Celebrations & Awarenesses Archives

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.

Each year, the United States dedicates the month of March to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness, and the week of March 13- 19 is Multiple Sclerosis week. You might see orange ribbons with a butterfly attached to lapels during this time. Orange is the official color of MS awareness. When a person sees if they have Multiple Scelrosis, they undergo a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedure. When MS is confirmed, a butterfly shape appears on the MRI scan which is why butterflies are often assoicated with MS awareness.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. Researchers believe it is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissue instead of only infected tissue. The immune system will attack the myelin sheath found in the brain. The myelin sheath protects nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. Over time, the myelin sheath is destroyed. The destroyed sheath results in scar tissue (Sclerosis) disrupting electrical impulses between the brain and other body parts.

Unfortunately, there are no known factors that cause MS or ways to prevent it. Many people diagnosed with MS have no known risk factors

In March 2019, the journal Neurology estimated the number of people living with MS in the United States now reaches as high as 1 million people whereas years prior, the number was half that. Researchers, while working on a cure and treatment plans, are currently trying to figure out why there has been a significant increase in new cases.

This Year’s Awareness Theme

The theme from 2020-2022 for Multiple Sclerosis week is “Connections.” Advocacy groups have asked people diagnosed with MS to share their stories of connecting with their community, themselves, healthcare team, family, and friends after receiving the diagnosis. Once people share their stories, advocacy groups ask people to use the hashtag #MSConnections. The hope is this will spark a dialogue and bring attention to the disease and provide more funding for research.

An MS diagnosis changes ones’ life forever. Since they cannot control their nerve impulses, many people with MS have difficulty with mobility. At Next Day Access, we offer a wide variety of solutions to help people with mobility issues stay safe and more comfortable in their homes or on the go. Whether you need a wheelchair, handrails, walker, or more, we are here to help. Contact us today.

Every January is a time for us to take extra precautions while bathing. Taking a bath is a regular occurrence, but it is also a potentially hazardous activity. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is a leading cause of death. Infants and adults older than 85 are most likely to drown in a bathtub. This grim fact is why we place importance on bath safety each January. In honor of bath safety month, let’s look at a few ways to improve your bathroom safety.

The National Institute on Aging reports 80% of people 65 years and older fall in the bathroom. At Next Day Access, our goal is to help seniors aging in place and people with disabilities feel comfortable, independent, and safe. We offer a variety of products to make your bathroom safe such as the following.

Quick Tub Full Convertible Kit

Stepping over a tub to get in for a bath is the quickest way to cause a trip and fall. To prevent this, you can convert your bathtub into a walk-in shower by adding a small door to the side of your tub. Our Full Quick Tub Convertible Kit supplies you and your loved ones with everything you need to turn your existing bathtub into a step-in shower while maintaining a fully functional bathtub. Converting back and forth only takes a few seconds.

Rane- RA2 Tahoe Walk-In Bathtub

The RA2 Tahoe is a freestanding or built-in tub designed for small to medium-sized bathrooms where space is limited. The low threshold and wide inward swinging door allow easy access for people with various degrees of mobility. The roomy contoured seat allows the user to sit comfortably and safely in a slightly reclined position.

Invisia Accent Ring

The Invisia Accent Ring is another form of a support bar that provides support directly above your shower valve when bending over or reaching to turn the water on or off. The Invisia Accent Ring is stylish with a chrome finish and looks sleek above your faucet.

Prestigio Chrome Flange Folding Grab Bar

Grab bars should be placed strategically throughout the bathroom. This grab bar folds back when not in use which makes it convenient to use. The folding feature also makes it convenient to access.

Next Day Access offers many different styles of grab bars to choose from. When you consult with one of our experts, we can help you figure out the proper placement and correct grab bars for your home.

Many of these products can be installed quickly with little interruption to your daily activities. At Next Day Access, we respect your time and privacy and will work around your schedule to make the process run as smooth as possible.

We hope you will browse the website or come to our store to see the bathroom safety options we offer. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Next Day Access for help to make your bathroom safer. We can provide a free estimate for you. Remember, we are here to help you feel comfortable, independent, and safe.

Disability Day is on December 3rd by the International Day of People with Disabilities, dedicated to bringing awareness and compassion for the challenges faced by people with disabilities. The theme for this year is leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID- 19 world. With this goal, they hope to recognize the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for people with a disability.

