Assistive Devices on loan for free – check your local Sheriff’s Office!

Room/s:Assistive devices are available for all activities of daily living and for EVERY room of the home, as well as outside of the home. They include height-adjustable metal canes, footed canes, metal walkers with and without wheels, toilet seat risers, bedside potty chairs, bath & shower seats/stools, rolling companion chairs to wheelchairs and bed rails.

SMART Choice/s:Assistive devices are very helpful, as long as they are used properly. Discuss your individual needs with your medical practitioners to include your Doctor, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist.
Home safety advice is also available from a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) or Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC). To increase your Home Safety IQ, view videos by Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Kim Kubsch.

Resources:Sun Lakes Sheriff’s Posse , Durable Medical Supply (DME) stores, & online sites: http://www.activeforever.com, websites of major retailers like Walgreens, Costco, Wal-mart, Sears Home Health and others.

Pricing: Since 1995, Sun Lakes, Arizona residents, enjoy the use of donated medical equipment loaned for up to three months at no cost, on a “first come first serve basis.” In our 55+ master-planned Robson community of almost 16,000 residents, we are very fortunate to have this community resource.
If you want to donate medical equipment to this program, your donation is tax deductible. Contact the Sun Lakes, Arizona Sheriff’s Posse between 9am-4pm Monday – Friday at 480 895 8751.

Rail, Rail Around the Toilet

Toilet Safety Rail / Frame

Rail, Rail, Around the Toilet
Room/s:
Bathroom
WHY is it important to use Adjustable Toilet Safety Rails or Frames? * to aid older and physically-challenged adults in being safe, balanced and independent while getting on and off the toilet
* to give a piece of mind can be given to the older adult and his or her loved ones
Features and Benefits of Toilet Safety Rails or Frames
* two legs positioned on the floor on each side of the toilet and raise off floor for easy cleaning around toilet
* adjustable legs to accommodate various heights of users and toilet heights – legs adjust 10”
* adjustable arms to two different widths to accommodate a variety of sizes of people
*removable frame to remove and relocate to another toilet in another room or home
SMART Choice:
A Toilet Safety Rail / Frame that is adjustable in height & width, self-install and self-remove in minutes, lightweight, anodized aluminum frame. This rail/frame is ideal if permanently-installed safety grab bars on the walls are not an option, due to location of the toilet to the walls.
Resources:
Durable Medical Supply stores or online websites
Pricing:
Ranging from $33-55, depending on source and manufacturer

Gain 25% More Space in the Shower!

This Wingits curved shower rod adds 25% more space to your shower

Need more space in your shower or tub? How can you gain 25% more space in your shower?

Bathtubs and showers can feel very small and confining. Whether you are in a hotel or in the retail home decor store, do you notice all the varieties of curved, crescent shaped shower rod? Positive features of this shower rod to consider are:

-It provides more space for you to shower or bath inside the tub – in other words, the curtain will not cling to you!

-This Wingit’s curved, crescent shower rod version is permanently attached to the walls using the world’s strongest fastener system. Next time you are in a bathroom in a national hotel chain like Marriott or Hilton, take notice – they use the same permanently-installed, curved,crescent shower rod.

-Can help prevent accidents – often people try to brace their fall by grasping on to whatever they can see or touch. When grasping on to a shower curtain hanging with a tension rod, it will fall down right on top of them.

In Phoenix, Todd’s Porcelain & Fiberglass Repair offers this curved, crescent permanently-installed shower rod.

Which knob offers the most benefits for YOU?

Think about all the knobs you turn on and off every day. How can do this daily activity with less effort? Looking at these three knobs, why are all the “gadgets” attached to the knobs? And why the door lever?

Let’s review the features and benefits to consider for YOUR physical challenge or lifestyle (reviewed from left to right).
Your choice may be based on a combination of these factors: ease of use, safety, value / pricing, attractiveness, availability, quality and color selection. Let’s review each knobs from left to right!

*Blue faucet grip: great for faucets in the bathroom and/or shower to denote cold. These are sold in a pair of red and blue and are often helpful for those with dementia.

*Glow in the dark grip (ivory color in the photo) has rubber extensions on both sides and ribbed textured all around. They are very helpful for anyone who suffers from arthritis or fibromyalgia. This grib enables you to open the door with a fist, elbow or arm to open a door. Keep in mind, to glow in the dark, the room will need sunlight. The other option is a clear grip.

*White grip offers the ability to protect the wall behind the door, but that may be it. It has no texture or enabling gripping surface or shape to help open doors.

*Lever door handles are the most effective hardware for doors using the principles of universal design. It wins the award for ease of use, attractiveness, availability, safety and quality. While it is the most expensive option which requires installation time and talent, it is worth the investment!

Resources:Great Grips: http://www.GreatGripstv.com

Do you have any other options for door or sink faucet hardware other than a single lever faucet in the shower or sinks? We welcome your gadgets, gizmos and tools to make life easier!

