Senior Memory Box Ideas

Walk-In Showers: The Timeless and Practical Choice   Walk-in showers not only provide a modern and open feel to any bathroom, but they also come in a variety of styles and designs to complement a wide range of aesthetic preferences. How to Maximize Space with a Walk-In Shower   One of the main advantages of walk-in showers is their versatility, as they can be customized to your desired size and style.  As you envision your dream bathroom, consider your bathing needs, preferred finishes, shower accessories and available shower unit space. If you have a smaller bathroom space, here are some tips to maximize the space inside your shower.  Corner shelves or built-in wall shelving provide convenient storage for toiletries    A sliding door can also be a space-saving solution, as it doesnt require extra clearance for the door to hinge open   A wall-mounted bench or chair can offer seating without occupying valuable space, making it both functional and space-efficient   Design Inspiration: Creative Shower Remodeling Ideas  Incorporating unique wall patterns, tiles and colors can drastically transform the look and feel of your bathroom. Take inspiration from Pinterest or interior design magazines for ideas you may want to replicate in your home. The Importance of Durability in Design If you want your new bathroom to look and feel timeless for years to come, selecting a long-lasting material for your shower base and shower walls is essential.  KOHLER LuxStone walls unique crushed stone construction provides durability and resistance to wear and tear. Additionally, KOHLER LuxStone shower walls are stain-resistant and nonporous, making them highly resistant to mold and mildew and exceptionally low-maintenance compared to other shower wall options, like tile or fiberglass.  Remodel with a LuxStone Walk-In Shower  When you remodel your bathroom with a KOHLER LuxStone shower, you get to choose from a selection of:    Seamless shower walls in various colors, patterns and textures   Showerheads and fixtures in a variety of styles and finishes  Glass shower doors in frameless barn door, sliding and pivot designs  Seamless shelving and storage options   Support and stability options, including grab bars, foot ledges and seating  Low-threshold shower bases and bathtubs   Our dedication to offering a truly customizable shower remodeling experience provides you with plenty of opportunities to make your vision a reality. And, with free design consultations always included, were here to help you every step of the way. The Safety Features of the KOHLER LuxStone Shower   If safety and security are major factors in your bathroom remodel, we may have the solutions you have been searching for. KOHLER LuxStone showers offer various adaptable safety features, making a comfortable and secure showering experience more easily accessible.     Low step-in threshold allows for easy entry and exit  Moveable and built-in seating options ensure that individuals can shower comfortably    Integrated grab bars offer extra stability  Your New Walk-In Shower from Inspiration to Installation           If youre considering updating your bathroom, choose KOHLER LuxStone for a high-quality, low-maintenance shower or bath with start-to-finish remodeling service always included. Call (800) 704-9847 to request your free design consultation today!   

Lets face it: theres never a great time to renovate. Opening your space to construction crews, losing access to rooms mid-remodel and enduring the thin but persistent layer of sheetrock dust on every surface of your home make taking the renovation plunge less than appealing. But if youre ready to make a change to your bathroom and remodel your shower, consider scheduling your remodel for the winter months. Read on to learn about the benefits of a winter shower remodel!Construction Crews Are More AvailableDuring busier times of the year, like spring and summer, you may have to wait for construction company availability rather than remodel on your preferred schedule. Designers, plumbers and electricians are also seasonally busy, with much lighter loads during the winter months. Planning your shower renovation for the winter season increases the likelihood that all necessary crew members are available.Your Renovation May Be SpeedierDepending on your renovation plans and the size of your construction crew, you may require special permitting. Just as construction companies are more available during the winter, so too are government officials responsible for permits. Homeowners who plan for a winter shower remodel may acquire their permits more quickly, shortening the length of their renovation.The Cost Of Materials May Be LowerYear-end sales on lumber, tile and other building materials can significantly reduce your renovation expenditures. Its typical for manufacturers to lower costs on premium materials during the winter months to make room for spring supplies. Keep an eye out for discounted materials starting around Black Friday and continuing through the season.It Makes Sense To Prioritize Interior ProjectsWinter weather makes for harsh construction conditions under which to pursue exterior renovations. When the temperature drops, consider addressing your interior to-dos instead. Remodeling your shower during the winter monthswhen its best to minimize your showering anyway to avoid drying out your skin and hairmeans a brand new shower to enjoy when temperatures rise again.Enjoy A Stress-Free, Seamless Remodel With KOHLER LuxStoneWith our expert designers, top-tier features and speedy installation, you can receive a luxury shower without all the hassle of a typical bathroom renovation. Ready to learn more? Contact us today for a free consultation.                                                                                  Request A Free Design Consultationor call (800) 704-9847  

