For the elderly and infirm, nothing is taken for granted. Actions and movements that were once easy become difficult or downright impossible as we get older. For example, climbing a flight of stairs can be a cumbersome or painful task for many older citizens, especially if they require assistance to move around, such as a wheelchair. Fortunately, however, there are options to enable anyone to live and move freely within their home, even if stairs have become more of a hassle. Stair Lifts are designed to carry a person up and down a flight of stairs comfortably and safely. However, not all lifts are built the same; so how do you choose which one is right for you? What is usually comes down to is size, power needs, and installation requirements. Below we’ll outline what options are available and how to make the right choice.

Size

When it comes to size, there is a range of factors that you have to take into account. First, is your personal size. Most lifts are rated for 150-250 pounds, so if your body type exceeds this range, you’ll need to opt for a larger lift. Size also refers to the lift itself. Most are designed to carry only one person, without any heavy additions, such as a wheelchair. As a result, most lifts are relatively small, and many fold up so as not to block the stairway. When considering a lift, make sure to take into account the size of both the lift and of yourself to ensure that everything works, and fits, properly.

Power Needs

There are two types of stair lifts, those that run on your home’s electrical grid, and those that operate on a battery. The benefit of an AC lift that is powered from your home is that it requires less maintenance and costs less in the long run. The only downside is that if the power goes out, your lift will be stuck wherever it is. Battery operated lifts can work without a source of electricity, but typically the batteries need to be changed on a yearly basis.

Installation

It’s important that, before you decide on a lift, you get an appraisal from a certified manufacturer. Usually, they will send someone out to measure your staircase and figure out what options you have based on your home’s layout. Fortunately, as technology improves, lifts are becoming more widely available, as well as cheaper to install. However, it’s imperative that you get a professional to determine what size lift you can get, as well as how invasive the installation process will be. Some lifts require a track to be installed within the wall, but some only require a track be mounted, not embedded.

If you have any questions regarding stair lifts and what type will be right for you, contact us today, and we can help you through the process.

Aging can be scary for some as they start to become more aware of their fragility and mortality. With modern science, however, people have been able to live longer and enjoy their lives for more years than their parents and their parents’ parents could. These days, the older people get, the more they seem to find hobbies that are fun. Dancing is a great hobby with mental and physical benefits.

Dancing can be a great stress relief and it can give seniors the energy they need to go about their days hopeful and bright. Here we will explore the benefits of dancing and its contribution to enriching the lives of the elderly.

Dancing comes with a world of benefits. For elderly people who dance on a consistent basis, studies show they can improve their overall health. With dancing, they can improve their balance, which helps them reducing the risk of fractures, immobility and falls. Dancing is even known to increase the elderly’s walking speed.

Dancing can improve the elderly’s agility and flexibility, as well as increase their strength. Because dancing has the same benefits as swimming or bicycling, it can help older people stay fit and active while helping them increase strength in their muscles and bones.

With a metabolism that slows down with age, dancing is one of the best ways to get exercise that can help elderly people maintain a weight that is healthy. Dancing can increase the metabolism and even help prevent disease according to some studies.

While there are many physical benefits of dancing at an older age, there are emotional benefits as well. With age, sometimes people become sad in fear of their own death, or in mourning of the deaths of those around them. With depression increasing in the elderly population, dance can help relieve stress or a feeling of loneliness.

In Santa Rosa, CA there are a number of dance studios that offer classes. Arthur Murray Dance Studio, California Ballroom, Nordquist Dance Studio, and Just Dance Swing Ballroom are among the studios that provide ballroom dance lessons.

Getting old does not have to mean that your life stops. In fact, it can mean a new lease on life where you do the things that make you happy and healthy. If you are in the Santa Rosa area and are considering dance lessons, you have many options to choose from.

The older you get, the more Thanksgiving holidays you experience – and the more you may start to question the meaning of the holiday and what it means to be truly “thankful.” Furthermore, the way people celebrate Thanksgiving has been changing as well, with families living farther apart and sometimes gathering from all across the country for Thanksgiving dinner. With all of the hectic planning that comes with this celebration, however, you can still step back and find meaning and health in Thanksgiving with these ten tips:

1. Work together.

Make Thanksgiving preparations a family affair. Involve your kids and grandkids so that you can have the whole family participate, spending time together while easing the cooking and cleaning load off of yourself.

2. Consider takeout.

Although the “traditional” view of Thanksgiving involves spending hours in the kitchen preparing the perfect feast from scratch, you may not want to do that, instead opting to spend time with your family. To make that happen, look towards sources of pre-cooked meals, which you can purchase in a grocery store or have delivered to your home.

