Celebrations & Awarenesses Archives

In Memphis, Tennessee, beside the Mississippi River sits a bluff that has always been difficult for people with limited mobility to navigate. The bluff has a set of stairs that leads down to Riverside Drive and Tom Lee Park. This park is a great place to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets across the river. The park most recently received an excellent upgrade with many new features.

According to the Memphis Flyer, The Carlisle Corporation is bringing ADA access from the bluff in downtown Memphis to the riverfront at Tom Lee Park. The Carlisle Corporation has made a $1.5 million investment into the first Americans-with-Disabilities – accessible walkway from a bluff to a riverfront.

The new path will be named Carlisle Cutbank Bluff to memorialize the late Gene Carlisle. The Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) says this is the first time in Memphis history that commercial development has been connected to the riverfront. Tyree Daniels, board chair at MRPP, says, “The Carlisle Cutbank Bluff represents the partnership’s commitment to easy, equitable access to the new park.” He continues by saying, “This beautiful new feature makes it so much easier and more fun to move between Downtown and the riverfront. It means that visitors will find it much easier to get from upstairs on Main Street down to the river in a more equitable way, and we couldn’t be more excited about this achievement, but also making this available for our community.”

Chance Carlisle, CEO of Carlisle LLC, said, “Two things really hit home for us, the ability to provide the first of its kind ADA accessibility to the park, and for the last 40 or 50 years, with the exception of maybe a month or so in May (during the Beale Street Music Festival) Tom Lee Park was sort of an afterthought, rather than a signature riverfront. It’s hard to be a great riverfront city without an excellent front door, and what Memphis River Parks has done, along with all of the donors is really give Memphians a park that we can be proud of, for all of Memphis.”

At Next Day Access, we are always thrilled when we see communities come together to help people with limited mobility interact with their communities better. Our mission at Next Day Access is very similar. Our goal is to provide anyone with limited mobility with the products they need to live a safer and more independent lifestyle. We offer several products to assist, including wheelchair ramps, vehicle lifts, wheelchairs, scooters, grab bars, in-home elevators, and more. If we can help improve your quality of life, we urge you to contact your nearest Next Day Access. We are happy to answer any questions and even schedule an in-home consultation.

Many aging adults cannot wait for retirement. Then when retirement comes along, many often complain that they find themselves bored. Fortunately, there are many volunteer activities you can do to help you lead a more fulfilling life.

In some cases, when an aging adult has recently lost a spouse or companion, this boredom can turn into depression. A recent article in AARP describes a woman in this exact situation. Her spouse passed away, and at 81 years old, she was still vivacious and active even though her diabetes wasn’t improving.

She talked of how she soon developed depression and began looking for a way to improve her situation. After looking at different available options, she decided to start volunteering. She researched available volunteer opportunities in her community using the Corporation for National Community & Service resource.

She states that once she began volunteering, it gave her a new lease on life. She felt essential to those she helped and began to enjoy life again.

This woman is one of the millions of aging adults, age 65 and older, who transformed their life by volunteering. There is something for everyone.

According to the Corporation for National Community & Service, some of the most popular volunteer activities for aging adults include:

Making or collecting blankets or clothing.
Mentoring youth or young couples.
Teaching a trade or skill, or even working with individuals learning to read by teaching them.
General labor including cleaning up portions of a street or park, working with Habitat for Humanity, and helping build homes.
Fundraising for various charities.
Serving, preparing, or distributing food to sheltered adults or low-income families.

The list above is just a few examples of how aging adults choose to volunteer. It seems that volunteering is not only about helping others, but, in many ways, it also helps the volunteer.

Why Aging Adults Should Consider Volunteering

According to multiple studies aging adults who volunteer even tend to live longer. It turns out that volunteering has mental, physical, and social benefits for those that choose to volunteer.

Social benefits

Aging adults tend to isolate themselves. According to AARP, studies estimate that 17% of Americans aged 55 and older feel isolated from society. When we separate ourselves, we could have a greater likelihood of developing an illness. It takes courage but pulling yourself out of isolation can be very beneficial for physical and mental health.

