Want to stay in your own home? Do you cherish your memories? Are your family and friends close by? Do you like being on your own schedule?#1 Make an Entryway AccessibleInstall a modular ramp for entry to front, back, or side door. This will eliminate stairs for individuals who have mobility challenges or use a wheelchair a scooter. A modular ramp can be assembled in one day, is removable and reusable, fireproof, slip resistant, and has handrails.#2 Install Rails and Grab Bars Inside or OutsideSometimes a little extra stability is needed. A handrail on the opposite side of the stairs can provide much comfort when climbing or descending stairs. Grab bars come in different sizes and can be installed anywhere in the home.#3 Install a Stair LiftWhen stairs become challenging, a stair lift offers a great solution. Stair lifts are easily mounted with minimal changes to the stairs. Stair lifts come in varying indoor and outdoor models with an array of features such as remote control, swivel seats, battery back up, and more.Many individuals painstakingly crawl up and down steps. Do not wait! This is an easy modification that will pay for itself. Stair lifts will take you from one floor to the next with ease and make your daily life enjoyable.#4 Portable and Threshold RampsOne or two steps or an uneven surface can become troublesome. These small areas of raised surfaces are often the biggest causes of a trip and fall accident. There are many styles of aluminum and rubber ramps that can provide a smooth transition for you to maneuver.#5 Make a Bathroom AccessibleMany falls and slips happen in the bathroom. Modifications will allow you to avoid hazards that could cause accidents.Install a walk-in shower to eliminate tripping hazards.Install a lower sink to easily reach the handles and basin.Install a toilet of appropriate height to ease sitting and standingStrategically place grab bars in shower or next to toilet for added stability.Easy and affordable modification will enable you to stay safe and independent in your home! Enjoy your surroundings and make the most of every day!_______________________________________Editors Note: This article was contributed by Nick Marcellino of Amramp.

Many older adults can benefit from a senior living community, but COVID-19 has made the process more difficult than usual. Understandably, you may have concerns about finding the right community and making the transition as smooth as possible.Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to prepare your older loved one for a new community. Heres what you can do to help them transition in the time of COVID-19.Signs a Senior Living Community Is the Right MoveFor a while, you may be able to care for your older loved one at home, potentially with the help of an in-home caregiver. However, there are certain indications that suggest your senior may need more care. Signs its time to consider a senior living community include:Struggles with personal hygieneDifficulty managing financesInability to keep the house cleanDrastic behavior and cognitive changesForgetfulness or frustration during social interactionsChanges in social patterns or lifestyleHow to Find the Best Senior Living CommunityFinding the right senior living community for your loved one is incredibly important. Here are some tips to help you safely explore your options during the COVID-19 pandemic:Research online for insights about senior living and to learn about different options near you. The CarePatrol blog has helpful information and resources.Tour communities. CarePatrol can help facilitate virtual tours of communities, which will allow you to get a good idea of the lifestyle, layout, environment, etc.Talk to residents. If possible, speak with other seniors and their families about their experiences.Ask questions. Make sure you get the answers you need and fully understand the cost, whats included, visitation policies and more.Tips for The TransitionAt first, talking about the transition could be very difficult for your older loved one, and the idea of assisted living may be upsetting to them. Make sure you offer a listening ear, validating the concerns that are brought up. You can explain the benefits of the transition and try to build excitement by discussing new opportunities. Reassure your loved one that you will visit in whatever way is possible and that they will still be involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren.CarePatrol is here to help with the transition to safer senior living. Speak to a local advisor to find a senior living community in your area. Call us today.Submitted & Written By: CarePatrol

Sooner or later, seniors face the possibility of seeking medical treatment for orthopedic ailments. The good news is orthopedic degeneration is usually a slow process. For most people, there is not a window of time that quickly closes to be eligible for surgery so other options to surgery are often available to help.There are many things that can be done, short of surgery, to alleviate pain and increase function such as: moist heat, cold therapy, pain medication, injections and physical therapy. An orthopedic surgeon is the perfect resource to evaluate the orthopedic condition, establish the patients goal for treatment, and develop a treatment plan that will work with the patients current condition.However, it is time to consider orthopedic surgery when the condition begins to interfere with daily activities. The majority of orthopedic procedures performed on senior patients are usually hip, knee and rotator cuff surgery. Surgical options leading up to and including total joint replacement can be wonderful for all the right reasons. Surgery can help seniors hang on to their independence and to be able to stay in their own home for as long as possible instead of having to move into assisted living environments.Should you need surgery, it is important to research surgeon options and select the surgeon with which you are most comfortable. Thoroughly discuss the surgical procedures, from pre-surgery through rehabilitation. Ask any question you need to feel comfortable with the entire joint replacement process.Proper and thorough planning can significantly increase the outcome of joint replacement surgery. Do what you can to prepare yourself physically for the surgery. Diet and exercise is as important before as it is after the surgery. Patients do better when they are motivated to properly exercise and diet prior to surgery. Be sure to participate in joint replacement classes prior to surgery to insure better outcomes from your surgery.Other factors that can affect the outcome of orthopedic surgery are smoking and diabetes. People who smoke do not experience the same recovery time as non-smokers because nicotine directly interferes with soft tissue and bone healing. Additionally, it is important for people with diabetes to have their blood sugars stabilized prior to surgery to avoid potential complications.Editors Note: Dr. Bruce Taylor is an orthopedic surgeon with the St. Mary-Corwin Physician Partners Orthopedics Group and contributed to this article. The goal of the SMC Physician Partners orthopedic group is to serve as a resource to work with patients and identify options for good orthopedic health. Call (719) 562-6254 for more information.