With all the rain we have had lately, it seems the “April showers bring May flowers” adage is a month late. All the rain we experienced this month, has lead to some beautiful early bloom flowers and tree buds.

Due to all the blooming flowers, Spring often signifies new beginnings, growth and a shedding of the old. Which is possibly why many people find the arrival of Spring to be a good time for an annual deep cleaning and de-cluttering event; Spring Cleaning to be exact.

Spring cleaning is a great way to increase the quality of life, safety and well-being of your elderly loved one, while reducing their risk of experiencing a fall or fall-related injury. However, it is strenuous and often too difficult for an elderly loved one to tackle on their own.

The following Spring cleaning tips will help you get the most out of your annual spring clean and de-clutter.

The Game Plan

Behind every successful victory, is a well-laid out and strategic game plan. Spring cleaning is no different. Start by enlisting the help of family and friends. The more, the merrier and the faster it will go. Once you have your crew and a date/time that will work for everybody, start writing down a list of everything you want to accomplish during your Spring Cleaning. If you are having trouble figuring out where to start, we have started a Pinterest board to help.

The Dirty Details

When people think of Spring Cleaning, they often associate it with outdoor chores, cleaning out attic spaces and weeding of flower beds. While these are all important aspects of Spring Cleaning, there are some additional chores that often get overlooked including cleaning out the fridge, pantry and medicine cabinets.

You will want to check all food and perishables to ensure they are within a safe range of the expiration date. In addition, check dry foods such as cereal, noodles, rice, flour and sugar. These foods can attract mice and insects that are looking for easy food during the winter. Finally, check the medicine cabinet for expired medicines or prescriptions that need to be refilled.

The Clutter Bug

If you are into garage sales, you are probably already aware that Spring and Summer coincide with garage sale season. These sales are often an outcome of the annual Spring Clean. Reducing clutter in your elderly loved one’s house will help reduce their risk of experiencing a fall or fall-related injury. Some good areas to focus on during the de-cluttering aspect of the clean are all walkways, staircases and common areas such as the living room, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Annual Maintenance

Winter storms can wreak havoc on a house. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to look your elderly loved one’s house over from top to bottom and fix anything and everything that needs to be taken care of. Check for loose boards and flooring, loose grab bars, missing shingles and siding, etc. In addition to general maintenance, Spring Cleaning is also a great time to replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check light bulbs and change water/air filters in the house.

Spring Cleaning is a great time to consider installing SmartCells fall protection mats and flooring.

SmartCells Fall Protection products are the perfect safety solution to minimize your elderly loved one’s risk of experiencing a fall or fall-related injury.

The unique SmartCells dual-stiffness technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and care givers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect our loved ones when they fall.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from pre-sized mats (3×5 and 24×68) to build-your-own mats to fit custom-sized areas.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned. Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

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

As spring quickly approaches, the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Each passing day brings us closer to outdoor activities without the fear of being too cold. While all is well and good with outdoor activities, for our elderly loved ones the outdoors can bring an increased risk of falls.

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that falls occurred outdoors more often than indoors amongst most age groups. Furthermore, 73% of outdoor falls for people over the age of 45 occurred due to environmental factors such as uneven surfaces, slipping or tripping on objects and poorly maintained walkways.

Considering the impending spring weather, we decided there would be no better way to end our blog series on smart aging-in-place modifications than to explore the topic of home exterior modifications.

When it comes to aging-in-place modifications, the exterior of the home is usually the last to receive any love. However, when you take into consideration the facts that, like the garage, the exterior of your home is a hub to the outside world, and elderly have an increased risk of experiencing a fall-related injury outside, outdoor aging-in-place modifications quickly rise in importance.

The following are some ways you can show the exterior of your elderly loved one’s home some love and increase their safety.

Entrances

The entrance is perhaps one of the most important aspects of an aging-in-place house. We mean, what good does an aging-in-place optimized house do if it is dangerous to enter? Keeping your loved one’s future mobility in mind, it is recommended that the door has a no lip entry and a ramp instead of stairs. The ramp should be built to ADA requirements and equipped with non-slip grip and hand rails.

If the doorway is not already covered, you will want to consider your options for covering it. This will help minimize the amount of precipitation that accumulates there. A bench or shelf located next to the front door is helpful for when your loved one has their hands full. It will keep them from having to bend over to put stuff down when they need to get keys out. The door should have a lever-type knob. Finally, in case your elderly loved one forgets their keys, an optional key-pad unlock or hide-a-key will keep them from being locked out.

Lighting

Much like inside the house, your elderly loved one’s exterior should have plenty of lights available. Solar-powered lights are a great option for areas that get plenty of light. All walkways, the front door and each side of the house should be amply covered with lights. Since it may be hard for your loved one to remember to turn on the exterior lights, having them on a time or motion sensor is the best option. Some companies also offer lighting systems that can be operated by smart phones.

