Security / Safety for the Elderly - Pendant Alarms

Pendant Alarms: It's an unfortunate fact of life that 33% of individuals over 65 years old are more likely to be injured in a fall or in an accident at home. Many live alone so this can be a scary situation to be in. Even worrying about it can cause health problems and lack of sleep. Pendant alarms will give you peace of mind and the security you need to ensure you are protected if an accident should happen while you're home alone.

Just slip your Pendant alarm around your neck or clip it to a belt or pocket. If you need help and can't get to a phone, you can easily activate it and get immediate medical response 24/7. Have a browse around the security section of our store -> HOMELink Store

This n' That

Firstly, only one more sleep until our trek up Lugnaquillia and as usual I am completely unprepared. No waterproof clothing, no boots, no gloves etc. The only requirement I have are my legs! The weather forecast is looking good and whilst it will be bitterly cold, we should have a clear sunrise so great photos shall be taken for all to see.

On another note, I heard an interesting article on the radio this morning. Yes, our little country is in a bad way. Yes, there is a lot of unemployment out there. Yes, the winter has been very tough. BUT! Spring is here, we have a new government and let's look at what we have rather than what we have not. If you are one of the many unemployed, don't see it as a disaster. Look at it as an opportunity. Don't make it an obsession as you will just burn yourself out. Do your research, job hunting etc in the morning and then bring the kids to the park in the afternoon, get out in your garden, take up a hobby. Do things that previously you never had the time for.

And for an extra feel good factor, give a couple of your hours to a charity. Pick one close to your heart and help others who need you. Whether it's your time or your experience you will be very much appreciated. 

Training continues...........

My preparation for the Sunrise Walk this weekend continued yesterday with a more intense training session than before. I did every single aisle in Tesco Wicklow, some twice carrying a heavy basket. Thanks to pay day this was a significantly heavier basket than previous sessions and I'm feeling ready for Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt or Tesco Arklow before the weekend. That will be the ultimate test as both of these centres are huge!

On the subject of grocery shopping, did you ever wonder how your elderly neighbour/relation gets their shopping done? If they rely on public transport then how do you get heavy bags back home? I guess it's either do without or pay up for a taxi. Maybe the next time you are going to do your shopping, ask if they need anything that you could pick up for them.

Election Day!

It's finally here, the day of reckoning, the day to get your voices heard, the day to make a change. For most of us getting to our local polling station is no problem but spare a thought for your elderly neighbours. They might not have transport, may not be able to walk the distance etc. If you know of someone who might be in this situation please knock on their door and see if they need a hand.

On that note, what do you do if you find yourself on a pre-booked trip out of the country on polling day - no vote. In  hospital - no vote. No way of getting to polling station - no vote.

We can chat via video links to friends and family on the other side of the world but we still have to vote using the same system for god knows how long. Electronic voting? Hmmm, best not to bring up that touchy subject......

Security and the Elderly

Yesterday I painted a picture. One of an elderly person living alone where simple everyday tasks we take for granted were no longer viable. I asked the question, what do you do if you find yourself in that situation? Or what can you do if you know of someone who might be in that situation.

This is why Homelink was established. A charity dedicated to helping the elderly and vulnerable in our local community. We help over 600 people on a daily or weekly basis through the following programmes -

• a scheduled phone call. At the least it is social interaction with someone who otherwise may not have spoken to a single soul that day. And we do more, if there is no reply, we will alert a relative or friend who can then check that all is ok. If there is still no response we will alert emergency services and this has saved lives.
• A basic maintenance service. All of those 'take for granted' tasks we do whether it's fixing a dripping tap, mowing the lawn or even changing a lightbulb, we're there.
• Social Outings - yep, we do even more. We arrange social gatherings for our members so they can laugh, chat and gossip with their peers.

One day YOU might need this service so act now to make sure we are still around when the time comes. Contact us or a similar charity in your area and see what help you can give. It's worth it!

Security and the Elderly

So, you've lived in your house all your life. Over the years, you've changed thousands of lightbulbs, mowed the lawn countless times, put things up and taken down things from the attic, raked up leaves, painted, sanded etc on numerous occassions. All things that you have taken for granted over the years.

You're still at home and want to stay there but age has decreased your mobility, strength and stamina and these simple tasks are not possible anymore. You may not have any family or they live far away, you have little or no income and cannot afford to pay professionals to do the jobs.

What do you do?

