Stop Worrying and Take Action: How to Help Your Aging Parents be Safer at Home

Is mom mixing up her pills? Is Dad having a hard time remembering things? What happens the next time mom falls? Is Dad still able to safely drive? If you have an elderly parent, chances are you have spent more than one sleepless night worrying about things like this.

Are you considering your options for your aging parents? It can be tough to decide whether to move your loved one into a facility or have them age-in-place. The average annual cost to move mom or dad to an assisted-living facility or a nursing home will run you around $38,000-$67,500. On top of the financial cost, there is also a heavy emotional toll that plays to the fears of many seniors who fear nursing homes more than death itself.

According to a recent poll conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), over 87% of adults over the age of 65 wish to age-in-place. This trend of aging-in-place has raised concerns among health care officials and younger loved ones regarding the safety and mobility of this increasingly independent yet vulnerable retired generation. This, along with many other reasons including: increased feeling of independence, a comfortable and familiar environment, and proximity to family, is why 90% of senior’s desire to age-in-place.

Thankfully, in recent years, there has been an increase in technical innovations that can help you be an effective caregiver, and be sure mom and dad’s needs are being met, even from afar. These tools come in many shapes, sizes, prices, and forms. They include everything from activity sensors and high-tech pill boxes, to wearable devices and in-home modifications and upgrades.

We know that decisions regarding the care of your loved one can quickly become stressful. To ease your stress and ensure your loved one enjoys independence safely for years to come, our Fall Injury Prevention team has shared their expertise and insights regarding safe and efficient Aging-in-place SmartCells flooring solutions.

It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”.

Despite all your hard work to keep your loved one safe while they age-in-place, the unfortunate fact is that they are still at risk of experiencing a fall or fall-related injury. SmartCells’ fall injury prevention products provide a safe solution that allows your elderly loved one to age gracefully in independence, while also giving you peace of mind that they are safe.

Designed and engineered using the patented and proven SmartCells Cushioning Technology, our suite of fall injury prevention products can help minimize or reduce serious injury without compromising accessibility. The unique SmartCells dynamic responsive cushioning technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and caregivers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect loved ones when they fall.

Available in pre-sized mats, wall-to-wall flooring and custom applications based on your specific needs, SmartCells® fall injury prevention solutions provide the security of being there when you can’t be to reduce the likelihood of fall-related injuries.

SATECH, Inc., the maker of SmartCells, is a technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells cushioning solutions that enhance performance, reduce fatigue and help prevent fall-related injuries. SmartCells mats and flooring have broad application in the industrial workplace, injury prevention, healthcare markets, and everyday consumer households.

For more information regarding our SmartCells Fall Injury Prevention product suite, or to schedule a free no-obligation consultation please call us at 360-748-8711 or email aginginplace@smartcellsusa.com

SmartCells Fall Injury Prevention: We’ll be there when you can’t be.

Cooking in Comfort: Using SmartCells in the Kitchen

Despite its convenience and the variety of options, a recent survey found that most people would rather cook their meals at home instead of eating at a restaurant. The survey conducted by ReportLinker found that 98% of Americans prefer to cook at home.

Even though it may be healthier and more cost-efficient, cooking your own meals does have a few downsides including spending extended periods of time on your feet in the kitchen and doing the dishes. Although we can’t do the dishes for you, SmartCells advanced cushioning technology can keep you comfortable while you cook and clean.

If you can’t tell, we love our products and truly believe they help people feel good. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what Gary and Mary had to say about their experience using SmartCells mats in their kitchen:

“We’ve had our SmartCells mats for over a month now, and we are very pleased with the mats and with the customer service we received from SATECH. The mats get a lot of use in our small kitchen area. We prefer home-cooked food to restaurant options, so we spend a lot of time standing on the mats while we prep and cook delicious meals. The SmartCells anti-fatigue technology has made a big difference–no more sore backs after long cooking projects!

The mat in front of the refrigerator has already kept us from breaking several dropped jars, which has saved money, cleanup time, and cut fingers.  I also use a SmartCells Octagonal mat in front of the standing workstation I improvised on the shelf of a tall bookcase. The small mat provides big comfort when I am working, and it easily slides out of the way when not in use.

We selected standard black mats because we knew our four large dogs would walk on them and lay on them all the time. It’s easy to clean the SmartCells mats. Unlike other rugs and mats we have tried over the years, the talon-like toenails of our two Weimaraners do not catch on or unravel our SmartCells mats.

Thank you.”

SmartCells In the Kitchen

Built with industrial quality, SmartCells anti-fatigue mats combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in kitchen. The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue.

With an industry-leading 8-year warranty, SmartCells anti-fatigue mats are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

Do You Know How Much Your Pain is Costing You?