Physically good for you

When you volunteer, you are getting out and being far more active than sitting at home. Inactivity, as you age, promotes the advancement of serious illnesses such as heart issues, joint pain, bone loss, and more.

Help give back to the community

Of course, giving back to the community seems the most obvious benefit, but currently, many communities have been harshly affected by bad weather, Covid, job loss, and more.

Many people are struggling and being able to help even one person means a lot to the community as it is often a trickle-down effect. Once people get back on their feet, they can help others, and so on. You may never know the impact you have while volunteering!

On August 19, 1988, the acting President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847. The Proclamation declared August 21^st as National Senior Citizen’s Day.

On this special day, we are provided an opportunity to recognize the achievements of a wonderful generation of people It is a day to show our thankfulness for their accomplishments, acts of service, and dedication throughout their lives.

In 2017 the U.S. Census reported 47 million seniors live in the United States. The census expects that by the year 2060, that number will double. Many senior adults offer a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skill. These attributes have been instrumental in paving the way for a younger generation.

Technology is quickly advancing, and aging adults have experienced it every step of the way. Some have contributed to life’s changes and understand firsthand the drawbacks and benefits of this new world. Remember, they know life without today’s advancements.

Our nation is full of seniors that are pioneers of medicine, science, civil rights, psychology, and so much more. Their contributions to our society have made our communities a better place. Seniors deserve the dignity and respect their achievements earned them.

Why do we Celebrate Senior Citizen’s Day?

On this day, we observe and give thanks. It is also a day for aging adults to feel encouraged and supported. One of the greatest aims Senior Citizen Day hopes for is for senior citizens to be reminded to live every day to the fullest and as independently as possible.

Ways to Observe Senior Citizens Day

Spend time with the aging adults in your life. Remind them they are supported, appreciated, and loved. Listen to their advice and their stories. You just might learn something!

You could also volunteer at a retirement home, senior citizen center, or nursing home. Sadly, many older adults do not receive visitors, and it is a delight for them to receive visitors.

It is a joy to see their faces light up when you enter the room: even seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s could use a smile or a book read to them with a soothing voice. You can volunteer to work with aging adults in many ways, and they deserve our kindness and respect.

When posting on social media, you are also requested to use #SeniorCitizensDay to create more awareness of the day.

For many families the seniors are considered to be the matriarch or patriarch of the family. Most families want to do all they can to ensure their loved ones are healthy and happy. That is where we come in to help.

At Next Day Access, we specialize in giving aging adults more independence by offering mobility equipment such as VPLs or accessibility devices like grab bars and railings. From wheelchair ramps to in-home elevators, we have whatever you need to ensure your loved one is safe, comfortable, and independent. Contact your nearest Next Day Access to schedule a free in-home consultation.

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The Civil Rights Law was designed to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. Every year since it passed, more people with disabilities have joined the workforce. Making sure your business is accessible to all improves your image and increases revenue. Also, making your business accessible for disabled employees can give you a more robust workforce. Here are a few ways to ensure your business is accessible for all.

Storing Items

Do not store items too high or too low where it would be inconvenient for anyone in a wheelchair to reach.

Accessible Entrances and Bathrooms

If the main entrance of your business is not wheelchair accessible, consider investing in a commercial wheelchair ramp. Next Day Access offers many choices. You could also put the ramp on a side entrance if that is better suited for your business. We can help determine where a ramp would look best at Next Day Access.

Ensure your bathrooms are accessible by installing grab bars. At Next Day Access, we have grab bars that are both stylish and functional. The space under the sink should also be clear so anyone in a wheelchair can reach the faucets comfortably.

Consider Handrails

If you have long hallways in your business, consider installing handrails down the length of the halls. You could also install handrails anywhere with steps where a ramp is unavailable. We also offer stylish, classy, modern handrails at Next Day Access.

Proper Spacing

Make sure you have plenty of space between tables, counters, or desks. You should also make sure that tables and desks provide space underneath the top that is 30 inches, 17 inches deep, 27 inches high, with a top between 28 inches and 34 inches from the ground.