Walkways

Most outdoor falls can be attributed to uneven surfaces and walkways that are poorly maintained. With this in mind, keeping your loved one’s walkways safe is of the utmost importance. Shrubbery and trees should be kept trimmed and off the walkway. If your loved one has a walkway lined with gravel or bark, consider having a curb installed to keep it from finding its way onto the walkway. Finally, any cracks, lips or moss should be removed and fixed immediately.

Maintenance

Keeping up on house maintenance can be overwhelming for anyone especially for the elderly. It is important to keep up on maintenance because it is easier to repair small issues than big ones. If you are not handy, having a contractor you trust is important. In addition to maintenance, you will also want to consider hiring groundskeepers to keep the lawn mowed, weeds pulled and vegetation trimmed.

We Can Help

If your elderly loved enjoys spending time outside on a porch or deck and you worry about their safety when it comes to falls, SmartCells Fall Protection mats or flooring can provide the perfect safety solution.

The unique SmartCells dual-stiffness technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and care givers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect our loved ones when they fall.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from pre-sized mats (3×5 and 24×68) to build-your-own mats to fit custom-sized areas.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned. Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

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

Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to things we like and seldom travel outside of our comfort zone of familiar friends, food and places. However, as we age, things start to change, from friends moving away and growing apart to physical and mental bodily changes. As more things change, we tend to gravitate to constants in our life, usually family and our homes.

This, along with many other reasons including: increased feeling of independence, a comfortable and familiar environment and close proximity to family is why more than 80% of senior’s desire to age-in-place.

Although there are many benefits to seniors aging-in-place, the issue of safety has been a big stumbling block and point of contention for many senior health experts and caregivers. Fortunately, with a little research, planning and a modest budget, smart modifications can be made to any house to accommodate safely aging-in-place.

Over the last month we have been taking an in-depth exploration of aging-in-place modifications that can be made to each room in a house. This week we continue our series by discussing changes that can be made to laundry rooms to increase their accessibility and safety.

Laundry is a chore many people dislike, but it is a necessity, and when it comes down to it, many people prefer to do their own laundry. Making sure the laundry room is in an easily accessible part of the house is important. Since laundry baskets can quickly become full and heavy, having the laundry room in close proximity, and on the same floor as your elderly loved one’s bedroom is a must. Each foot further your loved one has to carry their laundry basket, their risk of an injury or fall increases exponentially. If the laundry room cannot be moved consider a chair lift, rolling hamper, laundry shoot or elevator.

Once you have settled on the location, it is time to think about how the laundry room will be set-up. At a minimum, the space should be easily accessible by walker, wheel chair or any other mobility device. If the living area is small and the washer and dryer are in a hallway or a fairly small room, consider changing the location of the appliances or increasing room space by removing/moving walls.

To prevent your loved one from having to bend over or reach over their heads, the laundry soap, fabric softener, iron, ironing board, dryer sheets and any other laundry chemical/tool should be close to the laundry appliances and within easy reach. Further, you should consider installing a wall-mounted ironing board, so it can easily be stored out of the way when it is not in use.

When it comes to choosing the right appliance, you have many options but we recommend opting for a front loading washer and dryer. This will reduce the need for your loved one to strain over lifting or pulling clothes out of the appliance. Several companies even make pedestals to place the appliances on to make them even easier to access. You will also want to be considerate of how the appliance is operated. Does it have buttons or use a knob? Using buttons and color-coded stickers will make it easier for loved ones with poor eyesight. If the appliance is operated with knobs, make sure they are big and can be twisted easily.

Considering there is water involved in the laundry process, make sure the flooring utilizes a non-slip surface, or better yet, SmartCells Fall Protections mats or flooring. SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring help prevent falls and serious injury without compromising accessibility.

The unique SmartCells dual-stiffness technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and care givers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect our loved ones when they fall.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from pre-sized mats (3×5 and 24×68) to build-your-own mats to fit custom-sized areas.

SmartCells Fall Protection flooring provides a cushioned sub-floor under selected commercial floor coverings.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned. Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

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

The combination of steam, water, smooth flooring and transitions to-or-from the toilet or shower/tub, easily make the bathroom one of the most dangerous places in your house.

When it comes to falls, statistics show that nearly a high percent of falls amongst the elderly take place in the bathroom. This week we continue our blog series exploring smart aging-in-place modifications by tackling the dangerous and often unforgiving bathroom.

Considering the aforementioned dangers of the bathroom and the fact that it is one of the most highly used rooms in the house, the bathroom is a smart first choice when making modifications. If there is one room in the house that should receive the most attention and consequently most budget, it should be the bathroom.

With that being said, the following modifications range from cheap and simple to complex and expensive.

Location

As with all of the other parts of the house we have covered in our series, having the bathroom in an easy-to-access location is a good starting point. An ideal aging-in-place home is a single level. However, with the right modifications, it is possible to live in a two-story house safely. If your elderly loved one wishes to age in a multiple-story residence, make sure there is a bathroom optimized for safety on each floor. This will make it easier for your loved one to access the bathroom without having to rush.

In addition to location, the bathroom should also be spacious and free of clutter. Having the space to safely maneuver a walker, can, wheel chair or any other mobility device will help reduce the risk of a mobility-related incident.

