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.

These 6 Tips Will Save Your Thanksgiving

Turning the clocks back for daylight savings time always seems to wreak havoc. Often the toughest part is going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. It makes the nights feel longer and the days feel shorter.

However, the one saving grace of daylight savings time or shall we say light in the dark, is that Thanksgiving and the holiday season is just around the corner.

This Thanksgiving, it is estimated that 51.1 million turkeys and hundreds of thousands pounds of green beans, cranberries and potatoes will be cooked and consumed. To prepare for the countless hours spent in the kitchen prepping and cooking check out these 6 tips.

Start Early

When we say early, we really mean start several days ahead of time. With most turkeys it is necessary to thaw them in the fridge for several days. This speeds up the cooking process. You can also start prepping casseroles and cutting veggies a day or two in advance to help cut down on Thanksgiving Day prep.

Make Something You Know

If you have never hosted or baked the turkey for Thanksgiving yourself, it is always smart to make a couple side dishes you already know how to make. This will be your backup in case something goes wrong with the turkey.

Kentucky Fried Turkey!?

We know this may not be the traditional way to cook Thanksgiving dinner but cutting your turkey into 10-12 pieces and chicken-frying it is a tasty and quick way to make the main course. It also allows people to easily choose their favorite cut.

Play Games

Sometimes it is nice to have help in the kitchen but too many cooks spoil the broth and can be stressful. Planning games such as board games or even a game of football is a great way to get people out of the kitchen. A good football game is also a great way to get some exercise in before the big meal.

Hot and Cold

Don’t worry about serving everything hot, there usually isn’t enough room or all the hot plates and it can be stressful. Instead choose dishes that can differ in temperature. For all hot dishes, serve them in cast iron pans or heavy duty cook ware to keep them warm longer.

Use SmartCells Anti-fatigue Products

Whether you are cooking the Thanksgiving feast or playing football, SmartCells anti-fatigue mats, runners and insoles will keep your feeling good all day long.

The unique SmartCells cushioning technology will provide comfort for anyone who stands or kneels for extended periods of time. The SmartCells® 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. The SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue associated with standing.

For Thanksgiving activities where you are simply too mobile to enjoy the benefits of a SmartCells anti-fatigue mats, there is also a line of SmartCells personal training insoles.

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 anti-fatigue: It’s not how the mat feels, it’s how YOU feel.

6 Ways to Prevent Fall-Related Injuries on the Playground

We often blog about the perils our elderly loved ones face when it comes to falls and fall related injuries. However, another group of dearly beloved that are at a particularly high risk of experiencing a fall are children.

According to statistics from safekids.org, in 2011 over 2.8 million children were treated in the emergency room for fall related injuries. Although a majority of falls happen at home, another place that experiences high volumes of fall-related injuries is the playground.

75 percent of all playground injuries are fall-related. This relates to more than 200,000 children being treated for playground fall-related injuries each year. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 45% of these injuries are severe fractures.

Fortunately, with the right safety precautions in place, we can drastically lower the number of fall-related injuries our young loved ones experience when playing on the playground. The following are some great ways to help reduce that number and keep your loved ones safe from falls.

Dress Appropriately

Dress your children in properly fitting clothes and shoes. It is also smart to minimize the use of scarves, drawstrings and jewelry that can get caught or cause a child to trip. Finally make sure shoes are tied tightly.

Teach Respectful Play

It is important to teach your children how to play safely on the playground with other kids and to avoid play that involves pushing, shoving, tripping or crowding.

Check the Equipment

Check for broken steps, loose rungs and fasteners, rusting or any out of place objects. Unmaintained playground equipment greatly increases the risk of an injury. If the playground is in disrepair let your city parks and recreation department know and find an alternative.

Supervise Your Children

It’s always a good idea to keep an active eye on your children especially in playgrounds you have never been to. For younger children, shadow them on climbing toys and slides to help lower their risk of experiencing a fall.

Check the Surface

Finding a playground with a soft, shock-absorbing surface such as bark, rubber, sand or pea gravel will help minimize the chance of your child experiencing a fall-related injury.

When Possible, Use SmartCells Fall Protection Products

The line of SmartCells Fall Protection products helps prevent falls, as well as injuries from falls. The unique dual-stiffness structure of SmartCells, provides users with a stable standing surface that will not cause a balance impaired person to lose their balance, while at the same time provide significant cushioning if a fall does occur.

Comparative studies and research to date have yet to record any broken bones on a SmartCells product, and indicate a substantial reduction in other fall-related injuries such as contusions and skin tears.