Appropriate Language

Choose the appropriate language for signage. The word Handicap is considered offensive to many. Instead, use the word accessible. For example, a sign should read, “Accessible parking this way.”

Take Aways

These are just a few helpful tips. It is mandatory to ensure your business is ADA compliant, but these extra steps are significant for people with disabilities. At Next Day Access, we have several products to make your business as accessible as possible. We can advise on the perfect products and help you determine where to install any mobility equipment or accessibility devices. We also have a top-notch installation team providing knowledge and efficiency at every job site.

In Canada, every June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. The reason we honor those with brain injuries is to shine a light on an often-invisible illness.

It all began when brain injury associations across Canada came together to enlighten people about a disability that affects more than 1.5 million people in often complicated, unique, and challenging ways.

Why Run These Campaigns?

By running these campaigns in national, provincial, and local areas, the hope is the existing obstacles and the prevalence of brain injuries will make people see the need for more services and support at all stages of brain injury recovery.

The people behind the scenes of Brain Injury Awareness Month ask you to follow them on social media. They also ask you use the hashtags #ShineALightOnBrainInjury, #BrainInjuryAcrossAmerica, and #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth.

What’s a Helpful Resource?

Brain injuries can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. One can find comfort in knowing there is support for people dealing with this obstacle. One fantastic website with information is braininjurycanada.ca.

You can find different ways to get involved including helping with campaigns and raising money for research. You can also become knowledgeable on brain injuries and how you can provide assistance and care. The website even has a section dedicated to health care professionals.

According to their website, Brain Injury Canada is a national charitable organization focused on education, awareness, and advocacy for the brain injury community. This resource site has been developed to be universally accessible and easy to navigate. It supports those living with acquired brain injury, their families/caregivers, and health care professionals. Prior to publication, all content on the website is first reviewed by one or more members of our Scientific Advisory Committee, all of whom have significant experience and are leading subject matter experts. Content is sourced using evidence-based resources included on source pages for your reference.

How We Can Help

At Next Day Access, we urge you to check out the Brain Injury Canada website. You can also help those suffering from brain injuries. Additionally, we at Next Day Access offer several different equipment and devices to help anyone living with a disability.

We understand how difficult it can be to adjust to a brain injury or any other form of disability. Our goal is to provide you or your loved ones with accessibility and mobility equipment to create a comfortable home. We offer equipment to help and home modifications to help keep loved ones safe at home. Contact us today and let us help.

Grandparents are special people in our lives, so it is essential to show them we care. Every year our nation honors grandparents by dedicating the month of June to Care for Your Grandparents Month. Sometimes it is not always easy to show our appreciation to our grandparents.

Many of them do not want to be a bother to us, or it may seem they have everything they need. There are many ways we can celebrate them. Here are a few ways you can show you care:

Provide Food

Take them out to dinner or cook them a nice meal. If you have small children, they can help prepare the meal. You could even see if you have a recipe from grandma to use for dinner. If your grandparents prefer to go out to dinner, take them to their favorite place.

Visit Often

Stop by and visit often. If you live nearby, stop by their home to visit as often as possible. Grandparents do not get out like they once could and can feel lonely at home, especially since the Covid virus. If you feel safe doing so, stop by just to say hello, even if you are waving from the windows. This is an excellent opportunity to let them know they are on your mind.

Send Mail

If your grandparents live far away, sending nice cards or letters are a lovely way to stay in touch. Of course, you should also call them to check up on them. Even if you only discuss the weather, the phone call will remind them that you think of them.

Teach Technology

Teach them to use technology. Setting up an iPad for your grandparents could mean a lot. They will be able to converse freely and see pictures they may not see otherwise. This is a wonderful way to help them feel connected to the outside world. You can show them how to look up things that interest them. For example, if your grandfather is an avid bird watcher, you can show him websites he can visit to give him all the information he wants about birds.

