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Fall Prevention Tips

3 Rolling Walkers You Need to Cover Every Situation

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

At Senior.com we are often asked, “Which rollator (rolling walker) is the best one to buy?” That’s a complicated question because one rollator will not solve all mobility issues. Just like young parents usually own multiple strollers for their kids for different circumstances, we would like to suggest you own these 3 products to prevent falls and give you the freedom you deserve.

4-Wheel Rollator with a Seat for Getting Out

If you want to freely move in the community, a 4-wheel rollator with a seat is the best choice. You could select a standard rollator that will do the job or a premium rollator for more comfort.

Nova Star 8″ Wheels

Standard 4-Wheel Option: NOVA Star with 8” Wheels

The Nova Star Series are great lightweight rollators with a nice smooth ride. They are available in both 6″ Wheels & 8″ Wheels, but we recommend the larger wheels to maneuver curbs and uneven walkways easier. These rollators have a large range of height adjustability and features the new lightweight 14-lb frame. (Bariatric is 19.5 lbs.) We like the way it folds easily with a push button and has locking hand brakes. They come in a variety of colors. This is a terrific value for getting around with a convenient seat so you can rest anytime, anywhere

 

Premium 4-Wheel Option: Triumph Mobility Escape Rollator

Triumph Mobility Premium

If you are looking for a little more style and comfort, the Triumph Mobility Escape Rollator is a classic European design. The Escape is available in 3 seat heights to fit almost any user and has a compact folding system that is easy to fold with a simple lift of the release handle. This design makes it easier to lift into the trunk of a car but, as an added benefit, it also stands when folded for easy storage when not in use.

Escape features a large padded seat for added comfort, pressure reducing anatomical handgrips to maintain your hand strength and the easiest to apply hand brakes available on any walker. In addition, Escape offers a depth adjustable large padded backrest, spring loaded levers for easy handle height adjustment and innovative Gentle Touch braking system with no cables to catch on objects or get in your way.

Mighty Mack Bariatric

500 lbs. Bariatric 4-Wheel Option: Mighty Mack

The strongest and mightiest of all rollators is the Mighty Mack! It has a 500-pound weight capacity and a standard seat height for average to tall users. The Mighty Mack comes with 8″ rugged wheels, an extra wide seat with a built-in seat pad, locking hand brakes, a front wire basket, and a removable back. The sleek frame is so easy to fold.

3-Wheel Rollator for Indoors and Small Spaces

The biggest complaint about a 4-wheel rollator is that it is not easy to maneuver in small spaces. So, if you are using a rollator to get from your bed to the bathroom, a 3-wheel option is absolutely the best choice. We always recommend using a 3-wheel walker inside your home to get around furniture, thick carpet, narrow doorways or hallways etc. If you don’t have a rollator that is easy to maneuver, you will opt not to use it. Just one fall can be a huge set-back to your health, independence and finances. I can’t tell you how often we hear that Mom or Dad fell in the bathroom because they weren’t using their rollator because it was too difficult in the small space. It was sitting OUTSIDE the bathroom. Resolve this safety hazard with a 3- wheel rollator.

3-Wheel Nova Traveler

Traveler 3 Wheel Nova Rollator

The Traveler 3 Wheel Walker is perfect for maneuvering indoors around furniture and in tight places like a bathroom. It features NOVA’s easy to use locking hand brakes, a tray, basket, pouch and 8” rugged wheels, and is foldable for easy transport and storage. When relying on a cane in the home, falls can easily occur when a foot catches or balance is off. We like how the traveler 3-wheel rollator has a tray for food or drinks and a basket for other belongings. This frees hands to steady your balance so you can move freely in your home.

 

Why Do You Need Both a 3-Wheel and a 4-Wheel Rollator?

One reason we recommend owning both the 4-wheel and the 3-wheel, is the 4-wheel has a seat so you can sit down anywhere when tired. Often you are not near a chair and your 4-wheel rollator gives you that security. In addition, a 4-wheel rollator is maximum comfort for going outside, shopping, or to an event. The 3-wheel rollator would be left at home for indoor use in those tight spaces.

Lastly, We Recommend the EZ Fold and Go Rollator

EZ Fold and Go Rollator

Just like young parents appreciate the umbrella stroller for quick trips, the EZ Fold and Go Rollator is the perfect solution when a caregiver is taking someone to the doctors. It’s only 8 lbs and folds compact.

The unique, patented design allows the EZ Fold-N-Go Walker to fold up to a 7-inch diameter with the touch of a finger, just like an umbrella stroller. It’s perfect for traveling, going to the store, eating at a restaurant, or just maneuvering those tight spaces around the house.

