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Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips and Falls

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

It’s no secret that slips and falls are especially dangerous for seniors. According to the CDC, nearly three million American seniors suffer falls every year. Perhaps more importantly, the rate of seniors who lose their lives to unintentional falls is climbing year after year. Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls
For those of us who live in ice and snow country, there’s no more dangerous time of the year for slips and falls than during winter. So, whether you’re an older American worried about falling during the winter or a younger person concerned for the health of an older relative, it’s important to prevent slips and falls during the coldest months. Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls
Here are some of the best strategies for protecting seniors against winter slips and falls…

Shovel Snowy Walkways

Snow can represent a fall hazard during winter on its own, but it becomes even more dangerous when it masks the ground underneath. With enough snow, it can be easy to forget where your porch step starts and ends, or where certain everyday tripping risks are found. Remember that shoveling itself can represent a fall risk, so if necessary, have a friend, a relative, or a professional perform the task.

Salt and/or Sand Icy Surfaces

The biggest culprit for slips and falls during winter is ice. Even the most able-bodied among us are prone to find ourselves turned upside down by ice — even when we know it’s there. Pouring sand over ice can help give the surface more traction. Salt does the same and eats holes into the ice’s surface to break up slick surfaces. As with shoveling, salting and sanding can be a risky activity, so have someone lend a hand if need be.

Wear Proper Footwear

Proper winter boots aren’t just there to keep our feet warm. High-quality boots with winter-ready treads will provide superior grip compared to other footwear, helping lower the chance of a winter slip or fall for seniors. Wear good winter boots when walking outdoors during winter and make sure to check treads for signs of wear that might make them less effective.

Stop Indoor Puddles

Snowmelt can quickly turn into dangerous indoor puddles. Avoid this problem by installing winter mats, storing boots and winter wear in an area that traps snowmelt, and by immediately cleaning up any puddles that occur.

Turn to a Helping Hand

Having a steady hand can make all the difference when navigating snow and ice during winter. Even a short walk from the front door to the driveway can be made safer with the help of a sure-footed friend or family member.

Practice Year-Round Fall Prevention

Even though winter is the most risky time of year for slips and falls, that doesn’t mean the risk doesn’t exist during warmer months. It’s important to practice fall-prevention year-round, taking steps like keeping risky areas well-lit, maintaining leg strength and balance, and trusting your body and instincts. By taking these precautions at all times, you’ll be far better prepared when the snow and ice hits.
Visiting Angels home care providers assist seniors with a range of care needs, including fall prevention during the winter months. Call your local office today to get started with an in-home consultation for you or a loved one.

Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls

Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls Protecting Seniors from Winter Slips & Falls

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Physical Therapy, Stretching, Senior Woman
Conditions & Treatments

Link Between Fractures and Fatalities

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

You’ve probably heard how a hip fracture can change your life in the blink of an eye. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 people pass away within a year of fracturing a hip

The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports more bleak numbers: 40% of hip fracture patients can no longer walk without help; a full 60% require assistance within a year, and 1 in 3 lose their independence and end up in an assisted living facility by year’s end.

Yet the largest study of its kind shows any fracture after age 45 can mean the worst…

Scary Link Between Fractures and Fatality

Researchers at the University of Sydney’s Kolling Institute of Bone and Joint Research discovered an unsettling truth. They followed 238,673 people aged 45+ with an average age of 63, and they surveyed these folks between 2006 and 2013.

Here’s what the lead researcher Dr. Lyn March and her team discovered…

15.7 men died for every 1,000 person-years in the study. And 7.9 women died in every 1,000 person-years. (1,000 “person-years” is a common measurement in a study of this size to show the frequency of some event.)

But that’s not the surprising part. This is: The death rate more than doubled in the people who first fractured a bone! In this case, 33 men and 19 women died for every 1,000 person-years!

Now, you might think hip fractures were responsible for most of these fatalities. But the researchers found all fractures (aside from fingers and toes) increased subjects’ risk of dying.

Dr. March said it best herself:

“Common fractures like spinal fractures that cause older people to stoop over, arm, collarbone and wrist fractures from a simple fall, or pelvic fractures from a trip on the stairs or a slip on the ice all increase the risk of the sufferer dying in the next few years.”

As you can see, fragile bones are often a precursor to bigger problems. In fact, low bone density is responsible for 1 in every 3 fall-related deaths!

This isn’t overly surprising… I mean, your bones are literally the foundation that keeps you together! So weak bones can’t withstand daily strains like walking, jogging, or even falling like healthy bones can.