Intercoms – plug in, press and chat room-to-room or bed-to-bed

Intercoms-plug in & press for room-to-room communication
Relax or sleep in different rooms, yet you want to communicate between rooms at any time of day!?

Easy fix in four steps!
1. Purchase a set of two intercom devices at your local electronic store.

2. Place the intercom at the beside table or somewhere within EASY reach, to avoid falls.

3. Plug in – thank goodness no batteries to remember to change!

4, Set the same channel for both, adjust the volume, press the button and talk. The person at the other end if they are in the room, will hear the buzz and reply to you!

Does this sound easier than trying to find the phone and trying to remember how to use the intercom system? Yes, it is another piece of equipment, but the button is larger, it has a small red light so you can find it in the dark and the volume is easy to adjust!

This Westinghouse version of two intercoms that can be placed anywhere in the house, with four channels is a winner for less than $60.

Which adhesive tape has best anti-slip features?

Which tape has the best non-slip textured features for fall prevention?

Room / Area of home:
any step, stair or change of elevation (except those with carpet)

WHY is it important to have a non-slip / non-skid tape on steps and stairs?

Envision this:

*you know there is a step in your garage, but your hands are full and the garage is dark. Non-slip textured, colored tape applied to the step/s, may help reduce your risk of falling.

*when traveling down the step, the textured strip may remind you the change of surface is coming soon!

WHICH has the best features and benefits?
*this texture, like sandpaper or grit, helps you “feel” the change of surface
*red color is easier for aging eyes to see than the yellow color
*the width of the non-slip strip will depend on how “deep” your step is

SMART Choice:

*the bright color, rather than black or gray is better and the textured strip is better than just tape, to enable you to feel the change of elevation.

Resources:
Retail Stores: Most hardware or home improvement stores

Online Stores: http://www.noskidding.com/antisliptape.html

Pricing:
LOW – approxmately $3-5.00 per step of 24′ – 36″ width

Cabinet hardware for easy opening

Which cabinet hardware has the best features for easy opening?

Room/s:
Kitchen, bathroom & storage

WHY is it important to have cabinet hardware with “easy-open” features?

Envision this:

*currently, nobody in your home has a challenge in opening the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

*until, someone with arthritis, fibromyalgia or one arm or hand, comes to visit or live with you! Then you have to open the cabinet doors for them or leave stuff out on the cupboards for easy access.

WHICH has the best features and benefits?
*this round knob which may be difficult for those physically-challenged to open

*this “C” shaped hardware for easy grasping

SMART Choice:

*the “C, D or U” shaped cabinet hardware with universal design features to be used by all, regardless of age or ability.

Resources:
Retail Stores: Any hardware or home improvement store

Online Stores: http://www.knobsandhardware.com http://www.myknobs.com/

Pricing:
Low – less than $5.00 per cabinet

Interactive Workshop: How to ensure your “Activities of Daily Living” are as simple as possible!

Join me on Wednesday, July 21st, for Home Safety/Aging in Place workshops at 1pm or 3 pm at Active Forever in Scottsdale. This will be a truly INTERACTIVE day of learning, followed by testing of thousands of products, to make your activities of daily living easier and more enjoyable!

This workshop is dedicated to my Mother, who passed away on July 1, 2010. She demonstrated safe and independent aging, with a smile and with grace. Thanks Mom!

If you are not able to attend the workshop, save 10% on your order by using code AGEPLC at http://www.ActiveForever.com. Happy Shopping and BE Safe!

What is the “Safety Pulse” of your bathroom?

June is National Home Safety Month and my passion of Home Safety Education for the aging and disabled populations is in full force this month, and in fact, EVERY month!

Do you know that one in three seniors fall in their home each year and over half of these occur in the bathroom?

Let’s check the “Safety Pulse” of your bathroom:

1. Does your shower or bathtub have safety grab bars at the entry AND inside? And do you have you had a non-slip surface applied to your tub or shower floor? Or do you use a non-slip bathmat?

2. Have you replaced your towel bars with grab bars? You should – towel bars are not designed to support your weight in the event of a fall. And your bathroom does not need to look like a hospital – grab bars now come in a wide variety of colors, finishes, textures and sizes.

3. Toilets are used several times each and every day. Does your toilet have grab bars on BOTH sides to help you get up safely? Or would you like to have a comfort-height toilet that is 3-4 inches higher than the standard toilet? Do you have a new toilet- then have your handyman install a Toilevator…yes a platform that elevates your toilet!

I can help you create personalized solutions for each of the above safety features for your bathroom and your entire home! To check the “Safety Pulse of your bathroom,” just click to schedule a Home Safety Assessment!

Celebrate National Home Remodeling Month at Aging-in-Place Workshop!

May is National Home Remodeling Month! Want some ideas for “do-it-yourself” remodeling using specialty products? Join my FREE Interactive Workshop on Wed, May 19 at 10am, noon or 2:30pm at Active Forever Scottsdale Showroom. Test lots of helpful products first-hand to help with activities of daily living!