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Fire Prevention Week- How to Make An Escape Plan

October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week, and people all around the country are focusing on fire safety. One of the best things you can do to prepare as a family is make an escape plan.

Here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association on making your fire escape plan:

Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your house and discuss the plan with everyone in your home.

Know at least two ways out of every room. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

Have an outside meeting place. Choose a tree, mailbox, etc. that is a safe distance from the home.

Practice your plan. Twice a year, both during the day and at night, have a fire drill.

Teach children how to escape on their own. In the instance an adult can't help them, children should know how to get out safely on their own.

So whether you have a plan in place that needs reviewing or you are making one from scratch, get with your family and practice fire safety!

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Taking Care of Yourself This Fall

Here at ICEbox we are all about being organized and prepared. We want you prepared for an emergency, prepared to take care of a loved one, and prepared to let a loved one take care of you.

One of the most important, and often forgotten, parts of being prepared is taking care of YOU. You can't help others if you aren't helping yourself.

So, with fall finally here, we are giving you 5 ways to enjoy the season and take care of you.

  1.  Getting moving outside. There is no denying that fall has some beautiful colors to offer us. Head outside for a walk, run, or bike ride. Not only is the exercise great for you, but so is the fresh air and beautiful scenery.

2. Grab some friends or family and go apple picking. It doesn't get more fall than apple picking. It 's a great opportunity to get outside and do something fun and seasonal.

3. Carve a pumpkin. What an opportunity to let your creativity flow! Plus, focused tasks, like carving, can be therapeutic and relaxing.

4. Decorate your house. Putting up a little seasonal flare can do wonders to refresh your spirit. A little change and a fall scented candle can go a long way.

5. Get your check-ups taken care of. It is likely it is about that time to go to the doctor. Make appointments to have your check-ups before winter comes and you want to hole up inside.

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Health Care Documents: What You Need & When

You medical care wishes can be laid out through a Living Will or a Health Care Power of Attorney.

What they outline: what type of care you want should you become incapacitated. These decisions usually pertain to receiving life-prolonging treatments such as surgery, blood transfusions, and respirator breathing assistance.

Who you can assign: anyone 18 years of age or older and of sound mind. It is best to assign someone you trust to fulfill your wishes and who is able to handle the weight of the possible decisions.

When does it take effect: when the doctors determines that you are unable to make your own health care decisions. This typically means you either cannot understand the nature and consequences of the choices available to you or you are not able to communicate your wishes.

When do they end: when you revoke your document, a court invalidates your document, a court revokes your agent's authority, you get a divorce, or you die.

For more details on creating a Living Will or Health Care Power of Attorney check out this article from NOLO.

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National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, when we focus on preparing ourselves and our community for emergencies. These emergencies include hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and winter storms. 

It is important to have a plan in place for your family. You may also include neighbors and friends in your plan to build a stronger support system. Things to consider when making your plan:

different ages of members

responsibilities for assisting others

locations frequented

dietary needs

medical needs including prescriptions and equipment

disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment

languages

cultural and religious considerations

pets or service animals

As you prepare the necessary items for your emergency actions, don't forget to back up all your important documents! Should you have to evacuate, plan on grabbing your ICEbox, but having your documents loaded onto your digital vault will provide an extra level of preparedness. 

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Just like the rest of our lives, our medical information is going digital.

ICEbox understands the value of having a paperless copy of your important information; that's why every ICEbox comes with a flash drive and digital vault!

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How to Assign Power of Attorney

1. Choose who you would like to act as your agent. It is important to select someone you trust with an understanding of your situation and wishes.

2. Select what time of power you are giving them. You may assign general powers, special powers, or health care powers.

3. Determine the length of time you need the POA valid. Be sure the length of time you select, however short or long, is long enough to serve the purpose of your POA.

4. Put the assignment in writing, making sure it provides clear instructions.

5. Sign the document in the presence of a notary.

For more details on the steps you need to take to assign a power of attorney check out this Legal Zoom article.