2 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself

So what’s the best thing to do to support your foundation? Well, strengthening it of course.

The first way to protect yourself is by exercising to keep your bones strong and healthy! Follow this link for a comprehensive list of bone-strengthening exercises.

And you can do more than exercise to protect yourself too. The second action you can take is going through this Fall Prevention Checklist to make sure your environment is as safe as possible.

Keep safe, keep strong, and be good to your bones!

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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Fall Prevention Tips

Living Room Fall Prevention Guide

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Making your living room safe is critical to both the aging loved one and the caregiver. Trying to stand from a soft couch often causes shoulder and wrist injuries or a significant fall. Often seniors will wait for someone in the home to help them stand up, which limits their freedom and can cause anxiety when you need to use the restroom. For caregivers, repeatedly helping someone to stand from a seated position will cause painful back injuries!

For a small investment, you can outfit your home for fall prevention. These recommended products ensure both the aging senior and caregiver have the maximum safety, comfort, and freedom to live as independently as possible. One fall can lead to a hospital stay, center for rehabilitation, an increased need for home care and even prompt a transition into assisted living.

For less than the cost of 1 month in assisted living, you can equip your ENTIRE home to prevent falls so you can live independently longer!

RECLINING LIFT CHAIRS

The number one addition to any living room to prevent falls and shoulder injuries is adding a reclining lift chair. We cannot emphasize this enough. A reclining lift chair eliminates the need for a caregiver to assist you in the standing position. It also saves the back of the caregiver!

With the press of a button on a remote control the seat along with the arms will slowly rise to enable the person to stand. Similarly, when it comes to sitting down when the chair is in the raised position, once the person gets into position, the button can be pressed so that the chair slowly lowers. This simple feature eliminates the need to rely on weak arms that injure shoulders.

Reclining lift chairs come in a variety of economic options to luxurious models of comfort for those who want to sleep or spend more than 8 hours in the chair. You can select a fabric choice to fit your room. Often chairs are custom made to your size and style.

ECONOMY: Golden Tech Capri Vinyl $619

MID-RANGE: Golden Tech Maxicomfort Starting at $1,297

LUXURY: Golden Tech MaxiComfort Cloud Twilight Assisted Lift Recliners $2,286

 

Reclining lift chairs also come in petite and bariatric sizes. If you need help selecting one, feel free to talk to one of our specialists at 949-713-1400.

OTHER ADDITIONS TO YOUR LIVING ROOM FOR FALL PREVENTION:

OMNI SWIVELING TABLE TRAY $149

 

The Omni-Tray is a couch-side handle and TV tray that makes it easy to stand from your favorite couch or chair. It comes with a convenient multi-use swivel tray so you can eat, surf the web, or simply keep handy items close by. And like all of our products, it blends in with your living-room (like another piece of furniture) so you can maintain the comforting feeling of your home.

 

 

STANDER COUCH CANE $119

The CouchCane by Stander offers a simple yet effective way to boost yourself out of your favorite chair or soft couch. The CouchCane is made of steel and comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee so you can buy in confidence.

 

 

BEST INDOOR ROLLATOR: NOVA TRAVELER 3-WHEEL $99.95

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. We like how the traveler 3 wheel rollator has a tray for food or drinks and a basket for other belongings. This frees both hands to steady your balance to move freely in your home.

 

Great tools to adapt existing Recliner Chairs:

CHAIR RISERS $35

For existing recliners, you might consider adding risers. When a person stands from the typical recliner, it tilts forward, dropping the arms and seat of an already low chair by 3-4 inches. Simply raising the chair by 5 or 6 inches makes it dangerously unstable. Stander has developed a safe and easy solution. When Recliner Risers are installed, they raise a chair nearly 2 inches and limit the forward tilt allowing an additional 3-4 inches of lift. The extra support gives a weakened person a biomechanical advantage and enables them to stand on their own. Recliner Risers attach quickly and easily to the wooden base of your favorite recliner. The Recliner Risers are designed to be installed on recliners with wooden bases as seen in the picture. Recliners with metal or round-based will not be compatible with the Recliner Risers.

RECLINING CHAIR LEVER EXTENDER $19

For those with mobility challenges, reaching a recliner handle can be a tough task. Stander has created a simple and unique solution that makes using your recliner easy again. The Lever Extender puts the handle within easy reach while adding leverage to raise and lower the leg rest. It is made with heavy-duty steel so you can buy in confidence knowing it will last a lifetime. It’s time to put your recliner handle back in reach.

