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…

One of the keys to success at a Day Center is teamwork, and an essential part of that team is the home health aide. Not only are our aides trained in personal care, but they are also skilled in identifying issues that may affect a person’s ability to function in everyday life. Especially for our participants with dementia, it’s critical to observe behaviors and report issues because the participants may not be able to articulate a problem themselves. Since the aides spend so much time with our seniors, they are…

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…

Photo by TCJ2020

According to the Nielsen Media Group, 98% of American households owned a television in 2009. Until a few months ago, I was actually part of the minority without a set. However, you may be even more surprised to learn that some of my seniors use the televisions in their bedrooms — as a source of lighting at night.

This practice is a safety hazard because the bedroom is a common place for the elderly to fall. A fall in the bedroom often occurs in the middle of the night…

Years ago, when we moved into the house my mother lives in now, we had oil heat. Since heat rises, the upstairs was always warm, but when I would go downstairs, my body would tense up waiting for the cold air to hit me. I didn’t like to stay downstairs too much, because it was also too chilly, which would make me feel miserable. After one winter, my father said that was enough cold air for us, and the house was converted to gas heat. It took several more winters…

Are you having difficulty getting in and out of your bath tub?
Do you live in a rental that prohibits the installation of grab bars?
Would you like to decrease the risk of falling in your bathroom?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above,  then you may want to consider using a tub grab bar. Installation is simple because the device clamps along the tub wall and no drilling is necessary.

Tub grab bars will also benefit those with bathroom walls which are not sturdy enough for the installation of traditional grab bars.…

Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Many people are able to stay active outdoors with the assistance of canes, walkers, rollators and wheelchairs. However these devices are a safety hazard when certain parts start wearing out. Please take a moment to check the condition of your assistive device before going outdoors.

Brakes

Wheelchairs and rollators with worn brakes are a safety hazard. Your local surgical supply store or medical supply vendor can assist with repairing or replacing worn brakes.

Rollator Brake

Rubber Tips

Walkers and canes have rubber tips that provides traction and absorbs impact. Over time these…

Caregivers have a lot on their plate, and it can be very challenging balancing caregiving responsibilities while taking care of their own lives and families. Some people with Alzheimer’s Disease may exhibit wandering behaviors and that adds even more challenges to keeping loved ones safe and healthy. Some may attempt to leave their safe environments without supervision or may get lost while out in the community unattended.

At our center, we have a Wanderguard program for memory impaired seniors to help prevent wandering. The Alzheimer’s Association has a Safe Return Program…

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a friend’s dad who had both of his hips replaced. Since then, I’ve spoken to family and friends with hip issues of their own. One family member dislocated her hip last week after using it to move furniture. She said, “I always used my hip to bump furniture back in place, but I guess I forgot I’m 75 years old now, and probably shouldn’t do that!”  I thought, “That would be something to keep in mind.” Another friend has had serious hip pain…