SmartCells Fall Protection child safety 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.

SmartCells child safety mats are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which allows them to be easily cleaned.

SmartCells Fall Protection child safety mats are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from standard sizes (2×3, 3×5 and 24×68), to build-your-own mats and custom flooring.

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

Three Ways to Stay Active This Fall

The season of fall has everything going for it – mild and comfortable temperatures, a good balance of precipitation, nature’s shear beauty as it changes colors – the list goes on. Considering all it has going for it, it is no surprise that a recent study found most Americans prefer fall over any other season.

Another plus of fall is that with only three short months left in the year, it is a great time to enjoy some outdoor exercise and complete that new year’s resolution of becoming healthier.

After a long, hot and dry summer it can be easy to take the milder yet dry autumn days for granted. To ensure you make the most of this glorious time of the year before the rain sets in for good we have gathered several exercises that will help you stay fit and are perfectly geared towards the cooler fall weather.

Get Lost! Take a Hike.

Well, don’t really get lost but you get our point. While summer is a good time for a hike, hiking in heat can be miserable. The cooler weather in fall will allow you to enjoy your hike and confidently tackle a trail with more elevation change. Not to mention, the reddish, orange and yellow colors of fall make for some breath-taking views.

Grab Your Bike.

If you would rather cover more ground, replace your hiking boots with riding shoes and hit some bike trails. Whether you’re on a road bike or mountain bike, cycling is a great way to get your heart rate going and enjoy the outdoors. Much like hiking, the cooler weather will allow you to enjoy your ride even more. Since most of the snow is gone, high elevation mountain biking is generally the best during the fall before the snow sets in.

Rake Leaves.

Fallen leaves, while pretty can increase the chance of a slip and fall injury. Not only is raking leaves a chore, it also doubles as great exercise. Once you’re done, relax your sore muscles and wash your sense of accomplishment down with some hot apple cider to really get into the fall spirit.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, raking or walking, SmartCells personal training products will be there to keep you feeling good.

The unique dual-stiffness SmartCells cushioning technology can reduce impact stress on joints.

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.

The family of SmartCells Personal 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.

SmartCells Personal Training: I feel good!

 

How to Prevent Pet-Related Falls

The leaves have turned colors and many have already fallen to the ground. Not only does this week mark the beginning of fall and end of summer, it also marks the 8th annual falls prevention awareness week.

During this week-long event, senior centers, caregivers and companies all around the nation have joined forces with the National Council on Aging to help raise awareness of the danger of falls and importance of falls prevention for our elderly loved ones.

To support this effort, we have blogged about several topics regarding fall prevention this month; this week our topic is how to prevent falls around pets.

According to statistics from the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, each year nearly 86,000 fall-related injuries involve a household pet.

Some may wonder, why have a pet if it could potentially increase one’s risk of falling? While a pet could potentially cause a fall, research suggests that pet ownership can be a good thing for the elderly. Many studies have found a link between pet ownership and reduced risk of heart disease.

There are several great ways to help prevent falls related to pets so you’re elderly loved one can continue to enjoy their furry companions.

  • Attach a bell to the pet. This will help you know where the animal is at all times and prevent tripping over it.
  • Many animals jump when excited, it is important to train the animal to refrain from jumping on people.
  • Pets are great, but can create messes while eating or playing. Make sure to keep toys out of walkways and clean up messes when they happen.
  • As we mentioned last week, going out-and-about can be troublesome for elderly as it is. When taking an animal outside it is good to know how they will act. This will prevent any surprises or potential fall hazards.
  • Always keep control of your animal. It is helpful to use two hands when holding a leash to increase stability and control.
  • Use SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring.

Not only are SmartCells fall protection products pet-friendly, they help prevent falls as well as prevent serious 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 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 3 Things You Need to Know to Prevent Falls Outside the House

As you may recall from our blog last week, the entire month of September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month.

The pinnacle of the month long campaign against falls takes place on the fall equinox, September 23, 2015. This day marks the 8th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day. To help support the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) efforts in raising awareness for fall prevention, we have pledged to blog about different issues regarding fall prevention each week this month.

In the past we have blogged on many occasions regarding how to prevent falls by being aware of the physical issues that can affect the likelihood of experiencing a fall and also how to prevent falls in the home.

This week we are exploring how to prevent falls and fall-related injuries when you or your loved one is outside.

Knowing how to prevent a fall or fall-related injury can save your elderly loved one’s life.

According to statistics gathered by the Journal of Trauma, “Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries which greatly impact their independence and can lead to early death.”

