home safety Archives

These days, Canadians live longer, most even reaching the age of 100. Canada saw an increase of almost 26% in centenarians between 2006-2011. This increase is the second-highest increase among all age groups.

According to the Office of Actuary data, the average lifespan now for Canadians ages 65 and above is around 87 for men and 89 for women. Most of these aging adults would prefer to age in place.

What is Aging in Place?

Aging in place means having access to social support and health services to keep you safely living independently at home as you age. To age in place, you need to prepare your home to be safe and comfortable. “Plan for the future today to help you live the life you want tomorrow.”

Here is an Aging in Place Checklist to help you determine if you are ready to age in place and to help you progress to a stage where you can easily live out your life at home.

An Aging In Place Checklist:

1. How is your health?

In Canada, there are laws allowing people close to you to make health care decisions for you if they feel you are not able to make decisions for yourself. It is good to check with your territory or province or speak to a lawyer about appointing someone you trust to make your healthcare decisions. Overall, how is your current health?

Are you physically active?
Do you eat nutritiously?
Do you schedule routine appointments with your doctors, including eye doctors and dentists?
Do you experience good mental health? For example, do you have bouts of depression or anxiety, and if so, will you take steps to address them?
Do you limit your alcohol intake to a safe amount?
Do you smoke?
Do you limit alcohol when taking prescription medications that could interfere with alcohol?
Do you regularly speak with your doctor about pre-existing medical conditions and the best way to receive treatment?

If you choose to age in place, you must try to remain as healthy as possible. Electronic tools can remind you to take your medicine or perhaps give you steps for exercising at home. Etc.

2. Is your home in good shape?

The shape of your home is a critical aspect of aging in place. As you age, your home will need to support your mobility and health needs adequately. Many aging adults choose to add accessibility equipment here and there to help make purchasing equipment a gradual expense.

You could start by adding grab bars in the bathroom or changing to a walk-in tub, putting solid handrails around the house, and eventually adding a wheelchair ramp. At Next Day Access, we offer nearly everything you need for your home to help you age in place safely and comfortably.

We can also install our products quickly whether you need a vehicle lift for your car or a stairlift, our installation team will see that you are safe in your home.

It is also important that if you have foundation problems, roofing issues, or dry rot, you fix those soon.

3. Do you have a good support group and community?

Do you have solid friendships or family nearby that could stop in to check on you? If not, can you afford to employ an at-home nurse if needed? Do you have an active social life so you will not feel lonely at home? If not, you should look into volunteering.

Volunteering will keep you connected with your community and is associated with increased happiness, longevity, and satisfaction for aging adults.

4. Are you Safe?

Aging adults are at a higher risk for falls. Falls for aging adults are more severe and could cause a broken leg, hip bone, or other significant injuries. Therefore, it is essential that you are as safe as possible. Make sure you have slip-free bathmats in the bathroom, and if you become unsteady on your feet, invest in equipment like grab bars to keep you safe.

What do you need to do better to age in place comfortably and safely? Use this as a guide of what you need to work on so you can age in place gracefully. Be sure to contact us at Next Day Access when it is time to add accessibility devices to your home or if you need mobility equipment.

Our goal is to provide every solution available to help aging adults or individuals with mobility concerns live independently in their homes.

For aging adults, the stairs in their homes can become too dangerous to navigate. They may have limited mobility, accessibility concerns, lack of stability, or weakened muscles. When the stairs seem too challenging, many aging adults may think it is time for an assisted living community or a home with no stairs. At Next Day Access, our goal is to find solutions so aging adults can age safely and comfortably at home. We offer various stairlifts, some even suit curved stairs. Many individuals do not realize how cost-effective it is to put in a stairlift rather than move. We can even have your stairlift installed in no time with as little intrusion on your day-to-day as possible. Other than stairlifts being cost-effective, here are a few other benefits you will find when choosing to install a stairlift:

Stairlifts prevent injuries

Injury prevention is the most obvious benefit of installing a stairlift. You are less likely to slip and fall downstairs, which is the most common area that presents a high-risk fall. Just missing one step can result in a broken leg, hip, or other injuries.

Stairlifts are easy to use

Stairlifts are extremely easy to operate. When using the stairlift, you sit on the seat, put on the seatbelt, and press the switch on the armrest. Once you are at the top of the stairs, release the switch, and the lift will come to a rest.

