Safely Age-in-Place With These Common Area Modifications

The popular trend of aging-in-place continues to grow as senior safety, monitoring products and senior-friendly home design become increasingly more reliable.

In fact, in 2009 93 percent of all Medicare enrollees over the age of 65 were already aging and living in traditional communities. Further research suggests that an overwhelming 82 percent of seniors would still desire to age-in-place even if they needed day-to-day assistance.

As we mentioned last week, even with safety products becoming increasingly more reliable senior safety experts are still wary of the safety of our vulnerable elderly loved ones. However, with the right safety procedures and products in place, seniors can confidently and safely age-in-place.

Last week we explored kitchen design, this week we will continue our aging-in-place blog series by exploring common area (living room, hall way, entrance, etc.) modifications that can be strategically made to help your senior safely age-in-place.

Doors and Room Entrances

In an effort to increase accessibility for all modes of mobility (walker, wheelchair, etc.) doorways should be a minimum of 32 inches wide. In fact, many age-in-place experts suggest doors be 36 inches wide. This allows easy access to any room without fear of banging knuckles or wheels.

Since it can often be difficult to open round door knobs, all knobs should be replaced with door levers. In addition, keep doorways free of clutter and hinges greased so that they can easily be opened.

Room Storage

Often common areas are home to book shelves, cabinets and storage drawers. Similar to kitchen storage, these areas should be kept neat and items should be within easy reaching distance to prevent your elderly loved one from having to bend too far or stand on their toes or a stool to reach an item.

Knobs on cabinets and storage drawers should also be replaced with a knob that can easily be grabbed. Another cool feature are storage cabinets or shelves on sliders so that seniors can reach items in the back of the shelf/cabinet without having to reach too far.

Hallways and Staircases

Transition areas so always be well-lit and kept free of clutter. If possible, keep these areas clear of power cords. If this is not possible, make sure that the cords are out of the way as much as possible and invest in cord covers and tape to allow wheeled objects to easily roll over them. It is also smart to utilize night lights that can operate even in a power outage. Make sure hand rails are fastened securely to the wall. If you have a balance impaired loved one, strategically place grab rails throughout transition areas.

Miscellaneous

Similar to the kitchen, lighting in common areas is important. These areas are often used to congregate, read or watch tv. Low-lighting can be difficult on the eyes when trying to read or focus and also dangerous when trying to navigate. The thermostat is often located in a common area, make sure it can easily be reached by your elderly loved one and train them on how to use it.

Flooring

Make sure any rugs, carpeting, laminate or wood flooring is safely secured. Use non-slip grip under rugs and on steps to prevent tripping. If you have any loose floor boards or curled-up laminate edges make sure to fix these immediately to prevent a slip, trip or fall.

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.

5 Kitchen Tips to Help Your Elderly Loved One Age-in-Place

When it comes to aging, it often feels like everything changes. From our bodies and mobility to our schedules and everything in between it all changes. While some change is good, it can be hard to deal with so many changes at once, which is why there has been an increase in seniors who wish to age-in-place.

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.

The ability to healthily and safely age-in-place is most successful when seniors have the support of loved ones and living quarters that have been strategically designed to increase safety and mobility and reduce the risk of a possible injury. Over the next several blogs we will explore each aspect of a typical house and discuss possible aging-in-place modifications that can be made to ensure your elderly loved ones safety.

Since the kitchen is often the hub of gatherings and contains many potential risks for an elderly loved one, this week we will focus on how to make your elderly loved ones kitchen more accessible and safe. Due to the many inherent dangers of a kitchen, it is often a room elderly loved ones tend to avoid. This avoidance of the kitchen can lead to many health and nutrition issues and could ultimately put your loved one in the hospital.

Although simple, the following changes can be made to a kitchen with little effort and minimal money and will make a world of difference for your elderly loved one.
Lighting

Keeping the kitchen safe starts with comfortable lighting with bulbs that are bright yet no so bright they blind your elderly loved one from reflecting off kitchen surfaces. Making sure the bulbs do not flicker or take too long to get bright is another important point. Remember too much light is never a bad thing. Finally, it is important to make light switches easily accessible and located at each entrance to the kitchen.