Gone are the days when you have to find space for the bulky walker or rollator in the trunk of the car. Now you can keep it next to you in the front seat!

These are some of our favorite products to recommend. However, you can shop Senior.com for hundreds of mobility solutions from all the top brands. If you are a veteran or active in the military, we offer a 5% lifetime discount! Senior.com always offers FREE SHIPPING on 99% of our listed products within the continental United States.

Remember, Age Well. Shop Smart.

 

 

 

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Age-In-Place

Safety Changes To Help Aging Parents Remain Independent

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

When you to visit an aging loved one or parent, keep an eye out for safety issues. Here are some safety updates you can make to their home.

Bathroom Upgrade: My parents recently remodeled their bathroom. They put in a higher toilet, which is easier for them to use and installed a shower stall. They aren’t at a point where they really need these safety upgrades, but they plan to stay in their home as long as possible and opted to make the changes now, versus later. If your aging parent can’t afford a complete renovation, you can still install grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower (some cities have free installation programs so ask your senior center). You can also put down a tub mat to prevent slipping in the tub and make sure that they have a non-stick rug for when they get out of the shower. Consider adding a shower bench or seat to prevent falls. For more bathroom safety items go to Senior.com.

Furniture Upgrades: Upgrading furniture isn’t just about home décor. If your aging parent has had their furniture for a long time, they may need to switch out a few pieces to make it easier to get up. We purchased a tall reclining lift chair for my dad last Christmas because he was struggling to get out of the lower arm chair. I had a former client who had very low furniture so she only sat at her dining room table because she had such a difficult time getting up from her couch. Keep an eye out for signs that your aging parent is struggling to get in or out of their favorite chair. These items from Stander are outstanding help.

Entryway Upgrades: I had a client who had a screen door that wouldn’t open well, then a giant plant that she had to walk around to get to a light that was about 20 steps into her home. For so many reasons, that isn’t safe. She had always had her home that way, so it never occurred to her or anyone else to make her entryway safer. The next time you visit your aging parent, make sure that there is proper lighting at the front door, as well as once they get inside. There also shouldn’t be anything blocking or narrowing their home entrance. These are important changes both for fall safety and home security. Having a dark home entrance makes it really easy for someone to hide and overtake a home owner.

Home Security: Since we’re on home security, some home security areas to address with your aging parent include outside lighting, locking all doors that lead into the home (including garage!) and ensuring their extra house key is well-hidden. These are all safety issues I saw with my clients. Some older adults are energy/cost conscious so they don’t like to leave an outside light on. The problem arises when they come home later than planned or as the time changes and it gets dark later. I also had many clients (and my own dad!) leave at least one door unlocked so that they couldn’t get locked out. Not safe! And finally, I had a client who had her spare key in an envelope labeled “spare key” under her back door mat. Way too easy to find. They should either give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or find one of those hollow rocks to hide the key (but put it far away from their front door!).

General Home Safety: Be sure to do a fall proof walk through your aging parents home, as well as a fire safety check. In addition, look for things like super high (or low) storage. For example, my extra blankets are on a very high shelf. To get them down, I need to get a small step ladder and then pull the blanket bag from the top shelf. It isn’t easy at 41, imagine trying to do that at 85! If there are some things that just need to be stored up high or out of the way, be cognizant of when your parent will need them so you can get it for them. Be sure to keep frequently used items in an easy to access location, even if it isn’t a typical storage space. For example, we keep our crock pot in the linen closet since we don’t use it frequently. That leaves more cabinet space for things I use frequently so that I don’t have to store them in the high shelves that I can’t reach.

If you’re struggling to think of what safety issues your aging parent may have, think of the things you do in a week and try to imagine doing them when you are older or ill. For a wide variety of fall prevention products to help you safely age in your own home, go to Senior.com.

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Happy senior couple in kitchen
Age-In-Place

Aging in place: Renovating with independence in mind

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Most Americans settle in a home, envisioning a permanent life refuge. Achieving this vision of aging in place, though, means preparing the home now to anticipate future needs. Doing so successfully can allow older adults to remain independent, autonomous and in charge of their home security as they age.

As many as 94% of today’s older adults (defined as ages 65+) wish to stay in their own homes as long as possible. This group, as of 2010, accounted for 13% of the population (40 million people), and that number is projected to increase to 20% of the population by 2030.

Studies show there are numerous benefits to home-based aging, such as increased life satisfaction, quality of life and self-esteem. Maintaining familiar surroundings and connections is also a benefit, allowing older adults to remain close to friends and neighbors, keep the same doctors and visit favorite coffee shops and grocery stores.

