Aging in Place Archives

Scams targeting aging adults are getting more creative. According to Amy Nofziger, AARP’s director of fraud victim support, “Scammers stay on top of whatever is new, such as the popularity of Zoom, Covid-19 vaccines, and online shopping. They then move fast to create ploys that best fit the moment.”

No one wants to see an aging loved one become the victim of fraud. It is essential that you are aware of potential scams and make sure the aging adult in your life does not fall victim to one. Here are a few of the top scams currently targeting aging adults:

Fake Online Shopping Websites

These online shops look more accurate today than ever since they use photos from real online shops. The scammers copy the original site’s look to trick your loved one into believing they are buying things from their favorite site. They are left without any items being delivered or a lower quality item being delivered. If your loved one has a website, they enjoy shopping from, advise them to check the online reviews or the Better Business Bureau’s online directory to ensure the site is legitimate.

Scam Text Messages

In this scam scenario, the fraudsters are texting aging adults urgent messages claiming something is wrong with their bank account, credit card, or phone service. They are then asking for personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, pin codes, or more so they can steal your loved one’s identity. Many aging adults do not expect scams to come from text messages, but it has become one of the most popular ways for scammers to target these communities.

Fake Prescription Drugs

Aging adults consume about one-third of all prescription drugs in the United States. Your aging loved one could receive an email claiming that a company can offer them their medicine at a lower price. The people sending these emails often try to get your loved one’s insurance information and credit card number. They then will send placebo pills. Also, many pharmacies now offer drop-off services. Your loved one needs to be sure they trust their pharmacy, many pharmacies will not replace your loved one’s medicine if it is not delivered, yet this primarily pertains to medicine that is a controlled substance. Regardless, make sure your aging loved one is vigilant about going through their doctors for their medicine, and if they cannot pick up their medicine on their own, they need to send someone they trust.

These are just a few of the scams out there today. It is highly beneficial if you keep watch over aging adults to ensure they avoid being taken advantage of.

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!

If you have limited mobility and your home has a porch only accessible by stairs, you might consider investing in a porch lift. If your porch goes directly into your home, you could find a porch lift much more accessible to maneuver than a wheelchair ramp. There are many reasons people with limited mobility prefer a porch lift.

What is a wheelchair porch lift?

A porch lift is similar to a vertical platform lift. A porch lift is a machine used to elevate a wheelchair from one level to another. The difference between a porch lift and a vertical platform lift is that a porch lift is usually found outside and gives users access to a deck or porch.

The lift can travel a short distance vertically, and then it may travel a few feet horizontally. You can find them battery-operated or with a motor that powers the platform up and down. If it is battery operated, it has a lever, and if it is motorized, you can go up and down with the push of a button.

So why do many people opt for a porch lift? Here are a few reasons:

3 Reasons to Invest in a Wheelchair Porch Lift

Porch lifts are space efficient

Porch lifts generally require a 5’ by 5’ area regardless of how high it rises. The Americans with Disabilities Act has guidelines set in place for wheelchair ramps. The guidelines help builders determine a good reference point from ramp slope and length. The guidelines specify that every inch of a rise requires a foot of ramp length. So, most people save ample space by installing a porch lift versus a wheelchair ramp.

With a wheelchair ramp, there is also more maintenance and cleaning. Every structure requires maintenance, even the porch lift, yet with a wheelchair ramp, you will need to factor in the weather and its elements more.

Porch lifts are a great safety solution

When you use a qualified installation team, such as Next Day Access, we ensure the ramp is made code specific. Every region has a code specific to its area that governs the use and construction of lifts.

The codes might include ensuring there is a solid flush gate at the top of the landing, a cement pad that anchors the lift, a dedicated 20-amp power supply nearby, and a smooth pathway to the lift. Our installation team handles each step to ensure your lift is as safe as possible.

Also, most lifts come with sensors or a safety pin that keep the lift from lowering if there is anything below the platform. The lift will also not function if it has slippery debris, such as leaves or branches, on the lift.

The porch lift gives its user more independence

With a porch lift, people with limited mobility can use the lift independently. If they can press a button, the user does not have to depend on a caretaker to get them to ground level. The user can come and go with a porch lift as they please.

If you think a porch lift is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access. We have an assortment of porch lifts and will be sure to set up an in-home consultation where we can help you determine the right make and model for your home.