Location

If you are searching for a home for your elderly loved one to age-in-place in, keep kitchen location in mind. The best case scenario be to have your elderly loved one live in a single-level house with the kitchen centrally located. If your elderly loved one already lives in a house and would like to stay there, encourage them to stay close to the kitchen, or if possible, remodel the house and move the kitchen to a more central location.

Kitchen Storage

When setting up your elderly loved one’s kitchen store kitchen supplies and food in strategic, easily accessible areas. With higher cabinets, utilize cabinet space within easy reaching distance to prevent your senior from having to stand on their toes or on a stool or chair to reach it. For lower cabinets, try to raise the height of the cabinet floor using in-cabinet shelves to prevent them from having to bend over too far. Finally, store dishes close to the sink and/or dishwasher to prevent them from having to move too far to put dishes away.

Clean-Up

Keeping the kitchen space tidy and mess free will go a long way in keeping your elderly loved one safe. Senior safety experts recommend disconnecting the garbage disposal to prevent any unnecessary accidents. Make sure any spills on the floor or counter are wiped up immediately to prevent slips.

Use SmartCells Fall Protection Mats

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.

SATECH, Inc. Acquires Fastech Labs for the Industrial Athlete Marketplace

Chehalis, WA, January 2016 – SATECH, Inc., developer of the market-leading SmartCells cushioning technology announces the acquisition of Fastech Labs, the visionary, decades-long trend-setter in foot and ankle support.

“The result is a true blending of the very best in cushioning technologies from the industrial world with the very best of functional orthotics from the athletic world.  This perfectly supports our key corporate belief that everyone is an industrial athlete, and should have the very best tools for high performance outcomes,” says Bryce Betteridge, President of SATECH, Inc.

SATECH, Inc. is a Washington-based manufacturer specializing in the development and marketing of SmartCells® cushioning technologies to reduce standing-worker fatigue, prevent fall-related injuries by frail at-risk persons and reduce impact-force injuries from physical activities.

Fastech Labs’ founder, Glenn Cumberland will be retained as a consultant in charge of sales training and product development. He has been helping sports medicine physicians, pedorthists, physical therapists and athletic trainers solve foot support and performance problems with athletes for over 30 years.  Glenn’s original patent for making custom foot orthotics changed the time required to make and dispense orthotics from weeks to minutes. Fastech Labs medical foot products are used in high profile clinics, top NCAA athletic programs, ATP Tour players, and in every major professional sport as well as the U.S Olympic training center.

“The key is to put the foot in the right position, and then support it with the best materials available. SmartCells cushioning technology has been the missing ingredient. We’ve created a whole new generation of cushioned, supportive devices that prevent pain in your feet, knees and throughout your body,” says Cumberland.

Fastech Labs, a division of SATECH, Inc. will retain its’ manufacturing and custom orthotics facility in Troy, Michigan.  A primary focus will be migrating the athletic and industrial applications of SmartCells and Fastech into a blended Industrial Athlete Program throughout North America, with the introduction of custom and pre-molded orthotics and insoles, using this proprietary cushion technology.

For more information, please call (360) 748-8711, or visit www.smartcellsusa.com.

5 Workplace Safety Tips to Reduce Standing Fatigue

Whether you work in an office setting or a retail/industrial setting chances are that by the end of the day, your body is sore from either sitting too long or standing too long.

In fact, a small study conducted by the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich in Switzerland found that standing 5 or more hours a day contributes “to significant and prolonged lower-limb muscle fatigue.” Prolonged muscle fatigue is not only uncomfortable, it has been linked to an increased risk of long term back pain and musculoskeletal disorders.

Additional research relating to standing worker fatigue and discomfort supports the results of the study in Switzerland and also highlights another key factor of worker discomfort: lost productivity. This study, conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that nearly 77% of lost productive time was explained by reduced performance while at work. In other words, worker discomfort.

As you can see, standing worker discomfort affects all facets of the modern workplace, from physical issues to reduced productivity and increased safety risks for all workers involved. Whether you are a standing worker, a manager or a business owner, these five safety tips will help reduce the effects and risks associated with standing worker fatigue.

