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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/471536270262466/

New Serenity LLC, 8530 Eagle Point Boulevard suite 100, Lake Elmo, MN (2026)

Q: What is the address?

8530 Eagle Point Boulevard Suite 100

10/20/2020

Elderly Su***de
Prevention, risk factors and more
https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/2020/september/elderly-su***de-prevention-risk-factors-more/

No one likes to discuss su***de, especially in the elderly community. But it is essential to have the discussion. According to the American Association for Family and Marriage Therapy, older adults make up 12% of the population, but account for 18% of all su***de deaths. The statistics worsen as a person ages, the highest possibility of elderly su***de in those over age 85.

Since elder adults do not typically seek help for mental health problems, it is up to family, friends, and caregivers to watch for signs and do their best to prevent su***des before they happen.

Risk Factors

- Relationship Issues. Breakups and divorce are traumatic and cause huge changes in a person’s life. Post-relationship su***de risk increases over the age of 50 and is significantly higher in men and women.

- Life crisis. Shortly after a personal crisis, typically the loss of a spouse or valued family member, increase the chances of su***de.

- Substance abuse. One in three su***des are connected to substance abuse, typically alcohol.

- Physical Health Issues. Traumatic brain injury, sleep disorders, and HIV are associated with increased su***de.

- Employment/Financial Stress. People are working longer and retiring later in life. Increased financial burdens can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Prevention and Warning Signs

Su***de is preventable and knowing what to look for will help.

- Losing interest in life and activities.

- Cutting back on social interaction, self-care, and grooming.

- Going off diets and/or not taking prescriptions as prescribed or at all.

- Putting affairs in order, giving things away, and making changes to a will abruptly.

- Expressing suicidal intent.

Don’t be afraid to talk to and elderly loved one or patient, especially if they are presenting suicidal tendency. Often talking will help release the emotions causing these suicidal thoughts. It is important to not keep dangerous secrets and to have routine discussions about your mental health with your loved ones. You can also seek professional help. Even brief amounts of therapy can be extremely beneficial.

Finally, it is important when you believe a loved on or patient is suicidal to remove as many lethal means as possible. Get fi****ms out of the house and if possible, remove medications that could lead to overdose’s.

Su***de is always difficult and scary to even think about. Remember there are organizations that are here to help. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can visit su***depreventionlifeline.org or call 800-273-8255. New Serenity will also be there for you, reach out for our Interventional Service now. Call us at 218-512-0365 or Email Info@newserenitycare.com

10/19/2020

Events in Fargo-Moorhead this October.
By Matthew McDonnell

Fargo Moorhead is known for our exceptional cold weather of winter, but this Fall is alive with a variety of activities. All available to the public, but with social distancing kept in mind.

You can view these activities and schedules at https://www.fargomoorhead.org/events/ .

- Every Saturday you can visit the Red River Market in Fargo, ND from 10am-2pm. This is a perfect opportunity to see what Fargo-Moorhead has to offer. Shop from local vendors including product, meat, eggs, bakery, pantry items, household goods, art, and more.
It is a great place to grab breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Stick around for a live cooking demonstration, live performances, educational family activities.

- October 16 will be our routine Yoga on Tap, hosted at the Fargo Brewery Company Headquarters, near downtown Fargo. Each class is held the 3rd Friday of every month. The class, a Vinyasa yoga class, will be taught by Megan Pechin, a certified yoga instructor from Mojo Fit Studios. Keep in mind, due to COVID-19 restrictions each class is limited to 15 people, so sign up in advance.

- From now until the end of October, October 31st. Join the festivities at Lil Bitz Pumpkin patch. One of the finest pumpkin patches in the North Dakota area. General admission grants you access to horse drawn wagon rides, petting zoos, Ninja Course’s and of course the classic corn maze.

- Check out the genuine Haunted Farm in Moorhead October 23 from 7-10pm. Adventure through the woods, avoiding the terrible beast and ghouls with in, rush through the 15 spine tingling attractions and stumble your way through the Dark Maze.

- Or rush over to Leonard, ND on October 23 from 8-11:59pm to experience the classic Acres of Terror, a North Dakota tradition since 2003. Search your way through a haunted corn maze to the old abandoned school.

