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…

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 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…

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…

Most people in the Northeast has had enough of snow. Well, it is winter and a long way until spring. With that said, most children are loving this weather, not only because they can (and have) get time off from school but because it is FUN to play in snow.  I am all for the outdoor part of winter. Our children and we are too sedentary in general and a little snow (OK… feet of snow) is a good thing.  But caution must be followed in snow play. There are…

One of the top recommendations I give to my seniors is to stay active outdoors, especially since we know that many NYC homes have limited space. However, as New Yorkers have prepared for another snowstorm, I want to stress how important it is for the elderly to stay indoors until their local streets are safe for walking.

Recently, a few of my seniors fell outdoors after walking on icy pavement. One person required a trip to the emergency room after fracturing her knee and was very fortunate to have returned home without an…

Photo by graur razvan ionut

How would you feel if you weren’t able to step outside your home? Imagine how this would affect your quality of life. This scenario played through my mind a few weeks ago after my initial visit with a woman whom I’ll call Sally.

I had discovered that over a year had passed since Sally left her second-floor apartment. She had fallen several times in her home and I could understand her concerns about having an accident in the stairwell.

We spent time going over fall prevention and stair…

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.…

Photo by Stephen Jue

As I recap the previous week I can’t help but give mention to the fierce tornado which swept through New York City last Thursday. Fallen trees that have stood strong through many generations, crumpled cars and neighborhoods still trying to clean up were in full view during today’s morning commute. Take precaution when walking outdoors if your neighborhood is still undergoing clean up.

Four Words to Recap the Week

1) Thankful — Considering I spend a good portion of the day traveling, I am thankful that I was not on the road…

Signs of autumn are everywhere. The 2010 US Open tennis champions have been crowned in Flushing Meadows Park and our local football teams have returned for battle. Yellow school buses are starting to roam the streets and the last of the 90 degree plus days appears to be behind us.

Here’s a snapshot of last week

4 Priceless Moments

1. Watching the seniors I work with spend quality time with their grandchildren before the school year starts. As a new parent I’m starting to appreciate these moments.
2. Helen showed me her mastery of the home…