Utilize Allotted Breaks
Having an understanding of workplace laws in your state is necessary. By law, a workplace must provide workers with with two 10-15 minute breaks and a lunch over the course of an 8-hour workday. If you stand to work, it is smart to utilize these breaks and take a seat. Your feet, legs and back will thank you. If you have the ability to plan your breaks, you shouldn’t have to stand for more than 3-4 hours at a time.

Don’t test fate, work an 8
Studies have found that the risk for a musculoskeletal injury greatly increases during a long shift due to the effects of muscle fatigue, strains and sprains. If at all possible, try to work an 8-hour shift. If you must work longer, it is important to take regular breaks, especially if you are doing repeatedly manual work.

Eat Smart
This may sound funny, but a healthy diet will allow you to naturally keep your energy up and fight off fatigue. Foods rich in potassium, like Bananas, will keep your muscles from cramping. In addition, it is vital to drink water and stay hydrated. This will keep your joints and muscles from seizing and cramping and minimize fatigue.

Treat Your Feet
Keeping your feet happy and healthy will go a long way in reducing standing fatigue. It is not only important to make sure you have the appropriate shoes for the job, but also appropriately fitting shoes. Shoes that are too big, wide, tight or small will increase your chances of experiencing musculoskeletal pain beyond your feet.

Use SmartCells Anti-fatigue Products
SmartCells anti-fatigue products are ergonomically designed and engineered to prevent and reduce pain, including back pain, associated with standing for extended periods of time. 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.

SATECH’s anti-fatigue products are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability. The SmartCells line of anti-fatigue rubber mats and runners come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and 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).

For those who are simply too mobile for a mat, SATECH also offers two lines of SmartCells insoles. SmartCells® anti-fatigue insoles easily slip into most shoes and come in two styles: a flat style, as well as an Orthotic style.

The SmartCells standard flat style is designed for use with or without orthotics, while the Orthotic styles offer additional arch and heel support, personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the user’s activities.

SmartCells insoles utilize our renowned and trusted SmartCells cushioning technology that is distinguished by the array of “Smart” cells that cushion and absorb force like miniature springs, and are highly responsive to changes in pressure, so that when an individual’s weight is shifted they return their stored energy.

SmartCells anti-fatigue: I feel good!

Your Guide to Keeping Your Elderly Loved One Safe This Winter

Winter here in the Pacific Northwest often consists of two different weather options based on the temperature. If the temperature is moderately warm, then it is typically raining or windy; if the temperature is cold, it is either snowing, icy, sunny and cold blue skies or a combination of each.

No matter where you live, winter weather can pose several potential risks for our elderly loved ones or loved ones with limited mobility including:

  • Hypothermia
  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Social isolation
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • The flu

In fact, a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control from 2006-2010 found that 10,639 people across the nation died as a result of weather. An astonishing 63% of these deaths were attributed to cold weather. On a scale of deaths per million, the average deaths between age 0-64 was 12 per million. For those 65 and older, the number increases exponentially to an average of roughly 50 per million.

Taking these following precautionary measures for each potential risk can drastically diminish your elderly loved ones risks this winter.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature to less than 94.1°F. To help prevent hypothermia:

  • Keep the inside temperature above 68°F.
  • Dress elderly loved ones appropriately. Often layering clothing and keeping an extra blanket can help maintain body heat.
  • Avoid going outside in extreme cold or windy conditions

Social Isolation

During inclement weather conditions it is often difficult and at times dangerous for elderly loved ones to travel outside of their house. This social isolation can cause low morale, loneliness, Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) and even depression. These tips will help prevent SAD and social isolation this winter:

  • Since SAD is a type of depression, medication and exercise can help reduce its effects. Light therapy can also help reduce the effects of SAD by providing patients with ultraviolet light rays that imitate the sun.
  • Having a diet rich in vitamin D.
  • Making transportation readily available for your elderly loved one allows them to get out and see friends, effectively reducing social isolation.
  • Give your elderly loved one a pet or plant to take care of.
  • Make time to visit your elderly loved one. Maybe even set up a weekly meal date.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Cold winter weather brings ice, rain, snow or sleet and can cause a simple trek outdoors to become extremely dangerous for our elderly loved ones. Slick, icy, wet or leaf covered walkways can quickly turn into a gauntlet for falls, slips and trips. Follow these tips to ensure your loved one is safe from falls and fall-related injuries this winter:

  • Wear shoes that will provide an ample amount of traction
  • Take small steps
  • Use handrails
  • Have a walking companion
  • Use SmartCells Fall Protection 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.