Wow, week 3 of the 2011 blog already........

So what shall we talk about this week?? As http://www.homelinkbray.ie/ is a service for the elderly, I thought why not talk about the elderly in our community so this week’s blog is all about your community and how the elderly contribute and enhance life for us all and it’s dedicated to my wonderful Granny, who was always busy so there will little snippets of all her shenanigans, most of which will make you smile!!! If you have any stories, words of wisdom, grievances, advice etc. etc. please feel free to post to this blogspot.

Why not have a read of this little gem?

Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul: Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Grandparents

Self help books....help or hindrance???

I heard an interesting discussion on the radio this morning. The topic was self help books and do they really work. 'The Secret', a best seller, came up in conversation. I personally have not read it as I wasn't a big fan of the notion that anything bad that has happened in my life is my fault but I do know of other people who swear by it. Have you read it? If so, what are your opinions? A masterpiece or a pile of waffle??

Interesting article..........

Sorry guys, blogger being a bold boy today and won't let me put a direct link on this post so have to go with this -->>

www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0111/1224287231696.html

Day 4 - Get DANCING!!!

Can't get out to dance classes but love the idea of learning how to dance. Then click on the link, get your copy and get dancing!!!




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, DVD Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Day 5 - Fitness and Health

Yes, I know, you all know that being fit is good for you. But do you know exactly WHY it is good for you? Well keep reading…………

1. Regular activity has a number of proven, positive health effects, especially on heart health. Vigorous exercise strengthens the heart as a pump, making it a larger, more efficient muscle. Even moderate activity can boost HDL ('good') cholesterol, aid the circulatory system, and lower blood pressure and blood fats. All these effects translate into reduced risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

2. Exercise can also offer other benefits, including strengthened muscles, increased flexibility, and stronger bones, which can help ward off the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis.

3. Regular activity also promises mental-health benefits, like relieving stress and anxiety. It can help you sleep better and renew your energy. If exercise could be bottled, it would be a best-selling potion at the local pharmacy.

If exercise could be bottled, it would be a best-selling potion at the local pharmacy.

Surveys confirm the well-known fact that most people aren't active enough and boy, do we pay for it. 12% of all deaths are due to a lack of regular exercise. So look around you, 1 out of the 10 people you see right now will die from lack of exercise – SCARY!!

So what’s stopping you?

The reasons for inactivity aren't hard to figure out. Most of us have jobs where we sit most of the time, so chances are limited to be physically active at work. We also rely heavily on modern, labor-saving devices - cars, appliances, and power tools - to spare us manual effort.

But that’s not the main reason why people avoid physical exercise. Have a look at all those TV ads featuring some young, gorgeous celebrity jumping around with some other young gorgeous specimens with any extra inches airbrushed away. You know that is not within your grasp or capabilities so you ignore it and grab another biscuit.

Well, stop! Going for a walk with a friend is just as good and probably more fun. Gardening is a fantastic all over body workout and look at the added benefits, a pretty garden to sit in and enjoy the sunshine knowing you have earned a break. And as we mentioned yesterday, ballroom dancing is for all ages and no sweat or jumping around needed (until you get to the cha-cha-cha!).

So go for it, get up off your ass and make a difference to YOUR life. Care for YOUR heart, don’t break it.

Day 2 - whoop wHoop.......get fit!!!

So you don't like jogging, find it too cold to walk, swimming is just too wet, aerobics is just too much like hard work. Well then grab a hula hoop, throw on some music and swing those hips. Why not get some friends around and have a hula hoop party (not the munchie kind of hula hoops!!)....guaranteed laughter, fun and fitness :-)


Gaiam Marisa Tomei HoopBody Hoop and DVD Kit

Another product that may be of interest :)

Imak Arthritis Gloves Medium (Pack of 2)

Reading Material :)

I came across this book that may be of interest to arthritis sufferers.



Conquering Arthritis: What Doctors Don't Tell You Because They Don't Know

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty. ~John Selden

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months! ~Edward Payson Powell

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn

The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year's Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you're married to. ~P.J. O'Rourke

The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows. ~George William Curtis

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever. ~Mark Twain

New Years Resolutions Top Ten

Here it is folks, the final poll of 2010. And of course the final poll of 2010 is one that is all about 2011!!!! We have added how we can help with that resolution :)

1. Stop smoking - will power is really what is needed to succeed at this one but why not help Mr. W. Power and get sponsored by your friends and family. Each day you don't smoke they can contribute to your fund. So this way you are achieving resolution 1, 4, 8 and 10!!!