 

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Senior woman sitting in a bedroom
Fall Prevention Tips

Best Bedroom Products for Fall Prevention

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

It’s important to address safety for seniors in the bedroom, since falls are a considerable risk getting in and out of bed. With just a few products you can ensure that you can remain as independent as possible all night long. Here are our favorite bedroom accessories and bed to make your bedroom a safe and comfortable place.

Top 3 Bedroom Accessories for Fall Prevention

Adult Bed Rail & Cushioned Support Bed Swivel Handle

Swiveling Bed Rail only $99

This Mobility Bed Rail has an extra pivoting arm to provide extra support while walking or transferring to a rollaor or wheelchair. The legs that extend to the ground for extra stability while standing, and the half-size bed rail prevents nighttime falls. It blends in with your bedroom – like another piece of furniture – to maintain the comforting feeling of your home. To purchase click here.

Traveler 3 Wheel Nova Rollator

Traveler 3-Wheel only $99.95

Everyone using a walker needs a this 3-wheel rollator for indoors. The Traveler is perfect for maneuvering on carpet, around furniture and in tight places. 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 drinks and a basket for other belongings. This frees hands to steady your balance so you can move freely in your home. We also find that larger 4-wheel rollators are cumbersome indoors. Often people will opt not to use them and then a fall occurs. This 3-wheel option is perfect in a tight bathroom and allows you to transfer belongings, drinks, food etc. with the tray and basket.
To purchase click here.

 

 

BedCaddie – In Bed Support Assist Handle with Adjustable Strap

BedCaddie to help sit up – Only $19

The BedCaddie has a unique ladder-like design with 3 handgrips to make it easier to sit-up in bed. It’s great for people who want a little extra support while sitting up and can be used with our bed rails to help you easily get out of bed. To purchase click here.

 

 

 

Best Beds for Fall Prevention

Flexabed Premium Comfort

Flexabeds come in all sizes starting at $1,850

A premier full adjustable bed sets the standards for comfort and convenience. Every amenity Flexabed offers can be added to the Premier model. It is fully customizable and can be designed and built in hundreds of configurations so that your specific needs are fulfilled.

You can choose to have one touch wireless or wired controls. Flexabed has whisper-quiet motors with optional, dual timed massage. This is the prefect bed for complete comfort and safety.

To see purchasing options click here.

 

 

Med-Mizer Stand Assist Pivot Turn Adjustable Bed

Med-Mizer Bed starts at $5,720

This innovative bed combines the benefits of an adjustable bed with the advantages of a stand assist lift. This bed becomes a seat which can then be used to help a patient to their feet; there’s no need for them to shift to the edge of the bed and bring their feet over the side. This makes for a safer, more comfortable transfer which enhances early mobility during recovery from an injury or surgery.

To see purchasing options click here.

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Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors
Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

We use the bathroom every day … 365 days of each year. We cherish our bathroom time and depart much happier, yet this room is often the most dangerous place in your home. Being proactive with effective product solutions is the key to fall prevention.

For less than a dollar a day, you can equip your bathroom with all the necessary products to keep you safe. Make your bathroom happy and safe every day. Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

Do you know the BATHROOM HOT SPOTS? Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

HOT SPOT #1 – Get Some Leverage

If you have trouble getting on and off a chair, then you are also having trouble getting on and off a toilet. An elevated toilet seat and hand rails can make all the difference.

For a list of our commode options under Bathroom Safety Click Here

HOT SPOT #2 – Getting in and out of the Tub

Getting in and out of the tub or shower can be tricky, and holding onto the sink or towel rack isn’t safe. Using grab bars is a much better solution.

For a list of our grab bars options under Bathroom Safety Click Here

HOT SPOT #3 – Bathing Independently

Our tub or shower is our sanctuary, but without the proper safety equipment, this is another bathroom hot spot. Bath-seats, hand-held shower-heads and bath mats are a must!
Try our Ultimate Bathing Experience Kit to prevent falls in the tub and shower!

  1. Bath Seat
  2. Rubber Mat
  3. Bath Seat Basket
  4. Bath Seat Cushion
  5. Holder for Hand Held Shower
  6. Hand Held Shower

More information here: Ultimate Bathing Experience Kit

Top 10 Bathroom Safety Tips:

BE PROACTIVE. Over 60% of falls occur at home, with the majority occurring in the bathroom. Add safety measures BEFORE you have a fall.

1. Never lock your bathroom door. It could prevent someone from helping you promptly. Instead, use a Do Not Disturb sign.

2. Use an elevated toilet seat on the commode and a tub grab bar to get in and out of the bathtub.

3. A bath bench with a back provides comfort and safety when bathing or showering. This should be used with an 84” long hand held shower head.

