Elderly and the Internet

When we started Fenway Medical, we wanted to design a web site for baby boomers who have taken on the responsbility of caring for their parent at home. We wanted www.fenwaymedical.com to be a place where medical and incontinence supplies could be ordered and shipped directly and discretely to your home. We also wanted our site to be a place where adults could go for caregiving advice since the majority of them would be taking on this change for the first time. Skeptics of our business, some of our own family members included, stated that our target audience is not internet saavy enough to utilize our services. Statements were made that the elderly and not so affluent population did not even have access to computers to gather the information that we provide.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center out of Washington DC shows that this is not the case. In research done from 2005 to 2008, the popluation ages 70-75 have increased their internet useage by 19%. One-fourth of this demographic was on-line in 2005 compared to 46% being on-line in 2008. Most elderly users access the internet for e-mail but as they become more familiar with the format, they will visit sites and informational pages such as Fenway Medical's. It is this audience and this demographic that we know will change as the world changes and who we hope we can provide with services that they need.

A Caregiver's Checklist

At Fenway Medical, we offer not only bulk medical supplies to our site visitors but also an advice section that caregivers can utilize for helpful information and insight on current caregiver news. Here is an example of a caregiver "checklist" posted at www.fenwaymedical.com.

Assessing Their Needs
Does your parent need help with grooming, bathing, or dressing?
Does your parent need help with housekeeping, shopping, or yard work?
Does your friend need help planning or preparing meals?
Is your parent unable to drive or get around on public transportation alone?
Does your parent need help managing finances and paying bills?
Does your parent need help making legal and other important decisions?
Does your parent have trouble functioning at home? Would modifications help?
Does your parent have trouble with hearing, vision, or memory?

Get Permission
Financial power of attorney to make financial decisions and pay bills
Living will to make life-support decisions
Medical power of attorney to make health care decisions
Durable power of attorney to make legal decisions
Access to safe deposit box
May choose to be added to deeds and mortgages
May need to be added to automobile insurance
Know the person's wishes (medical treatments, funeral, finances, etc.)

Information to Have on HandI

Insurance (Medicare / Medicaid number, supplement, other policies)
Doctors (names, phone numbers, and other contact information)
Medical history (medications, allergies, conditions, procedures)
Identification (social security, military ID, driver's license numbers)
Address list (friends, neighbors, family)
Service providers (attorney, financial advisor, clergy, accountant)
Financial (account numbers, checkbook, investments, tax records)
Legal (wills, powers of attorney, health care directive)
Deeds (house, other property, car title, boat title)
Insurance (life, medical, auto, homeowner's)
Household (mortgage, apartment lease, property tax records)
Vital records (birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree)
Final wishes (organ donation, burial, property distribution)

Make Sure that You
Respect your parent's independence, even while taking care of them
Allow your parent to make as many decisions as appropriate
Have reasonable expectations of what your parent can do independently

Talk regularly with your parent about their concerns, desires, and frustrations
Make informed decisions that are in the best interest of your parent's needs
Show compassion while you are trying to be efficient and responsible

Taking Care of Yourself
Recognize when you are getting worn out and need a break
Make use of support groups, family, and other caregivers in your situation
Take regular breaks to do something enjoyable for yourself

Welcome to Fenway Medical

Thank you for visiting the Fenway Medical blog. We hope to offer professional insight into the growing world of elderly home care and provide you with the information that you need to take care of yourself as well as your loved one.
With more of us taking care of our parents outside a professional setting, we understand that your responsibilities are constantly changing and your valuable time is limited. Fenway Medical offers efficiency and value with our bulk medical supplies and we also are a professional advice source to help you with your care-giving. We appreciate your interest and look forward to helping you with your medical supply questions and needs.
Please come see what we have to offer at www.fenwaymedical.com.