If you find yourself at the top of the stairs but the stairlift is at the bottom, there are remotes you can leave upstairs and downstairs to send the stairlift to where it needs to be.

Stairlifts are comfortable

You can purchase a lift with extra cushion, but most people feel the standard lift is already very comfortable. There is a stairlift called the Bruno Elite, which is considered the highest quality because the seat, back, and armrest all have padded cushions.

Stairlifts restore independence

We once had an installer tearfully tell us about a sweet interaction with a customer. The customer was so thrilled with her stairlift because she was always stuck on the top floor, too afraid to go down the stairs for fear of falling. She was delighted she could now order a pizza since she had a stairlift! It’s such a simple thing, but having independence in your home is vital for your physical and mental health.

These are just a few of the benefits of installing a stairlift in your home. Our goal at Next Day Access is to help aging adults and individuals with mobility difficulties feel safe and comfortable at home. We are able to do this because we offer several solutions for accessibility concerns, including stairlifts, wheelchair ramps, porch lifts, and much more. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for all your mobility and accessibility needs.

Medicaid is a state-administered federally controlled health insurance program. It covers vulnerable people from birth to age 65 and beyond. The system and its rules, however, can be confusing, especially if you are attempting to navigate it for a loved one or patient.

Since 1965, Medicaid has provided insurance for families, but its importance rose recently due to the rising costs of medical services and medication. Sadly, the most considerable financial toll is on people who need it the most, including children, disabled people, and aging adults. These individuals depend on Medicaid to afford the services and support they need to have a good quality of life.

Medicaid is an excellent resource for aging adults since it works with Medicare and provides comprehensive coverage. Understanding the nuances of Medicaid like who it covers and who qualifies for coverage, however, can be confusing. Requirements vary from state to state.

What Does Medicaid Cover?

Here are some of the required coverages of Medicaid:

Hospital care
Skilled nursing
In-home care
Doctor’s visits
Preventative care
Wellness screenings
Medical Transportation
Diagnostics

Who Qualifies for Medicaid?

Forty-two states have now adopted the optional Special Income Level standard to qualify for Medicaid. Under the special income rule, people expected to need nursing home care for at least 30 days can earn up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income Federal Benefit Rate. Many states have set the income level to be $794, which is 100% of the FBR. Other states require individuals to use all of their income for institutionalized long-term care before Medicaid kicks in. Luckily, there are different ways for people who have medical needs to qualify.

Asset Limits and Exemptions

Medicaid is strict with its asset limits of $2000 per applicant, but they allow for some exemptions. For example, if your spouse needs nursing home care, but you plan on staying at home, you may be entitled to keep a certain amount of assets.

The following items are considered assets:

Investments
Cash in bank accounts
Second vehicles or homes
Life insurance policies
Revocable trusts
Certain Annuities

These items are considered exempt assets:

Retirement accounts
A primary vehicle
A primary home
Personal property
Household items

The American Council of Aging offers a state-by-state eligibility guide for further information. You can also find additional support at MedicaidPlanningAssistance.org. This website will help find the income limit by state.

At Next Day Access, we care about aging adults getting the support they need to live their best lives. We offer our support by providing the products they need to help with mobility and accessibility. Contact us today to schedule your free in-home complimentary consultation.

If you are working with a doctor to help the aging adult in your life get the best care possible, how do you determine if every recommended treatment or test will be harmful or helpful? Yes, Doctors are the experts when it comes to treating disease, but you are the expert at knowing what the aging adult in your life wants or needs.

Therefore, it is important you attend every doctor’s visit with them. Some aging adults may not be able to convey their direct wishes and rely on you to help them speak with the doctor.

The doctor needs you to let them know if the treatments they would like to try are realistic for the aging adult’s situation and if they will actually improve their quality of life.

Here is a list of 5 questions you should have prepared to ask the doctor at your loved one’s next appointment.

5 Questions Aging Adults Should Ask Doctors to Prepare

Do they really need this test? Usually, the tests are essential because they help the doctor or nurse determine the correct treatment. Yet, if the tests are invasive or painful, your loved one might not want to go this route. If you and the doctor agree the tests are crucial, you could take some time alone with your loved one to gently explain why the tests are important and encourage them. Remember, however, the choice is ultimately up to them.

