Seniors & Disabled

Anyone who has an elderly or disabled loved one or works with such patients knows that a fall can be devastating to their health and well-being no matter where it happens. A fall threatens independence and overall health. According to the CDC, more than one in four Americans 65 and older fall each year. These falls not only affect the health of those who experience them but generate significant personal and economic costs. But falling does not need to be an inevitability of aging and/or physical impairments; there are measures and programs that can be used to significantly reduce the risk of falling for our aging and disabled population.

While utilizing pill-splitters or crushers is beneficial in a hospital and other environments, there are also risks for using such a device. These risks include cross-contamination of different drugs, especially if there is not a cleaning procedure between different patients or drugs.1 This article will help break down the best practices of using a pill-splitter device to follow Joint Commission Standard: MM.05.01.07, which explains how to safely prepare medications.

National Service Dog Month is observed during the month of September. In this article, you’ll learn about service dogs, the environments they are trained to work in, and products that can be of assistance to you while you wait for your new companion.

Pilates is a perfect exercise regimen for older adults because it does not have the impact on the body that other forms of exercise do and is not nearly as severe on the joints as most workouts. Learn more about Pilates and its benefits to find out if it's the right exercise program for you!

Meals for those who have cerebral palsy, regardless of how severe the disorder is, can last much longer than the average mealtime. It can be difficult for adults with cerebral palsy (CP) to eat or drink if they have trouble controlling their hands. Fortunately, dining aids like weighted utensils and robotic feeders can help adults with CP go on to lead an independent life. Read this round up to learn about 12 dining aids that help increase user independence during mealtime!

Exercise is an important aspect of everyday life that improves health and decreases the risk of developing many diseases. Resistance training provides several benefits including weight management as well as increased flexibility and strength. This form of exercise also helps improve balance, which is crucial for wheelchair users. An increase in muscle tone helps to protect the joints and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Many individuals find that strength training improves their overall quality of life.

Alzheimer’s and other conditions can make daily tasks like eating, dressing, bathing, and walking difficult. Daily living aids can help people with Alzheimer’s disease stay independent and also help caregivers. Learn care tips and discover tools that can help in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Many people with Alzheimer’s disease experience significant weight loss
• This makes increasing food and liquid intake very important
• Research shows that using high-contrast tableware (compared to the food/drink) can increase consumption
• Red tableware provides high contrast for light and dark food, which is why it’s a popular choice
• There are a variety of colorful tableware and dining aids that can help increase food and drink intake in people with Alzheimer’s disease

For people living with a disability, the simple task of getting showered and dressed can provide a challenge. Fortunately, there are several shower and dressing aids available to those who have reduced mobility and dexterity. Each device is designed to assist with a specific area of dressing or bathing that you may find difficult due to restricted movement.

Learn more about these daily living aids that can make your life easier!

As you get older, it can become more difficult to get dressed independently. Daily tasks that used to be simple, like pulling on socks, can become more challenging due to arthritis and lack of balance. Avoid bending over and fiddling with tricky buttons with the help of these dressing aids!

Parkinson’s disease affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and its symptoms including tremors, limb rigidity, and balance problems can make bathing difficult.

These 11 bath and shower aids will help you stay independent!