Think your loved one is safe because they live in a senior independent living community? Home safety educators and advocates of independent living for older and physically-challenged adults, think differently.
Often Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), when visiting clients who move from the family home to a senior independent living community, find that some adaptations for older residents have been made by the community's developer, but not enough.
Modifications and products that incorporate universal and accessible design are not limited to grab bars in the tub/shower and toilet area or zero-step door entries, to allow us to age in place.
Is your loved one as an elderly person who is vulnerable to falls and accidents in the home or apartment? Most likely, yes.
Now is the time to enhance the home environment to eliminate risks and hazards in each room or area of the unit to remain living independently.
For example, does the senior apartment unit accommodate a safe area for exercise, rather than limiting yourself to only the community classes? Continued movement and fitness activities are essential to fall prevention and mobility.
What can be modified in the senior apartment to prevent accidents? You may be thinking that the purpose of relocating to the senior community was to avoid remodeling the family home.
Do NOT assume the senior apartment is safe for your loved one.
One size does NOT fit all and the safety of a loved one is individual to his or her health and wellness.
Evaluating and assessing the entire unit while still independent, will unveil products and resources that are functional and encouraging to continue leading a healthy, independent lifestyle.
For example, does the bathroom or kitchen have towel bars that collapse when grabbed in an emergency? Replacing towel bars with a grab bar is a no-brainer, especially when the towel hides the appearance of the grab bar.
Does the bathroom have a standard height toilet that hurts the knees and is a challenge with balance? Does the shower have a curtain hanging on a tension rod that will fall down when pulled? Don't wait for a future disease or physical challenge to begin - make life easier now! Cabinets with pull-out shelves will encourage continued nutrition and visitability.
While the senior apartment may have a small kitchen, does it provide accessible storage? Does the refrigerator have shallow shelves? If not, add organizing tools to provide easy reach.
Modifications like these would prevent injuries and encourage a lifestyle that leads to health and longevity and keep facilitate "independent living within the senior community.
Most communities will approve the addition of safety-enhancing features and be happy to leave them in place for the benefit of future residents.
"Don't wait until they get injured, and take a "fix as you go approach.
" Such approach can turn a house into a rehab center.
Kubsch has been trying to get this message across to property developers, architects, designers, lifelong learning participants and consumers for years.
If you are one of 78.
2 million boomers, think again about safety in senior independent living communities and in your own home to thrive, not just survive aging!
Often Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), when visiting clients who move from the family home to a senior independent living community, find that some adaptations for older residents have been made by the community's developer, but not enough.
Modifications and products that incorporate universal and accessible design are not limited to grab bars in the tub/shower and toilet area or zero-step door entries, to allow us to age in place.
Is your loved one as an elderly person who is vulnerable to falls and accidents in the home or apartment? Most likely, yes.
Now is the time to enhance the home environment to eliminate risks and hazards in each room or area of the unit to remain living independently.
For example, does the senior apartment unit accommodate a safe area for exercise, rather than limiting yourself to only the community classes? Continued movement and fitness activities are essential to fall prevention and mobility.
What can be modified in the senior apartment to prevent accidents? You may be thinking that the purpose of relocating to the senior community was to avoid remodeling the family home.
Do NOT assume the senior apartment is safe for your loved one.
One size does NOT fit all and the safety of a loved one is individual to his or her health and wellness.
Evaluating and assessing the entire unit while still independent, will unveil products and resources that are functional and encouraging to continue leading a healthy, independent lifestyle.
For example, does the bathroom or kitchen have towel bars that collapse when grabbed in an emergency? Replacing towel bars with a grab bar is a no-brainer, especially when the towel hides the appearance of the grab bar.
Does the bathroom have a standard height toilet that hurts the knees and is a challenge with balance? Does the shower have a curtain hanging on a tension rod that will fall down when pulled? Don't wait for a future disease or physical challenge to begin - make life easier now! Cabinets with pull-out shelves will encourage continued nutrition and visitability.
While the senior apartment may have a small kitchen, does it provide accessible storage? Does the refrigerator have shallow shelves? If not, add organizing tools to provide easy reach.
Modifications like these would prevent injuries and encourage a lifestyle that leads to health and longevity and keep facilitate "independent living within the senior community.
Most communities will approve the addition of safety-enhancing features and be happy to leave them in place for the benefit of future residents.
"Don't wait until they get injured, and take a "fix as you go approach.
" Such approach can turn a house into a rehab center.
Kubsch has been trying to get this message across to property developers, architects, designers, lifelong learning participants and consumers for years.
If you are one of 78.
2 million boomers, think again about safety in senior independent living communities and in your own home to thrive, not just survive aging!
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