mental health Archives

We all know that walking is good for physical and mental health. But did you know that walking can keep your brain healthy and slow the progression of memory loss? A recent study found that middle-aged and older people with early signs of memory loss increased their cognitive health after they started walking frequently. This is because walking increases oxygen and blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain.

What happens to our brains when we walk

If our brains receive more oxygen, that’s a good thing. According to Neuropeak Pro, our brains use about 20% of our body’s total oxygen supply, so if we don’t get enough oxygen up there, it’s easy to feel “foggy.”

Additionally, a third of our brain is made up of blood vessels. So with increased blood flow to the brain, there is better cognitive function, improved memory, and protection against decline.

Walking several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes can:

Keep thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp
Improve memory and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment
Slow the progress of Alzheimer’s
Increase the size of the part of the brain that’s associated with memory formation.

More research is needed to know how physical activity may improve memory. However, it is important to walk and exercise to stay healthy physically and mentally. At Next Day Access, our goal is to help you keep safe and comfortable while aging in place. We offer accessibility and mobility solutions for your home. Contact us to schedule a free home-assessment.

World Occupational Therapy Day is on Wednesday, October 27^th of this year. This day was initially launched to celebrate and heighten the visibility of occupational therapy. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Belong. Be you.” This year’s theme promotes the power of diversity and inclusion as we work together to build community and resilience.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy teaches you how to adapt. After an illness or injury, tasks may not be as easy as they used to be, especially if the pain is involved. Your OT will set up a plan to improve the way you accomplish activities. They determine if you need to learn how to do things in a completely new way or if you need assistance with remembering how you once performed the task. If they notice the lesson is painful, they will help you figure out how to achieve your everyday activities with minimum pain.

People with the following struggles find enormous relief when they see an occupational therapist:

Spinal cord injury
Low vision
Alzheimer’s disease
Poor balance
Cancer
Diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Cerebral palsy
Mental health or behavioral issues
Joint replacement
New Injuries that change the way the patient will function through life

Occupational Therapists Aid Seniors Choosing to Age in Place

While Occupational Therapists excel at helping those with an injury, disability or illness, they can also help if you have an older loved one choosing to age in place. They can teach them how to adjust to daily life, whether it be bathing, dressing, or learning how to adapt to home modifications.

At Next Day Access, we are proud to aid occupational therapists when they need products for their patient’s homes. We have a wide variety of mobility equipment, home modifications, and accessibility products to help ensure that anyone living with a disability or aging in place is secure and comfortable at home. You can even contact us for a free in-home consultation.

Now more than ever, scams are much more common. While anyone can get scammed, most times, it’s your aging loved ones that are the victims. To help combat this form of elderly abuse and really avoid elder fraud altogether, we went to Consumer Reports and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to get their tips on keeping our loved ones safe from fraud artists.

Of the different forms of elderly abuse or elder fraud, financial scams are the most prevalent. In these scenarios, a senior citizen is coerced, bullied, or tricked into relinquishing their hard-earned assets. Studies show that only 1 in 44 victims report the crime, making it more difficult for the FBI to combat it.

Additionally, seniors may be less inclined to report fraud because they do not know how, or they may be too ashamed of having been defrauded. They also may be concerned their relatives will lose confidence in their abilities to manage their finances. And when one chooses to report a crime, they may be unable to give detailed information to investigators.

“Often the ones in a position to see what is happening in time to help stop a fraud are the ones who are part of the payment process. They include the banks, gift card sellers, and others,” says George Slover, senior policy counsel for Consumer Reports. But there is still a long way to go in stopping fraud against senior citizens, and individuals are still the first line of defense.

A few tips to keep you or your loved ones protected against fraud:

Search online for the contact information and the proposed offer. Sometimes you can find other people post information online about a similar scam.
Resist from acting quickly. Scammers rush their victims and like to create a sense of urgency and persuade victims into an immediate action.
Don’t respond to text messages or calls that come from numbers you don’t recognize. If it’s important, the caller will more than likely leave a voicemail.
Be aware of emails that note a change of financial information, attachments, links, unusual content and requests. Validate changes to financial date by photo with a trusted contact every time.

Your protection and safety are top of mind. To learn more about how to stay safe from fraud, the FBI site has a list of common scam scenarios, resources, and more.

