This article was originally posted on December 21, 2009

Home safety is essential to successfully aging in place.  Home safety can take many forms, from preventing falls in the kitchen and bathroom, to preventing accidental fires.  As the holidays approach, we need to continue to pay close attention to home safety and fall prevention.  This time of year, we love decorating our homes for the season,  however, in our desire to be festive, we sometimes overlook safety issues.  The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that each year, 3,300 residential fires originate as a result of extension cords.  These fires kill an estimated 50 people and injure another 270.  The most frequent cause of these fires are overloading, short circuits, and/or misuse use of extension cords.

Important holiday safety decorating tips:

• When decorating, use a step stool/ladder, not a chair. If possible, get someone younger to help hang higher decorations
• When decorating your tree make sure you clear the pathway around the tree, moving  of boxes and extension cords If you have a real tree, don’t allow the water dry out
• Check your holiday lights before you put them on your tree, if they don’t work, don’t use them
• If bulbs on your lights are missing, replace them Use the right lights for the right area, some lights are just for indoors while others are for the outdoors, make sure yours are in the right place
• Don’t connect too many lights to one extension cord (no more than 3)
• The CPSC recommends that when disconnecting a cord you should pull the plug rather than the cord itself
• The CPSC recommends that you never use an extension cord while it’s coiled or looped. Also, you should never cover any part of an extension cord with newspapers, clothing, rugs, or any objects while the cord is in use.
• Unplug your tree before you go to bed and when you are not at home

Remember these important home safety decorating tips to make your holidays safer.  For more information, click here

Sources:  Consumer Product Safety Commission

Aging in place is an important topic for seniors as well as baby boomers.  Simply said, aging in place is as it sounds; it’s the ability to remain in one’s home safely, functionally, and independently as long as possible.  Baby boomers make up 28% of the US population and own 48% of all homes.  Boomers, now more than ever, are looking for ways to age in place, realizing that they may need to make changes to their current homes or move into one that will allow them to do so.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

In 1997, the Mature Market Institute (MMI), MetLife’s research organization was established.  MMI has expertise in gerontology as well as conducts research to share information regarding the aging population and those caring for them.  This past November, MetLife released The MetLife Aging in Place Workbook Your Home As a Care Setting.  It is a very useful tool that

• provides information on assessing care needs
• helps determine if your home needs modifications that will allow you to age in place
• provides suggestions on areas to consider when determining if needs can be met in the home
• provides resources for family caregivers
• assess the cost of remaining at home and receiving care

The MetLife Aging in Place Workbook Your Home As a Care Setting workbook is free, click here to view it. Also, for more information about MMI, click here.

A major part of aging in place is living in your home safely and independently.  Diabetes can impact your independence, but you can limit its impact.  Education is key.

Atherosclerosis occurs when deposits of fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances build up in the arteries and cause a plaque buildup in the lining of the artery.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can contribute to atherosclerosis. A diabetic is at increased risk for developing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. In fact, it’s estimated that 60% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.  So, for someone with diabetes, monitoring your blood pressure is crucial.

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers- the top number is the systolic pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic pressure.  The systolic pressure represents your heart when it‘s pumping, while the diastolic represents when your heart at rest between beats.

Low and High Blood Pressure:

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, occurs when your blood flow is so low that it can’t deliver oxygen to organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.  Low blood pressure can be a symptom of end stage renal disease and can cause:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Blurry vision
• Weakness
• Being light headed

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, typically does not present with symptoms.  However, individuals suffering from either can experience:

• Headaches
• Blurred vision, and/or
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Recommended blood pressure range for diabetics:

The National Institutes of Health and The American Diabetes Association both recommend that the target blood pressure for someone with diabetes be less than 130/80 mmHG.

Blood pressure can be managed through medications, diet, and exercise.  Manage your blood pressure and help manage your life.  Check out this week’s Technology in the Suite to find out more about technology for individuals with diabetes.

Sources:  WebMD The National Institutes of Health and The American Diabetes Association

November is National Diabetes Month

It’s estimated that 23.6 million people in the US have diabetes.  17.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease and another 5.7 million are unaware that they are diabetics.  November is National Diabetes month.  The American Diabetes Association has a national movement this month to Stop Diabetes. In recognition of this, The Aging Suite will be discussing issues that affect older individuals with diabetes.  Diabetes impacts the entire body including a person’s sensation and vision.  The Aging Suite hopes to help empower people by educating them about diabetes and its effects on the body.  While having diabetes can impact someone’s ability to age in place, it doesn’t have to stop it.