In fact, in 2013 nearly 26,000 older adults died from unintentional fall-related injuries. Through awareness and preventative measures these numbers can be slashed.

Preventing falls outside is often a lot more difficult than preventing a fall in one’s own home. At home it is easier to make sure walkways are well-lit and cleared of clutter.

Following these tips from the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence will greatly minimize you or your loved one’s risk of experiencing a fall abroad.

Be a Picky Walker

If at all possible, try to only walk during times of the day where it will be easy to see where you’re going. Avoid going abroad in stormy weather, especially rain, snow or fog. The reduced visibility and traction increase the chance of a fall exponentially.

While we’re on the subject, you should also be picky of the route you take. Be sure to avoid sidewalks that have cracks, holes, are off-camber or any other irregularities.

Malls and other well maintained areas are great places to walk and get physical activity. Many malls have walking programs designed specifically for seniors to safely get exercise.

Strength in Numbers

Always make sure you travel in a group. When out and about, the more sets of eyes, the better. Walking companions can warn each other about potential hazards. In case of an emergency, having an activity companion can lessen the severity of the situation.

Preparation. Preparation. Preparation.

From planning the route to making sure one’s attire is properly suited for the situation reducing one’s risk of experiencing a fall abroad takes a lot of preparation. Make sure you or your loved one is wearing properly fitting shoes with good traction soles.

It may sound contradictory, but knowing how to fall safely can greatly reduce one’s risk of a fall-related injury. Read our blog about how to fall safely here.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog which will be discussing falls prevention around pets.

SmartCells Fall Protection: Take A Stand Against Falls

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently announced that the 8th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will take place on September 23.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day, which coincides with the 2015 fall equinox, was initially started in 2008 by the NCOA as an effort to increase awareness of falls amongst the elderly.

That first year, only 11 states participated in the event. According to the NCOA, the event has since grown in participation to include 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Each year the NCOA focuses on a central fall-related theme, in 2015 the theme is Take a Stand to Prevent Falls. In the next couple weeks, we will be blogging on several topics regarding how to prevent falls and fall-related injuries for your elderly loved ones.

The statistics are staggering, according to the NCOA, every 15 seconds an elderly loved one is seen in the Emergency Room due to fall related injuries. With numbers like these implementing protocols and strategies to prevent falls and fall-related injuries can be lifesaving.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring help prevent falls as well as prevent serious 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 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 for Back-To-School Success

Here in the Pacific Northwest it feels like summer flew by as fast as the weather changed. In the course of a couple days, the weather went from a sizzling temperature in the low 90’s to a windy and wet temperature in the mid-60s.

This fall-like weather serves as a reminder of the rapidly approaching end of summer and the start of a new school year for students.

This fall, according to the Institute of Education Services (IES), nearly 50.1 million students will be attending public elementary and secondary schools. In addition, the IES estimates over 7 million students will attend high school and another 20.2 million students will take college courses.

As we all know, success lies in the preparation. To help you and your student achieve success in this upcoming school year we took it upon ourselves to do a little research homework and came up with these back to school best practices.

We hope you enjoy them, and if you feel like we missed a helpful hint please feel free to leave it in the comments section.

Tour the School
If your child will be attending an all-new school this fall it is helpful to tour it. Not only will this acquaint the child with the new space and help them learn where all their classes are, it will also help quell some nerves associated with the first day of school.

Meet the Teacher
Often the success of a student relies on an open line of communication between the student, parent and teacher. Many schools offer open houses before the start of the new year and this is a great time to start the partnership.

Get the Routine Down
Transitioning back to a tighter schedule can be difficult for students. A couple days before school officially begins you should start to ease your child into a school year routine.

Meal Time
Prior to the start of the year, it can be helpful to make and freeze several meals that can be eaten in the first couple weeks of the new school year to ease the transition. In regards to student lunches, if you prep them the night before and refrigerate them, it will keep them fresh and reduce the morning rush.

Bus Schedules
Whether you drop your kid off or they take the bus, it is helpful to know the bus routes and schedules. Getting stuck behind a bus can easily lengthen your commute.

Talk
As we mentioned earlier, communication is a key part of success. Talk with your student about their day, what they learned and anything else that comes up. This will give your student a chance to reflect on lessons learned and keep you in-the-know on their education as well.

Keep Them Comfortable
It is hard to focus when you are not comfortable. To ensure your student puts their best foot forward this year, we recommend that they use Zelus Insoles. Our all-new line of 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.

Don’t know what kind of insole your student needs? Fill out the form to ask one of our experts at Zelus Insoles.