Each year, over 30 million adults experience a fall resulting in over 30,000 deaths. What does that mean? Adults over the age of 65 have a one in four chance of falling within the next year. Falls can lead to serious injuries, such as head trauma and hip fractures, leading to growing hospital bills and other medical expenses. Every aging adult is vulnerable to falls, and the cost associated with them is shockingly high! When broken down, it is easy to see that preventing fall injuries is far most cost effective than dealing with them after the fact. Simply put, you cannot afford NOT to take preventative actions against falls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “caregivers are at a higher risk for having several chronic diseases because they may overlook their own personal health requirements while giving care for others.” Furthermore, caregivers have poorer levels of self-care and preventive health behaviors due to the time and energy that is invested in their profession, as well as the stress that comes with it. For caregivers, personal care and attention to self is an important element of caretaking. By implementing self-care activities into daily life, caregivers can improve their quality of life and minimize risk of major physical and mental health complications.

AGING IN PLACE OR ASSISTED LIVING? WHY MORE SENIORS ARE CHOOSING TO STAY AT HOME

While assisted living facilities have always played an important role for aging adults in America, more and more seniors have been choosing to “age in place at home.” The decision to age in place at home can be made easier when understanding how home-living can benefit aging adults. Overall, seniors who choose to stay at home longer enjoy a sense of freedom and relaxation that cannot be provided anywhere else. They also enjoy improved health outcomes on average. While the benefits are many, here are four main reasons seniors prefer aging in place at home.

THE ONLINE SHOPPING GUIDE FOR HOME SAFETY SOLUTIONS

Shopping online for DME is not unlike shopping for anything else. You want to do your research, find the best available product, and purchase it at the best possible price. And just like shopping for anything else, it can be easy to be overwhelmed with the myriad of options and information (or lack of information) that is available. To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of what to look for when you’re shopping for DME on the world wide web.

fall prevention ideas: uses for the security pole and curve grab bar

When speaking of elderly fall prevention, there are few tools as versatile as the Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar from Stander. The Security Pole has been a go-to solution for fall prevention of Occupational Therapists (OT’s) and Home Modification Specialists for almost 20 years because of its simple design and adaptable use. Because the possible uses for the unique transfer pole are endless, we’re here to discuss some of our favorite ways the Security Pole can be used for home fall prevention.

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS FOR SENIORS

For much of our lives as we grew up our mother’s were our caretakers. They cooked our meals, cleaned our homes, mended our injuries, and provided us with emotional support. With the passage of time, many of us have found ourselves in a reversal of roles as a child now caring for an aging mother or grandmother. As another spring blossoms, our thoughts turn to our mother’s and all they have done for us. As a caregiver, however, it can be difficult to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift that accurately portrays how we feel. 

5 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SHOPPING FOR A BED RAIL

Bed rails come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for various purposes. Such a large range of options can make it difficult to pinpoint the bed rail most effective for your situation. When looking to rent or purchase a bed rail for yourself or for a loved one, it is important to have a basic understanding of how bed rails work. Here’s five of the most important questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a bed rail.

5 SOLUTIONS EVERY NEW CAREGIVER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Although it may seem lonely at times, being a caregiver doesn’t mean being alone. There is a myriad of resources to connect you with caretakers who have experience and are ready to answer questions. There are also thousands of mobility and safety solutions that exist to make life easier. However, it can be overwhelming sifting through the options that are available and deciding what is best for your loved one. For that reason we have compiled five of our favorite solutions that every new caregiver should know about.

“I NEED HELP. MY MOM KEEPS FALLING IN THE BATHROOM AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.”

by Emilia Bourland, OTR, ECHM

This is how the vast majority of conversations with my clients begin. A family caregiver, totally exhausted, exasperated, and frightened calls for help when they feel they have nowhere else to turn. It’s an all too common problem, and often, a serious injury has already happened, or is imminent. But that doesn’t mean there is no hope. On the contrary, there are simple solutions to many of the most common safety issues people face in the bathroom.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR AGING HOLIDAY VISITORS

Many of us travel over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house, but what happens when grandma and grandpa visit your home for the holidays? If you are the child of an older adult it is likely that you have taken every precaution to help prevent falls in your parent’s home. Such precautions should also be implemented into your own home in preparation for parental visits.

5 NEW EURO-STYLE ROLLATORS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Earlier this year, Stander announced a new partnership with Trust Care, a Swedish manufacturer, to become their exclusive distributor in North America. Trust Care, along with Stander, focuses on modernizing traditional mobility aids to meet the needs of a rising generation who place a higher emphasis on technology and design.

FALL PREVENTION: 4 IDEAS TO PREVENT FALLS AT HOME

Complete home modifications can be beneficial, but they are not always necessary. In many cases, less-expensive assistive devices can provide equal assistance while allowing your home to stay just the way it is. Here are our favorite assistive devices for each room in your home that can save you money and peace of mind.

10 REASONS TO TRY THE SECURITY POLE AND CURVE GRAB BAR

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

As caregivers, there are no limits to what we will do to keep our aging loved ones safe and healthy. This includes finding the right safety devices and mobility aids to simplify tasks and enhance freedom. It can be difficult, however, shuffling through the myriad of categories of mobility and home medical equipment. Just like most things in life, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for home safety. Every person is unique; every home is different; and every situation has its own complexities. But that doesn’t mean an assistive device can’t be versatile, and we can’t speak of versatility without mention of the Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar.

5 steps for fall prevention: a guide for caregivers

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

The risk of falling increases doubles once an initial fall occurs. Sadly, most of us don’t even think about preventing falls before until it’s too late and a fall has already occurred. 65% of older adults with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends to provide assistance. You may be in this category, which means it’s your responsibility to assess risk and provide solutions to prevent your loved one from falling. The good news about falls is that most of them can be prevented. Knowing the common causes of falls and providing solutions can help your loved one stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WALKER OR ROLLATOR

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Becoming an expert on a subject such as walking aids is something no one gets excited to do. Gaining such expertise means succumbing to aging and a probable decline in mobility. But aging is something that happens to everyone and finding the right walking aid can be the difference between comfort and safety. Educating yourself on walking aids requires a solid understanding of what someone needs.