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The Myths of Falling
As we age, falls may seem like an inevitable part of life. The truth is that falling is not a normal part of aging and can often be avoided! Simple steps such as enhancing our living environment and decluttering, along with exercise to improve safety - we have the power in our hands to prevent a fall from ever happening. However, before you start your prevention plan, it's important to know which myths are not true regarding older adults falling and how you can safely fall proof your home: Here’s 5 tips on how aging doesn't…
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How to talk to your aging parents about falls
As a caregiver to a parent who is getting older, it’s hard to know when to step in or how to bring up tricky but necessary conversations. Sensitive topics like aging-related changes and fall prevention can feel hard to navigate. Perhaps you’ve danced around the conversation of home safety in the past, and maybe your conversations haven’t gone well. Whether it’s denial, refusal, or resentment — the dynamics of these conversations feel complex and frustrating — for both you and your parent. Lots of families just like yours are struggling to make changes. And far too often, ineffective…
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The What & Where Of Fall Prevention
Fall Prevention Month is important because it highlights the dangers of a fall that can occur and share resources on how to prevent them in the future. In this article you will learn which rooms in the home are at the highest risk of falling, and how you can remove these dangers. When looking at global fall statistics, it may seem shocking that falls rank among the leading causes of death for injury related deaths. Nearly 6% of people aged 65+ reported having an injury from falling in 2018 it is critical we learn where the dangers…
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Aging In Place Design Tips with BuildAble’s Kyla Cullain
What is aging in place design? Aging in place design is any design process, modification, or outcome that helps someone continue to live independently (or semi-independently) in their home as they get older. As we age, our needs change. Proactively designing for aging in place allows us to adapt our spaces to meet these changing needs. Aging in place design is on the rise according to BuildAble Co-Founder and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kyla Cullain. As an access remodeler—an expert in accessible home remodeling—Kyla is seeing this increase first-hand. For many reasons, this trend is no surprise. Aging population…
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The Importance of Universal Design
What is the purpose of this article? One of our long-term goals at HealthCraft Group is to change the conversation around fall prevention and reduce the stigma of aging, disability, and home safety in general. As both an engineer, occupational therapist, and inclusive design consultant, Rebecca Langbein brings a unique perspective to this critical, ongoing conversation. A Quick Recap on Universal Design When executed with care, Universal Design doesn’t just create things for people with disabilities. It makes things that are easier to use and better for everyone. In practice, Universal Design is about understanding the most extreme…
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Do I Really Need a Grab Bar?
Do I really need a grab bar? If you don’t need a grab bar right now, you probably will at some point—and that’s okay! The reality of being human is that we all experience changes to our mobility eventually. Installing grab bars before you need them will reduce your safety risks long-term. What is a grab bar? Before we go further into the why of grab bars, we need to know what we’re talking about. A lot of dictionary definitions of grab bars are tied specifically to bathrooms—but grab bars can be useful in a lot…
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Bathroom Safety: The 3 Things to Consider
What should I do to improve my bathroom safety? Bathroom safety is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and deciding between various approaches can be overwhelming. Answering these three questions will help you make the right choices: How urgent is your need? What areas or hazards in your bathroom are you trying to make safer? What’s your budget? Why you need to think about bathroom safety Little-known fact—according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—bathrooms are the most dangerous rooms in the house. You might be thinking, “Really? The bathroom? What could go wrong?” A lot, actually. Though…
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Your Guide to Choosing Shower Grab Bars
Wet, soapy and slippery tiles and bathtubs… oh my! There are serious slip and falls risks whether you are 5 or 95 years old. No wonder the bathroom is one of the biggest sources of fall-related injuries in the home, regardless of age. Support rails, bathtub handrails, and shower grab bars (whatever you might call them!), enable a person to maintain balance and stability while moving or getting into or out of the bathtub. Designing your bathroom so that it allows you to remain independent for as long as possible will boost your quality of life…
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Don’t Treat Falls – Prevent Them with This Checklist
Fall Prevention Checklist Keeping older adults, their families and caregivers out of clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals is crucial. Over 3 million older people each year are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. A fall can have a devastating effect on a family, especially as we have an over-burdened healthcare system. Most falls can be prevented and it’s important to address key safety points in the home. Below you’ll find a checklist developed by an Occupational Therapist to help identify how your home environment, different rooms and different activities in the home can be improved…
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