New York City temperatures are beginning to drop. Before you know it snow will be in the forecast, which means older adults need to take adequate precautions before heading outdoors. They can reduce their risk of falling by sticking to these guidelines.

Using an assistive device such as a walker or a cane doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take additional steps for winter safety.

For more helpful tips on preventing accidents this winter, check out the VNSNY page.

Equally if not more impressive are the elderly I work with who continue to take care of their bodies by staying physically active. Here are some of the ways I have observed how they do it:

1.) Socialization

Regular trips to the local senior center allow them to catch up with friends and participate in activities such as group exercise.

2.) Exercise Routine

They stick to a set time of day to walk, stretch, or do simple exercises, and this can be as important as setting aside time for meals.

3.) Supportive Network

Their family and friends provide an encouraging voice to help them stay positive in all that they do.

4.) Falls Prevention

They live in a safe home environment and are knowledgeable about falls prevention.

Have a peaceful week.

Here’s the scenario: the big game everyone has been waiting for is about to start, and one second of action can’t be missed. Now let’s examine what items surround our sports fan sitting in his living room.

Things you may find:

• Remote Control: It’s too risky to allow someone to change the channel.
• Food and Beverage: Nutritional requirements need to be sustained, right?
• Phone: Emergency calls might have to come in through, even during the big game.

What do all of these items have in common?

They are all important to our sports fan and are within arm’s length so one second of the action isn’t missed.

Now how does this apply to falls prevention in the elderly? Falls occur most commonly when seniors are trying to get out of bed in the middle of the night to travel to the bathroom.

What can we learn from the elderly who minimize their risk of falls?

Just like our sports fan, the senior who stays safe keeps important items close to him, especially during night time hours. Some of the items that are within arm’s length are:

• Night lamps: Provides enough illumination so you know where you’re going. A touch sensitive lamp is a good alternative if one has limited hand dexterity.
• Assistive devices: If you use a cane or walker keep it close to you at all times. Holding onto furniture is not a safe alternative.
• Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS): If you utilize one wear the portable necklace or bracelet at all times.
• Phone: Keep your communication with the outside world accessible.
• And you can learn more about falls prevention with a new VNSNY service called Strong Foundations.

Keep your environment safe to keep yourself safe.

I have also seen caregivers connect to a supportive community that enables them to provide better care for their loved ones and themselves. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, here are some steps you can take to receive the support you need:

Connect with a support group

• A local Alzheimer’s support group is a place where you can receive educational, social, and emotional support.
• Take a look at the Alzheimer’s Association website to find a group meeting near you.

Explore professional home care

• If the person you are caring for is starting to have difficulty with daily activities, such as bathing, walking, dressing, or toileting, you may consider exploring whether long-term home care is a better option.
• Our VNSNY CHOICE long-term home care team includes a registered nurse, social worker, physical therapist, home health aide, and dietitian.

Read up on resources

There is an overwhelming amount of Alzheimer’s resources on the web. Start with a few of these sites:

• The Alzheimer’s Association
• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
• Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Have a peaceful week.

Photo by Master isolated images

If you are not familiar with Pat Summit, she is widely considered the most successful college basketball coach of all time. Her recognition is well deserved after coaching Tennessee University’s women’s basketball team to a record eight national championships and more than 1,000 wins.

Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post writes:

“Denial was followed by anger. For the first few weeks, Summitt would barely even discuss the subject. She told her doctors, ‘You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’m capable of.’ Finally, Summitt realized she would have to accept the diagnosis. ‘I can’t change it,’ she says. After a pause, she adds, ‘But I can try to do something about it.’”

Summit has made it clear that she will continue to coach despite being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. I believe Summit’s desire to continue leading her team outshines all her previous accomplishments since she is now one of the public faces of a disease that affects millions of Americans.

Dementia is a progressive disease that causes a loss of brain function, which can result in memory loss and problems with concentration and decision-making. Alzheimer’s Disease is believed to be the most common form of dementia.

Over the years, a number of my seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia have been able to lead productive lives. What is their secret? All of them have had a good support network, which included a combination of caregivers and medical staff. In my next post I’ll lay out a few helpful ways to build a support network after a Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Are you or someone you know living with Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia? If so, I urge you to take a look at our resource page, Living With Alzheimer’s Disease, which provides helpful tips for managing the disease.

Have a peaceful week.

Losing Independence

For many the very thought of using a cane signals the end of independence altogether. While I spend a good deal of my time trying to convince my clients it’s not, I do understand the feeling.

I’ve always had 20/20 vision and somehow expected I always would. When I look back I realize this expectation was a bit unrealistic, but I never imagined myself in glasses.

The day when my eye doctor told I had to start wearing prescription glasses for driving my immediate thoughts: is the diagnosis correct? I must have had a bad day. Can I retake the eye exam?

Honestly I was in no position to argue against a series of standardized eye exams, especially since street signs were starting to get blurry. The writing was on the wall: I needed to wear the glasses before I hurt myself or someone else on the road.

I felt closer understanding what it was like for my clients.