The time is now to start planning for down-the-road needs, like modifying your home to accommodate future accessibility needs, home security and even live-in care. It is important to understand the appropriate renovations that may be required and to equip the home with modifications that are right for you and any caretakers providing attention as you age in place.

What you should know about designing a home while aging in place

Studies confirm there are benefits to keeping older adults in their homes longer, such as maintaining more independence and connection to friends and family, as well as avoiding the high costs of institutional care. Luckily, there are many options, services and helpful solutions available to help us stay independent as we age at home.

Basic home renovations

Improve lighting

Improving the lighting in the home is an inexpensive solution that can provide an increased sense of safety and security for older adults — safeguarding against stumbling and falling, as well as break-ins. Consider adding lighting strips to stairways and other dark areas inside the home, as well as installing exterior lights that can be programmed to turn on and off, creating a pattern to deter break-ins. Nightlights are also a recommended addition — great for hallways, bathrooms and on or near steps.

Add easy-use fixtures and safety considerations

These simple home modifications are easy to implement and can have a significant impact on improving security and comfort in the home as we age:

  • Install oversized light switches ($6 to $28)
  • Replace faucet knobs with levers ($22 to $400)
  • Use automated garage door openers ($128 to $250)
  • Purchase larger digital display options for remote controls, phones, and screens ($7 to $545)
  • Add grab bars or rails around the home to prevent falls and improve mobility ($14 to $100)
  • Consider chair and toilet lifts ($18 – $100)
  • Use cord covers to prevent tripping and falling ($10 to $50)
  • Shop Senior.com for all your Fall Prevention Items for every room ($10-$900)

Update your flooring

Falls are prevalent as we age in what should be our safest environment: our home. And flooring is often the biggest culprit. Loose rugs, slip-inducing mats, and curly edges on carpets are among the most common dangers. Many preventive measures are easy, DIY and often relatively inexpensive. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Secure rugs throughout the home: Use double-faced, anti-slip rug tape to secure the edges of all area rugs firmly to the floor. Or consider using an underneath rug pad, with options adhering to vinyl, hardwood and other flooring. In the bathroom, use bathmats with a good, surface-gripping backing.
  2. Install anti-slip flooring throughout the home: Ensuring the type of flooring installed in the home (and especially in the bathroom) isn’t slippery is an important consideration for older adults. Some anti-slip flooring options include vinyl, ceramic tiles, and even bamboo.
  3. Contrast for visibility while moving throughout the home: Consider varying the colors and textures of the flooring used throughout the home to provide better visual guidance, especially in transitional areas in the home, such as a sunken living room.

Advanced home renovations

Sophisticated upgrades to help current and future home healthcare needs not only add protection, they often heighten future selling prices. Keep in mind for some of these more advanced home modification tips, outsourcing to a professional may be necessary.

Assistive renovations

Widen your doorways: Even just carrying packages can make doorways impassable, so imagine providing adequate space for assistive devices like wheelchairs. To meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, doorways should be at least 36 inches wide.

Add a stairlift: Unless you’re enjoying single-story living (or unless you have a downstairs bedroom and bath), many people need to navigate stairs in the home. In these cases, stairlifts are a great tool.

Keeping the home secure

Home security systems are an essential tool for being alerted to dangers you may not sense, like fire, carbon monoxide and break-ins. And these tools become even more critical for older adults. According to the National Fire Protection Association, people ages 65+ are twice as likely to be injured or killed by house fires, compared to the rest of the population.

For outside the home, consider installing security cameras, which can allow loved ones to monitor fall-prone areas around the home.

Assistive technology

There is a lot of assistive technology available today, including devices, software programs and equipment that’s specifically designed to help people work around their challenges — from arthritis-friendly light switches and easier-to-grip drawer pulls, to computer voice recognition programs, entryway ramps and more. Here are a few assistive devices for you to consider when updating your home for current or future assistive needs:

  • Clap-detection lights: Turning on lights with the clap of your hands makes turning lights on/off much easier. Plus, set the device in its “away” mode, and your lights will turn on with the detection of any sound, which can deter break-ins.
  • Smart entryway: Assistive tools like key finders, keyless doors and doorbell cameras make entering the home and monitoring activity at the front door easier. Learning who is at the front door from the safety of your couch reduces the need for unnecessary movement around the home, which can also prevent accidents and falls.
  • Home hub automation: Smart home options are now available to provide a one-stop solution for controlling your digital life at home, from programmable temperature controls and sophisticated home security systems to playing music and helping you keep track of appointments. For example, Amazon’s Alexa allows users to easily keep track of daily activities, call their doctor and even order food. And home hub security systems can offer older adults a greater sense of control over the safety of their home and valuables, all from the leisure of their couch.