- Maybe a late night “Fearathon” is not what you’re looking for, try the Red River’s Boo at the Zoo October 17, 24 and 31st from 11am-4pm. This kid friendly and COVID conscious environment is a perfect Halloween event.

Fargo-Moorhead Offers a variety of both Family Friendly but COVID-19 conscious events all throughout the year. Take a few minutes and see what events are coming up the next few months.

10/13/2020

Social Responsibility and Halloween
Having a Safe Halloween in 2020
By: Matthew McDonnell

It’s the question everyone has been forgetting until the 1st of October and then BAM, they remember. How can we make Halloween Socially responsible during the COVID-19 pandemic? Well, I wont sugar coat it, Halloween is going to look a bit different this year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a spooky fun time during your Halloween celebration. You simply need to take more time in planning and preparing to be socially responsible.

Here is some guidelines to follow

1. Safety is your first priority. Check your cities website and see if they have announced any guideline for Halloween. Here is a list from low to high risk guidelines from the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Remember creating a physical distance between yourself and others is highly affective in limiting exposure to COVID-19, along with regular hand sanitation.

2. Get Creative. Remember, Halloween is all about having fun. Here are some suggestions families can do with their kids.

a. Go door to door inside your own home. Great idea for younger children. Challenge everyone to decorate a different room in your home with a theme and treats, and tricks of course. Then have the children dress up and go door to door for Halloween candy.

b. Coordinate a socially distanced neighborhood event. For example, create a Halloween contest and have the “contestants” walk or drive by the “judge’s homes.

c. Go crazy with Halloween decorations. You know the 15-foot skeleton the internet has been buzzing about? Maybe it would be perfect in your yard? Or perhaps adding on a graveyard, pumpkins covering the lawn, or a hanged man from a tree. What ever decorations you choose doesn’t matter, just put in the effort and have fun with it.

d. Plan a Halloween Movie night- Indoors, outdoors or streaming. Bring out the old movie projector and get a movie running on the side of your home, bring the neighbors over for a movie marathon. Or get a movie going in doors, sync it up with other homes and family members.

e. Distance your Treats Outside. Create individually wrapped goody bags at the edge of your yard in reasonable distance points.

f. Create a Halloween scavenger hunt. Create a hunters list for Halloween-themed things to spot while out for a walk around the neighborhood, in their costumes of course.

g. Perform a Halloween Egg hunt. Purchase some glow in the dark eggs or create some glow in the dark eggs with night-glow paints.

3. Include your COVID-19 Mask with your costume. Yes that Avengers mask is really cool, but hardly CDC-recommended. But by incorporating your COVID mask you can stay safe and looking spooky for all Halloween. You can wear it underneath a costume mask or by coloring your mask to match your outfit.

4. Research Spooky places to go too. Nothing says fun Halloween time and social distance by going to a haunted corn maze or going on a haunted trail walk.

5. Look at places before you go. Perhaps creating something special for Halloween is just not possible but feel the need to go somewhere for Halloween.

Remember for this Halloween it is not only about being safe but having fun.

10/12/2020

8 Things to Have your Doctor Check After an Aging Person Falls

From BetterHealthWhileAging.com and Written by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH

By: Matthew McDonnell

https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/8-things-to-check-after-fall-in-aging/

Dr. Kernisan stats in her article that one major way of preventing falls in our aging community is to be proactive about getting the right kind of medical assessment after a fall.

The three major reasons behind this are.

1. A fall can be a sign of a new and serious medical problem. For example, a fall can be caused due to physical weakness brought upon by dehydration or malnutrition, were a simple change in diet can fix this. Or be brought upon by something more serious, such as a urinary tract infection.

2. Older adults who have fallen are at higher risk for a future fall.

3. Busy Doctors may not be thorough unless caregivers are proactive about asking questions. Doctors are well intentioned and do care for their patients, but they work a busy career and it is common to not follow up with proper questions and recommendations. So, it is up to the elderly patient and their caregiver to be forth coming with all information, even if it doesn’t seem important, and follow through with questions to confirm nothing is overlooked.

Dr. Kernisan noted that it is all to common for medical visits, after a fall, are mainly about addressing any injuries that the patient suffered from the fall. This is important but does nothing to help prevent future falls.