Next Day Access Expands into the Greater Oklahoma City Area to Bring Accessibility and Mobility Solutions to Local Communities.

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of Next Day Access Oklahoma City. The franchise location, provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility solutions, is owned by husband and wife David and Angelia Goss.

David and Angelia Goss are managing partners of Next Day Access Oklahoma City. Before becoming a business owner, David started his professional career as a mechanical engineer working as a government civilian in the United States Air Force, managing the plant and equipment at the Tinker Air Force base. He also furthered his education with a Master’s in Business Administration; David retired from the Air Force with 34 years of service. Angelia has been a nurse for 30 years. She retired as a full-time nurse three years ago and is currently an adjunct skills/clinical instructor. Once they open, Angelia will be fully immersed in her new role as a managing partner and will be focusing on the business development side.

The idea of opening an accessibility business sparked when he and his wife became caretakers for Angelia’s father, which resulted in modifying their home. David renovated their bathroom himself to create a safer space for his father-in-law and a more efficient, accessible space for themselves as caretakers. With his mechanical engineering and managerial background, David felt opening a Next Day Access franchise was the right fit.

“Everyone we’ve met at Next Day Access has been great to work with and has made us feel comfortable during this process,” said David. “We’re excited to open and begin helping people by providing mobility solutions.”

The Next Day Access Oklahoma City location will provide a wide range of accessibility and mobility solutions for residential and commercial customers. From aluminum wheelchair ramps to bathroom modifications, the Oklahoma City team has the knowledge and skills to help create a safer and more accessible environment.

To learn more about Next Day Access Oklahoma City, click here.

On July 26, 2022, people with limited mobility celebrated the 32^nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The anniversary is still a source of pride and hope, but it does bring up the question, why are there still inaccessible businesses? Business accessibility is as relevant today as it was years ago.

A recent article in Forbes magazine written by Andrew Pulrang has this excerpt, “Accessibility is still treated like some kind of premium feature rather than a civic responsibility for businesses or a civil right for customers.”

Here are some tips on how you can improve your business’s accessibility.

Make sure parking and entering your building is convenient.

People with limited mobility who drive are far more likely to shop or eat somewhere when there is handicap parking available. Ensure the designated parking spaces are clearly labeled and at least 8 feet wide. You should also invest in a commercial wheelchair ramp. Seeing a ramp shows customers that you want them there, and that accessibility is a priority to you. At Next Day Access, we offer a variety of commercial ramps.

Make sure inside the business you have wide pathways.

People with limited mobility need more space to move. They will need enough room to walk, wheel, stop, and turn around without hitting tables or display shelves. Having an area that is cluttered and tight makes the business feel uncomfortable, even for patrons not using a wheelchair. Your layout matters as much as your décor.

Make sure restrooms are accessible for wheelchairs.

If you are hoping your customers stay for more than 30 minutes, you need to have an accessible restroom. Even if the restroom only holds one person at a time, ensure it is wide enough for a wheelchair to make turns. You should also have grab bars installed and a sink where a wheelchair can easily slide underneath so the user can reach the faucets. You can find durable and contemporary grab bars at Next Day Access.

When you make your business more accessible, your reputation and the number of customers increase. People with limited mobility remember the places in town where they can get around more easily and feel welcome. Next Day Access can help you find the best commercial ramps, grab bars, railings, and more.

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of its 27th location, Next Day Access Fairfax, Virginia located at 45681 Oakbrook Court, Unit 110, Sterling, Virginia, 20166. The franchise location, provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility products, is owned by Ray Patel, Joseph Yu, and Justin Nunes.

Business partners Patel and Yu are multifaceted business owners. With over 20 years in the restaurant hospitality industry, the two are looking for a new challenge by entering the mobility equipment industry. Now, Nunes joins Patel and Yu as their third partner, bringing in knowledge and years of experience in the construction and automotive industry.

“We’re excited to join a new but strong and upcoming market,” said Patel. “With the tremendous amount of support from the Next Day Access team, we feel confident in being able to help people in our community with mobility solutions.”

The Next Day Access Fairfax location will provide a wide range of accessibility and mobility solutions for residential and commercial customers. From aluminum wheelchair ramps to stairlifts, the Fairfax team has the knowledge and skills to help create a safer environment.