What are the risk factors of the tests or treatments? Will there be side effects? Will the results involve more testing, possibly leading to another procedure?

Is there a safer or simpler option? There is a chance that your loved one just needs to make lifestyle changes, such as eating better and getting more exercise.

What happens if your loved one decides they do not want to do any tests or treatments? Ask the doctor if the condition will get better or worse if they do not have the tests right away?

How much will the treatments or tests cost? Again, this is your opportunity to determine how much their insurance may cover. It would help if you also used this time to ask about generic medication vs. name-brand medication.

Be an ally to the aging adult in your life. Make sure you talk to the doctor about them receiving the right amount of care. For more questions aging adults should ask doctors, go to 50 Questions You Should Always Ask Your Doctor After 50.

At Next Day Access, our goal is to support caretakers and aging adults by offering all the supplies they need to live a comfortable and safe life at home. We offer everything from wheelchairs to in-home elevators. We also offer smaller devices such as handrails or grab bars. Contact us today for a complimentary in-home consultation.

Sadly, many people in hospitals or nursing homes receive care that aligns not with their wishes. Aging adults need to voice their end-of-life requests to their families and caretakers. One of the biggest requests by aging adults is the desire to die at home surrounded by loved ones and not in a hospital room. If they express their wishes, the provider may see if palliative care or hospice care can be brought in for at-home treatment.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care exists for patients living with severe illnesses such as heart failure or cancer. It is usually a step before Hospice care. The palliative care team focuses on treatment to provide the medication needed and maintain maximum comfort for the patient. The goals are to enhance the patient’s life by focusing on their quality of life and help release some pressure from caretakers or family. The organized services supplied by this type of care can be helpful to an aging adult.

A patient can receive palliative care along with curative care and may start at the time of diagnosis. Yet, over time if the doctor or palliative team believes ongoing treatment is no longer helping, they can either continue with comfort care or agree to call in hospice care.

What is Hospice?

The website seniorsafetyadvice.com provides an excellent definition of hospice.

Hospice is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient. They manage the pain and symptoms and attend to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering. Hospice care provides an alternative to therapies focused on life-prolonging measures that may be arduous, likely to cause more symptoms, or are not aligned with a person’s goals.

Many people think hospice signals the end, but that is not always the case. Hospice services exist to help within the palliative care space as well. Although palliative care predominately exists for terminally ill individuals, it also treats illness. Even if your doctor says your loved one has a 20% chance of living, your loved one can qualify for palliative care.

Hospice care is beneficial for your loved one and helps the caretakers as well. Once the hospice nurse arrives, you can expect them to help make sure your loved one has all the equipment and medication needed and will then connect you with the appropriate person for the following services. Most hospice nurses, however, perform the following tasks:

Nursing care
Grief counseling
Social Work Services
Clergy visitations
Homemaking assistance
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech-language therapy
Pain management

At Next Day Access, we are here to help you as you go through these challenging days with your loved one or patient. We offer many different devices that help to ensure your loved one is safe and comfortable. We also offer a complimentary consultation to help you determine if you need additional accessibility devices at your home. Contact us when you are ready, and we will help.

As we age, we develop normal age-related memory loss, and sometimes our memory loss could relate to lack of sleep or stress. However, sometimes your frequent memory loss could be a sign of premature Alzheimer’s.

Studies show if Alzheimer’s disease is caught early, it can be treated with anti-dementia medication, which slows the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, however, many doctors attribute the signs of Alzheimer’s to getting older and not the disease. Here are some of the differences between normal forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s:

Retrieving Memories

You might have issues remembering things from long ago with normal age-related memory loss. Still, you usually remember something you might have forgotten with aids such as context clues. However, for people battling Alzheimer’s, even recent memories cannot be retrieved.

For example, when diagnosing a patient with Alzheimer’s, the doctor might give them three words. One of the words is “apple.” However, when the doctor asks the patient to repeat the three words, and they cannot repeat them, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s.

