Category: News

Google is known for being ahead of the game when it comes to technological advances, and they’ve done it again with their latest updates. This time they’ve geared their updates toward helping people with disabilities with some of their apps, including Live Transcribe, Google Maps, Sound Amplifier, and Action Block. People with a cognitive disability often struggle with navigating various apps because they have to tap their device multiple times and can get confused along the way. Google has simplified this process and has expanded its accessibility services to help people with disabilities in many ways.

How Action Blocks Can Help People With Disabilities

Action Blocks is a new app developed by Google. It’s designed to allow users who would normally have to make multiple taps on the screen to perform a task to just use a single tap. For example, making a phone call to a caregiver, turning off the lights in a home, or other routine tasks are simplified. Action Blocks help both people with a cognitive disability and a physical disability. People with a cognitive disability won’t have to remember how to access multiple apps, while people with a physical disability won’t have to get up and navigate their home as much to do routine tasks.

Helpful Updates To Google Maps

One of the biggest updates Google has implemented is the addition of Accessible Places in Google Maps. When a user has Google Maps open, they will see a wheelchair icon at establishments that have accessible entrances. They can also learn more about how accessible the parking, seating, and even the restrooms are right in the app without having to go to the place and learn for themselves. People with disabilities can enjoy the ultimate convenience and know they won’t be stranded inside a building that doesn’t have accessible features.

Google Is At The Forefront Of Technological Advances

Other technologies Google has updated include Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier. With Live Transcribe, it provides accurate transcriptions in real-time, which is useful for people who can’t hear very well or clearly. While Sound Amplifier helps make speech and other sounds easier to hear. These technological advances have people with disabilities in mind and can be beneficial in many different aspects of life.

One of the most important characteristics people with disabilities have to have is adaptability. You have to adapt to your surroundings often since many locations don’t have the highest accessibility standards. And you might even have to adapt to your environment and make adjustments as you get older and have a tough time moving around and performing routine tasks. With companies like Google bringing innovations to expand accessibility services, people with a physical or cognitive disability can enjoy their lifestyle more. Next Day Access can also help people with disabilities by providing mobility devices and services to help them be comfortable at home. If there’s any aspect of your home that could be more accessible, contact us and we would be happy to provide you with a free assessment.

Announcing Next Day Access Grand Opening of Boca Raton Location

Coconut Creek, Florida, February 15, 2021: Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of a new location in the Boca Raton area. The Next Day Access Boca Raton franchise, which provides home accessibility and mobility products, is owned by President Geri Castaldo and Vice President Jesse Castaldo. Individuals interested in Next Day Access products and services can easily find them on the Next Day Access website, where you can browse through their offerings including but not limited to wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, grab bars, bathroom safety products, and vehicle lifts.

Next Day Access also provides a variety of solutions to help seniors age in place rather than in an assisted care or nursing facility. Some of those services include product installation services, in-home safety consultations, home and bathroom modifications, rental and rent-to-own programs for non-custom products, as well as possible financing options.

As a family-owned business, the Boca Raton Next Day Access is pleased to usher in to the community their  “Whole Home-Whole Life” approach. This means as a consultative business, they offer solutions to people with disabilities or who want the comfort of aging in place, rather than a business that simply promotes products and services to make a profit. 

After a long and successful career as the owner of a software engineering company, co-owner Geri Castaldo was called to the accessibility solutions industry when her aging parents became ill. She began focusing on updating their condo so she could grant their wish of staying in their own home as long as possible. According to Geri, “With the accessibility modifications we made, the importance of enhancing their sense of freedom and ensuring their safety became clear. As co-owner of Boca Raton’s Next Day Access franchise, it’s my main goal to bring accommodations to others so they can also live happily and safely at home.” 

Geri’s son, co-owner Jesse Castaldo, was also inspired by taking care of his grandparents as they tackled accessibility challenges at home. “I’m grateful to work in an industry where I can make a difference in the lives of others. I appreciate that our clients have complex individual needs. I look forward to listening intently to each unique situation and helping our customers find the best, most cost-effective solutions.” Both owners are Certified Aging in Place Specialists.