4. Use a non-skid bath mat in the bathtub and shower floor.

5. Set water heater thermostats at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to avoid scalds.

6. Use shower gel instead of a bar soap that can slip out of your hands and on to the floor.

7. Install a nightlight that comes on automatically in dim light.

8. Replace faucet handles with easy to use levers and mark clearly with “hot” and “cold”

9. Remove all floor rugs that can slip or can catch your foot.

10. Get a Medical Alert System if you are living alone and a fall risk.

Best Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors

 

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Exercise & Fitness

Exercise Tips for Seniors

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

How Often to Exercise

Exercise routines should be done according to a doctor’s plans, keeping the physical and mental health of the patient in mind. All routines recommend at least one hour of daily physical activity for senior adults, though often specific exercise regimens will include rest days where you should remain active but refrain from that particular exercise. These rest days allow the muscles to heal themselves for improved performance over time, and while some highly intensive programs may only require one rest day, other programs may require multiple rest days.

Make sure to follow the regimen that is recommended by your doctor and by the exercise program that you are following.

Making Exercise A Habit

Since daily exercise and activity are essential, making sure you stick with your routine is as important as choosing the right one for you. Studies from many notable sources, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tell us that habits generally take around 21 days to form. The secret is to force the body and fool the mind into exercising for those 21 days until your brain makes the behavior automatic. The body will then begin to enjoy and even look forward to exercise sessions.

Many people may be able to consciously force themselves into a new 21 day pattern, despite feeling unwilling to exercise during certain days of that period. Other people may need some encouragement, distractions, or rewards to build the habit. One of the best ways of guaranteeing a habit sticks is finding friends who are on the same path. Even if you can’t find a traditional friend, there are many online video channels and communities that offer digital friendship and assistance to people who are starting an exercise regimen.

Exercising at Home

Exercising in the home often makes it easier to form the exercise habit. Your home is less expensive and more convenient than a gym, and with a bit of ingenuity, you can even turn common objects into equipment that will bolster your exercise program.

  • Chairs – Many exercises, including the chair dips mentioned above, use nothing more than your body weight and a chair to posture your body. Chairs are meant to take pressure off of certain parts of your body, and you can use that feature to isolate other parts, giving you the freedom to exercise and strengthen them. Chair exercises also give elder adults with limited mobility the ability to continue exercising.
  • Stairs – Stairs may be used for cardiovascular exercise. Elliptical machines were invented to reproduce the experience of climbing stairs, so why not stick with the original! Stairs are a great way to keep your heart rate up, exercise your lower body, and improve blood flow.
  • Walls – You can use any doorway wall in your home as a brace for joint stretches.
  • Swimming pool – If you have a swimming pool in your home, you can enjoy exercise while helping your joints. Swimming is also great for people who are overweight because it takes strain off of the skeleton while allowing them to raise their heart rate and strengthen the muscles.

 

Older adults may also exercise at home without any equipment at all. Body weight exercises such as yoga and simple pushups, situps and leg lifts can provide just as much benefit as exercises at the gym. The secret to a healthier body through exercise is consistency and the right level of intensity, not the kind of equipment you use in your routine.

Physical Activity Vs. Exercise

By the same token, ordinary physical activity can confer some of the same benefits as exercise at the gym. Physical activity is defined as any movement that requires the energy of the skeletal muscles to perform. Physical activity can include exercise, but it also includes movements that occur within the daily routine such as walking to a dog park, getting out of bed, brushing your teeth or your hair, or changing a light bulb.

Naturally, some physical activity is less strenuous than others. Exercise, on the other hand, is physical activity that is structured and repetitive, and has the aim of maintaining or improving physical fitness. Exercise is also often targeted at improving one of the five aspects of physical fitness: body composition, muscular endurance fitness, flexibility fitness, muscular strength fitness and cardio-respiratory fitness. For most seniors, 30 minutes of structured, repetitive exercise a day is essential to physical fitness. This number is derived from the perceived intensity of the average workout and from the fact that most seniors tend to live a less active lifestyle as they get older.

At the same time, physical activity and exercise can both build health in older adults. As a matter of fact, seniors who live an active enough lifestyle may be able to maintain their physical fitness through physical activity alone. However, even seniors who are very active may need to undertake special exercise routines to address particular issues. For instance, a senior whose active lifestyle keeps them in excellent physical shape may still need to go on a regimen to build flexibility and strength in the hip after an implant operation.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends both physical activity and exercise for a truly healthy lifestyle. They cite extremely lazy lifestyles as the reason that even daily exercise routines are not as effective as they should be. For instance, a senior who exercises intensely for an hour but then sits down for the majority of the day will have trouble keeping fit.

