Some of us retirees have lived in our family home for 30 years. Others have opted for a more carefree lifestyle in one of the many types of resort-style retirement communities or some variation of a continuing care retirement community (See April 5, 2009 post). If you're one of the former group of retirees who just can't let go of the big family home and yard, then you need to think about keeping your retirement environment safe.
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, I have gathered up a lot of ideas for home safety for seniors, and will share some of them with you in the next several blogs. While retirement communities and assisted living apartments have often designed their units with home safety for seniors in mind, many of these principles can also be applied. These may seem like pure common sense, but if you gain even one bit of knowledge that will prevent a fall, I have done my job!
The first area I will address is the bathroom. This is probably one of the most common places that falls occur.
1) Make sure bathroom rugs are securely attached to the floor or have rubberized non-slip backing.
2) Install grab bars in the shower. Make sure they are anchored into studs.
3) Use a tub transfer bench or a shower chair if appropriate.
4) Put non-skid tape or decals on the floor of your tub or shower.
5) Install night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
6) Keep trash receptacles emptied so debris does not accumulate and spill over onto the floor.
7) Keep shower curtains inside the tub so water doesn’t spill out onto the floor.
8) Wipe up spills promptly.
9) Keep soap within easy reach while you are in the tub or shower, and make sure soap dish is located so soap does not fall out of tub or shower stall onto the floor.
10) Install a fan in the bathroom so steam from the bath or shower does not build up.
11 Organize cabinets so you don’t have to stretch and reach overhead.
12) Use non-skid floor wax, or none at all.
13) Consider using a bedside commode if you have to get up frequently in the night to go to the bathroom.
14) Use a toilet riser or install grab bars if you have difficulty arising from a low toilet seat. Make sure they are securely installed.
Showing posts with label Continuing Care Retirement Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Continuing Care Retirement Community. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Like it or not, we’re all getting older. As a “young” Baby Boomer, I’m one of a number that is set to skyrocket. In 2006 there were an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. were were 65 years and older. That number is projected to become 71.5 million by the year 2030.
Finding residences that allow for independence but also provide needed care down the road will be a challenge for my age group. We need to realize that it’s not too soon to begin considering retirement options that allow for lifestyle changes as we age. One very interesting concept that promotes aging in place is the Continuing Care Retirement Community.
I recently read about a fabulous Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pennsylvania called Kendal at Longwood and Kendal at Crosslands. The many opportunities for growth and development in these Pennsylvania retirement communities are guided by Quaker values.
As a Physical Therapist, I can appreciate the 18,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center which consists of an aquatic area, massage room, and fitness center. Attached to this is the rehabilitation department including an occupational therapy simulated living area as well as a physical therapy gym. The wellness and rehab staff use a team approach to make sure residents can remain within the community.
This Pennsylvania retirement community recognizes how important being active is in terms of stimulating the mind and body. Residents have access to a variety of activities within the community such as producing plays, assisting with the community’s local cable TV station, shelving books in the library, and repairing furniture in the woodshop. Active residents enjoy tennis courts, putting and chipping greens, and endless walking/cycling trails throughout the campuses. There are more than 85 activity groups that encompass everything from crafts studios complete with looms, kilns and easels, as well as classes in horticulture, photography, and interior decorating. There is a ballet bar, yoga room, and a “pets and plants” area. This allows residents to enjoy the social aspects of a community garden, as well as having access to birds, dogs, and cats without having to care for them 24 hours a day in their own cottage or apartment.
Finding residences that allow for independence but also provide needed care down the road will be a challenge for my age group. We need to realize that it’s not too soon to begin considering retirement options that allow for lifestyle changes as we age. One very interesting concept that promotes aging in place is the Continuing Care Retirement Community.
I recently read about a fabulous Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pennsylvania called Kendal at Longwood and Kendal at Crosslands. The many opportunities for growth and development in these Pennsylvania retirement communities are guided by Quaker values.
As a Physical Therapist, I can appreciate the 18,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center which consists of an aquatic area, massage room, and fitness center. Attached to this is the rehabilitation department including an occupational therapy simulated living area as well as a physical therapy gym. The wellness and rehab staff use a team approach to make sure residents can remain within the community.
This Pennsylvania retirement community recognizes how important being active is in terms of stimulating the mind and body. Residents have access to a variety of activities within the community such as producing plays, assisting with the community’s local cable TV station, shelving books in the library, and repairing furniture in the woodshop. Active residents enjoy tennis courts, putting and chipping greens, and endless walking/cycling trails throughout the campuses. There are more than 85 activity groups that encompass everything from crafts studios complete with looms, kilns and easels, as well as classes in horticulture, photography, and interior decorating. There is a ballet bar, yoga room, and a “pets and plants” area. This allows residents to enjoy the social aspects of a community garden, as well as having access to birds, dogs, and cats without having to care for them 24 hours a day in their own cottage or apartment.
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