“Ray, Joseph, and Justin align with what we look for in Next Day Access owners: a passion for helping others, great customer service skills, and taking the extra step,” said Dave Clark, President of Next Day Access. “With their existing experience of owning and operating a franchise, Joseph and Ray have a wealth of knowledge that will apply to this new venture. Justin’s hands-on experience and ability to quickly and proficiently learn new skills.”

To learn more about Next Day Access Fairfax, click here.

About Next Day Access

Next Day Access is a leading provider for accessibility and mobility solutions for homes and commercial businesses. With franchise locations across the United States and Canada, their goal is to help aging loved ones and people with limited mobility and disabilities live safely, comfortably, and independently in their homes. Learn more by visiting www.nextdayaccess.com.

Much to the delight of people with limited mobility, accessibility devices are becoming more advanced. The new bars are easier to handle and take up less space. It is exciting to see the changes to such helpful mobility equipment.

Our Safety Poles

Next Day Access now offers a new mobility device, Healthcraft Superbar. The Superbar is a security pole with a curved grab bar mounted from the ceiling to the floor. You can have these installed wherever you like in the home, but many find them particularly useful in the bathroom.

Healthcraft Superbars and SuperPole safety poles have many added benefits to help with fall prevention, bedside or bathtub support, and they’re all very easy to put together.

Superbar Benefits

The pole prevents falls. The security pole offers stability and safety when standing or sitting. You can lean on it as you climb over bathtubs or when you are getting in and out of bed. The curved bar can turn and lock into position every 45 degrees and can handle up to 300 pounds.
The height and tension rods are adjustable. However, it must be used with a flat ceiling, and from floor to ceiling must be 7 to 10 feet tall. It includes rubber pads to protect your floors and ceilings from damage.
The pole is versatile and can be used as a bedside support handle, chair standing rail, wheelchair transfer pole, and a bathroom grab bar. The unique grab looks like an inverted “S”. This gives it a ladder-like design with four different places to grip. The user can conveniently get to a standing position using a hand-over-hand motion.
The pole provides more space. It has a modern design, so you will likely not feel the need to have bulky grab bars or railings protruding from the walls.
It’s easy to assemble. You can contact Next Day Access, and our installation team will happily install it for you within minutes.

safety poles Healthcraft SuperPoles — Healthcraft SuperPoles

Not every Next Day Access location in the country has a Healthcare Superbar in stock; if they do not, we can help you find something similar that fits your needs. However, if you prefer to maintain the grab bars, handles, and railings you have become accustomed to, Next Day Access still has many to choose from and will happily help you determine where they fit best.

We also offer modern, contemporary, and aesthetically pleasing choices on these devices. Contact your nearest Next Day Access if you are in the market for new grab bars or handles. We can show you The Healthcare Superbar and the many other products we offer to make your home accessible.

Do you have members in your place of worship that face a mobility obstacle when trying to enter your establishment? What about people with limited mobility looking to find a place of worship? We are sure that your congregation, church elders, pastors, or priests would never want anyone to feel unwelcome.

Unfortunately, when you cannot enter a building, people with limited mobility sometimes cannot help but feel unwelcome. Next Day Access can help! We have built several wheelchair ramps throughout the communities we serve and can build them for your place of worship without difficulty.

Our professional wheelchair ramp installation team can provide ramps in even the most challenging spaces. We also offer various product options and will tailor our services to meet your needs. However, you also have options other than ramps that could be more convenient in specific locations.

These options include stairlifts, inclined platform lifts, or vertical platform lifts. We can assist in installing these products as well. The choice will likely depend on your budget.

If you prefer to stick with wheelchair ramps, we can get creative with the ramps since there are many different styles. The following ramps are best suited for a place of worship; there are also several types of ramps perfect for traveling or for your home.

Wheelchair Ramps at your Place of Worship

Threshold – These are smaller ramps designed to sit against the curb or the threshold of a door making it easier, once installed in the building, for people with wheelchairs to get around.

Modular Ramps – A more significant and permanent ramp. These ramps do not require a building permit because they can be taken down and reassembled at another location. The material usually is made of aluminum. Aluminum is the best material for outdoor and commercial ramps because it does not warp or rust.

Permanent Ramps – A building permit is required for these ramps because they are made of concrete or wood and cannot be moved once they are set in place. The construction time may take longer because the ramp is built on-site. Our Next Day Access team ensures that these ramps are aesthetically pleasing since they will be a permanent fixture.