Gaining independence

There are others who view the cane as the road back to independence. The use of a cane or other assistive devices allows them to get back to living. Here are some observations I have made of the elderly with this perspective:

• They are active within their communities. Some activities may include participation at a local senior center or volunteering. For more examples and stories of the benefits check out Debbie Stricoff’s posts
• They have a network of friends who are of a similar age and who face some of the same challenges associated with aging
• They have seen their peers benefit from using different assistive devices
• They have a support network of caregivers, family and friends who help guide them through different changes in life

In your experience what are some of helpful ways that allow people to embrace change?

Photo by Zironicusso

Finding a good pair of shoes is priceless. During my teen years I was one of those sneaker fanatics. I admit to spending hours at the local shoe store combing through aisles and aisles of footwear in search of the perfect sneaker.

Perhaps I was hoping to jump as high, run as fast, and play ball like my favorite athletes. Looking back, the closest I got to the pros were the upper deck seats.

But I wasn’t so far off, good shoes make a huge difference. For instance, older adults who wear a good pair of shoes will help minimize their risk of falling. Allow me to guide you through some of the key features to look for in a safe shoe:

Traction

• Look for soles that can provide adequate traction on a variety of walking surfaces
• It’s time to look for a new pair if the traction is starts to wear out

Closed back

• Shoes with a closed back provide additional support and are less likely to slip off which is a major cause of tripping
• Some examples of backless footwear to avoid are slippers and clogs

Comfort

• Wearing comfortable shoes will help prevent foot injuries
• Be mindful of not only the length but also the width of the shoe
• Take a look at my post with tips on choosing a comfortable shoe

Is it easy to keep on?

• Consider wearing a shoe with Velcro straps if you have difficulty using laces

If you have had a history of foot problems consult your doctor prior to purchasing a new pair of shoes.

It’s amazing how your choice of footwear can help prevent tripping and slipping while allowing you to stay active. Doesn’t that sound like a win win situation?

Photo by Suat Eman

1) Avoid walking between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — generally the hottest time of the day.

2) Begin your daily walk at a slower pace to prevent exhaustion and retreat to a cool place if you start to feel uncomfortable.

3) Wear light colored and loose fitting clothing.

4) Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to remain adequately hydrated and pack a bottle of water when you head outdoors.

5) Consult your physician on the amount of liquid you should consume if you are on a fluid-restricted diet.

Take a look at VNSNY’s guide to hot weather safety and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guide to heat related illnesses to learn more about how to keep safe this summer.

Stay safe and cool!

Photo by Salvatore Vuono

Photo by Danilo Rizzuti

In 2009, 2.2 million non-fatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 581,000 of these patients were hospitalized. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Tripping hazards are one of the most common causes of falls in the home among older adults. I want you to know many of these hazards can be eliminated.

I understand, as a caregiver, there are times when your responsibilities may seem so overwhelming that home safety ends up being overlooked. However, take the time to follow these simple steps to improve home safety.

1) Remove loose rugs and mats

• Make sure your rugs and mats have non-skid rubber backing or have a non-skid pad underneath them
• Remove and replace items that aren’t non-skid, otherwise secure them with strong tap.
• Strong double-sided tape may also be used
• Watch How to Prevent Trips and Falls in the Home on the VNSNY’s YouTube Channel.

2) Clear the clutter

• Clutter should be removed from all walking paths and stairwells
• Footwear, boxes and newspapers are a few examples of clutter
• Ask others for assistance if the task seems overwhelming
• Take a look at Cornell’s University’s Environmental Geriatrics site for additional tips on de-cluttering

3) Inspect your bath

• Bath surfaces and water create a slippery environment
• Placing a non-skid bathmat in your tub or shower will instantly improve bathroom safety
• Watch How to Make the Bathroom Safer for Your Elderly Parent on the VNSNY’s YouTube Channel.

Drop a comment to share your home safety improvement experiences

Have a peaceful week.

Photo by Simon Howden

One of the best ways to enjoy spring is to make walking outdoors a part of your routine. Often I advise my seniors to take regular walks, since it works out all the major muscles groups, can help prevent physical decline and does not require any expensive equipment.

After enduring a very harsh winter, warmer weather has finally arrived, so follow these easy steps before you head outdoors for some fresh air and exercise.

1) Dress your feet properly

Wearing comfortable sneakers or shoes that fit well and provide good traction will help reduce your risk of falling. Take a look at my post for tips to finding a pair of comfortable shoes.

2) Slow and steady does it

Start out by walking at a comfortable speed and distance. If it has been some time since you’ve taken an outdoor stroll, then you may initially want to limit your speed and distance. You can always can choose to gradually increase the pace and length of your route. This will help prevent injury.

3) Plan your route(s)

Find a walking route that is relatively level and not too congested. I often recommend to my seniors that they walk to nearby parks that will provide shade and benches for sitting breaks. Try alternating routes through the week to keep things interesting.

4) Invite others

Invite your spouse, a friend or relative to join you. I have found good company can make exercise more enjoyable and keep you accountable to your routine, as well.

5) Make the time

At which point in the day do you feel most energetic? Consider scheduling your walks so that they coincide with this period of time.

 Try out these steps and share your walking routine with us.

Stay safe and strong.