Here is a portion of a summary from the website verywellhealth.com that shares the differences between forgetfulness caused by normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

Normal Aging

Memory improves with context clues.
Vocabulary and relationship understanding remains intact.
Able to remember the order of things and who said what.
Aware a memory problem exists.
Functioning remains good despite forgetfulness.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Recent memory is poor, and cueing clues or contexts does not help.
Unaware memory problems exist.
They are frequently demonstrating poor judgment and decision-making.
Often disoriented to time and place
Difficulty with familiar chores
Repetitiveness becomes obvious
Memory intrusions occur

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we at Next Day Access understand the heartbreak and frustration associated with the diagnosis. We are here for you. We offer numerous products that help people battling Alzheimer’s remain safe in their homes. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

If you are the caretaker for an aging loved one, you must be vigilant when fall proofing your home. Fall prevention is an essential part of helping prevent falls in aging adults and keeping them safe and healthy.

Aging adults are already at a higher risk of falls due to various age-related risk factors. If a fall occurs, aging adults are at a much higher risk of serious injury and face a more challenging recovery process.

At Next Day Access, we offer several accessibility and mobility devices to keep our aging loved ones from falling. Our goal is that your aging loved one can age safely in place.

Here are a few warning signs your loved one might not be as steady on their feet. If you notice any of these signs, we urge you to contact us so we can help.

Warning Signs to Help Prevent Falls in Aging Adults:

A decline in eyesight or hearing

Poor balance when walking, possibly with an uneven gait

Injuries, pain or stiffness in feet, ankles, knees, or hips

Relying on support when walking, sitting down, or getting up

Newly diagnosed conditions such as Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Arthritis, or Hypertension.

Cognitive impairment or dementia

New prescriptions with side effects include drowsiness, muscle weakness, poor balance, poor vision, or dizziness.

Avoid Slip Hazards or Obstacles

Steps without handrails and proper lighting
Showers and bathtubs without a non-slip tread rug
Hard to reach important items
Hallways without proper nighttime lighting
Any loose items or rugs could be a trip hazard

Next Day Access offers almost everything you need to keep your aging loved one safe. We have everything from grab bars for the bathroom, railings for hallways and steps, and even stair lifts and wheelchair ramps. Contact us today to set up a complimentary consultation.

A vehicle lift is a mobility tool that helps individuals who use a wheelchair or a scooter. The scooter or wheelchair can be safely stored inside or outside the vehicle with little effort and transported to the destination for use by installing a vehicle lift in a van or on a vehicle. Being able to take a mobility device on the go is very helpful for people that would otherwise be homebound.

There are a variety of vehicle lifts available for purchase. Rest assured the professionals at Next Day Access will help you choose the right lift for your needs. To ensure you get the best vehicle lift for your needs, here are three questions to ask before buying a vehicle lift.

What type of lift do you need?

The type of vehicle lift you need will depend on several factors, but an essential element is what kind of vehicle you drive. It is good to research which lift is most compatible with your vehicle.

For example, if you have a van, the vehicle lift will differ from the vehicle lift for a sedan. You will also want to consider if you need more cargo space in the vehicle. If so, a Bruno Out-Sider Vehicle Lift may be a good option for you.

Is the lift easy to operate and install?

At Next Day Access, we can install your vehicle lift quickly with little interruption to your daily activities. How your vehicle lift operates is up to you. You can choose between electric vehicle lifts or a manual vehicle lift. Each version has its benefits.

The electric version allows you to slide your mobility device onto the lift and have it lifted and secured with a button push. A manual lift uses a rolling mechanism where you manually roll the lift into its proper position.

Is the vehicle lift ADA compliant?

What does it mean for a vehicle lift to be ADA compliant? According to the ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act website, this act was put in place to outline a specific set of standards that facilities, workplaces, and accommodations must obey.

Therefore, when a company is ADA compliant, the mobility devices they sell, including vehicle lifts, must meet ADA standards. These standards ensure that you are less likely to be injured using their products.

At Next Day Access, we are ADA compliant. If you have any questions about the Next Day Access vehicle lifts or any mobility or accessibility product, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts have you covered from the most common questions to specific technical and safety details.

When someone has a disability, getting into a pool can be a struggle and unsafe. Pool lifts are assistive aquatic access devices designed for people with disabilities or limited mobility who need help getting into a pool safely.

At Next Day Access, we offer a variety of pool lifts, and we understand deciding which lift is best for you can be confusing. Here are some tips on choosing the right pool lift for your home.