The bottom line is that it’s good to engage in general physical activity and pursue a daily exercise routine. Stand instead of sit. Take stairs instead of elevators when possible. Take on some household chores such as gardening or mowing the lawn, within reason. Make it a point to watch less TV, or at least perform some easy home exercises during commercial breaks.

Physical activity can even become exercise if approached correctly. In fact, one of the best ways to successfully implement an exercise regimen is to accentuate daily activities.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Adding weights to everyday walking – You can upgrade trips to the mall or to the park from physical activity into an exercise regimen by using light weights. There are many weights made for this purpose specifically that are small, attractive and easy to carry.
  • Extending a daily activity into a regimen – Enjoyable daily activities can be extended into an exercise routine. For instance, people who enjoy gardening will probably enjoy yoga. The movements are similar and many yoga classes are held outdoors.
  • Physical activity during leisure periods – During TV time, many people will fit in a set of sit-ups or push-ups while watching.

 

How To Track Your Progress

So—you’ve chosen a program that fits your needs and abilities, and you’ve stuck with it while also boosting your ordinary physical activity. How will you know that you’re making any progress? As it happens, there are many ways to track and measure the benefits of an exercise routine. What tracking measures you use will depend on the types of results you expect from your program — a weight loss program is tracked differently from a muscular strengthening program, for example.

Here are some common ways to track exercise programs for older adults.

  • Cardiovascular health – In most cases, lowering the resting heart rate and the body mass index (BMI) are key performance indicators of a heart health program. A lower heart rate signifies the body is working less to pump blood, preserving the heart and arteries for longer periods of time. Having an appropriate body mass index ensures that the body is better able to fight off disease. A good body fat ratio also ensures that the joints are not overtaxed by having to carry extra weight, among many other benefits.
  • Muscular strengthening – Muscle strengthening programs measure success by the endurance and strength of the muscles and nerves that are used in heavy lifting. If you’re focused on building muscle strength, keep track of the number of repetitions you can do at a particular rate or keep track of the total weight lifted in each individual exercise.
  • Ease of daily routine – A much less formal, but still quite relevant form of tracking is the ease with which an older adult can simply live his or her daily life. Physical fitness is defined as the ability to easily perform day-to-day tasks, and this is all that some people are looking to achieve. If you’re getting through your day with fewer physical challenges, you can probably thank your exercise routine!

 

Health is essential to enjoying your later years, and exercise, and physical activity in general, are essential for health. It’s never too late to start, and if you take the right approach and consult with your doctor before starting, you can expect to find your days happier, easier, and more full of the joys that make life worth living.

By Aging.com

Seniors haven’t reached the end: they’ve reached a new beginning. And Aging.com was set up to help you start this new phase of your life on the right foot. Our mission is to help you and thousands of other older adults who want to live independently, plan your finances, and take charge of your health care.

Sources
http://www.who.int/topics/physical_activity/en/
http://www.aicr.org/press/press-releases/getting-up-from-your-desk.html
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/olderad.htm
http://news.mit.edu/2012/understanding-how-brains-control-our-habits-1029

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Exercising for Life
Exercise & Fitness

Exercising for Life

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

When people think about their later years, they usually imagine a life freed from work or career commitments. They hope, too, that this new freedom will allow them to give their full attention to family, friends, and the activities they feel most passionate about. Making this dream a reality, however, requires health and independence, which in turn require a renewed commitment to staying healthy in general and to maintaining that health through exercise.

The good news, though, is that exercise confers all the same benefits to seniors that it does to those earlier in life, including increased longevity, improved mental clarity, a boost in energy, and greater strength to meet the physical demands of daily living. This is true even if you don’t start exercising until your later years. And while older people tend to become more sedentary as retirement and the challenges of old age restrict their activities, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a reasonable course of exercise a part of your life or the life of a loved one.

With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about keeping an active lifestyle well into your senior years.

The Benefits of Exercise for The Elder Adult

As you think about bringing exercise into your life, you can start by understanding the benefits exercise can provide. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that both women and men receive great benefits from exercise and regular physical activity. Stamina and strength naturally decrease in most people as a function of age, but according to the CDC, most of the decrease comes from inactivity. 33% of men and 50% of women aged 75 or older, for example, engage in no physical activity at all. What’s more, the World Health Organization has identified physical inactivity as the number four cause of death in the world. And while leisure time for most seniors is increasing, there are more options to spend this leisure time in less active ways.