Why designing with in-home care in mind is a good idea

Considering the high costs of long term care options in the U.S., it’s not surprising people are turning to alternative solutions. Although costs vary by state, let’s take a look at the average monthly costs of some of the more common long-term care options available:

  • A private nursing home room: $8,364 per month
  • A semi-private nursing home room: $7,362 per month
  • Assisted living facility: $3,862 per month
  • Adult day health care: $1,562 per month

To avoid these costs, and if in-home care is your goal, it’s important to start making plans now — so you’re not managing last-minute renovations and home modifications to accommodate the needs of caretakers at the same time your health takes a turn.

Some of the in-home care services you may need to consider planning for include health care aides, registered nurses, physical therapists, social workers and other specialists that make home visits. Your in-home caregiver might also be a companion or a loved one. Regardless of who is providing the care, it’s important to ensure your home is ready, so you can more easily adapt should the need arise.

Renovating your home for the future

When renovating your home, it’s important to keep future health challenges in mind, and the possibility of needing in-home care. Understanding your needs — and the needs of others potentially sharing your space — will create a more harmonious and comfortable environment while aging in place.

Creating a bedroom on the main floor of the home is ideal — allowing for easier accessibility throughout the home. In addition to reducing the use of stairs, main floors also provide faster exits to safety in case of emergencies — like injuries, break-ins or fires.

To accommodate live-in care, or for having loved ones stay, a separate bedroom is an essential consideration. Make sure the room has easy access to a bathroom, and even consider installing a small kitchen.

You’ll also want to equip your home for caregiver accessibility, including:

  • Installing smart locks, so people who take care of you always have access to the home.
  • Ensuring caregivers have access to WiFi, so they’re connected in the event of an emergency, or to purchase necessary items online.
  • Providing caregivers access to security systems, so they can help monitor the home in an emergency.
  • Adding more electrical outlets in the home, in case there is medical equipment to set up in the future.
  • Creating wider doorways and entryways for wheelchairs, as well as ramps for wheelchair accessibility.

Financial assistance for home modifications

Paying for Senior Care outlines four sources of assistance available for those needing to make home modifications to accommodate the needs of older adults and of those with disabilities, including financial loans, grants, labor and equipment loans:

Four types of assistance for home modifications

  1. Low-interest loans: Some organizations, mainly governmental, offer low-interest loans for home modifications or guarantee loans so banks are less restrictive with their lending requirements. Since these are loans, they do need to be paid back.
  2. Home improvement grants: These (usually one-time) grants are available for a specific home modification purpose, and do not need to be repaid.
  3. Free labor: Another form of assistance is free labor to make home improvements. This is commonly offered by non-profit organizations or charities. Materials are not covered. The building of a wheelchair ramp is a common example.
  4. Equipment loans: Some organizations make free, long-term loans of home modification materials. As an example, a portable wheelchair ramp that does not need to be returned until the borrower moves from their home or no longer requires the use of it.

Options for financial planning

There are also several programs and other assistance programs available for qualified individuals to take advantage of to help with home modifications for the purpose of keeping older adults at home longer. Some of the most notable options are:

  1. Medicare Advantage: Beginning in 2019, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans now include benefits for home modifications, such as assisting with the addition of grab bars, stairlifts, and wheelchair ramps in the home
  2. Medicaid HCBS Waivers and Home Modifications: Most states have Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, which help qualified individuals stay at home and receive in-home care and assistance with home modifications. Each state offers different programs with different eligibility requirements and benefits.
  3. Veterans Programs for Home Modifications: The Veterans Administration (VA) offers grants, including Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants, Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grants and Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) Grants, to help veterans remain in their homes longer.
  4. Non-Medicaid Government Assistance for Home Modification: The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers HUD Home Improvement Loans, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grants. Additionally, quite a few states offer various assistance programs that are referred to as “nursing home diversion programs,” and some of these programs offer home modification as a benefit. Review this list of state assistance programs that offer home modification benefits to see if there’s a program available for you.
  5. Non-Profit and Foundation Assistance for Home Modifications: Many non-profits and organizations (such as Rebuilding Together) offer financial aid and volunteer labor to help older adults remain in their homes. Another option is finding local, volunteer community resources and projects that may help assist with home modifications.

Set your sights on home sweet home…forever

People are living longer and the percentage of older adults in the U.S. is on the rise. This means there is an increased demand for long-term care solutions. The good news is remaining independent and autonomous in the home you know and love as you age is possible. With the right planning and assistance, older adults can easily make modifications to the home — such as updating the lighting in the home, taking advantage of assistive technologies and even renovating the home to accommodate live-in care. Make these changes now and create a comfortable and safe space that you can continue to call home…forever.