Here is 8 Things the Doctors should Check after a Fall

1. An Assessment for Underlying new Illness. Any new health problem that makes an older person weak, can bring on a fall.
a. Urinary Tract infection
b. Dehydration
c. Anemia
d. Pneumonia
e. Heart Problems
f. Strokes

2. A blood pressure and pulse reading when sitting and when standing. Drops in blood pressure and pulse when moving from sitting to standing can cause dizziness, light-headedness and fainting which can lead to falls.
Have the Doctor confirm that they are not taking medications that can experience a drop in blood pressure.

3. Blood tests. Doing a simple blood test can be of immense benefit to an elderly patient, falls can be worsened by problems with their blood count or by their blood sodium levels being too low or high. A blood test can show this
Ask the doctor to explain any abnormalities found in the blood work, even if they are not related to what caused the fall.

4. Medications review. Many older adults take a variety of medications and vitamins that can increase their fall risk. Here is a list of medication that you should discuss with your doctor.
a. Any sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medications.
b. Blood Pressure and diabetes medications. It is not uncommon for older adults to be over-treated for diabetes and blood pressure, meaning that they are taking a level of medication that causes their blood pressure, or blood sugar, to be lower than is really necessary for ideal health.
c. Anticholinergic Medications. These are medications for allergies, overactive bladder, vertigo, nausea, and certain types of antidepressants. These all have an effect on one’s balance and thinking.
d. Op**te pain medications.

5. Gait and Balance. A gait assessment is simply having a doctor watch how an elderly patient walks and determines if they are walking in a manner that increase falls.
Here is a list to increase balance.
a. Address any pain or discomfort. Many older people are reacting to pain in their feet, back, or joints.
b. Consider a physical therapy referral for gain and balance. A physical therapist can often recommend suitable strengthening exercises, and also help fit the older person for an assistive device, such as a walker.

6. Vitamin D level. We know that low vitamin D levels can contribute to fragile bones, but did you know that it can also be associated to falls? If an elderly individual spends a large amount of time indoors and doesn’t get their daily vitamin D levels taking an 800-1000 IU of vitamin D can help with obtaining the proper amount of Vitamin D.

7. Evaluation for underlying heart conditions or neurological conditions. These are chronic conditions that are often overlooked after a fall due to the focus on acute types of illnesses most commonly associated with falls.

These tests need to take priority once you have already minimized risky medications and over-treatment of high blood pressure, two of the most common causes of balance issues.

8. Vision, podiatry, and home safety referrals. It is good to discuss with an elderly patient about additional services they can have to help reduce fall exposure.

Kernisan recommends a home safety evaluation, if available in your area. Vision checks are also excellent idea if they haven already had one recently.

Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH has put together a strong list of what to check after a fall incident. The main points to take from her list are to discuss with your medical professional about what caused the initial fall and how best to prevent it in the future.

The best way though for non-medically trained people to help is to insure that the elderly persons home is safe and hazard free. This can be done by reach out to New Serenity L.L.C. and requesting an in-home inspection and any additional services. (218) 512-0365

10/12/2020

Reach Out and Discover your New Serenity Today.
218-512-0365 or Email Info@newserenitycare.com

10/05/2020

Why Falls are Bad
By: Matthew McDonnell

Did you know an initial fall doubles your chances of falling again, stated the CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year millions of older people, those 65 years of age and older, fall. Doesn’t sound like a lot considering how many people there are in the world. But a better way of looking at it is more then four older people fall each year, less then half of those tell their doctor. “it’s not a big deal, happens to everyone” they say. Half of that is true, it does happen to everyone, but it is a big deal.

Fortunately, many falls do not lead to serious injury. One of five falls however does cause a serious injury. Bruises, broken bones, and head injuries are common. In 2015 alone, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 Billion, where Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

Falls can cause injuries such as broken wrists, fingers, arms, and hip fractures. Most are not to problematic for the youngest of generation, but as people age these injuries can lead to serious problems. Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures, 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways.