The Toilet

Transitions between standing and sitting are considered the most dangerous and run the highest risk for a potential fall. To reduce the transition distance between standing and sitting, the toilet seat height should be optimized for your elderly loved one. This can be accomplished inexpensively with a toilet seat extender, or expensively with an all-new toilet. Experts also recommend locating the toilet paper holder to a location that is easily reachable from a sitting position.

The Shower/Tub

A close second to the standing/sitting transition in regards to potential risk of injury is the transition between getting into-and-out of the bath or shower. This is where bathroom remodels can get expensive in a hurry. Considering the risk for a slip or fall injury, at a minimum, the shower or tub should have a short threshold to enter. If the bathroom has a tub in which the elderly loved one needs to lift their feet more than a couple inches it should be replaced.

The bath or shower should ideally be a walk-in type system. In fact, there are several bath tub manufacturers that create sit-in tubs with a door designed to allow your elderly loved one to safely access the tub. It should also be mentioned, that if your elderly loved one is in a wheelchair, a curb-less entry with a minimum width of 36 inches is necessary. Finally, installing an anti-slip pad or coating in the tub can help minimize the risk of a slip-related fall.

Odds and Ends

Similar to toilet height, the height of one’s sink also plays a big part in injury prevention. The sink height should be set to prevent your elderly loved one from having to bend over or stand on their tippy-toes to safely wash their hands.

Grab and towel bars should also be strategically placed throughout the bathroom, close to the sink, shower and toilet. These will provide your loved one with a place to steady themselves and will also prevent them from having to traverse out of the shower sopping wet. To prevent slips, trips and falls, the floor should always remain free of water and towels.

Use SmartCells Fall Protection Mats

SATECH’s Fall Protection bathroom mats are easy to install or remove for cleaning, with optional drain-through, and an anti-slip surface.

The dual-stiffness structure of SmartCells fall protection products provides users with a stable standing surface that will not cause a balance impaired person to lose their balance, while at the same time providing 5-7 times more cushioning than a foam mat of the same height.

SmartCells cannot absorb liquid, so infection control issues can be more effectively dealt with, too.

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

For many people their home is considered their safe haven, a place where they can roam freely without fear of being in danger. However, for our elderly loved ones, if their home is not properly kept up and strategically designed for aging-in-place, then the home can quickly become a dangerous place.

Over the last several weeks our blog has been exploring smart aging-in-place modifications that can be made to keep your elderly loved one safe and healthy in the comfort of their own home. This week we continue our series by exploring aging-in-place changes that can be made to your elderly loved one’s bedroom.

Considering seniors spend a majority of their time in their bedroom, the bedroom is typically one of the first places aging-in-place modifications should be made. A study released in 2011 found that beds and other bedroom-related furniture caused the 2nd most consumer product related injuries. According to the study, more than 360,000 seniors over the age of 65 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by bedroom furniture.

There are many changes that can make a bedroom safer for those aging-in-place. However, before any of these changes are made, it is important that the bedroom is easily accessible and close to other commonly used rooms, especially a bathroom. Ideally, the bedroom would also be located on the same level as other rooms so that your elderly loved one does not need to climb or descend any steps.

Can You Hear Me Now?

An important addition to your elderly loved one’s bedroom is an easy-to-reach phone. Experts recommend locating the phone close to the bed and using a corded phone set up. It is also in good practice to have a spare phone battery close to the bed, in case the power goes out.

The Space Case

Bedrooms and closets come in all shapes and sizes. Utilizing storage drawers, easy-access shelving and a simplistic bedroom design will help keep clutter off the floor and out of walkways. Make sure there is enough room to maneuver through the room comfortably with walkers, wheelchairs or any other walking devices. Having laundry hampers near is another great way to keep the room free of clutter. Finally, if your loved one has a tv in their room make sure it is fastened to the wall and the remotes are close to the bedside.

Get Alarmed

Make sure your elderly loved one’s room has a smoke alarm as well as a carbon monoxide alarm close to the bed. If your loved one is hard of hearing, installing an alarm that will also flash will help increase the chances of them seeing/hearing it in the case that it goes off. Finally, keep fresh batteries in all alarms throughout the house. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries with the change of the season.

The Furniture

Having bedroom furniture that is not appropriately sized for your elderly loved one can become a big point of danger. The bed should be a height at which it is easy for the senior to easily get in or out of bed without having to stretch or bend over too far. Adding a chair to the room is a great way to increase your senior’s safety because they can sit in it while dressing.

Flooring

Much like any other area in the home, make sure the carpet, laminate or floor boards are properly fastened to prevent tripping. In addition, put non-slip grip under any rugs to prevent them from sliding or curling up on the edges.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring help prevent falls and serious injury without compromising accessibility.

The unique SmartCells dual-stiffness technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and care givers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect our loved ones when they fall.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from pre-sized mats (3×5 and 24×68) to build-your-own mats to fit custom-sized areas.

SmartCells Fall Protection flooring provides a cushioned sub-floor under selected commercial floor coverings.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned. Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

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