Type I Diabetes:

Insulin is a hormone needed to change carbohydrates and other foods into energy.  When someone has diabetes, their body doesn’t produce or correctly use insulin.

It’s estimated that 5-10% of the US population has Type I Diabetes.  Type I Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body does not produce insulin.

Symptoms of type I diabetes can include:

• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Extreme Hunger
• Increased thirst and urination

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Type II Diabetes is a chronic condition and the most common form of diabetes.  It occurs when there is an excess of sugar in the bloodstream and the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t produce sufficient amounts of insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.  Diabetes can impact all of the body’s organs.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:

• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections and/or slow healing sores

Having a family history of the disease, excessive body weight, and inactivity increases the likelihood of getting the disease.  Also, American Indians, Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanics, have a higher incidence of the disease as do adults over the age of 45.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

• There is a greater risk for stroke among people with Diabetes, as much as 2 to 4 times higher
• Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness for adults ages 20-74
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure
• Diabetes can result in  nerve damage
• The incidence of amputations is 10 times greater for individuals with diabetes than for non diabetics
• Its estimated that  one-third of people with diabetes have severe periodontal disease
• Having diabetes makes you more susceptible to other illnesses

People with diabetes may face challenges to aging in place, but they can still do so successfully and safely.

Sources: The American Diabetes Association and MayoClinic.com

National Aging in Place week first started in 2003 when the National Aging in Place Council designated a week in the fall for families to discuss livability issues.  Today is the first day of National Aging in Place week 2010.  So you may be asking, what’s aging in place?  Simply said, aging in place is as it sounds; it’s the ability to remain in one’s home safely, functionally, and independently as long as possible.

For the older population, aging in place may mean the difference between being able to stay and age in their homes or moving out and living with family members or at a nursing home.  The aging in place concept is great for older adults but is also beneficial for all populations.  For example, wider doorways are beneficial for people in wheelchairs but also benefit someone trying to maneuver a baby stroller in the house.  Lower light switches make turning on a light easier to someone in a wheelchair and to a child.

So, why is Aging in Place important and how can it affect you?

Everyone from baby boomers to senior citizens wants to be able to live out their golden years in the comfort and security of their own homes.  Baby boomers make up 28% of the US population and own 48% of all homes.  Boomers, now more than ever, are looking for ways to age in place realizing that they may need to make changes to their current homes or move into one that will allow them to do so.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

Aging in Place incorporates the concept of universal design.  The Center for Universal Design defines universal design as the:

“design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest   extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

Some features of universal design include step-less entry ways into homes, wider doorways, handrails on both sides of stairs, use of grab bars in bathrooms, and lever door handles.

So, if you want to Age in Place and think you need home modifications, who do you turn to?

There are numerous professionals that may work with individuals who desire to Age in Place.  They can include:

• Builders and contractors
• Occupational therapists (OTs)
• Physical therapists (PTs)
• Realtors
• Engineers
• Social workers
• Interior designers

To learn about aging in place events click here

Source: AARP.org and The National Association of Home Builders

Last Thursday was Fall Prevention Awareness Day.  This week we continue in our 2 part series on fall prevention and discuss the prevalence of falls among men and women.

Did you know that among the elderly population, falls occur more often among women who have one or more medical condition and live alone?  They are also typically taking more than one medication, which may increase the likelihood of dizziness and fainting among the group.  Risk factors for falls can be categorized in 2 ways:  those that occur inside the body, and those that occur in the environment.  Issues that occur within the body can include:

• arthritis
• muscle weakness
• hearing and vision impairments
• high/low blood pressure
• balance and postural deficits
• dizziness

Issues that are due to environmental factors can include:

• home safety hazards
• poor lighting
• loose fitting clothing
• cluttered walking paths
• placing items on stairs

In their April 2004 report, The Center for Health and Long Term Care Research, stated that research indicates that a “multidisciplinary” approach to fall prevention and risk management demonstrated the best results.  This means addressing issues that occur within the body as well as environmental factors.  This multidisciplinary approach includes a risk assessment either completed by a professional or the individual, a thorough medical evaluation by the individual’s physician and follow up interventions.