Research suggests that listening or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The reason being is that the brain area linked to musical memory is undamaged by Alzheimer’s. It has been proven that music aids in relieving stress, reducing anxiety and depression, mildly improving memory loss, and calming agitated patients. It can also provide a way for caregivers to connect with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s who have difficulty communicating.

This type of therapy has been proven to bring patients who have dementia to a better place cognitively and emotionally. There are many more reasons for music therapy than just its ability to help with memory loss. Others include:

Treatment for pain management
Physical issues involving gross motor skills or fine motor skills processing grief
Strengthening respiratory function
Stress management
Physical and cognitive health issues

If you would like to use music to help a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, consider these tips:

Think about your loved one’s taste in music. What music brings back memories of happy times in your loved one’s life? Involve family by asking them to suggest songs to make playlists.
Set a mood with your choice of music. Play music or sing a soothing song to calm your loved one during mealtime or a morning hygiene routine. When you would like to encourage and excite your loved one’s mood, then you can choose more upbeat music.
Avoid overstimulation. When playing music, diminish competing noises if possible.
Encourage movement. Help your loved ones to clap along or tap their feet to the beat.
Sing along. Singing along to music with your loved ones can enhance the mood and strengthen their trust in you. Some early studies also suggest singing can help stimulate unique memories.
Pay attention to your loved one’s response. If your loved one enjoys certain songs, play them often. If your loved one reacts negatively to a particular piece or type of music, change the song right away.

While the disease currently has no cure, others focus on different ways to improve a patient’s quality of life. Music offers many benefits for Alzheimer’s patients in varying stages of the disease. At Next Day Access, the primary goal is to provide your aging loved one with a comfortable home that is safe and secure. We specialize in making sure your home has all the home modifications in place to keep your loved one happy at home. Contact us to schedule an in-home consultation.

Even though porch season is winding down, we wanted to share with our readers how convenient and efficient a porch lift, also known as a vertical platform lift (VPL) can be for people with limited mobility. A porch lift is a cost-effective solution to gaining access to reach raised porches, decks, and other elevated areas for wheelchair, power chair, and other mobility devices.

Often when there is not enough space for a ramp, porch lifts can be a solution. Here are a few reasons you might decide if one is suitable for you.

Less Space Than a Ramp

Trying to decide whether you need a ramp or a lift? How much space do you have? A porch lift will require a 5′ by 7′ area regardless of the rise. A ramp’s size will increase with every step.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives guidelines for ramps. It is a good reference point for ramp slope and length. At a residential home, the standards are different, but for public property, the ADA Standards require a 1:12 slope ratio or 4.8-degree slope.

That requires for every inch that rises, an additional foot is added to the ramp length. For example, if an entrance has three steps with a 7″ riser per step, it will require a 21′ ramp.

Although these calculations were based on a public space, it shows just how significant a ramp is compared to a porch lift. If your space is small at home, a porch lift can be a better use of space than a ramp.

Simple and Safe Without Assistance

Of course, there can be safety concerns with any moving platform. However, with a porch lift, you do not need to be dependent on a caregiver. If your mobility allows you to hold down the lever or button, you can operate a porch lift and thus be able to come and go as you please.

It Works in Weather Conditions and Requires Little Maintenance.

Porch lifts can withstand weather conditions. If temperatures consistently drop below freezing in the area where you live, consider a cold-weather package to ensure your lift will run smoothly on frigid days. It is recommended to have your porch lift serviced annually to help avoid malfunctions.

At Next Day Access, we are proud to sell, install, and service porch lifts. Our company goal is to provide products for our customers that give them more independence, keep them safer and more comfortable at home. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation to help you ensure your home is accessible as it can be.

Have you reached the point in life where it is time to take care of the parents or grandparents that once took care of you? As your loved ones grow older, they often need help with small tasks like picking up groceries, making health-related decisions, or bathing. Whatever their needs may be, it is essential to be supportive and not overbearing. Here are a few steps to help guide you as you navigate supporting an aging loved one.