7 Tips to Conquer Your New Year’s Resolutions

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” –Melody Beattie

For many, the beginning of the new year provides a great chance to reflect on the past, wipe the proverbial slate clean, and set goals and resolutions for the upcoming year.

Perhaps the most popular resolution set for the new year is to exercise more and live a healthier lifestyle. In fact, each year nearly 50% of Americans make a New Year’s resolution to do exactly that. However, in the year that follows, 92% of those people let the spark of their New Year’s resolution fade away and die.

With an innumerable amount of ways a resolution could go belly up it may seem counterintuitive to even set resolutions in the first place. In spite of this, there are several health benefits of setting goals including: a better sense of clarity, peace of mind and increased productivity. With the following tips, we are confident you will successfully conquer your New Year’s Resolutions for 2018:

  1. Don’t go resolution crazy. Setting one or two focused goals will allow you to spend the appropriate amount of time and energy on them.
  2. Be realistic. If your resolution is to run a marathon, set a realistic time frame for completion and focus on small steps to achieve your final goal.
  3. Plan, Plan, Plan. With whatever goal you set, plan milestone celebrations to keep your motivation alive.
  4. Phone a friend. Conquering goals is always easier and more fun when you do it with people you love. Having a good support system will ensure success.
  5. Focus on the positive. If you’re having a particularly rough day and feeling down on yourself, try thinking about how far you’ve come rather than how far you have left to go.
  6. Stick to it. It may be hard, but experts say it takes 3 weeks for a behavior to become a habit and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Don’t give up.

If your New Year’s Resolution has anything to do with exercise or being healthier, SmartCells Personal training products will be there to help you succeed and keep you feeling good.

The family of SmartCells Personal Training products utilizes the same cushioning technology that has long been trusted by major companies as an anti-fatigue solution for their standing workforce and, in senior living settings, as a solution to keep senior citizens safe from fall-related injuries.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats and a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms and aerobics flooring.

Want to enjoy SmartCells Cushioning on-the-go?

Check out our all-new line of Zelus Insoles. Our insoles come in two styles (Simply SmartCells Cushioning and SmartCells Cushioning with arch support), and are biomechanically designed to reduce pain, improve performance and prevent future injuries. You can learn more about them at www.zelusinsoles.com.

SmartCells Personal Training: I feel good

It’s Time to Give Holiday Stress an Eviction Notice

For many, the holidays are a time to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends. However, with all the additional gatherings, shopping and cooking, the holidays can become anything but relaxing.

According to statistics gathered by the American Psychological Association, nearly a quarter of Americans reported feeling “extreme stress” during the holidays. Among the top leading causes of stress during the holidays are lack of time (69%), lack of money (69%) and pressure to give/get gifts (51%). The rampant stress caused by the holiday season is not only unhealthy, it often ruins the entire point of the season. In fact, a survey conducted by Think Finance found that nearly 45% of Americans would prefer to skip Christmas altogether so that they did not have to deal with the stress.

Even though there is a multitude of stressors during the holiday season, the following tips will help you effectively reduce holiday stress.

Stay Organized
This is a two-for-one tip. Not only will staying organized keep your stress level down, chances are getting organized was also one of your New Year’s resolution. Having a weekly planner will lower your stress, and ensure you make it to holiday functions, stay on top of work, get rest and have time to complete your holiday shopping.

Set a Budget
Like we mentioned earlier, one of the main stressors during the holiday season is lack of money. Whether you have a lot of people on your shopping list or only a few, setting a spending limit will allow you to shop comfortably without the worry of going into debt. If money is an issue, there are several low cost holiday craft/gift ideas on pinterest. After all, it is the thought that counts.