Source:  The American Geriatric Society (AGS) Fall Prevention Panel

Rebuilding Together is certainly very busy these days.  The organization just completed their The Fifty for Five project, where they planned to rebuild 50 homes in 5 days in New Orleans, between Tuesday August 24^th to Saturday August 28^th,, in honor of the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization that provides free home rehabilitation and vital repairs for low income Americans.  Being able to age in place is a staple of Rebuilding Together.  They believe that the aging population as well as those with disabilities should be able to live safely and comfortably in their homes as long as possible.  They strive to revitalize communities and work so their clients can have affordable homeownership.  They also provide free home modifications and repairs and work to make homes more accessible and energy efficient.

Rebuilding Together has several National initiatives, they include

• National Rebuilding Together Day:  Volunteers and local affiliate leaders work together to fix and restore homes while non-profit facilities help to revitalize communities.
• Safe at Home:  The goal of the program is to address home repair and maintenance issues that can limit access to the home or cause safety hazards.
• Disaster & Relief Recovery:  The goal is to rebuild houses of low-income homeowners during times of disaster.

Veterans Housing:  The goal is to help veterans with needed housing modifications and repair services. Green Housing: The goal is to provide energy efficient, money saving repairs that result in safer homes. To learn more about Rebuilding Together and how you can help, visit Rebuilding Together.

The ability to age in place is important to both baby boomers and seniors.  Key to aging in place is the ability to age safely and comfortably in one’s home.  Sometimes however, falls can prevent safely aging in place.

Tripping over items and falling on the stairs are the top two causes of falls in the home.  Also, as we age, we can develop arthritis and other conditions that make going up and down stairs more challenging.  This was the case for Karl Schwengel, a 79 year old retired business manager who lived in a two-story Capitol Hill townhouse.   As Karl got older, his health declined, resulting in difficulty getting up and down the 17 steps in his townhouse.  So two years ago, Karl decided to get a stair lift installed.

A survey by the National Association of Home Builders states that 79 percent of buyers 55 and older would prefer a one-story home.   However, census numbers indicate that most of the country’s homes are two or more stories.  So having to use stairs to access the home is common.  For some people in a two-story home, modifications can be made so that all necessities are on the main level.  However, this may not be an option for many people; in these cases people may have to consider the use of a stair lift or an elevator.

A stair lift that goes up one flight of stairs can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $10, 000 depending on if it’s a straight lift or if it has turns or needs further customization.  The plus to the lift is that it can be fairly reasonable to install. On the negative side,  some people consider stair lifts unattractive.  On the other hand, an elevator in the home can be more discrete but also more costly (a 3 stop elevator can cost between $20,000-$25,000).

If someone wants to age in their current home, planning ahead while you’re healthy is a crucial step in aging in place.  If you do have a two-or three story home, think ahead to what you may need to do to your home if you can’t access all floors.  Would a stair lift work for you, an elevator, or can you make modifications to the main level of your home that would allow you to live comfortably on that level if you had to?

Source:  The Washington Post

Picture Source:  ABCNews.com

Being active is an important part of aging and aging in place. Exercising improves health, strength, and reduces the likelihood of falls.  Case in point, Ernestine Shepherd, a 73 year old grandmother, who would give anyone half her age a run for their money.  Ernestine has been exercising for years and is a certified personal trainer.  She is also in the Guinness Book of World Records’ for being the oldest female bodybuilder.  She bench presses 150 pounds and runs about 80 miles a week.  All this while being 73 years young!

Ernestine wasn’t always active.  She says that 20 years ago, she never exercised. At 56 Ernestine decided to change her body when she was trying on bathing suites in a dressing room with her sister, Mildred. After that experience, she and Mildred decided to train to become the oldest living fitness competitors in the world.  They took aerobic classes and later a trainer suggested weight lifting.  Sadly, a little over a year into their training, Mildred died in 1992 of a brain aneurysm. After Mildred’s death, Ernestine stopped exercising, staying at home and suffering frompanic attacks and high blood pressure.  A friend encouraged her to leave her home and she started working out again, this time to keep her promise to her sister.

To date, Ernestine has completed 8 marathons and also wants to compete in the New York and Boston races.  So, don’t be surprised if she beats you to the finish line.  What a great role model and example of how anyone can change their life at any age.  Go Ernestine, go!

Source:  ABCNews.com

Picture Source:  Arthritis Supplies.com

People with limited grasps, such as people with arthritis, can struggle with everyday activities such as turning on a light switch.  Lamp Switch enlargers can fit over most lamp switches and can make it easier to turn lamps on.  They can be purchased online through stores such as Jansen Medical Supply and Arthritis Supplies.com They cost about $6.00.