Falls are also the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

But the main question is, what conditions make you more likely to fall? Medical professionals have done extensive data collection and identified many conditions that contribute to falling, called Risk Factors. They are…
- Lower Body Weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency.
- Difficulties with walking and balance, linked to body weakness and cognitive function.
- Use of medications such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants.
- Vision Problems.
- Foot pain
- Tripping hazards

Most falls are not a single risk factor but a combination of risk factors, typically in the home.

What can you do to help prevent falls and other Risk Factors.
- Talk to your Doctor. Have him or her evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do. Ask them to review your medication prescriptions to see if anyone of them or a combination of them can make you dizzy or sleepy.
- Increase your Vitamin D intake, either through supplements or exposure to the sun.
- Do strength and balance exercises, Tai Chi is a wonderful forum of exercise that can be done by anyone at any age.
- Have a yearly eye exam to ensure your prescriptions are up to date.
- Make your home safer by getting rid of things you could trip over, adding grab bars inside and outside the shower, put railings on both sides of the stairs and making sure there is lots of light in walk ways.

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

09/21/2020

A Care Plan
Developing and Maintaining
By: Matthew McDonnell

Caregivers, as stated in previous articles, are often family members or friend of a person who needs care. Caregivers may manage everything from medications and getting dressed in the morning to doctor appointments, social events, and meals. Caregivers are also hired professionals, dedicated to the care of multiple individuals. Having so many people to take care of can be demanding and confusing. That’s where a care plan comes in.

“What is a care plan?” You may ask. A care plan is a form that summarizes a person’s health conditions and current treatments for their care, an essential part of In-Home Healthcare. A care plan needs to include information about:

1. Health Conditions
2. Medications- Dosage and Times
3. Healthcare providers
4. Emergency Contacts
5. Caregiver resources.

When creating a care plan make sure to contact your personal physician to confirm all information is correct and nothing is left out. At this time, you can also discuss advanced care plan options such as what follow-up care is necessary, end of life care options, and resources that are available to help make things easier for you as a caregiver. Make sure to update the care plan at least once a year and after any and all major medical changes.

Below is a link to the CDC website with a pre-made care plan from the US Department of health and Human Services, but you can develop a one specific to your wants and needs.
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/caregivers-month.html

How do you develop a care plan? The beginning is simple, start a conversation with your caregiver. Develop a brief plan with them, then take this plan to your physician or any health care provider and have them review it.

Once a rough draft is made ask yourself, “What care options are relevant to the person you care for?” If you have Medicare or some other health supplement, consult with them about your care plan and what else is needed for it. Finally, discuss again with your caregiver about any needs they could have as a caregiver.
84% of caregivers report they could use more information and help on care giving topics, especially related to safety at home, dealing with stress, and managing their care recipient behaviors.

The benefits of a care plan are they can help to drastically reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and improve overall medical management for people with a chronic health condition. They also can provide easy access information and resources for the caregiver, to better asset them whilst care giving.

09/14/2020

Scams Against our Elders
What we can do.
By: Matthew McDonnell

A scam is dishonest scheme or fraud intended to steal money or goods from a person or persons. Sadly, a constant target of scams are the elders of our community. Con artist will use a variety of schemes to swindle our elders out of whatever financial assets they have.

Here are some common scams targeting seniors.

1. Health Insurance Scams: Con artist will pose as medical representatives, providing fake medical services to access a senior’s personal information. They will then use said information to charge health-insurance companies and pocket the money.

2. Phone Scams: A widely popular scam where some one poses as a charity representative or telemarketer to solicit money from seniors.

3. Internet & Email Scams: A phishing scam, or blanket activity, where a con artist sends out an email to a wide variety of seniors. This email looks legitimate, from the IRS or online banking service, asking for them to update their credit card information.

4. Funeral & Cemetery Scams: Scammers will show up to a deceased relatives funeral, posing as a debt collector. Claiming that the deceased has outstanding debts that need to be repaid. Or a funeral director will take advantage of peoples limited knowledge of funeral costs and over charge people. Due to the vulnerable state people are in from losing a loved one they are more inclined to pay off the supposed debt or pay additional fines.

5. Software scams: Typical malware scams, but targeted at seniors who, most of the time, have limited knowledge of computers.