It’s Okay to Say No
If you’re invited to an event that you aren’t particularly keen on you have the right to say no. Being picky with how you spend your limited holiday time will allow you to make time for the gatherings that do mean a lot to you.

Play Games
Playing games during holiday functions is a good way to unwind, distress and have quality family time. Games take the pressure off having to come up with conversation topics which can often be a stressor during a holiday gathering.

Exercise
Keeping up a normal exercise routine will help you stay healthy, justify that extra holiday treat and melt off the stress. To ensure you stay comfortable while exercising off the stress invest in SmartCells Performance Training mats and Zelus Insoles.

The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion and return energy, which can reduce impact stress on joints by up to 90%* while at the same providing a safe, stable surface for workouts. *(1” thick using ATSM F355 – 10a)

The family of SmartCells Performance Training products utilizes the same technology that has long been trusted by major companies as an anti-fatigue solution for their standing workers and, in senior living settings, as a solution to keep senior citizens safe from fall-related injuries.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Performance Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for gyms and aerobics flooring.

Want to enjoy SmartCells Cushioning on-the-go?

Check out our all-new line of Zelus Insoles. Our insoles come in two styles (Simply SmartCells Cushioning and SmartCells Cushioning with arch support), and are biomechanically designed to reduce pain, improve performance and prevent future injuries. You can learn more about them at www.zelusinsoles.com.

SmartCells Performance Training: I feel good!

 

Holiday Tips to Keep Elderly Loved Ones Healthy and Safe

With less than three weeks until Christmas, the holiday season is in full swing. Stores are filled with Christmas decorations, trees and holiday lights are up and holiday parties fill the calendar.

While all the previously mentioned things are aspects of the holiday season, for many, the core meaning of the holidays is that it is a time to reminisce and visit loved ones. In fact, according to the United States Department of Transportation the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year.

While this is a glorious time of the year for most, it is important to remember that for many of our elderly loved ones it can create a mixture of emotions ranging from happiness, gratitude and love to sadness, loneliness and stress.

To help you and your elderly loved ones make this holiday season one of happiness and good memories we have compiled some holiday senior safety tips.

Holiday Travel

  • Plan Ahead – If you plan on taking an elderly loved one on a trip, make sure you plan your route ahead of time and add in extra stops for bathroom breaks and to stretch legs.
  • Pack Heavy – Make sure your elderly loved one brings clothing appropriate for the weather, healthy snacks and an extra two days’ worth of any medication they regularly take.
  • Avoid Traffic – If at all possible, try to travel outside of peak traffic times. Traffic can be tiring and stressful for an elderly loved one.

Holiday Decorations

  • The Tree- A fire resistant fake tree is ideal, but if your elderly loved one insists on a real tree make sure it remains green and watered. Also, keep the tree away from heaters, radiators or fireplaces.
  • Lights- When choosing lights to put up, opt for a newer set that has been tested for safety. Modern holiday lights typically have thicker wiring and better fuses to prevent overheating.
  • Keep walkways clear of holiday decorations, tape over extension cords to prevent tripping hazards and use non-slip grip for any door mat decorations.

Holiday Food/Eating

  • Try to limit the consumption of salty and spicy food, as well as alcohol. These will effect blood pressure and may cause issues with prescription medications.
  • Minimize the risk of a choking incident by making sure your elderly loved one doesn’t have to dine alone.
  • Follow any dietary restrictions your elderly loved one has.
  • Make sure they stay hydrated. This will prevent fatigue, dehydration and a multitude of other health issues.

Home Safety

With all the decorations, visitors and new surroundings, keeping you or your elderly loved ones home safe and accessible is equally as important as any of the above holiday tips.

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.

SmartCells Cyber Monday Deals You Don’t Want To Miss

Today is perhaps the best and worst Monday of the year. On the downside, it marks the end of a long holiday weekend and the start of a new, often long week at work. On the bright side today marks the end of the long Black Friday holiday shopping weekend with the 10th annual Cyber Monday.

According to History.com, Black Friday originally started in the 1950’s in Philadelphia. For several years the term was associated with negative connotations, however, in the 1980’s retail stores were able to shake the negative connotations and it became what it is today.

Although Cyber Monday has only been around since 2005, due to its convenience it has quickly grown into a popular alternative to braving the crowds on Black Friday. In fact, 52 percent of Americans plan to do some holiday shopping on Cyber Monday.

This year enjoy great Cyber Monday deals on all online SmartCells anti-fatigue, fall protection and personal training. (Use code ‘cybermonday2015’)

With a full suite of SmartCells cushioning products to choose from they are perfect for everyone on your Christmas list.

SmartCells Anti-Fatigue

For the person who spends extended periods of time on their feet or knees, we suggest the SmartCells line of anti-fatigue mats, insoles and flooring.

SmartCells anti-fatigue mats are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any room in the house.

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.

The SmartCells line of anti-fatigue rubber mats come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and 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).

If they are simply too mobile to enjoy the benefits of a SmartCells anti-fatigue mats, there is also a line of SmartCells anti-fatigue standard and orthotic insoles.

SmartCells Personal Training

SmartCells Personal Training products are the perfect gift for those who love to stay active and want to stay comfortable and feeling good in the process.

SmartCells Personal Training products can reduce impact stress on joints by up to 90% while at the same providing a safe, stable surface for workouts.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms, and aerobics flooring.

To unload impact stress on-the-go, SmartCells Personal Training Insoles easily slip into most shoes and come in two styles: a Standard flat style, for use with or without orthotics, as well as an Active Orthotic style that offers arch and heel support, personalized for size and designed for impact-related activities.

SmartCells Fall Protection

SmartCells fall protection mats and flooring is the perfect gift for those who wish to age-in-place and maintain safe independence.

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 products are available to be used as an underlayment or in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and additional configurations ranging from build-your-own mats and custom flooring to pre-sized mats (2×3, 3×5 and 24×68).

SmartCells Cushioning Technology: The gift of peace and comfort!

4 Exercises to Work-Off Thanksgiving Dinner

We’re down to the final countdown. 2 more days till we feast on cranberries, turkey and everything in between. This once a year feast is almost always followed by a full belly and nap on the couch, especially due to the turkey.

In fact, word on the street is that the average American consumes nearly 4500 calories on Thanksgiving day alone. If you’re anything like us, these calories leave you in an uncomfortable and cathartic state.

It’s no surprise that with all the good food, holiday parties, shopping and lack of good weather the holiday season gets a bad reputation for being a season of weight gain.

To help you get through the holiday season guilt free while still enjoying holiday treats we took it upon ourselves to find some great exercises.

Deep Clean

If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal you most likely are already planning on doing this. Intensely cleaning your house is a two-for-one deal, you get a chore done plus it is a great workout. According to health professional, even a cleaning activity like vacuuming burns up to 240 calories an hour. Imagine what scrubbing your floors and bathroom would burn.

Yoga

Holiday parties, cooking and shopping can be really stressful. Taking some quiet time to breathe and stretch will help burn calories and effectively reduce your stress.

Skip Cyber Monday

Even though it may be a little inconvenient, skipping online shopping and opting to go to a local mall is a great way to get your holiday shopping and some walking in. Many malls also have “mall-walks” which allow you to stay dry and warm while getting some exercise.

Work Your Core

Core body workouts such as sit-ups, planks, jumping jacks and push-ups are a great way to burn calories, build muscle and reduce stress. These workouts can easily and safely be done inside and without going to the gym.

Whatever exercise you choose, SmartCells Personal Training products will be there to keep you feeling good.

The family of SmartCells Personal Training products utilizes the same cushioning technology that has long been trusted by major companies as an anti-fatigue solution for their standing workers and, in senior living settings, as a solution to keep senior citizens safe from fall-related injuries.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats and a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms and aerobics flooring.

To unload impact stress on-the-go SATECH also has an all-new line of SmartCells Personal Training Insoles. SmartCells personal training insoles easily slip into most shoes and come in two options: a Standard flat style, for use with or without orthotics, as well as an Active Orthotic style that offers arch and heel support, personalized for size and designed for impact-related activities.

SmartCells Personal Training: I feel good.