Visit any critical care unit, childrens hospital, or other specialty inpatient facility, and youll find a common feature: therapy dogs. For decades, healthcare practitioners have understood the surprisingly positive effects on patients of time spend with cute and cuddly dogs. Therapy dogs reduce stress, improve mood, and can help patients reframe their outlook on whatever condition ails them. The positive effects of patient interactions with therapy dogs are a well-documented fact of the medical world. Senior citizens with limited mobility and other health conditions also benefit from the companionship of dogs. Owning a pet reduces feelings of loneliness among seniors living at home or in a retirement facility, which in turn greatly reduces the risk of diseases associated with loneliness and isolation. Pets can also decrease the number of stress hormones in a persons blood, lower blood pressure, and contribute to a more positive outlook on life. Dogs and other pets, it seems, have tremendous healing powers!Since Alzheimers patients cannot adequately care for a pet, owning one is out of the question. Considering the nature of Alzheimers dementia, it is easy to assume that a loved one may not benefit from a pet since they will not remember the interaction. Researchers, convinced therapy dogs would have a positive effect on Alzheimers patients, put this question to the test: Do Therapy Dogs Help Alzheimers Dementia Patients?Short-Term Benefits of Therapy Dogs for Patients with Alzheimers Dementia.A study conducted in the early 2000s looked carefully at the subject of therapy dogs and Alzheimers dementia patients. They measured the incidence of behavioral disturbances among patients in a nursing home for a period of four weeks, then introduced therapy dogs. Their initial findings showed that the dogs helped to reduce behavioral disturbances in the short term, meaning they helped to immediately calm patients. The short-term effects proved that therapy dogs do have a positive effect on patients with Alzheimers disease, particularly in regards to anxiety, anger, and changes in behavior associated with the disease.Long-Term Benefits of Therapy Dogs for Patients with Alzheimers Dementia.The same study did not stop at the short-term effects of therapy dogs on Alzheimers patients. Previous assumptions suggested that since patients would not remember their encounters with the therapy dogs, the effects of spending time with them would vanish from one day to the next. Not true, the study authors found. Although most of the patients did not remember their interactions with the therapy dogs (some did), the behavioral disturbances noted in the four weeks prior to the study reduced. In fact, the longer and more frequently patients interacted with the therapy dogs, the less they exhibited behavioral disturbances.Therapy Dogs As A Long-Term Therapy.The study findings confirmed what clinicians suspected all along: dogs are an excellent long-term therapy for persons with Alzheimers dementia to reduce the incidence of behavioral disturbances. Therapy dogs also had the same effect on Alzheimers patients as they do on other kinds of patients, including reduced stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, better appetite, and fewer feelings of loneliness. These effects continued to increase the longer and more frequently patients interacted with the dogs.What Makes Dogs Such Good Therapy?Dogs are wired to give unconditional love and devotion. They can provide physical and social contact where it is missing, and they are not picky. what sets dogs apart, particularly those trained as therapy dogs, is that they will approach anyone regardless of their physical or mental deterioration, and initiate contact. Patients can pet, hug, and cuddle dogs unlike any other kind of pet. These positive interactions provide a distraction to the other goings-on around them and provide relief for those suffering from sadness, anger, or angst.The Takeaway.Dogs have a tremendous healing power. While studies have focused specifically on Alzheimers dementia patients, their positive effects will benefit anyone suffering from general dementia. Families of patients will feel relief that their loved ones have fewer outbursts of anger, sadness, or angst. While dementia impairs memory, it does not interrupt the long-term benefits of regularly interacting with a therapy dog. In fact, the more they interact with a therapy dog, the fewer behavioral problems they exhibit.Contact us at Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care North Pittsburgh to learn more at 412-810-6595.