6. Grandparent Scams: A con artist will call a senior with the statement, “Do you know who this is Grandpa?”. Too which they will generally respond with a grandchild’s name. The con artist will then pose as the grandchild, stating that they had run into some financial trouble and they need them to wire some money over to them.

7. Fake Anti-Aging Products: Scammers will sell fake or poorly made products to seniors at extremely high prices claiming they are anti-aging.

8. Homeowner or Reverse Mortgage Scams: Scammers will usually either offer to identify a property’s assessed value for a fee or pose as home-repair companies, charging half-down to do work and then not doing anything.

9. Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams: Scammers will call seniors saying they won a contest of some sorts, but they have to pay a small up-front fee to unlock the rewards.

10. Investment Scams: Fraudsters will often target seniors planning to save up for retirement, asking them to invest something into some program or business model that will ultimately lead to nothing.

11. Counterfeit Prescription Drug Scams: Prescription drugs have been on the rise for years, con artist will target seniors with deals, discounts, or generally cheaper prescription drugs. This is truly damaging because there is no guarantee that these are actual drugs, they can easily be sugar pills that do nothing.

How to Avoid Scams:
-Never send money or give out personal information to unknown people.
-Always ask for a reference before agreeing for someone to perform work on your home and never pay someone who wants a large sum of money upfront.
-Do not rely on verbal promises for delivered goods.
-Avoid as many impulse purchases as possible, especially with door to door salesmen.
-Ask how and when payments will take place when paying for a service.
-Avoid people requiring you to make a quick decision.
-Research unknown businesses through the Better Business Bureau or other business watch groups.
-Get everything involving pay and services in writing.
-Research competitors and their services for comparable quotes to determine if the deal is authentic.
-Block Mail and E-Mail solicitations.
-Set up bank safeguards, such as credit or debit card spending limits.
-Sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s Do not Call Registry by calling 888-382-1222 or through www.donotcall.gov.

While these tips to avoid scams can be useful, they are not full proof. The reason seniors are one of the most targeted people of scams is due to their possible cognitive decline and over all functionality. But how can you ensure that your loved one is not being taken advantage of when you are not around? That’s where New Serenity comes in.

Through our variety of in-home caregiving services, such as Adult Companion services and Individualized Home Support, we can help to insure that your loved one is safe and secure when you are not around.

Reach out and Discover your New Serenity at (218) 512-0365 or email info@newserenitycare.com

09/07/2020

Bathroom Safety Tips
9 Tips to Prevent Injuries

By: Matthew McDonnell

One of the smallest areas of anyone’s home has been found to be the most dangerous. The CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that about 235,000 people visit the emergency room for injuries suffered in the bathroom, caused by slippery surfaces in the shower, bath and around the toilet.

People aged 85 and older are particularly prone to injury due to falls in the bathroom. This calls to action every homeowner to implement preventive measures and equipment in the bathroom for our senior citizens.

Here are 9 Tips to Assist Elders in the Bathroom.

1. Install Anchor bars everywhere, especially around the shower, bathtub, and toilet. Make sure to test them for strength and stability.

2. Non-skid mats and decals on the floor of the shower and bathtub, as well on the surrounding floor. Shower rugs or mats are nice to walk on but can be slippery at times, especially right out of the shower.

3. Remodel for a walk-in bath if possible, if not then consider placing a stool or chair in the bath and stall.

4. Insure there are places to sit if they are prone to getting tired quickly and to hold all toiletries.

5. Make sure towel, soap and shampoo are within easy reach from the shower or tub.

6. Night lights and motion lights in the bathroom and on the path to the bathroom would be a great way to avoid a fall during your late-night visits to the bathroom.

7. A modified raised toilet sits to make it easier to sit down on and get back up from.

8. Replace “knob” handled faucets for a lever faucet for easy turning, make sure they are properly labeled cold and hot.

9. Remove any potential tripping hazards in the bathroom.
When it comes to our loved one’s safety there are no short cuts to take or corners to cut. A safe bathroom brings peace of mind and safety to the entire home.

Let New Serenity take a look at your loved one’s bathroom and suggest some actions to take. We can also provide a variety of services to your loved one in the Fargo-Moorhead community.

Discover New Serenity by reach out at (218) 512-0365 or email Info@newserenitycare.com

New Serenity LLC

10/20/2020

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Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm