the home

where they spend the most time in. Those rooms ideally would have solid doors, reinforced door jams, and automated or remote closing and locking capabilities. Along with high visible monitors for the security camera system. The Tactical Plan

The tactical plan must be simple, efficient, and deployable within seconds. With seniors one touch panic alarms are often best. Remote control or other automated locking systems should help further secure the dwelling by locking off a portion or all of the house or securing the senior’s safe haven and require minimal to no movement for the senior to activate.

The Benefits of a K9 Many seniors often suffer from depression and loneliness. They K9 represents a great companion as they provide the senior unconditional love and companionship. Depending on the mobility of the senior partner, the daily dog walks provide the senior a welcomed exercise partner. If the K9 is protection trained they may factor into the senior’s security plan. They can be used as an extension of internal

They K9 represents a great companion as they provide the senior unconditional love and companionship.

defense strategies and can be deployed for under a number of situations from perimeter defense, audible deterrent, search for a potential intruder, engage on contact or escort an intruder away from the senior.

Firearms If the senior family member is not experiencing any signs of diminished mental acuity and still has functional physical capabilities then a firearm may serve as a force multiplayer to help further enhance their capabilities. As the majority of potential assailants or invaders would probably have a disparity of force over most seniors. Please familiarize yourself with the laws in your state particularly when it comes to self-defense and defending your residence.

Why Seniors Visit the Emergency Room (ER) If we understand the most common causes why seniors visit the ER, it can help us better understand strategies, training and at home emergency kits and devices which may be beneficial in times of need. Below are the most common causes why seniors visit the ER. • Heart Disease - Chest pains and shortness of breath can be associated with heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death for both men and women. It is a good idea to consider cardiovascular disease screening tests regularly to help detect conditions that may lead to heart disease, like elevated cholesterol levels. • Stroke - One of the more serious conditions that sends seniors to emergency care is stroke. You can help reduce their chances of a stroke by encouraging healthy living habits, including healthy eating, regular exercise, maintaining an appropriate weight, giving up smoking, and reducing your

alcohol intake. Strokes generally don’t cause pain, but they can cause confusion, and paralysis on one side of the body. If they have trouble moving one arm or one leg, or if they can’t speak coherently, they could be having a stroke; you should call 911.

Treating for Stroke If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a “clot-busting” drug) to break up blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic. tPA improves the chances of recovering from a stroke.

• Chest Pains - Seniors frequently land in the ER due to chest pains, which may or may not be caused by heart disease. Other causes for chest pains include respiratory infections and gastrointestinal problems. • Pneumonia - Pneumococcal shot to prevent respiratory infections like pneumonia. The shot generally does not cover every possible strain of this virus, so it is a good idea to have the senior avoid contact with others who may be sick. • Injuries and Accidents (Broken bones) - Osteoporosis (loss of bone density) can lead to bone fractures, another potential If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a “clotbusting” drug) to break up blood clots.

hazard for seniors. It can be a good idea to ask their doctor about maintaining bone strength by getting plenty of calcium through their diet or supplements and doing weightbearing exercises (if appropriate for their physical condition). You also should consider having emergency splints, gauze or ace bandages, compressions bandages, chest seals, and tourniquet for in the event a broken bone leads to an arterial

bleed or other internal injuries in the senior’s home first aid kit. • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Shortness of breath, emphysema, and bronchitis are often symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is another leading reason for ER visits among seniors. Smoking is the main cause of COPD and stopping smoking can go a long way in preventing this disease.

Utilizing an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Check to see if the person is breathing and has a pulse. If you cannot feel a pulse and the person is not breathing, call for emergency help. Turn on the AED. The automated external defibrillator will give you step-by-step voice instructions explaining how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the person's chest. Deliver the shock. When the pads are in place, the AED automatically measures the person's heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the machine tells the user to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock. The AED is programmed not to deliver a shock if a shock isn't needed.

Administer CPR. Start CPR after the shock is delivered if CPR is still needed. The AED will also guide users through CPR. The process can be repeated as needed until emergency crews take over.

Performing CPR It should only be performed when a person shows no signs of life or when they are: 1. Unconscious. 2. Unresponsive. 3. Not breathing or not breathing normally (in cardiac arrest, some people will take occasional gasping breaths – they still need CPR at this point. Don't wait until they are not breathing at all).

Treating for Shock Shock is a condition in which blood pressure is too low and not enough oxygenated blood can sustain your body. The symptoms of shock include cold and sweaty skin that may be pale or gray, weak but rapid pulse, irritability, thirst, irregular breathing, dizziness, profuse sweating, fatigue, dilated pupils, lackluster eyes, anxiety, confusion, nausea, and reduced urine flow. If untreated, shock is usually fatal.

Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC. He is an internationally published author, keynote speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and frequent contributor to several print, broadcast and online media. Panther Protection Services is a full-service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Protective Services, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction. www.pantherprotectionservices.com

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