Their Field Technician, David Hyler, brings to the new franchise 10 years of customer service experience. He said, “I take pride in knowing that my everyday work is changing the lives of those with accessibility needs in our community. I look forward to working closely with our clients to professionally install our lines of accessibility products.”

Anyone with mobility related disabilities who wishes to age in the comfort of their own home can now turn to a locally owned business. This new Next Day Access franchise is backed by a national brand they can trust to meet all of their needs in an expert and professional manner. In addition to the Boca Raton, Florida, franchise, Next Day Access has locations across the country. Visit www.nextdayaccess.com for a list of nearby locations. 

About Next Day Access: Next Day Access provides individuals with mobility and accessibility products and services, including residential and commercial wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, vehicle lifts, grab bars, and walk-in tubs. Next Day Access also takes pride in being responsible members of the communities they serve.

The mental health of seniors is just as important to focus on as their physical health. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 15% of adults ages 60 and older deal with some sort of mental disorder. Many of these issues can be prevented by being proactive and keeping the brain and mind as sharp as possible while practicing independent living. Small daily activities can contribute to a sharper mind and here are a few simple ones to focus on.

Read And Write

Reading and writing later in life can go a long way in stimulating the mind and keeping your memory sharp. Consider subscribing to a magazine you enjoy, joining a book club, volunteering to read to a children’s group or anything else that suits your interests. You could also keep your writing skills sharp by blogging or writing stories about your past. The important thing to remember when reading and writing is to focus on topics you enjoy so you don’t get too burned out on them too quickly.

Get Quality Sleep

Quality sleep is critical for everyone, especially the aging population. Sleeping for eight hours each night can help with focus, memory, concentration and keep cognitive skills functioning at high levels. The quality of sleep you get at night could depend on the activities you do during the day. Limiting the intake of caffeine and alcohol a few hours before you go to bed can reduce sleep disruptions. Getting plenty of exercise and avoiding fatty foods right before bed can also lead to a better night of sleep.

Exercise Frequently

What’s good for your body is usually good for your mind as well. Exercising is an important component of independent living and should be completed in some form every day. If you aren’t physically inclined enough to go on long runs or participate in sports, go for a walk every day or join an exercise group with other people sharing your skill level. The main thing is to stay active to keep your blood flowing and you may experience mental clarity and sharpness at the same time.

Pick Up A New Hobby

If you’re focusing on independent living at home, consider learning a new hobby. You can learn to do just about anything by watching YouTube videos or attending specific classes. Some great hobbies that stimulate the brain and mind include knitting, sewing, gardening, carpentry, golfing, photography and much more. And if you’re not tech-savvy, consider learning how to operate a computer, smartphone or tablet and you may feel a sense of accomplishment by doing so.

Next Day Access wants the aging population to live their lives to the fullest. Everyone has different physical needs and requirements, and we have many different solutions to offer. Whether you need caregiver tips for caring for a loved one or if you’re a senior striving for independent living, contact us today and we would be happy to discuss various options with you.

When seniors strive for independent living, they often have a hard time accepting the fact they need help when the time comes. This makes it important for you to be on the lookout for signs they need some assistance around their house before they injure or harm themselves inadvertently. Memory problems and cognitive concerns could also be early warning signs of dementia, as explained by this AARP article. The earlier you can detect these signs, the quicker you can provide them with the senior care they need to be safe.

Damaged Or Broken Fixtures And Appliances

When you visit the home of an aging parent and either notice broken items or hear them talking about them, offer to fix them. At the very least, ask if there’s a reason why they haven’t fixed them yet. It could be that they haven’t had to use their broken oven in a while, don’t have the money to get it repaired or replaced or other reasons. Living with fixtures and appliances that don’t work properly can be damaging to the mental health of a person striving for independent living, so do what you can to help.