For this reason, achieving the benefits of exercise doesn’t require marathon-level training.

A senior’s physical activity doesn’t have to be strenuous in order to bring great results – as long as it is done on a daily basis, in fact, it can be fairly moderate. What’s more, if you’re not interested in jogging, then you may be glad to hear that muscle strengthening activities are considered just as important as cardiovascular activities. Muscular strength helps to maintain balance in the body, reducing stress hormones and body fat mass, both of which help to foster cardiovascular health. Stronger muscles also reduce falling risks and keep seniors more independent on a day-to-day basis.

Here are some additional benefits of a consistent physical fitness routine:

  • Increased strength – Exercise improves muscular strength and the nerves that are used to lift heavy objects. This does not necessarily mean that a person will get bigger; muscles can become stronger without increasing noticeably in size.
  • Improved energy – With improved blood flow, less fat, and fewer stress hormones in the bloodstream, the body is more free to conduct its daily operations. When the body does not have to put as much work into functions such as breathing and pumping blood through the heart, you will feel the additional energy.
  • Higher libido – Many older adults have reported a more robust drive for sex after a consistent exercise routine.
  • Resistance to disease – The body is better able to ward off diseases of all kinds when exercise is undertaken on a daily basis.
  • Resistance to physical accidents – The majority of health conditions in the senior community occur as a direct or indirect result of a fall. Physically fit older adults are less likely to fall or injure themselves during routine activities.
  • Better posture – People who exercise generally have more balance and will have an easier time maintaining good posture because of the strength of their bones and muscles.
  • Improvement in chronic conditions – People with conditions that might otherwise disable them or exacerbate physical or mental issues may see their strength and stamina improve through exercise, with a reduction in symptoms related to issues as varied as bone density loss, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety.
  • Reduced blood pressure – Exercise reduces blood pressure,and can even help people with diagnosed hypertension experience fewer symptoms.

 

In addition to these physical benefits, exercise offers some key psychological benefits as well:

  • Improved mood – Exercise is well known to be a general mood enhancer.
  • Increased focus – If the body is in shape, the mind is much better able to focus on tasks. And again, exercise is also a well known deterrent to Alzheimer’s disease and general dementia.
  • Less stress – Exercise allows the body to work off stress, which has the added benefit of getting rid of the stress hormones that can lead to heart problems.

 

Finally, improvements in physical and psychological health can lead to some significant benefits in other areas of an older person’s life, especially by prolonging their ability to live independently. In turn, this greater independence helps to maintain physical and mental health. In short, the effects of exercise are more holistic than even some doctors realize, and remembering this can keep you motivated as you begin your exercise routine.

Before You Start

Before you start exercising, however, remember older adults should check with a trusted medical professional before taking on any new physical regimen. Even helpful exercises can cause harm if they strain the body, and seniors are usually at a greater risk of injury. That means that your exercise routine should be specifically geared toward your needs and any possible risks.

For this reason, a visit to your family doctor is the first step for safety. The family doctor will be able to assess you holistically and pinpoint any problems that could arise as you begin to exert yourself. Medical professionals can also highlight conditions that could limit the scope or intensity of the exercise you choose.

Conditions that may cause an elder adult to change or reconsider their approach to exercise include heart conditions, other cardiovascular limitations, gastrointestinal problems, and conditions such as arthritis, dementia, fibromyalgia, cancer and obesity. This should not be considered a comprehensive list: your doctor will have much more information about the health of your body and how you should work in additional exercise.

Once an older adult has been properly diagnosed in a holistic way, individual conditions may be assessed by specialists. Doctors with a specialty in certain conditions may be able to better apply a conditioning or reconstruction program for a particular area of the body. Specialty doctors will also be able to better assess how an exercise program may exacerbate conditions that show up under physical stress for older adults.

By Aging.com

Seniors haven’t reached the end: they’ve reached a new beginning. And Aging.com was set up to help you start this new phase of your life on the right foot. Our mission is to help you and thousands of other older adults who want to live independently, plan your finances, and take charge of your health care.

Sources
http://www.who.int/topics/physical_activity/en/
http://www.aicr.org/press/press-releases/getting-up-from-your-desk.html
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/olderad.htm
http://news.mit.edu/2012/understanding-how-brains-control-our-habits-1029

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Health Products

Consumer Affairs Review of Medical Alert Systems

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

What is a medical alert system?

A medical alert system is a wearable electronic device—usually a clip, bracelet, lanyard or necklace—that detects harm and hazard, including up to 95 percent of falls when used properly. Most medical alert devices are not much larger than a key ring. The device will connect you to an emergency responder if you have a sudden accident. Since the device is already on your person, you don’t have to worry about reaching for and dialing a phone to call for help.