Submitted by Freshome.com

By Wendy Meyeroff, a plain language expert in B2B and B2C health/tech communications, has helped clients across the U.S. for 20+ years with journalism and marketing materials. Wendy has a specialty: writing for and about boomers, and mentoring outreach to ages 50+.

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Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Falls can cause serious injuries that take a long time to heal. They can lead to permanent mobility problems that prevent your enjoyment of hobbies and/or limit your ability to drive, shop, cook or bathe. Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention
Falls are usually the result of spatial orientation miscalculations, dizziness, vision issues, imbalance, poor mobility and/or foot traffic obstacles.

Check Your Health

If you have arthritis, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, blood pressure fluctuation or another condition that can affect your ability to walk, ask your doctor about symptom management methods. If you’re otherwise experiencing symptoms that make you feel like you’re going to fall, see your doctor immediately for an examination. Lastly, ask your doctor or pharmacist about stand-alone and combination medication side effects that can cause falls and any available alternatives. If you have limited options, change lifestyle habits to improve your chances of staying upright.

Stay Physically Active

You’ve probably heard the statement: “If I stop moving, I’m done.”
This attitude is actually good because those words are correct and relevant at any age.
Sedentary behavior causes leg and overall body weakness. It can also cause dizziness by compressing veins and arteries; thereby, stopping the movement of important oxygen-rich blood. Low activity can also damage the nerves responsible for movement and pain management. When these issues occur, they reduce your strength, flexibility, coordination and ability to walk confidently without wobbling, tilting or falling.
Regular physical activities like walking, water workouts or Tai Chi can go a long way toward fall prevention. A physical therapist can help you find the best types of activities to prevent falls based on your health, age and other factors.

Change Home Habits

Your home’s layout and the types of appliances and other items you use can also cause falls.
Move or remove anything that can cause you to slip or trip, such as throw rugs, coffee tables, book piles and umbrella stands, and re-position cords and cables along baseboards. Choose assistive devices that make walking safer like canes and walkers. Glue a non-slip bath mat to the floor of your tub or shower. Additionally, install handrails in places where you walk or rise from a seated position so you have something to grasp if you feel like you’re about to fall.
Some of our favorite products to prevent falls include:

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

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3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls
Exercise & Fitness

3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Falls are a major concern for seniors and elderly care providers alike. Declining strength, coordination, mobility, and visibility all increase seniors’ risk of falling. Meanwhile, poor bone strength can increase the risk of severe fractures. Together, these risk factors have made falls the number one cause of accidental death among Americans over the age of sixty-five.

The good news is that it’s possible to lower that risk. Both medical and elderly care professionals recommend a number of fall prevention strategies that can help seniors and family caregivers lower elderly adults’ risk of falling. One of the best ways to do this is to have seniors take classes that improve their sense of balance and reduce their risk of injury from falls.

Exercise Improves Balance in Seniors

In terms of fall prevention, light/moderate exercise offers a number of benefits. Improved muscular strength helps seniors stay upright and maintain their footing. Cardiovascular exercise boosts heart health, which reduces the risk of exhaustion — a common risk factor for falls. Crucially, exercise also improves seniors’ sense of balance, making it less likely that they will misjudge their footing or put their body in a position that leads to a fall.

Exercise also lowers the risk of severe injury when falls occur. Stronger muscles and quicker reaction time make it easier for seniors to catch themselves when off-balance or brace themselves to reduce the impact of a fall. Physical activity is also key to bone strength, reducing the risk and severity of fractures.

Activities to Improve Seniors’ Balance

Some types of exercise are better suited than others when seniors want to improve balance and reduce the risk of fall-related injuries. Seniors and elderly care providers should look for activities that boost core strength, leg strength, coordination, dexterity, and fine motor skills.

The three activities below are some of the best exercise for improving balance in elderly adults. Seniors can perform these activities in the comfort of home, in the backyard, or with others. You should be able to find senior-focused classes for these activities quite easily within your local community.

  1. Dancing isn’t just great fun for elderly adults — it’s also an excellent way to improve physical dexterity, strengthen leg and core muscles, and boost total-body coordination. There are a number of popular dance classes for elderly adults, including salsa, jazz, and ballroom.
  2. Tai Chi. Tai Chi started in China as a form of martial arts, but its health benefits have made it a popular form of exercise in many countries. Seniors’ Tai Chi involves slow, controlled movements that use the entire body. This helps improve coordination, muscle strength, and balance. Medical professionals and elderly care providers often recommend it for seniors due to its low risk of injury and joint stress.
  3. Yoga is well known for its lifelong benefits. While some yoga classes offer higher intensity workouts, you’ll find a slower, gentler pace in a seniors’ yoga classes. Yoga poses can improve strength, coordination, flexibility, and offer key balance benefits for elderly adults.