Step 1: Assess Their Needs

Assessing your loved one’s needs is most important when learning to be supportive rather than making them feel like they have not lost their independence. Experts recommend considering the following issues seniors often face to help you better assess their needs:

Family support
Home safety
Medical needs
Cognitive health
Mobility
Personal hygiene
Meal preparation
Social interaction

How well do they handle each area listed above? Try to monitor their ability to address each of these areas on their own. Regarding family support, is there another family that can help? If so, it is an innovative idea for you to keep a family notebook. In this notebook, you can share with family when you notice they might lack the ability to care for themselves or are unsafe. You can work together to make the necessary changes.

Step 2: Be Financially Prepared

As parents or loved ones grow older, they may need help managing finances. While having conversations about money can be awkward, and some may want to avoid it, discussing it now can help prepare for the future. You can start the conversation by asking about essential documents, gathering information about accounts and key contacts, and helping with deciding long-term plans. If you talk to your loved ones now, it will give them more control over financial decisions, so you aren’t overwhelmed with what they would want in an emergency.

Step 3: Install Home Modifications

To avoid your loved one from sustaining an injury in their home, having accessibility experts evaluate their home for any safety concerns is essential. Older adults fall easier, and a fall can cause injuries or even death. With home modifications, such as grab bars or stairlifts, your loved one can live comfortably and safely at home.

It is a noble endeavor to take on someone else’s needs. It can sometimes feel daunting, yet if you have a plan, you will be more capable of meeting your loved one’s needs. Next Day Access is here to help. Next Day Access can assist you with determining the home modifications you will need to ensure your loved one stays as safe as possible. Contact us for a free in-home consultation.

Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s Disease. Currently, 200,000 Americans under 65 have early on-set Alzheimer’s disease. Every year on September 21, 2021, we commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day. We observe World Alzheimer’s day every year to bring awareness and educate people about this debilitating disease. By celebrating the day, it brings awareness to the disease, so we can highlight the issues that people with dementia are encountering. It is a chance for people to show how to overcome these issues while helping those with dementia.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes brain cells to degenerate and die. It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior that affects daily life. The cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, and currently, there is no cure for it. It accounts for over 60% of dementia cases, and the numbers are steadily increasing.

Each year for World Alzheimer’s Day, there is a theme to help start discussions about the disease. This year the theme of the 2021 campaign is Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s, and it is all about the power of knowledge. The campaign goal is to shine a light on the warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis. In honor of this day, we have compiled a list of warning signs of dementia. If your loved one exhibits any of these signs, we urge you to quickly seek the attention of a medical professional to get a timely diagnosis. The signs are taken directly from the CDC website, and they are as follows:

What are the warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

1. M emory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting events, repeating yourself, or relying on more aids to help you remember (like sticky notes or reminders).

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems:  having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: having problems cooking, driving places, using a cell phone, or shopping.

4. Confusion with time or place:  having trouble understanding an event that is happening later or losing track of dates.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: having more difficulty balancing or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often.

6. Recent problems with words in speaking or writing: having trouble following or joining a conversation or struggling to find a word you are looking for (saying “that thing on your wrist that tells time “Instead of “watch”).

7. Misplacing objects and losing the ability to retrace steps: placing car keys in the washer or dryer or not being able to retrace steps to find something.

8. Decreased or poor judgment: being a fraud victim, not managing money well, paying less attention to hygiene, or having trouble taking care of a pet.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: not wanting to go to church or other activities as you usually do, not being able to follow football games or keep up with what is happening.

10. Changes in mood and personality: getting easily upset in ordinary situations or being fearful or suspicious.

If these warning signs are present for you or your loved one, we strongly encourage you to seek medical attention. By being able to identify the warning signs and learning more about the disease, you or your loved ones can reach out for help and get the support you need.

Recognized by the National Alliance on Mental Health, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. A time to help raise awareness and educate those around us about how we can help those who may be struggling. A recent study showed that suicide occurs every 16 minutes. It is the 10th leading cause of death among all ages. It is important to continue to raise awareness about mental health and share resources on suicide prevention. In observation of this month, here is a list of questions that could help you take action if you think someone is suicidal. The following questions came directly from the “I’ve Got You Project” (ivegotyouproject.com) and are adapted from The Mayo Clinic.