How do medical alert systems work?

The device wirelessly communicates with the systems provider through a small radio transmitter and console that’s connected to your cellular or landline telephone. These devices connect to what’s called a “personal emergency response service” or a “medical emergency response system.”

There are passive and active devices. An active device will require you to press a button to call for help, while a passive system monitors movements or lack of movements to determine an emergency.

The most effective medical alert systems include two-way communication. When a medical emergency occurs, a dispatcher will advise the best course of action and contact emergency services, an emergency contact of your choosing, or both, for you. Most devices include a panic button or emergency button. With some devices, when you hit the emergency button an ambulance is sent automatically. The provider may first try to make contact via phone or another communication method, depending on your plan’s monitoring services.

Much like phone companies, monitoring services may need to run lines throughout homes. If this is the case, you’ll need to find out if lines are insured or if the damage is the responsibility of the homeowner.

How to choose a medical alert system

Medical alert systems can be monitored or unmonitored and connect to a home-based or mobile system. They’re available with or without fall alerts. All these differences mean it’s important to know which type of medical alert system is best for you. This will require you to be honest with yourself about your medical needs.

1. Choose between a home-based or mobile medical alert system

Traditional medical alert systems were created to work best in your home, while mobile systems were designed with a more active lifestyle in mind. Both systems typically require the user to press a button to alert medical professionals of an emergency.

Home-based medical alert system:

Sometimes referred to as “traditional medical alert systems,” these in-home systems have not changed much since the 1970s. They come with a wireless pendant that connects to a base within a specific range. Home medical alerts typically have lower monthly service fees than mobile medical alert systems. The most common complaints about home-based medical alert systems are that the speakerphone can be difficult to hear and service is not available in all locations. Best for people who are often alone in their homes.

Mobile medical alert system:

Mobile medical alert systems, also called “on-the-go” systems, hit the market in the early 2000s. These systems don’t require a base since you use your wearable device to speak to an operator on the other line, or directly with 911, no matter where you are. A mobile medical alert system with GPS is another option you should consider when shopping for a medical alert system. Mobile medical alert systems have better technology, features and options than home-based medical alert systems, but they also come at a higher cost. You must be sure to regularly charge your device. Best for adults with active lifestyles.

2. Determine if you need a monitored or unmonitored medical alert system

Monitored medical alert systems connect you to a real person when you press the button. Unmonitored medical alert systems dial through pre-programmed contacts when the device is triggered. Monitored medical alert systems typically provide better service and require a monthly service fee. With unmonitored medical alert systems you’ll usually just pay for the device without a monthly fee.

Monitored medical alert systems:

A monitored medical alert system has a live person tracking activity on the other end. The call button will connect you to a dispatching center, and a trained response professional will talk you through your crisis. The person at the dispatching center will contact a close friend or family member or 911. Monitoring helps ensure that there are minimal false alarms and unnecessary 911 calls. Best for people with limited mobility and those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia.

Unmonitored medical alert systems:

Often referred to as “no-monthly-fee” systems because these systems don’t require a service contract to function, unmonitored systems will connect you to pre-programmed emergency contacts when the device is triggered. Instead of getting a guaranteed answer through an emergency dispatch center, the system calls through its list until it reaches the final number, which may be 911. Best for people who are aging-in-place with relatively good health and mobility.

3. Decide if you should add a fall alert system to your medical alert device

Fall alert systems use accelerometers, barometric sensors and/or an algorithm to track the movement of the device. These are often located in a fall detection bracelet or in a fall detection sensor around the neck. If the fall detection sensor detects a sudden movement that seems like a fall, the device is triggered to send out a signal to a control center. This feature can be life-saving for seniors after a fall that renders them unconscious or immobile.

Traditional medical alert systems may seem adequate, but they typically require the user to press a button in order to alert medical professionals of an emergency. Fall alert systems can trigger a fall alarm, eliminating the need to press a button to alert emergency personnel after an accident.

Pros

  • Gives peace of mind to caregivers
  • Provides extra security for the wearer
  • Works when the wearer is unconscious

Cons

  • Expensive monthly fees
  • Can trigger false alarms
  • Cannot detect 100 percent of falls

Cost of medical alert systems

Cost is often a major factor when looking at medical alert systems, especially if you’re on a fixed income. The more stable the pricing, the more likely a system is to remain affordable to those who need it most; if a senior buys the hardware and pays for monitoring, they may not be able to afford any price increases at the end of the year.