Help Clean

Help them clean around the house and the yard. As our grandparents get older, it is not as easy to mow the lawn, trim the hedges, sweep the floor, and put dishes away. We do not want our grandparents to feel uncomfortable in their home, and if a mess piles up, they are bound to get a little frustrated from the clutter.

Modify Home

Make sure their home is safe and up to date on the home modifications they need as they age. If you notice a grandparent is unsteady on their feet, install grab bars in the bathroom or rails in the hallways. Is it time for a wheelchair ramp or a stairlift? Many people add modifications before they need them, so the cost does not hit them all at once when they do need them.

At Next Day Access, we agree that grandparents are special, and we are honored to celebrate Care for Your Grandparents Month in June. If you notice your grandparents need any mobility equipment or they have accessibility concerns, we offer several solutions to keep them safe and comfortable at home.

From walk-in bathtubs to vehicle lifts we are sure to have whatever your grandparents need. Please check out all the products we offer to make your loved one feel more at ease and to give you peace of mind.

Every June, our nation honors Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers by raising awareness. Did you know that worldwide 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia? The hope is that by observing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, more people will work to find a cure and help those affected by the disease.

What is Alzheimer’s?

According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal disease that kills nerve cells and tissue in the brain. The disease involves a part of the brain that controls thoughts, memories, and language. It is considered the most common type of dementia. The condition is progressive. It starts with the patient having simple memory loss, and then it can lead to the loss of their ability to have a conversation and respond to their environment.

Unfortunately, scientists do not fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease yet. Several health factors along with individual-specific variables cause the disease. However, there is developing scientific evidence that healthy behaviors may help reduce the risk for subjective cognitive decline. Some scientists speculate genetics could be the cause of the disease. With a healthy lifestyle, disease progression could be mitigated. However, no scientific proof at this time substantiates this claim. Hopefully, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month can help raise money for additional research.

Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Of course, memory problems are the first sign of Alzheimer’s, but you could be having memory problems for various reasons, such as certain medications or other factors. It is important to note that warning signs do not usually occur until after age 60. It is very rare for anyone under age 60 to be afflicted with this disease. However, if you are over 60 and your memory is resulting in any of the following issues, consult with a doctor.

Changes in mood, behavior, and personality
Poor judgment with increased uncharacteristic impulsivity
Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a growing disease affecting millions of people a year. June is Alzheimer’s awareness month, and the more action on finding a cure or helping those with the disease and their caregivers is inspiredTrouble handling money or remembering to pay your bills
Problems with completing familiar tasks
Repeating questions or repeating yourself more often
Often misplacing items and then being unable to retrace your steps on where you could have left the thing.

How You Can Help and Observe Alzheimer’s Month

Visit the website alz.org. It will provide you with links and show you how to participate in activities to raise money and awareness for support, care, and research. Also, you can register for “The Longest Day.” On June 21^st, it is the summer solstice, meaning it is the longest day of the year. The theme is standing up to the darkness of Alzheimer’s. Supporters also wear the color purple in June to represent combining the calm stability of blue and the passionate energy of red.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, we encourage you to seek out a support group. At Next Day Access, we will also support you and hope that our products can help make your loved ones more comfortable if they are aging in place with Alzheimer’s disease.

This year, Father’s Day is June 19th which is fast approaching. Sometimes figuring out what to get Dad can be a challenging endeavor, especially if you want to get him something special or sentimental. We have a fantastic aging father gift idea / suggestion for you, called Storyworth!

What is Storyworth?

Storyworth is an opportunity to share your father’s memories and special moments in a beautiful keepsake book. Your father can then share the book and the experiences and advice within the text with loved ones. The hope is that your father’s legacy will live on for his grandchildren and many generations to come.

How Does Storyworth Work?

Step 1

You chose a question to help get him to start writing and send it in an email.

Step 2

Your father simply replies to the question you emailed him, and then it is shared with you.

Step 3

After one year, his replies and stories that stem from his responses are bound by Storyworth into a charming and beautiful keepsake book.

To ensure these books last for generations, the Storyworth company designs the book with quality materials. This ensures the book looks fantastic and ages nicely over time.