3. Make it healthy.

Using all-natural ingredients and avoiding excessive fat or sugar is not just tastier; it also helps improve everyone’s mood and keep your family active and ready to celebrate together, rather than lying around lethargically after the dinner is over.

4. Safety first.

Make sure to cook your turkey to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and wash your hands after handling raw meat, in order to avoid food-borne illnesses such as salmonella bacteria. Furthermore, avoid food poisoning by storing your food properly in airtight containers after it is cooked.

5. Leave your schedule open.

Make sure not to overplan your Thanksgiving holiday; leave your schedule free to just relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

6. Stay home on Black Friday.

Avoid the crowds of this early shopping holiday, which only lead to increased stress and negative feelings and have nothing to do with the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

7. Take a walk.

Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and brisk air while you can – on the cusp of winter, Thanksgiving is usually a great time to be outdoors.

8. Be thankful.

Embrace the original meaning of the holiday, taking time to reflect upon the things, people, and experiences that you are thankful for.

9. Pay it forward.

Do something nice for someone else – you will find that it helps you feel happier and brightens the other person’s day.

10. Travel.

Mix it up and take a vacation for Thanksgiving, having your dinner on a sunny beach or simply postponing a “traditional” dinner until after your return.

Everyone knows exercise has a wide variety of awesome benefits to offer their mind and body. However, some groups are often told that exercise may be too dangerous for them, especially senior citizens. Thankfully, the stigma that exercise is too risky for the advanced age individuals in our society is completely unfounded. In actuality, the benefits seniors have to gain from exercise are perhaps even more important than their younger counterparts.

Exercise greatly benefits both the mental and physical health of seniors. From preventing life-threatening conditions such as stroke and heart attacks, to boosting mood and sexuality, exercise is particularly important for elders. If you have mobility, you can exercise. Additionally, even disabled elderly citizens have many different exercise options available to them. Simply finding the exercise that is right for your body is the most important step on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Have you noticed that it has become harder for you to do simple tasks like carrying groceries, walking up stairs, and getting into bed at night? This may be due to your lack of physical exertion that your body was used to at a younger age. A well-regulated exercise regimen can provide a new found strength that will help these daily tasks become simple again.

Stationary bikes, water aerobics, and beginner’s yoga can all be fantastic options for seniors looking to exercise. Additionally, many types of weight training and cardio machines have been built specifically for use by the elderly. If you want to improve strength, flexibility, circulation, balance, and more, you must begin exercising regularly. No other practice will help ensure your longevity more effectively.

For those elderly readers who have recently experienced an injury or a loss of energy, exercise can be particularly helpful. In fact, many studies are beginning to show that regulated exercise can help elderly patients heal faster. Given the long periods it can take for elderly people to heal from injuries, this news should be exciting and life changing for some readers.
Exercise programs also provide an excellent way to get out there and meet other active seniors. If you want to boost your social life while getting healthy and happy, consider joining a group of elderly health and exercise enthusiasts. With all these amazing benefits to be had, all seniors should begin considering the positive impact a regular and regulated exercise regiment can have on their life.

As we begin to age, we have a tendency to become less and less mobile. However, that is not how it should be. It is important for older folks to continue to be mobile to remain healthy and active. Although the saying “objects in motion stay in motion and objects at rest stay at rest” seems cliché, it is true. The more seniors move, the easier it will be for them to continue moving. So, seniors should make sure they do something active every day. It can be something as simple as a walk around the block; it does not need to be strenuous. The important factor is to get out and do something. Following are some ways elderly people can make sure they remain mobile and active.

Take a walk

Walking is perhaps the easiest way for a senior to stay active. If a senior is just starting a new regimen, it is important to start slowly. A trip around the block is a sufficient for staying mobile. Seniors who are interested in additional activity can take a few trips around the block. Walking will help keep a senior’s cardiovascular and pulmonary systems working well, too.

Gardening

Maintaining a small garden is a great way for seniors to remain active. Tending to flowers or fruits and vegetables requires a certain amount of calisthenic activity such as squatting and reaching. So, it is a great activity for seniors who want to remain strong and limber. Seniors who grow fruits and vegetables can also reap the benefits of adding these healthy foods into their diets.

Senior activity classes

Many park districts and other local organizations offer activity and sports classes that are age-appropriate for senior citizens. There is usually a large selection of these classes, so it should be easy for a senior to find one to suit his or her tastes. The activities in this classes are generally geared toward the fitness level of the participants, so seniors should be able to participate without any difficulty. These classes also provide a great opportunity for seniors to socialize with other elderly people in the area.

Water aerobics

Often, some activities involve too much impact for some seniors to be able to participate in them safely. In cases such as these, water aerobics is the perfect solution. This type of exercise enables older people to get in their physical activity while still protecting their joints.