How much does a medical alert cost per month?

The average monthly cost for a monitored medical alert system is between $30 and $90 per month, and some unmonitored medical alert systems don’t require monthly fees at all. Many companies offer both month-to-month service and contract periods. A monthly fee may be much more affordable than a lump-sum annual payment.

Are medical alert systems covered by Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicare does not cover the costs associated with medical alert systems. Depending on where you live, Medicaid might cover part of the cost. However, you could qualify for reimbursement from your Long-Term Care Insurance provider.

Are medical alert systems tax deductible?

The Internal Revenue Service doesn’t specifically itemize medical alert systems as eligible for tax deductions. However, many medical expenses are tax deductible, and a tax professional can help you figure out if you can deduct a medical alert system on your tax filings.

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Fall Prevention Tips

How to Fall-Proof your Home

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Did you know, according to the National Institute of Aging, that 6 out of 10 falls happen at home, where we spend most of our time and neglect to consider safety? Most of these falls could be prevented by making some simple changes to your home. At Senior.com, we are experts in fall prevention and consider it our mission to help you live as independently as possible, for as long as possible.

We suggest you invite a friend or family member to make this safety assessment with you. Often it takes a 2nd pair of eyes to see hazards you no longer consider. Remember, we are fall-proofing your home so you can live independently as long as possible, so accepting change is required. Being proactive now will allow you to have more freedom later.

  • Arrange your furniture so you have plenty of room to walk freely. Remove items from stairs and hallways.
  • Remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking. Pay special attention to clutter, small furniture, pet bowls or beds, electrical cords, throw rugs and standing lamps.
  • If possible, remove throw rugs permanently. At the very least, secure carpets to the floor and stairs. Use only non-slip rugs or attach rugs to the floor with double-sided tape.
  • Use non-slip items in the bathroom. Install non-slip flooring if possible. Add a non-slip mat or strips in the bathtub or shower.
  • Add a raised commode to your toilet because most falls occur in the bathroom. Adding a raised commode or grab bars on either side of the toilet can reduce this risk substantially. No one wants to be found on the floor of a bathroom so address the bathroom first.
  • Install grab bars in the shower or tub. Consider adding a safety pole if you prefer not to put permanent holes in your tile or walls.
  • Install safety poles next to beds or couches where you need assistance getting up.
  • Add a reclining lift chair. Lift chairs have proven to help people stay in their homes longer. When you struggle to get out of a chair you put too much weight on your arms and shoulders often causing injury or a fall. If an injury occurs, you are looking at increased caregiving and possibly the loss of your independence. A lift chair gets you standing fast, safely. In addition, our lift chairs are so comfortable you can sleep in them all day or night.
  • Add a bed assist bar or handle to help you get in and out of your bed.
  • Move items in high cupboards to lower places so you are not climbing on unstable stools. Get a “reacher” so you can grab items out of reach.
  • Look at the entrances to your home and add ramps and hand rails where necessary. Consider the height of thresholds and have them altered for smooth walking or rolling over.
  • Consider how slippery your floor can be when wet. Use only non-skid was on waxed floors. Always clean up spills right away. Assess whether you need to add low profile carpet to a room for safety and warmth. One drawback to carpet is shoes can trip if you don’t pick up your feet. However, slippery hard floors cause more injuries than soft carpets.
  • Add lighting to dimly lit rooms and on the stairs. Use automatic nightlights in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, kitchen and outdoors. Use light bulbs that have the highest wattage recommended for the fixture. Since lighting is often referenced after a major fall, it’s important to proactively inspect every room at night to see potential hazards.
  • Place a lamp next to your bed along with a flashlight for emergencies. Consider setting up your lights on a smart-home system such as Google or Amazon’s Alexa so you can verbally command your lights.
  • Add an additional handrail on the wall side of your stairway. Make sure you can hold either side of the stairs as a guide.
  • Keep your cell phone on you in the event that you do fall, you can call for help. Or consider wearing a call-service-button for help.
  • Add automobile aids so you don’t have an fall getting in or out of your car.
  • Wear non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes or lace-up shoes with non-skid soles that fully support your feet. It is important that the soles are not too thin or too thick. Avoid flip-flop style sandals. Do not walk on stairs or floors in socks or slippers.
  • Stay physically active! Lower body strength and balance exercises PREVENT FALLS. Find low cost fitness classes at your local senior center, YMCA, church, gym or city.

 

Our favorite shop to find Fall Prevention items is Senior.com. Use coupon “Senior10” for $10 off your order! Senior.com always offers Free Shipping and 15% off to all active military or veterans.

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