Cluttered And Dirty Rooms

If rooms in your aging parent’s home are becoming cluttered with items or are dirty in general, don’t simply overlook them. You can approach the situation in a caring manner by asking if they need help with cleaning anything. They may indicate they don’t have the energy or physical ability to clean as much anymore, which can be a sign that you need to provide them with more senior care.

Lack Of Interest In Specific Activities

Pay attention to the overall demeanor of an aging parent and point out to them anything that may be different than what you’re used to. It’s completely natural to lose interest in certain activities over time, but if the interest isn’t replaced with anything else, then they may be suffering from a larger issue. Asking why they are losing interest in doing activities they previously enjoyed is perfectly acceptable and may get them to open up about concerns they have, or at least give you some insight into their thoughts so you can take action as needed.

Forgetfulness

An aging parent may need some additional senior care if you notice they are forgetting things more than usual. It’s common for older people to not remember what day of the week it is, where they put their keys or other minor things. However, if they constantly forget these things or tell you they forgot to take their medication, then it may be time to intervene. Independent living is wonderful for seniors who can do so, but it can also be dangerous if they become forgetful over time.

Paying attention to your aging parent is important. They may not realize they are changing, so it’s up to you to recognize certain characteristics and act as you feel appropriate. Next Day Access is here to help with any mobility concerns or limitations your senior parent may have, so contact us at any time to learn about our products.

Caring for an aging parent can be difficult. You have to balance providing great senior care with living your own life. It’s easy to forget about the relationship you may have had with your parents amid the challenges of balancing different lifestyles, but it’s important to maintain those relationships as much as possible. The aging population has a hard time relating to new technology and things that go on in the world today, so these are some great questions to make them think, bring back memories and build your relationship with them at the same time.

What Is The Thing You Remember Most From Your Childhood?

Older people may not remember back to their childhood, but it doesn’t hurt to ask them about it. You may be surprised at the things they tell you that you hadn’t heard before growing up with them. And most importantly, this question allows them to think back as far as they can and you can see how vividly they remember certain aspects of their childhood.

What Fun Things Did You Do With Your Parents And Grandparents?

This may be the most fun question you can ask your aging parent. Chances are the fun things you learn about that they did with their parents and grandparents are similar to the fun things they did with you. Bringing back fun memories can strike great conversations about how great life was back then and even relate to certain situations that may go on in your life today.

Who Has Been The Most Influential Person In Your Life?

The aging population has seen numerous influential people during their life. You could ask this question to a dozen different older people and there’s a decent chance you’ll hear a different name each time. When you hear how and why a particular person influenced them, you can ask follow-up questions as you see appropriate. You may even get a history lesson as they are telling stories.

What Are You Most Proud Of?

Parents sometimes ask their kids what they are proud of in life, but the question doesn’t always get asked the other way around. They may give the standard answer by saying they are most proud of their kids, but make them try to dig a little deeper. You may be able to relate to something that makes you proud in your own life and can have a nice conversation about certain experiences.

What Are Some Unexpected Challenges You’ve Faced Getting Older?

This could be a sensitive question depending on the health of your parent, whether they have a cognitive disability or other concerns. It still might be worth asking the question regardless just to hear their opinion on the challenges they’ve faced. It could provide an opportunity for you to help them with something they hadn’t mentioned before and can strengthen your relationship with them as a result.

Next Day Access is here to help you provide the senior care you need to your aging parent. When you don’t have to worry about accessibility concerns, you can focus on maintaining solid relationships. Feel free to contact us at any time to see how we can help.

Providing care for a loved one can be extremely rewarding. However, it also comes with plenty of challenges along the way. According to a study by AARP, roughly 33% of caregivers provide care for more than 21 hours each week, while 21% of caregivers do the same for more than 41 hours per week. As you can see, being a primary caregiver is like having a full-time job sometimes with the amount of time you spend caring for a loved one. Finding a balance with your personal life is critical to mix with these everyday responsibilities as a caregiver.