Seniors who remain mobile and active live healthier and more productive lives. Help the senior citizens in your life remain mobile, healthy and happy by assisting them with the activities they can no longer do independently; both you and they will be better for it.

For many Americans, mobility is the key to life. While most of us don’t think about it too much, the ability to move around and go wherever you want is something innate to our sense of freedom. It isn’t until our mobility is limited, either from old age, disease, or disability, that we realize how important it is. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of options for those who have limited movement, especially when it comes to your home. Where you live should be a comfortable, safe space where limited functions shouldn’t hinder your ability to enjoy life. Unfortunately, those who have mobility concerns have to adjust themselves when their home has multiple stories, as getting up and down the stairs can be difficult.

There are several options available for anyone who needs assistance with stairs. Today we’re going to discuss chair lifts in particular. A chair lift runs on a mechanized track, carrying you and possibly any other items you need up and down the stairs. The benefit of a chair lift is that it can run alongside the stairs, so it isn’t as cumbersome or intrusive as other options, like an elevator.

When considering a chair lift, you need to consider several things, cost, size, and personal needs.

Cost

Some insurance carriers can help cover the costs of installing a chair lift, so that can be an enormous relief. You need to check with your carrier and the company who makes the lift to find out what financing options are available. However, the cost of ownership isn’t just limited to installation, as lifts require routine maintenance over the years. Try to purchase a lift from a manufacturer that also provides service, for efficiency and savings.

Size

Not all lifts are created equal. You should consider the size of the staircase, the size of the chair itself, and the size of your person. Most installers will come out to do an inspection to make sure that installing one is feasible.

Personal Needs

This is obviously going to be your top priority when deciding about a lift. Everyone has their own mobility needs, so you need to figure yours out before moving forward with installation. This can include whether or not you need a wheelchair to get around, as it will need to ride the lift with you, whether you need assistance getting in and out of the lift, and how frequently you would need to use it in the first place. Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be much better prepared when it comes time to choosing a lift to meet those needs.

For many seniors, aging brings a host of difficulties. From health issues to struggles with mobility and everyday tasks, living safely and independently can seem almost impossible. Thankfully, technological advances have made it not only possible, but actually easy for seniors to do just that. Aging gracefully doesn’t have to be difficult when you have the following devices and systems at your side:

1. Health tracking software

With the use of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, seniors can take advantage of apps that offer the opportunity to track health in numerous ways. From basic measurements such as weight, blood pressure, and heart rate, to more complex trackers that follow diet and food intake, sleep patterns, and medical symptoms, apps can keep track of numerous variables and present the information in an understandable and useful way. Best of all, knowing this information can help seniors be safer with their health habits and avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor, leading to independence and health alike.

2. Hearing aids

It’s hard to maintain an independent lifestyle when faced with a hearing impairment – everything from answering the telephone to hearing when the kettle is ready becomes a struggle. That’s why hearing aids, complete with new advances that make them smaller, lighter, and more efficient, are indispensable for seniors with trouble hearing. There’s no longer any need to struggle with bulky, inefficient devices, and seniors can enjoy life again with a renewed sense of independence.

3. Wireless home monitoring

Seniors that live alone are often at risk of injury or illness, and because they don’t have someone there with them to help them when these events transpire, dangerous situations can arise. Wireless home monitoring systems, such as those that employ cameras or other sensors to track what’s going on without intruding on privacy, can save the life of an elderly person who suddenly falls, experiences a stroke, or goes through a health issue when there is no one around to help. Using these systems can allow an aging person to live independently while maintaining a safe environment.

4. Home assistive devices

Illnesses and disorders, such as arthritis, dementia, and asthma, can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks safely. For example, forgetting to turn the stove off can cause a house to burn down; not being able to see properly can lead to falls and injury; and having difficulty opening pill bottles can impair one’s ability to stay healthy. Thankfully, there’s a device for that – from stove shut-off systems to LED lighting to medical pill dispensers, seniors can find the technology they need to help them with everyday living, safely.

Life is all about experiences. Many are willing to pay top dollar for the best in all aspects of life. Having the best things in life is a luxury many strive to have. Not all of us are in a position of acquiring luxury items to make our lives easier. Fortunately, you no longer have to be rich or live in a mansion in order to indulge in freedom of mobility. With the Stiltz lift, you can now have your own personal elevator in your home. Stairs are no longer the only option! Serving many homes in Sonoma County, residents are taking advantage of the new experience. After all, who doesn’t want a taste of the finer things in life?

About the company

Stiltz brand is the top company in home elevator installment in Sonoma County. Since their beginnings in 2010, the company has grown to offer their home elevators in various countries, while offering the same quality services and delivering their product all the same. Developed by a team of highly experienced engineers, the first model of Stiltz home elevators offers a unique functionality for a residential product. Particularly in the U.S., a new office was opened in Allentown, PA to meet the high American demand.