At Next Day Access, we are proud of our work. We ensure that our ramps are slip-resistant, easy to access, and durable. Whether you need a ramp replaced or notice you need a ramp added to your place of worship, we are happy to assist.

Please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, we will visit your place of worship and help you determine the best ramps to use and the best locations for the ramps.

An estimated 40 million Americans are living with arthritis and suffer side effects from the disease daily. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, yet rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are the most common. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects joints. It is a chronic pain condition and, if left untreated, can cause disabilities.

Maintaining a happy, active lifestyle can be difficult due to the joint pain, stiffness, and swelling caused by arthritis. We’ve listed some helpful tips and techniques to help make everyday tasks more manageable.

4 Tips for Living with Arthritis

Eat a Diet Rich in Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Arthritis can cause severe inflammation. Foods such as nuts, beans, fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or high-fiber bread help reduce inflammation.

Exercise Regularly

Low-impact exercises can help prevent stiffness and pain. Some great forms of exercising include swimming, cycling, or walking. You can also consider a low-impact yoga class incorporating gentle stretching into your routine. Stretching can move your joints through their full range of motion.

Stop Smoking

There are a variety of reasons smoking is bad for your health. One of those reasons is that if you live with arthritis pain, the toxins from cigarette smoke can make the pain worse. The toxins directly harm the connective tissue around joints, potentially leading to more pain.

Assistive Devices

Assistive devices such as a cane, walker, wrist cast, or even shoe inserts can make daily life easier on your joints.

At Next Day Access, we offer several assistive devices, including walkers, grab bars, railings, and more. Our goal is to help people find solutions when they have issues with mobility by providing accessibility devices and mobility equipment.

When you use assistive devices, it can make it easier for you to perform your everyday tasks. We hope the devices will improve your quality of life and help you better manage your condition. Don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access if you have questions about our products and services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 130 million people in the United States have diabetes or are pre-diabetic. Nearly 50% of adults over the age of 65 are pre-diabetic. If you are a caregiver, there is a chance you are helping manage diabetes in aging adults or needing to learn about pre-diabetes.

If it is not controlled, long-term complications can include:

Nerve Damage
Stroke
Blindness
Hearing Impairment
Heart Attack
Kidney Failure
Need for Amputation
Skin Infections

We have made an essential checklist for caregivers supporting someone with diabetes. This checklist will hopefully give them a better quality of life by leading a healthier lifestyle.

5 Ways to Help Manage Diabetes in Aging Adults

Learn about Diabetes

To ensure you give the best care it is important you educate yourself on diabetes. So, what is diabetes?

According to the World Health Organization, “Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar) which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.”.

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1 – Where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.

Type 2 – Affects the way the body processes blood sugar.

Pre-diabetes – A condition in which blood sugar is high, yet not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes.

For more information on diabetes, visit these online resources, American Diabetes Association or Mayo Clinic.

Help Aging Adults with Exercise

Being physically active helps keep blood sugar levels down and aids in weight loss. However, it’s important to know the best time to exercise. If the blood sugar is low, it could be dangerous to exercise. It is best after a meal, when blood sugar levels are generally higher.

Determine Stress Relieving Techniques

Blood sugar levels rise when a person is agitated, frustrated, and stressed. People that do not have diabetes have a fight or flight mechanism when stress increases. This mechanism does not work for people with diabetes—instead, their blood sugar spikes. Teach your aging loved one positive stress relieving techniques such as yoga and meditation.

Ensure the Aging Adult has a Medical ID

With diabetes, you can have diabetic emergencies at any time. These emergencies include fainting from low blood sugar, going into shock from diabetic ketoacidosis, or even developing a wound that turns into a severe infection.

When you cannot be with your loved one a Medical ID tag can be a helpful tool for anyone coming to your loved one’s aid. You could also consider purchasing a medical alert piece of jewelry that sends a message to 911 with the push of a button.

Help with Self-Monitoring

There are at-home blood sugar monitors that track accurate blood glucose levels. Teach them how to use this device properly and record how their diet, physical activity, and stress are being controlled over time.

There are support groups available for caregivers of aging adults with diabetes. At Next Day Access, we are also here to lend a hand. We offer accessibility devices like grab bars and handles or mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and scooters.

Sometimes your loved one will feel weak as they battle diabetes, and we have solutions to help them in those times. Don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access if you have questions about our products and services.