How To Choose a Pool Lift for Your Home

Portable or Fixed?

At times, customers prefer a pool lift that does not require permanent installation. In this case, a portable lift might be best since it can be stored or moved when not in.

If you would rather not worry have to store it, you would likely prefer a fixed pool lift.

What type of disability support will you need?

If you have arthritis or a weakened lower body, you may not need a pool lift with foot and headrests. Most pool lifts are designed for people who lack a full range of motion or control of their limbs. We recommend a chair featuring an armrest, back, neck, and leg support along with a secure belting system.

Weight Capacity

Any ADA-compliant pool lift must support a minimum of 300 pounds. You can, however, find pool lifts designed for bariatric use that will hold up to 450 pounds.

Power Source

You have three options for operating your pool lift. You can opt for a manual lift with a hand crank, a hydraulic lift that harnesses the pool’s water pressure, or a battery-operated lift.

The portable lift is always battery-operated due to its design. If you plug it into a power source between uses, you can recharge the battery. A properly cared for pool lift battery can last up to 5 years.

Aesthetics

You can find pool lifts in various styles, even stylish, sleek, and low-profile versions. People that want to keep their pool deck tranquil usually go for a sleeker pool lift.

Design details such as lift installation permanence and rotating systems make a difference in the aesthetics of your lift. If an individual needs more support using the pool lift, consider the additional features you will need for the lift.

Next Day Access has many options available to access your spa or pool. Our pool lifts are economical and ADA compliant with sleek, low-profile designs. Contact us today if you have additional questions and learn how to choose a pool lift or schedule an installation.

Many family caregivers do not get proper training on transferring someone with mobility difficulties from one place to another. For example, one of the most common tasks is to help someone in a wheelchair move safely to a toilet. Thankfully, there are a handful of toilet transfer techniques to help you.

If you do not do the transfer correctly, you could injure yourself or your loved one. We found a few transfer tips from Daily Caring we would like to share with you.

4 Toilet Transfer Techniques for Family Caregivers

Prep the Space

Remove rugs, bathmats, or any other trip hazards in the bathroom in the space you need for transferring.
Move the wheelchair feet out of the way.
Have your body set to perform the transfer.
Move the wheelchair into the proper position and lock the brakes.

Help Them Up From the Wheelchair

Have your loved one scoot up to the edge of the wheelchair and lean forward.
Ask them to either hold your forearms or put their hands on the arms of the wheelchair and push up.
Stand directly in front of them, hold their waist and stand up together, keeping your body stiff and controlled. Use your knees to lower and raise your body. Do not bend over. Bending over is how you could injure your back.
If their legs are not strong, put your knees in front of theirs while they stand. This is called blocking.
If they are weaker on one side, stand on that side to provide additional support.

Sit Them on the Toilet

Using small steps, guide them to pivot and turn 90 degrees and back up until the toilet seat is at the back of their knees.
Help them pull down their pants and undergarments.
Have them bend their knees and easily lower themselves down to the seat. Once again, use your knees to raise and lower your body to avoid injury.
Consider investing in a Bio Bidet. Bio Bidet is known for having the best toilets and toilet seats for all homes. In addition, the cleansing method utilizing a water stream sets them apart from their competition. The Bio Bidet will help ensure that your loved one gets as clean as possible after using the restroom.

Return to the Wheelchair

Get them to move forward on the toilet seat and lean towards you.
Ask them to hold your forearms and push up.
Stand close to them so you can hold on to their waist while you both stand.
Using small steps helps them pivot 90 degrees again and back to the wheelchair. But, first, make sure the brakes are still locked on the wheelchair.
Once they feel the wheelchair seat at the back of their legs, they slowly return to a seated position. You will need to hold their waist as they take a seat.

Essential Safety Tips for Transfer

Never try to pull an older adult up.
Bend from the waist.
Do not let them hold on to towel bars or toilet paper holders, as these could be non-sturdy and cause them to slip.
Make sure they do not hold you by the shoulders or the neck. This will help to prevent injury.

At Next Day Access, anyone with difficulty in mobility can find products to help keep them safe at home and on the go. For the bathroom specifically, we offer Toilet Support Arms, Grab Bars, Drive Commode Chairs, Bio Bidets, and more. Contact us to see the many ways we can help improve your life.