Four Safer Bathroom Floors for Seniors

When a senior slips on the bathroom floor, consequences can be tragic. As we age, our bodies become more frail and a fall can set in motion an unwelcome chain of events:  broken bones, a trip to the emergency room, a move to an assisted living center, or even death. 

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal, trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.

Since a fall often is triggered when a senior’s feet take on a life of their own on a slippery floor, I’ve compiled a list of bathroom flooring options that provide more grip.  And because of the wet environment, all recommendations are, of course, water resistant.

Four Practical and Fun Holiday Gifts for Seniors

The season of gift giving has arrived.  And if you have seniors in your life, you’re likely in a bit of a quandary.  After all, over the years they’ve accumulated all the goodies they need--and more!  They’re now in downsizing mode and, hopefully, de-cluttering their home.  So why would you want to buy them more stuff?

It’s time to think practically and to give gifts that will help to keep your Mom, Dad, favorite Aunt, or that special person you care for, safe and make life a little easier.  Here are four suggestions.

Top Products to Make a Long Life at Home Easier- the Medical Alert

Continuing my series of the top products that make a long life at home easier, today I want to talk about one that several of you have mentioned in response to previous posts—the medical alert.

Let me start with a story about a friend’s mother, Joan, who is 84, and doing just fine for her age, but has fallen several times in the last year.  Each time it was a freak occurrence. 

Her first fall involved her 80-pound Labrador retriever, Susie. Yes the dog is not a good choice for a senior, but that’s no longer negotiable.  Susie does offer some health benefits as Joan takes her for a two-mile walk every day.

How to Help Granny Survive a Fall

I write a lot about how to modify bathrooms, the most dangerous room in the home, to prevent seniors from falling.  But seniors will still fall because with age comes a natural decline in health.

Seniors may have cognitive, balance or mobility issues.  Perhaps they have neurological problems associated with a stroke or Parkinson’s disease.  Pain from arthritis could affect how they move. Even a dangerous cocktail of medications could compromise their balance.

So here’s the scenario. Granny steps out of a warm, relaxing bath and onto the wet, slippery tiles. Her feet take on a life of their own, escaping from underneath her as she plunges to the ground, landing smack on her posterior and narrowly avoiding a broken hip.   Now what?