Additional Balance and Fall Prevention Tips

Activities that improve balance are just part of elderly fall prevention. We asked Visiting Angels CEO and President Larry Meigs for additional tips on how seniors and elderly care providers can prevent falls in and out of the home.

One of Larry’s biggest tips is medication awareness. “A large number of seniors take medications that put them at higher risk of falling. It’s important that seniors are careful with any medication that causes drowsiness or poor coordination,” he says.

He also stressed the importance of visibility in fall prevention. “Poor eyesight can be a much bigger danger than a lot of people think, so make sure your mom or dad has regular check-ins with their optometrist.”

Another big factor is limiting fall risks in living spaces. “The vast majority of falls happen at home,” Larry says. “Unfortunately, most seniors live in homes where fall risks haven’t been minimized. Slippery flooring, thow rugs, electrical cords, poorly lit areas — these are just a few of the most common culprits.”

Larry’s focus on fall prevention is part of the reason why Visiting Angels elderly care agencies offer free fall prevention assessments. During elderly care consultations, care directors perform detailed inspections of seniors’ homes and make fall prevention recommendations to help correct any areas of concern.

To book a free elderly care consultation and fall assessment for your loved one, contact Visiting Angels today at 800-365-4189. Or use our online office locator to find your local Visiting Angels elderly care agency. 3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls

3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls

3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls 3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls 3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls 3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls 3 Senior Activities that Improve Balance & Prevent Falls

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Elderly woman fell on the floor
Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

10 Steps to Help Older Adults Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Some of the most serious injuries among older adults, age 65 and older, are caused by falling. More than 1.6 million older Americans end up in the emergency room or hospital because of a fall, according to the National Institutes of Health. Seniors who have broken a hip by falling can have trouble recovering and regaining mobility.110 Steps to Help Older Adults Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls0 Steps to Help Older Adults Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls
The good news is many falls are preventable. One of the first things you can do if you take prescription medication is have your health care team review your medication.

“Some prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs, or a combination of them, can make you dizzy or sleepy. Either can lead to a fall,” said ” said Jaza Marina, M.D., a geriatrician at Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta. “If you fall, be sure to let your doctor know, even if you aren’t hurt. Sometimes falls are a sign of a new medical problem that needs attention.”

Many underlying causes of falls can be treated or corrected. Dr. Marina recommends these 10 proactive steps to reduce the risk of falling.

Make your home safe.

  1. Remove clutter, throw rugs and electrical cords that might cause you to trip.
  2. Store items on bottom shelves
  3. Add grab bars where necessary — in hallways, stairways and bathtubs.
  4. Add a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub.
  5. Make sure your home is well lit. Use night-lights in hallways and bathrooms.
  6. Keep a phone and flashlight by your bed.
  7. Take care of yourself.
  8. Stay as physically active as you can.
  9. Wear comfortable shoes with good support.
  10. Have your vision and hearing checked.
  11. Use a cane or walker if you feel unsteady.

 

For more information on how to prevent falls, visit Senior.com, the experts in products to help you age well. Also check out everybodywalk.org for tips on walking as an exercise. For questions or advice about a specific condition, talk to your physician.

10 Steps to Help Older Adults Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls

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Age-In-Place

8 aging-in-place home modifications for seniors

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

8 DIY projects to make your home safer as you age

Around 90 percent of seniors plan on living in their own home for at least five to 10 years after turning 65, according to the AARP. In turn, the number of remodeling companies doing aging in place upgrades has increased. Eighty percent of remodeling companies are making aging in place home improvements, up from 68 percent in 2013, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Aging in place is cheaper and more comfortable than going the assisted living route for many people. A typical assisted living home is pricey, costing around $50,000 a year. In contrast, the national average of remodeling a home for aging in place is only $10,000. If you or your parents are planning on doing some fairly major aging in place remodeling projects, check out our guide on aging in place home remodeling. This article will look at some of the most popular DIY home improvements you can do to make your loved one’s home aging-in-place ready.

1. Install grab bars

Installing grab bars or railing in high-risk areas like bathrooms and bedrooms gives anyone with mobility issues additional support and prevents slip and fall injuries. Install grab bars near the toilet, and in the shower/bathtub since these surfaces get slippery. Depending upon your loved one’s needs, you may want to install bars near their bed so they can get in and out of bed safely. Make sure your grab bar holds up to 250 pounds, and install it by screwing it into wall studs, not just sheetrock. You can get three grab bars (one for the toilet and two for the tub/shower) for around $140.