Since March 2020, when COVID-19 began, many people were affected by drastic changes, such as working and primarily staying at home, being away from our loved ones, and masks. However, those with disabilities had several negative repercussions from COVID-19. Their social isolation was more pronounced, and there was a lack of emergency equipment to help individuals with specific needs.

Why Do We Celebrate Disability Day?

According to the United Nations, the first annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons began in 1992. Since then, the day is celebrated to help create change and bring awareness for people with disabilities.

Themes from Previous Years:

Since 1992, there have been several different celebrated themes. Some include:

2014: Sustainable development – the promise of technology
2012: Removing Barriers, open doors for an inclusive society and development for all
2007: Decent work for people with disabilities.
2002: Independent living and sustainable livelihoods
1998: Arts, culture, and independent living

As seen above, some of the themes are about independent living. And at Next Day Access, we offer products and solutions to help aging loved ones and people with disabilities live independently at home for as long as possible. We offer accessibility and mobility solutions to keep your home safe. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation.

At Next Day Access, we work with many families to provide accessibility and mobility equipment to help take care of aging or disabled loved ones at home. We understand how difficult the role of a family caregivers can be. This November, we are honored to celebrate family caregivers.

Why Do We Celebrate Family Caregivers Month?

It’s important to celebrate and recognize the dedication and hard work of family caregivers. By acknowledging November as National Family Caregivers Month, it increases caregiver support, raises awareness of mental health, and respects the lives of caregivers who help ensure safety and happiness of loved ones.

The celebration is ordained and originated by the Caregiver Action Network (CAN). The Caregiver Action Network group is a nonprofit that helps to educate caregivers, supply resources, and support. This year’s theme, “#CaregiverAnd,” encourages family caregivers to celebrate the identities and passions that enrich their lives. Way too often, the role of caregiver can overshadow their identity.

Understanding Family Caregiving Responsibility

Many family members take on caregivers roles when parents become older or disabled. They choose to keep the caregiving responsibilities in the family to ensure their loved one gets the best care. While most would never consider their loved ones a burden, the extra responsibility can become overwhelming.

Studies show that about one in five U.S. adults are caregivers and spend an average of 24 hours a week caring for a loved one on top of their other jobs. Because of that, the caregiving role can cause emotional, physical, and financial stress. Learn more about how you can better support a caregiver.

At Next Day Access, we consider our company a support system for caregivers. Our goal is to provide caregivers with the information and equipment they need to help make their lives easier and keep loved ones safe and comfortable. If you are a caregiver, we urge you to contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation. Let us give you the support you need as you support others in need.

Source: https://mhanational.org/national-family-caregivers-month

The month of November recognizes the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who serve their community proudly. These individuals play an essential role in our healthcare system and homes across the nation. To recognize their hard work and show appreciation, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) asked to celebrate November as Home Care and Hospice Month.

“Home care and hospice nurses, therapists, aides, and other providers who choose to use their lives to serve our country’s aged, disabled, and dying. This noble work deserves our recognition and praise, and we celebrate November as Home Care & Hospice Month for that very reason.” – NAHC President William A. Dombi.

Hospice care professionals are an important role to end-of-life care and individuals who are terminally ill. They focus on helping someone with a terminal illness comfortably and increasing their quality of life. Hospice is usually offered in the home or a long-term care facility.

Some of their services include:

Managing patient’s pain and symptoms
Emotional support
Providing medical equipment like wheelchairs
Teaching caregivers on how to provide the best care
Dietary counseling
Grief and loss counseling for patient and loves ones

Along with providing the best care for patients, a huge part of their job is also supporting families. So, they help with education, emotional and spiritual support, financial issues, and assisting with the patient’s hygiene.

“Within the hospice care setting, the looming reality of a patient’s death can be extremely hard for both patients and family members to accept. During this time, many difficult decisions must be made regarding treatments that will benefit the patient in their last weeks or months, often bringing quality of life concerns into play. Nurses step in at this time to guide patients and families confronting those tough decisions and helping them adapt to painful realities,” says the American Nurses Association.

At Next Day Access, we recognize the noble work done by hospice teams. This November, we are proud to honor the individuals in our healthcare system who help make differences in lives. We are thankful for those who continue to work and study hard to help the community.

Source: https://www.nahc.org/