Whether you work in an office, retail or warehouse environment, chances are you have experienced musculoskeletal pain on the job. In retail and warehouse settings, workers generally experience pain and loss of productivity due to pain associated with prolonged standing. In the office, workers often experience musculoskeletal pain due to prolonged sitting. To combat this, a new trend in offices is to utilize a standing desk. However, while standing desks relieve pain from sitting, users now experience discomfort from standing for prolonged periods of time.

Furthermore, the loss of productivity and financial burdens brought on by musculoskeletal pain can be debilitating. According to data collected by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the direct cost of a musculoskeletal claim is $5,625. Based on projections made by Liberty Mutual the total cost (indirect and direct) for a claim can rise to $33,750.

When you take into consideration how fast losses accrue when dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, a quality anti-fatigue mat quickly becomes an investment rather than an expense.

Based on research conducted by the SmartCells Anti-fatigue product team, to find the best anti-fatigue solution, one must ask themselves 9 essential questions. In this article, we explore the third essential question:

Does the surface resist bottoming out?

Many anti-fatigue mats on the market today are made of foam that feels soft and squishy when very little pressure is applied. Since foam breaks down and compresses easily, it can bottom out, rendering it ineffective as an anti-fatigue intervention. To counter this, many foam mats are marketed as the “thickest”, the “plushest” or the “most buoyant”, as they get thicker and thicker. The downside is that the thicker they get, the less stable they are, much like standing on a mattress. This increases fatigue from standing as well as increases the risk of injuries and tripping hazards.

Our research team has found that mats tend to bottom out if there is an imbalance between compressibility and height. A mat that is overly soft acts like it bottoms out as the material compresses too easily. In addition, a mat that is not thick enough may bottom out even if it has the right compressibility. This balance between thickness and compressibility is often referred to as ‘densification strain’. As a rule of thumb, if a material compresses more than 50% of its thickness, it tends to act as though it is bottomed out.

A standing surface that has been optimized to reduce fatigue and injuries and increase productivity will have critical elements that work in collaboration with each other such as compressibility but not too soft, support that allows stability and instability and a low-profile height that will not allow bottoming out.

Through years of careful development based on valid third-party research, the unique SmartCells™ cushioning technology has been ergonomically engineered to resist bottoming out without being too soft while providing an optimized balance of stability and instability.

This advanced cushioning technology consists of a rubber surface layer integrated with an underlying array of cylindrical rubber cells that soften in response to surface pressure to provide maximum fatigue relief.

SmartCells™ Cushioning Technology: It’s not how the mat feels, it’s how YOU feel.

The Pharmacists Secret to Feeling Good All Day Long

Increase productivity and avoid painful, fatigue-related distractions with SmartCells® Anti-Fatigue Pharmacy floor mats, runners, flooring and insoles.

Our flooring solutions are ideal for standing pharmacists and come in sterile and non-sterile options for various work environments and settings. SmartCells dynamically respond to body movements which help to reduce fatigue and aches caused by prolonged hours of standing.

Manufactured from durable rubber, SmartCells® mats, flooring and insoles consist of a matrix of hollow cylinders that function like springs when compressed, offer secure, stable footing and a unique energizing responsiveness not found in other anti-fatigue products.

Learn more about pharmacist products today at: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/anti-fatigue/pharmacy-lab/

SmartCells: The Smart Cushioning Technology

What are SmartCells?

SmartCells are innovative ergonomically engineered rubber cells that provide a supportive and stable surface.  SmartCells are optimized to absorb and cushion impact forces, while returning energy when weight is shifted as you stand or move on the surface.

Manufactured from durable rubber, SmartCells® Anti-Fatigue mats, flooring, and insoles consist of a matrix of hollow cylinders that function like springs when compressed and offer secure, stable footing and a unique energizing responsiveness not found in other anti-fatigue products.

Learn more about SmartCells and how they work here: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/technology/ .

 

SmartCells: Proudly Made in the USA

Did you know that SmartCells products are made right here in the USA?

SATECH, Inc. is headquartered in Washington state, and our story begins in the late 1980s with the inception of SmartCells Cushioning Technology. Since then, we have played a key role in helping establish standards for injury prevention, fall protection and employee productivity and comfort.

However, our story doesn’t end in the workplace. We took what we learned in the industrial setting and have continued to creatively innovate new products that bring the same level of comfort and protection to the everyday user.

Learn more about the key factors you will want to consider when buying an anti-fatigue mat here.

 

Prevent Volleyball Injuries and Practice Longer with SmartCells


Did you know that volleyball players must limit their jumps to prevent impact injuries?

At SmartCells we like to create solutions. Our volleyball training mats protect players from impact injuries, which allows for longer practice sessions and adds years to their career. Many top NCAA university volleyball teams train on SmartCells performance mats, and here’s what they had to say about using them:

“I wish I was using these mats my entire career.” –Coach

“You can’t put a price on the health and safety of our athletes.” –Coach

You can learn more about SmartCells Volleyball mats, flooring and insoles here: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/training-therapy-solutions/volleyball/.