2. Add outdoor ramps

Adding ramps to a home’s entry and exits aren’t just for wheelchair access. Even if your parents don’t use a wheelchair, a ramp eliminates the need to navigate steps, which can make maintaining balance difficult, even with a banister. A 16-foot long ramp costs around $1,600. You can also get indoor threshold ramps that you put in doorways to form a seamless surface to transition from one room to another.

3. Install a bathroom heat lamp

It can take some people longer to get in and out of the tub and take care of everything they need to do in the bathroom. Replacing the overhead light fixture above the toilet and tub with one that has an infrared bulb as well as a regular bulb will help keep their bathroom warm and comfortable in the winter months. You can find a combination heat lamp and light fixture for around $50 to $150.

4. Upgrade your smart home technology

Technology has become one of the most important developments in helping people stay in their own home as they age. Home technology like medical alert, home security and remote monitoring or communication systems are particularly beneficial.

Wearable technology like watches, necklaces and even shoe insoles monitor your loved ones’ movement throughout their home, as well as their vitals. You can outfit doorways with sensors that alert a family or emergency care service if someone enters a door but doesn’t exit within a specified period of time, indicating they may need help.

If you’re looking for a home monitoring system specific to aging in place, a certified aging in place specialist can outfit your loved one’s home with different sensors that you can monitor from your smartphone. You can know when your dad gets out of bed thanks to a pressure-sensitive mat placed next to his side of the bed. You can have a sensor put on the medicine cabinet door so you’ll know if your mom takes her medicine. Likewise, you can have heat sensors installed on the stove and front and rear door sensors put in. Aging in place home monitoring systems like HomeExcept cost around $230 for the system and have a monthly monitoring fee around $20-$30.

Home automation security and monitoring systems do more than provide caregiving functions. You can automate your parents’ home so they can control things like lights, entertainment systems, blinds and more, all from their smartphone or remote control.

5. Replace your faucets

Touchless faucets on kitchen and bathroom sinks are great for people with arthritis or grip issues. You can also replace twist faucet handles with levers. Another popular faucet upgrade is installing anti-scald faucets in your parent’s tub or shower. Anti-scald faucets prevent sudden bursts of hot water if the cold water is temporarily redirected due to the toilet being flushed or the washing machine filling up. Another way to prevent scalding is to lower the maximum water temperature on your parents’ water heater to 120 degrees or less.

6. Update your flooring

Flooring can be the culprit for many trips and falls as you age. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for flooring is a helpful resource for figuring out the best type of flooring for your parents’ home. Carpet should be securely attached and no more than a half an inch thick. ADA compliant, anti-slip bathroom flooring means the flooring material has gone through friction testing and its coefficient of friction (resistance to slipping) is a 0.6 or higher. When shopping for ceramic bathroom flooring, make sure it’s ADA certified to be slip resistant. If you already have bathroom tile that’s in good shape, you can buy ADA approved anti-slip coating and roll it on with a paint roller. Anti-slip coating typically lasts around 3-5 years and costs around $85 per gallon. One gallon covers about 400 square feet.

7. Improve your lighting

Improving the lighting in your parents’ home can mean putting bright nightlights in hallways and bathrooms, using table or floor lamps for sitting areas for reading and putting adhesive tap-lights under cabinets to provide extra light on counter tops. You can find a 10-pack of LED tap-lights for around $20.

8. Replace your doorknobs

Replacing the round doorknobs in your parents’ home with lever-style handles helps people with arthritis or grip issues easily open doors. Likewise, swapping out round kitchen cabinet door knobs with bar- or lever-style handles makes accessing kitchen items a little easier.

A huge selection of fall prevention and other helpful products can be found at Senior.com where they specialize in helping you age in your own home.

by Jonathan Trout
ConsumerAffairs Research Team

As a member of the ConsumerAffairs Research Team, Jonathan Trout believes having access to free, comprehensive information on products and businesses is vital to making smart purchasing decisions. He focuses his efforts on researching and reviewing multiple brands across a variety of industries, with the goal of writing unbiased buyers guides to help inform consumers on impending purchases.

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Physiotherapist giving back massage to senior patient
Conditions & Treatments

Overlooked Link Between Stroke and Osteoporosis

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Did you know stroke is a risk factor for falls, fractures, and even osteoporosis?

It’s true! Research shows you’re 4x more likely to suffer a fracture in the year after a stroke than your average person.

And another study found patients lost up to 14% hip bone density in the year after stroke!

Now, if you think about it, this makes sense. After a stroke, you may have difficulty moving around. You may favor one leg. Struggle with your balance. You probably won’t get right back on your regular exercise schedule…

And the less you move, the more your bone density pays the price.