2. Get fit - sign up for a marathon or sporting event as your motivation. Get sponsored and get friends and family involved. Brill, that ticks off resolution 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10.

3. Lose weight - make losing weight easier by not just dieting but exercise so why not encorporate resolution 2 into your plan. You have now achieved resolutions 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10.

4. Enjoy life more - what better way to get the 'feel good' factor than helping others. Maybe you could use 7 and 10 in your plan.

5. Quit drinking - Get sponsored by your friends and family for each week you are away from the demon booze. That way you are killing 2 birds with 1 stone by completing 5 and 10.

6. Get organised - de-clutter your life. Get together with friends and family and have a garage sale. You will be amazed at how one man's junk is another man's treasure. Donate the proceeds to a charity and hey presto, resolutions 4, 6, 9 and 10 sorted.

7. Learn something new - the possibilities here are endless whether you want to try your hand at space flight or baking! Either way, learning something new can only enrich your life. My advice - GO FOR IT! And to really make it worthwhile rope in a friend or two to join you and if it's baking that is your new thing, have a cake sale of your wares and well, look at that, you have just completed resolutions 4, 7, 9 and 10.

8. Get out of debt - hmmm, this is a tricky one as there is not usually a quick fix solution. But what you can do is take baby steps in your quest. Maybe by learning a new skill you could improve your income (resolution 7)? If you are a smoker, then achieving resolution 1 will certainly improve your outgoings (€8.50 a pack....ouch!).

9. Spend more time with family - organising a charity event will certainly bring your friends and family together. Rather than looking at it like a task, make your event FUN! Laughter is surely the best medicine so the more fun you have the better you will feel. We here in Homelink just love whacky fundraising ideas so drop us a line and let's get laughing. That's a minimum of 4, 9 and 10 done!!!

10. Help people - 10 is the magic number. CALL US!!!

Want it, need it, source it!

So 2010 is drawing to a close and for many it seems, that is a blessing. There sure seems to be a lot of people out there who will be glad to see the back of 2010 and are hoping 2011 brings new hope and a fresh start.

Here in the Homelink Fundraising department we have SOOOOOO many plans to put in place for 2011 that we are hoping for 48 hour days, no snow disruptions and no more CUTBACKS!!!

One of our resolutions is to help all you fundraising and charitable souls achieve your 2011 goals - raise as much cash for charity as possible whilst having fun!!!

We want to HELP you HELP us HELP them :)

Watch this space for loads more on upcoming events/competitions/news etc. First up is our new FREE service 'Want it, need it, source it!' or Witnitsit if you prefer.

The idea is you need or want something but can't for the life of you find it in shops, online etc. and really don't have the time to do endless google searches. Well we are here to sort that out for you. Just post a comment with the details and leave the rest to us. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!!!

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Quirky Fundraising Idea

Quirky Fundraising Idea

I know I have asked for some ‘different’ fundraising ideas but I am not sure if this is one we will run with in 2011.

Pink Flamingo Fundraiser

Products needed: 10 pink flamingos

How the event works: Place the flamingos in various gardens in your neighbourhood with a note around the neck stating: For a €10 donation, we will take this flamingo and place it in the garden of your choice.(include contact information)

I would imagine we would receive many calls requesting the flamingo be removed (at a €10 charge happy days!) but I am not so sure if the animal rights organisations would approve. And of course, sourcing 10 pink flamingos might be a problem too.

Is it too early to be thinking about 2011?

I know, I know, Christmas hasn't even been and already there is a blog about 2011. But amidst all the tinsel, wrapping paper and holly we here in the Homelink fundraising department need to be looking ahead and putting our plans in place to make 2011 a whopper!!

Has anyone got any funky, cool ideas for a fundraising event that would be fun for all ages to participate in? Get your thinking caps on folks. To make it worth your while, there may even be a little surprise for the best idea. Everyone loves surprises, right???

Primetime Investigates

Primetime Investigates last night was certainly an eye opener and it is obvious that tighter regulations need to be in place. But we should be careful not to tar everyone with the same brush. There are many many wonderful people who provide a vital and much needed service to our elderly in a genuinely caring way (such as ourselves).

Anybody got any thoughts on what is the best way forward to ensure the elderly and vulnerable get the care they deserve?