If you feel stumped trying to come up with questions, just go to their website. This is also the website you use to get everything set up. The Storyworth team has plenty of sample questions to help you get into the flow of sending weekly questions. Here are a few examples from their website:

What is one of your fondest childhood memories?
What things matter most to you in life?
What items do you think you cannot live without?
Do you have any regrets in life?
Who are your favorite artists?

Why Storyworth?

Storyworth books can include photos that contribute nicely to the layout and intimacy of the book. It is also a wonderful way to stay connected with family who no longer live close by. The aim of these books is to conserve memories of the past to pass on to future generations while learning more about the special people in your life that matter most to you.

You will likely be surprised by some things, and other things might help make sense of why you react the way you do in specific scenarios. Maybe you are more like your father than you realize.

Since Storyworth began, it has been getting rave reviews, such as this one from Adrianne in Rochester, New York, “Storyworth is more than just a book, more than a collection of stories. It is the gift of time you spend with family uncovering those stories. There has never been a gift that has held more meaning or value to me.”

At Next Day Access, we are privileged to help families as they shop for mobility equipment or accessibility devices that can make their aging loved ones safer and more comfortable while they are aging in place.

We see the bonds between the families and the love children have for their aging parents as they shop. We thank you for making us the place you go to for all your aging loved ones’ needs, and we would like to extend a heartfelt Happy Father’s Day to all the dads this year.

“When I heard about this, I was not at all surprised,” said Bret Tharp, CEO of Next Day Access Wilmington. “John dedicates his life to being a servant and a positive influence. He represents everything we want in our company.” Needless to say, at Next Day Access, it’s always about people.

Tharp said those kind words about his employee, John Long, when Wilmington resident, Peggy Huffman, spoke about an incident that occurred at her neighbor’s house. Huffman said…

“There was a large amount of trash in my neighbor’s yard from their trash can being knocked over. I was picking it up for them and a Next Day Access employee came by and saw me. He turned around and came back to help me. He was on his way to Calabash to install a ramp. He is the type of employee you want on your team.”

At Next Day Access, we believe in hiring people that represent our core values: Passion, Responsive, Relationship Driven, Knowledge, and We Get It.

Every day, John symbolizes each of our core values, but in the moment, he showed what passion looks like for us. We are passionate about being responsible members of our communities and serving others.

When asking John why he helped Huffman, he stated “my reasoning was simple, to honor God and love my neighbor as myself. I’m grateful to be able to do the work I do and work with men and women here at Next Day Access with the same heart of servitude to love our neighbors.”

Every April 7^th, the world celebrates World Health Day. It is a day each year to draw attention to a specific health topic of concern worldwide. This year’s theme is “Our planet, our health.”

Our planet, our health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they chose this year’s topic based on the belief, “In the midst of a pandemic, it is time to focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focus(ed) on well-being.”

The Background

Unfortunately, 90% of people in the world breathe unhealthy air due to the burning of fossil fuels. Detrimental weather events, land degradation, and water scarcity are displacing people and causing sicknesses. Systems that produce highly processed foods and beverages are causing an increase in obesity, thus increasing heart disease and cancer.

The pandemic taught us about the weaknesses in our society and encouraged the urgency of re-establishing our pre-pandemic lifestyles. It reminded us we need to choose to eat healthier and exercise more. Rather than opt for convenience food, we should get back to cooking nutritious meals and planting sustainable gardens. The ultimate goal for this year’s World Health Day is to let individuals know they are supported and incentivize them to make healthier choices.

How We Help

At Next Day Access, your health is important to us, and we hope World Health Day reminds you to make healthy living a lifestyle. Helping you feel your best is also important to us. We know home modifications that create a space for living independently foster a sense of confidence. Helping our customers become more independent is our specialty. Every day, we supply people with mobility difficulties with the equipment needed to lead a more independent lifestyle. We offer everything from wheelchair ramps and motorized scooters to vehicle lifts and so much more. Contact us today for a complimentary in-home consultation.