So, you’d think screening for osteoporosis would be a logical part of post-stroke medical procedures, right? Sadly, it’s not.

Surprising Lack of Osteoporosis Screening After Stroke

A recent study looked at a sample of 16,581 patients aged 65+ from the Ontario Stroke Registry. Researchers investigated how many of these patients were screened for bone loss within a year of suffering a stroke.

The researchers found that just 845 people out of 16,581 were screened for bone mineral density post-stroke. That’s only 5% of patients!

And the stats were even worse for patients who’d never had a DEXA scan before— only 2.9% underwent screening.

What’s more, whether someone fractured a bone in the past didn’t affect their likelihood of getting a bone scan. That’s concerning because once you’ve broken a bone, your risk of breaking another bone goes up. And research tells us fractures lead to increased bone loss…

Yet, fracture history wasn’t a consideration for post-stroke bone density screening.

This isn’t an isolated issue either.

Experts estimate osteoporosis screening rates are below 27% in the general population for older American women. But screening post-stroke may be particularly low because few people recognize osteoporosis can be a consequence of stroke.

The US stroke guidelines do include osteoporosis as a complication, but they don’t provide any recommendations for testing or treatment— they just include fall prevention strategies.

Of course, fall prevention is important. (You can find a comprehensive fall prevention checklist here!)

But just sharing fall prevention strategies is like slapping a band-aid on a problem and hoping it doesn’t fall off…

The better course of action is to address the root cause of the problem. And you need to be aware of a problem in order to address it— which is why bone density screening post-stroke is so important!

That way, you can take measures to increase your bone density, reduce your risk of fracture, and avoid a fall.

So if you or someone you know suffers a stroke, make sure you ask for a bone density scan and monitor for osteoporosis in the years to come! Visit this page for a helpful guide to bone density scans.

By Dean Neuls

Dean Neuls is the Co-Founder and CEO of AlgaeCal. He is a natural health author and student of bone health science who is passionate about helping people & bettering lives.

 

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Senior adult practicing yoga by the pool
Exercise & Fitness

New Study Highlights the Importance of “Postural Sway”

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Yes, low bone density can potentially lead to a fracture. But there’s another factor that can increase fracture risk by more than 10 times! It’s something called “postural sway.”

Below, I’ll explain what that is, how a new study shows it’s something to be concerned about, and — the good news! — what you can do to make it less of an issue.

What is Postural Sway?

Postural sway is basically how well you can maintain balance while “quiet standing” (not speaking or doing anything else).

That might sound pretty straightforward, but it’s not! Just standing still is the result of a complex relationship between your muscular and neurological systems. If they don’t work in perfect harmony with each other, your balance can be affected.

Medical professionals have many methods for measuring a person’s postural sway. But one of the most popular is called the Berg Balance Scale. This involves rating a patient’s stability while they stand still (with eyes open and closed) and do ordinary tasks like reaching and bending.

Unfortunately, as you age, your ability to maintain balance becomes weaker. That’s why falling and breaking a bone can be such a concern! In fact, a study from 2013 reported that falls are the number one cause of death for older people. And among those who suffer a hip fracture because of a fall, one in five will pass away within a year.

A New Study on the Role of Postural Sway

It’s because of statistics like these that researchers in Finland wanted to look into how much of a role severe postural sway plays in the risk of an osteoporotic fracture.

Their study followed 1,568 Finnish women between the ages of 53 and 65. The participants’ postural sway was measured with an electronic platform that detects body movement. The researchers then followed up with the women over several years.

The results showed that women with the highest postural sway and the lowest bone density were 11.8 times more likely to suffer an osteoporotic fracture. They were also 4.9 times more likely to experience a fracture for reasons not associated with osteoporosis.

The researchers concluded that high postural sway is a significant risk factor for bone fractures. And it becomes a greater risk when combined with low bone density.

I know, that may all seem pretty obvious! But it’s worth keeping in mind just how much more at risk of a fracture you are if you have high postural sway. And if you have low bone density on top of that, the risk is a lot greater…

What You Can Do to Reduce Fall Risk

Now, there are things you can do to decrease your chances of a fall — like clearing your home of tripping hazards and wearing shoes that provide good grip! Visit this page for a comprehensive Fall Prevention Checklist.

You can also reduce your risk of falling through exercise. In fact, there are many exercises specifically designed to improve balance. You can find a list of gentle, safe exercises for older adults here.

And if you’re concerned you might have high postural sway, be sure to ask your medical professional to schedule a test. It’s fast, easy, and will give you a better idea of how good your balance is!

By Dean Neuls
Dean Neuls is the Co-Founder and CEO of AlgaeCal. He is a natural health author and student of bone health science who is passionate about helping people & bettering lives.

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