Housekeeping Duties

The aging population doesn’t always have the physical ability to perform regular housekeeping duties. Simple tasks like taking out the trash, washing dishes, vacuuming, doing laundry or anything else may be difficult or dangerous for them to do. You may be able to hire someone to do outside work to save you time and keep the yard maintained, but you can also develop a schedule for when you perform certain tasks to keep a routine.

Understanding Medical Needs

One of the most important responsibilities of a primary caregiver is understanding your loved one’s medical needs. Know their medication schedule, what ailments they are dealing with, when their medication is getting low and more. It could even be valuable to go with them to their medical visits so you can listen to the doctor and ask questions as needed. Help them out by creating a schedule with reminders on when to take certain medication so it doesn’t get missed.

Meal Planning And Preparation

A fun part of caring for a loved one can be planning and preparing meals. Some caregivers like to cook so much that they do it every night. Others will take one day to cook meals that will last a week or longer. It’s nice to have a prepared meal ready to go in the refrigerator or freezer when time is short or you’re too exhausted to cook. Just remember your loved one relies on you for proper nutrition, so be sure to offer meals for a balanced diet.

Arrange Transportation

Using public transportation may not be a great option for a senior with limited mobility and who can’t drive a vehicle on their own. You may have to either arrange for other forms of transportation or be the person who takes them where they need to go. Investing in an auto lift to carry their wheelchair or scooter can make this task much easier for you and safer for them.

Help With Emotional Needs

Both you and your loved one have emotional needs that need to be addressed. For a primary caregiver, this may mean taking frequent walks to clear your mind or talking to a friend on the phone regularly. For an elderly person, this could mean simply talking to them about their childhood, playing games, talking about their family or anything else that makes them happy. Being strong emotionally can be difficult when you are limited in the things you can do, so don’t ignore the emotional aspect of being a primary caregiver.

Next Day Access can help make caring for a loved one at home easier. We offer free home assessments and provide suggestions and solutions for common household accessibility problems, so contact us today to speak with a representative.

Whether you are caring for an aging loved one or if you are getting older yourself, sometimes you have to look around your home and shift things around for safety purposes and to prevent falls. One of the most overlooked rooms is the bathroom, but it presents multiple safety hazards sometimes. According to a study from the Journal of Injury and Violence Research, many fall injuries occur when going to the bathroom quickly and when transitioning from a hard surface to a soft surface and vice versa. Since bathroom floors get wet often no matter how careful you are, it’s important to be aware of the surprising safety hazards you may have in your bathroom.

Poor Lighting

It’s important to have adequate lighting in your bathroom at all times. Nighttime falls in the bathroom are too common because of poor lighting and the risk of tripping on cords, rugs or slipping on a wet spot. And it’s particularly dangerous in the middle of the night when you may be half-sleeping as you’re walking to use the bathroom. If the light switch in your bathroom isn’t easy to find in the dark, then consider plugging in a simple night light to illuminate the room enough for you to see. This simple solution can prevent falls more than people think and it’s a small investment to make.

Bathmats

Using a bathmat in the shower makes sense to prevent slipping and falling when the water is running. The problem is they will often move under your feet and present a bigger slip hazard than the floor itself. If you have a walk-in tub this may not be as big of an issue, but you can still think about having decals with non-slip surfaces put on the bathtub floor. These are just as reliable and eliminate the risk of them slipping under your feet. Another thing to consider is installing grab bars on the walls of the shower so you always have something sturdy to grab and won’t lose your balance as easily.

Stationary Shower Heads

A stationary showerhead can be a problem for seniors with physical limitations since they have to move their body more to get clean. If you would have a handheld showerhead that can be removed from the wall, then you can sit in your shower chair and clean yourself with few movements. It’s a quick and simple project to remove a stationary showerhead and install a handheld one and many seniors believe it’s worth the investment.

Next Day Access is here to help ensure your bathroom is a safe place to be. Whether it’s installing grab bars in different areas or switching to a walk-in tub, our goal is to help you prevent falls and feel more comfortable moving around your home. We offer a variety of accessibility products to make your home a safer space, so contact us today to schedule a free home assessment and reduce some of your concerns.