Stay Safe, Happy, And Healthy This Winter

Here in Maine, we are all too familiar with snow, ice, and freezing cold temperatures. While there is no denying that there is beauty in seeing nature dusted in white, fluffy snow, wintertime can also bring its share of challenges. Here is a list of tips that we compiled for senior citizens to stay safe, happy, and healthy this winter.

Bundle Up ❄️ Conditions like frostbite and hypothermia are not quite as uncommon as you would think. Be prepared this winter with a warm winter coat, boots, a winter hat, gloves, scarf, and plenty of warm sweaters.

Prevent Slipping ❄️ Prevent slipping and injuring yourself on ice by wearing the proper footwear, applying salt or dirt to ice, and avoiding it altogether whenever possible.

Avoid Seasonal Depression ❄️ Lack of sunshine and winter "hibernation" can often bring on what many refer to as "seasonal depression." Avoid seasonal depression by staying in close contact with your loved ones, and finding fun activities to keep you busy.

An Apple A Day... ❄️ During these cold weather months, our immune systems can often be comprised and our bodies exposed to cold and flu viruses. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is important. It will make us less susceptible to falling ill, and make it easier for our bodes to fight off illness if we do get sick.

Keep Your Hands Clean ❄️ While we are on that topic, it is important to keep your hands clean by washing them and using hand sanitizer when you are out and about. This will help reduce the spread of germs from others to yourself and yourself to others.

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Daily Tasks Made Easier

In order for someone with mobility issues to feel safe and independent within their home, it is important that there is a functional floor plan which allows the homeowner to carry out their day to day tasks with ease.There are several tools designed to make activities easier and less strenuous.

Grab bars are a great tool to assist someone with lifting themselves up because it provides support and balance. Grab bars should be placed in areas such as the bedroom and bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, barrier-free showers and walk-in tubs are also a great option. These showers and tubs not only provide the user with the safety that they need, but they also have stylish designs and luxurious features that the user will love. Going up and the down the stairs should not be painful or hazardous. Stair lifts take the worry away and give you access to each floor of your home. Platform pool lifts and enclosed platform lifts are also great for those with mobility issues. Wheelchair ramps, just like lifts, give you easy access to your home. They should be installed on the exterior of the home as an alternative option to the stairs. Wheelchair ramps can be purchased in aluminum or wood.

Contact a professional to determine the best options for you or your loved one. A professional can provide you with detailed product information as well as delivery and set up assistance.

Improve Mobility With Grab Bars

Grab bars are beneficial to elderly, disabled, and those with mobility issues. A grab bar helps the user to maintain their balance, take some of the weight off of their feet, and prevent slipping and falling. Grab bars are a great tool to make carrying out daily tasks much easier and much safer. For best results, we recommend having your grab bars installed by a professional. Improper installation can actually make situations more dangerous for those who struggle with mobility. Click Here. Grab bars are commonly found in public restrooms, nursing homes, hospitals, and in private homes. They can be made from plastic, metal, or fiberglass. Some places where grab bars may be especially helpful are in the bathroom by the toilet and tub or shower and bedside.

Barrier-Free Bathroom

Who doesn't want a bathroom that feels like a luxurious, spa-like retreat? If you have mobility issues, you don't have to sacrifice the bathroom of your dreams. You can have the bathroom that you want while still have the safety that you need. There are various bathroom support rails so that you can confidently use your bathroom without any assistance. Barrier free tubs and showers also make bathing both easy and relaxing. You can have a walk-in tub that has a door for easy access, hand bars to provide you with additional support, adjustable water jets, detachable shower heads, and comfortable seating. Walk-in showers also offer the same features as the tubs except that they typically have no door or other barrier so that you can simply walk-in. Barrier-free showers and tubs come in various designs making them both functional and stylish. If you do not believe me, you can see for yourself.

Inclined Peace Of Mind

Ramps provide a flat, inclined surface for mobility devices such as wheelchairs to use in order to gain access to homes and vehicles. They are also accommodating for baby strollers, walkers, scooters, and those with mobility or health issues that may make it difficult to climb stairs. Having a ramp gives those with mobility issues peace of mind knowing that they have access to where they need to go without needing assistance from others. A ramp can be permanent, semi-permanent, or portable. To determine which ramp you will need you should consider what is being accessed as well as if the use will be long term or short term. Ramps can be made out of aluminum or wood but a portable ramp will typically be made out of aluminum. An aluminum ramp is durable and low maintenance. A wooden ramp blends in well with home aesthetics and you can paint or stain it as you please. Choosing the type of ramp that you should use depends on usage as well as your own personal preferences. Hiring a professional to install a ramp guarantees a ramp that is safe, sturdy, and meets the ADA codes. A professional can also answer any questions that you may have.