How is it installed?

Along with it being a luxurious addition to your home, Stiltz home elevators are installed with ease. Taking as little as two days to install, the self-sufficient appliance will be available for use in your home in no time. Don’t worry about your walls being able to take the load of your elevator as it is self-supporting and won’t need to be affixed to any walls. As far as powering the device goes, it is as simple as plugging the power cord into an outlet. Ironically, Stiltz home elevators actually run on less electricity than many home appliances; high-energy bills will not be a concern.

Can I get one?

With its unique versatility, Stiltz home elevators can be installed in various types of homes. Capable of fitting in small spaces, only seven squares of feet are needed for the elevator to be added to your home. In short, more times than not you will be able to have your own home elevator in the location of your choice. Otherwise, a separate, more suitable location will be suggested to place the elevator in your home.  Not to mention, thanks to its mobility and self-sufficiency, it is possible to take your home elevator with you if you choose to move. Such a factor only makes the decision easier to call for a quote!

For a long time, mankind has looked for new, efficient ways to make our lives easier. From the wheel to electricity, advances in industry and technology have enabled us to achieve what would have previously been thought impossible. One such invention that revolutionized transportation is the elevator. Taken for granted today, the elevator is something that allowed us to take to the skies; no longer were we limited to having buildings with only a couple floors. As the world’s population exploded, it was necessary for our survival to make taller and taller structures to hold us.

For the most part, elevators were a simplistic lift device, with some sort of counterweight to balance the load. It wasn’t until 1852 that Elisha Otis invented the safety lift, which implemented a device that would lock in place should the cables ever break down. In part due to the increased safety measures and better medical care, it didn’t take long before elevators were installed for personal use in the home.

For a long time, installing a lift in your house was a costly process, requiring a pulley system to be built and a full car and cables to be implemented. For this reason, home elevators were relegated to only the wealthy. However, as technology improves and adapts, putting a lift in your home is now a relatively reasonable expense. This is mostly in part because there is now a variety of options to choose from when deciding a lift for your needs. There are chair lifts, hydraulic lifts, pneumatic lifts, and the standard pulley system. Because of the variety of options, lifts are available where previously it would not have been an option. Many lifts can fit within a smaller space, allowing anyone to install an elevator, no matter what their situation.

Today, there are companies that can provide a simple tube lift for only a few thousand dollars. A company based in Argentina has perfected the pneumatic model, allowing a single unit to be installed quickly and relatively inexpensively. The elevator uses vacuum technology to ascend and descend the cab, making it quieter, smaller and more versatile than traditional lifts. As demand increases with the large amount of baby boomers reaching retirement age, the technology will only get better and less expensive. There could be a day when an in home lift could be as common as a fireplace.

Accidental falls are by far the most common cause of injury-related visits elderly people have to make when visiting an Emergency Room, doctor or urgent treatment facility. In some cases, these unfortunate accidents even result in death. As a person becomes older, the chances of serious injuries occurring due to falls increases.

Many elderly people will experience a fall during their advanced age years. For elderly people living in an assisted living facility, this is especially true. In fact, a full third of older people living in community-dwellings experience a fall, while nearly 60% of people in nursing homes do the same. Before entering yourself or a loved one into an assisted living situation, it can be useful to research the amount of falls they have at the facility each year.

Due to the frequency and likelihood of a fall, it is important to understand the most common reasons for their occurrence. Many of the causes listed are intrinsic factors while others are a result of poorly thought out or hazardous environments. Doing so will help you avoid hazardous situations, and hopefully let you avoid the overwhelming likelihood of becoming another statistic. Here is a list of the most frequent causes of falls in the elderly:

• Accidents
• Vertigo
• Environmental Hazards
• Falling From a Bed
• Visual Disorder
• Central Nervous System Disorder
• Postural Hypotension
• Acute Illness
• Syncope
• Epilepsy
• Medications
• Alcohol
• Gait Disturbance
• Weakness & Fatigue
• Arthritis Complications
• Drop Attacks
• Balance Disorders

After you have had a chance to realize how many factors play into the possibility of falls, it becomes easier to understand why they are so common. Some of these situations, such as environmental hazards and falling from a bed can be avoided with the right care taken to the safety of a living environment, while others require a much more detailed approach. Ensuring any elderly person under your care is not over-medicated or put into situations that are hazardous due to their disabilities is important to protecting them against falls.

For those elderly people who live alone and want to avoid falls, consulting with your doctor and loved ones about ways to prevent falls is of utmost importance. In the case a fall does occur, it is also important to have a plan for how you will handle it. Investing in home emergency call systems is an excellent way to ensure you get the help you need in a timely and effective manner.