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Decluttering simplified. If you're not sure the best way to start working your way through your clutter, check out this great breakdown of your reinforcement options!

Not pictured: your ICEbox. Don't forget to put the important documents you come across in the appropriate ICEbox binder...and back them up on the flash drive!

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Long-Term Care Calculator - Compare Costs of Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Home Health Aid By State - AARP

Find the average cost in your area for a nursing home, assisted living facility or home health aid and compare with other states.

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How Long to Keep Documents

Are you updating your document storage? Are you transferring documents to your ICEbox for the first time?

Make sure you know what to keep and what to pitch! Here's a useful chart to guide you:

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Caregivers in the USA

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When a Will has Conditions...

Earlier this year we tragically lost a great actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Last week his will was made public, revealing some interesting requests that raise the question: how much can we control post-mortem?

In an article on Time.com, What Parents Can Learn from Philip Seymour Hoffman's Will, they discuss his request that his son be raised in either New York, Chicago, or San Francisco. Hoffman wanted his son to grow up exposed to rich culture and felt those parameters would help ensure that. But is that something he can dictate through a will?

Typically in a will, those kinds of wishes are leveraged through financials. The document will state that the survivor will receive X amount of money if X request is fulfilled. 

Do you think it is fair to control the people you leave behind through your will? Do you think you have a right to decide what makes them deserving of your money?

Read here for the full article.

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The Sandwich Generation in numbers.

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Video: How to Begin Estate Planning

Are you new to the ins and our of estate planning?

Watch this video from AARP on how to begin!

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Sanity Saving Resources

As we have been talking about all Sandwich Generation Month, caregivers often over extend themselves and frequently burn out from juggling the care for their children and their aging parents.

The blog Caregivers offers a list of resources we find great! 

Web Resources:

Lotsa Helping Hands

The Caregiver Space

Lift: Simplified Caregiving

Caregiving Club

Suggested Books:

Unwrapping the Sandwich Generation: Life Vignette About Seniors and their Adult Boomer

Baby Boomers: Sandwiched Between Retirement and Caregiving

Sandwiched: Tales, Tips, and Tools to Balance Life in the Sandwich Generation

Stuck in the Middle

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregiving

For links to the above resources and more from Caregivers, check out the full post HERE.

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How to Care for Yourself as a Caregiver

It is not uncommon for caregivers to put their own well-being to the side and focus all of themselves on the loved one their caring for. But what happens when you run yourself dry? How can you effectively care for someone else without caring for yourself?

Follow these tips to manage your stress and health so you can greet each day with the best version of yourself:

Work out. Take 20 minutes 3 times a week and get your body moving. Walk, run, dance...find enjoyment in exercise and the benefits it provides your mind and body.

Ask for help. Reduce your stress and the risk of burning out by asking friends and family for help when you need it. You may also consider hiring a professional non-medical caregiver for assistance.

Eat well. Fruits, vegetables, and proteins will give you the energy you need without the crash that comes with sugar and fast food.

Go to the doctor. Get your annual check-ups and stay on top of your health.

Indulge. Treat yourself to something you love every once in a while. A spa treatment, a concert, a night out with friends, anything that gives you break and makes you smile!

You are worth more to your loved one healthy than sick. Take the time to put effort into your well-being!

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Sandwich Generation Month

July is Sandwich Generation Month, where we celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the sandwich generation! But who, exactly, makes up the Sandwich Generation?  

Here's what you need to know:

Those who care for their children as well as their own aging parents fall into the Sandwich Generation.

Caregivers are equally likely to be men or women.

71% are of people in this generation are aged 41-59. 20% are younger than 40.

The number of Baby Boomers in this generation is lessening, and the number of Gen-Xers is increasing.

The parent most likely being cared for is mom.

As caregivers they often forget to take care of themselves first.

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Life happens whether we're prepared or not; take control over the things you can to ease the burden of the things you can't.

Put ICEbox at the center of your life to stay organized and prepared.