Do you feel hopeless?
Do you think about dying?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
Are you thinking about suicide?
Have you ever thought about suicide before or tried to hurt yourself before?
Are you wanting to give up?
Have you thought about how or when you would do it?
Have you been drinking or using any drugs?
Do you have access to weapons or other means that can be used to hurt yourself?

If your friend or loved one answered yes to any of these questions and showing signs of suicidal behavior, take action by offering resources to show that they are not alone. Here are some further guidelines from The Mayo Clinic on what to do if you think someone is suicidal.

Encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.
Encourage the person to seek treatment. A suicidal or severely depressed person may not have the energy or motivation to find help. If the person does not want to consult a doctor or mental health provider, suggest finding help from a support group, crisis center, faith community, teacher, or other trusted person. You can offer support and advice — but remember that it is not your job to substitute for a mental health provider.
Offer to help the person take steps to get assistance and support. For example, you can research treatment options, make phone calls, and review.

It’s important to spread awareness and educate ourselves and others about mental health and suicide prevention. We encourage our readers who feel hopeless or depressed to call the National Suicide hotline if negative feelings arise.

Many caretakers, doctors, and nursing homes stress the importance of exercising mental health as well as physical health in seniors. A convenient and effortless resource to stimulate the brain is by using applications (apps) on electronic devices.

Brain Health Apps for Seniors

There are several benefits to putting apps on your or your loved one’s devices, such as increased mood, self-esteem, improved memory, and cognitive health. We have compiled a list of the most popular and entertaining brain health apps for seniors:

Luminosity

Luminosity tops the list of brain-stimulating apps. Neuroscientists specifically designed the app for older adults. The app has over 50 different games that help challenge the mind by increasing critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. The games within the app vary tremendously, thus keeping it from ever feeling dull.

Cognifit

Like Luminosity, Cognifit also contains several different games within the app, but you can compete with players from around the world. The app offers fun games to evaluate and train your memory.

Elevate

Elevate was selected by Apple as “App of the Year.” Another brain training app designed to increase focus, speaking abilities, math skills, memory, and critical thinking. Users can set on a personalized training program that elevates over time depending on your increasing aptitude and skill level.

Brain Health Made Simple

Each of these apps offer a variety of brain health activities to keep seniors sharp. As mentioned earlier, at Next Day Access, we care about our customers as if they were a part of our own family. It’s important that we share information that can help your mental health. If you or your loved one need any accessibility or mobility products for the home, contact us today to schedule a free home evaluation. Whatever your accessibility needs may be, we got you covered.

Those who find themselves caring for a loved one often realize the difficulty it can be to help them access doorways and entrances. There are different types of wheelchair ramps suitable for use in a home setting. Here is a look at some of the available options.

Aluminum Ramp

A popular material for ramps allowing access to a home is aluminum. These usually come in modules to be fit together. These modules work for most homes. You can also order a customized ramp if there are issues getting into the home. Aluminum wheelchair ramps are strong but lighter than other ramp materials which makes them ideal for moving around if needed. They also have a good strength-to-weight ratio so they are durable and safe.

Threshold Ramps

A threshold ramp, as the name implies, is designed to be used in a single doorway or opening in the home. It’s designed for an inside doorway, and one with a short rise. Even a seemingly small rise of 1.5” can be difficult when trying to get a wheelchair through the door. These come in a standard size and offer a safe incline for a wheelchair user to get up and down the ramp. Extra-wide threshold ramps are also available for larger entryways.

Portable Ramp

Portable ramps come in a variety of materials and sizes. The least expensive and lightest is made of aluminum. Portable options are available in different lengths and folding configurations to suit the need. They are designed to go along with you in a vehicle and use whenever, wherever they are needed. Whether at home or away, a portable ramp allows access to uneven surfaces like stairs or raised surfaces. The ramp is simply placed over the obstacle.

The single-fold ramp is designed to be folded easily and carried to the location where it is needed. It can be installed in just a few minutes and taken down quickly when done. Multi-fold portable ramps extend farther than the single-fold ramp. They can be folded multiple times so it becomes a small pack that is easily portable. The longer length is beneficial when covering a longer distance, or a taller obstacle needing more length to cover the additional height.

Interested in getting a wheelchair ramp for your home? Contact us at Next Day Access and let us help you make your house more accessible for you and your loved ones.