The Standing Desk Trend: Can Sitting Really Kill You?

 

The Issue:

Standing at an adjustable height desk is great, but did you know that sitting could lead to death?

Humans are not sedentary creatures, but modern televisions, computers and automobiles have forced people to spend far longer sitting down than standing up. This has serious consequences for the weight of individuals, the posture of many people, and ultimately your lifespan.

To learn more about why sitting isn’t the best idea and what you can do about it at check out this article we found on why sitting long hours may not be the healthiest plan.

However, standing is also the new career hazard, as prolonged standing can be painful and debilitating when standing on hard surfaces for long hours at a time.

The Solution:

SmartCells® Cushioning Technology mats, flooring and insoles are ergonomically engineered cushioning technology specifically developed to help you feel great, and meet your health, safety and productivity needs.

Learn more about how SmartCells can be incorporated into your office at: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/anti-fatigue/office/.

An Open Letter: SmartCells Help MS Sufferer Stand Comfortably

Many of us never think about how lucky we are to be able to take a walk, hold a conversation or even cook a meal without feeling pain. We often take it for granted and may even feel disdain about having to spend time on our feet in the kitchen. Conversely, there are many people who would give anything to be able to simply cook a meal in the kitchen without feeling pain, particularly those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that damages and eventually destroys the protective covering around the nerves. Put simply, MS leads to reduced communication amongst body parts which causes them not to work properly while sufferers experience chronic fatigue, pain and difficulty with balance and coordination.

According to data from Healthline, MS is the most widespread disabling neurological condition of young adults around the world with 400,000 known cases in the US and 200 new cases diagnosed each week.

Since March is National Multiple Sclerosis Month, we felt it was fitting to honor one of our customers whom suffers from MS and penned this open letter to us after her experience on a SmartCells Anti-fatigue Mat:

Dear SATECH,

As you know I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.) in 1984. As the years passed it has progressed to the point where I must use a cane, walker or wheelchair to maintain my balance in order to perform the usual daily activities (those that most people take for granted). One of the most difficult has been preparing meals and washing dishes. Anything that takes standing for even a short period to accomplish the task created a great deal of fatigue and required constant periods of resting.

I am so pleased to tell you that since being introduced to the SmartCells anti-fatigue mat I not only am having less trouble standing for periods of time but I have been able to give up the back brace I was using.  My back and leg fatigue have almost disappeared with the use of this wonderful mat and my energy has returned to being comfortable instead of being exhausted (even after the smallest tasks.) You can only imagine what a change it has made in my life.  MS is a complicated disease and affects most everyone differently but I recommend SmartCells Anti-fatigue mats to anyone who has any mobility (even a limited amount) to try it and I am sure they will benefit and be as pleased as I am with the positive results.

Thank you for introducing this product to me – I am so grateful I know I will use it forever.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Patty

How and Why Seniors Should Be Exercising More

Keeping fit has always been the best way for your mind and body to stay healthy. However, it gets harder later in life to stay on a strict training regime, and so people usually slack off. It doesn’t have to be this way, and there are many ways you can avoid it, even as a senior. You just need to understand the best way to do it. With a little help, it’s easy to become more active and increase your quality of life, from being able to move with more ease, to completing grocery shopping without being winded. It’s small things like this that can bring back your independence and have the biggest impact on your life.

Focus
When people think they have to do something, many encounter a mental block. They have to do a certain amount of exercise, or they have to achieve the goals of others. That’s just the wrong mindset that people often become caught up in. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone but yourself. If you find that you reach your personal limit, then so be it. With more training you will surpass it with ease. This is why people lose focus and hope. They believe that if they aren’t the best, then they are losers.

There are ways to keep you focused, and having a workout partner is one of them. If you go to the gym with a buddy then this can significantly help to keep your focus and motivation rolling during workouts.

Health Benefits
Exercise will also help to keep your body stronger, for longer. Exercising muscles, such as your heart, will keep it healthy and can reduce your likelihood of developing severe health conditions and diseases. This happens by boosting your body’s good cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides, which are unhealthy. Arthritis and strokes can also be prevented with regular exercise. As well as this, you’ll lose weight, and your energy levels will be improved, along with your endurance because our cardiovascular systems become more efficient with exercise.

Working out helps to release endorphins from the pituitary gland in the brain. These chemicals have a positive effect on the body, allowing you to feel happier in general, and also suppress pain. This also means that you will reap the benefits of exercise for a longer time, and then create a positive circle around you, wherein you’ll produce more endorphins to keep exercising – and the cycle continues.

By Jess Walter, Freelance Writer