seniors Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Lift and Accessibility Solutions

Spring is finally here in Sonoma County! With nicer weather comes the opportunity to enjoy getting outside. Fresh air and sunshine bring joy to people of any age. Getting outdoors improves your mental health and well-being. Whether you’re still active and can walk five miles a day, or you require more stationary activities, there are a ton of things to do outdoors. Of course, your ability to partake in certain activities depends on your health and mobility, but the possibilities for outdoor activities are endless. Let’s take a look.

Classic Games
Why not bring your favorite indoor activity outdoors instead? Find a table at a local park or your senior living facility and bring a deck of cards, checkers, or your favorite board game to play with your family and friends. Turn it into a picnic by packing sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. This gives you an opportunity to enjoy good weather, but also spend time with the people that you love.

Gardening
Don’t have a green thumb? That’s ok! You can still enjoy gardening even if you are not an experienced gardener. Planting flowers or vegetables is an easy, relaxing activity that lets you design a small garden and nurture it throughout the summer. Your local garden shop can help you choose the best plants or vegetables based on the amount of sun or shade in your garden and teach you how to plant them.

Soak up the Sun
Enjoy a walk around your neighborhood or walking trail at your local park. Walking helps to keep your muscles moving, elevate your heart rate, and enables you to enjoy the sights and sounds of your surroundings. Maybe you can walk to your favorite local coffee shop for a quick cup, or you can stop and listen to a local band playing in the park. Some cities have outdoor venues that hold concert series in the summer. All you need is a lawn chair or portable seat if you can’t sit on the ground!

Get Inspired
Grab a canvas and some paints and try painting the scenery of your location. Even if you’ve never done that before, don’t be afraid to try something new. You might find a new passion!

Not only is being outdoors fun, there are also proven physical and mental health benefits. Getting Vitamin D is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system, artificial light may impact nearsightedness, and exposure to natural light improves sleep, just to name a few. So why wait? Let’s get outside!

Part of the aging process means accounting for physical changes that can reduce one’s mobility. Whether individuals decide to age in an assisted living facility or in their homes is dependent on costs, needs and resources. The decision to remain in one’s home often means changes must be made to accommodate safety and accessibility. Contractors and companies that specialize in making homes accessible and safe for aging seniors can help. Living in one’s home throughout the aging process does not have to become an impractical choice or beyond one’s financial reach. Although needs may change, simple and affordable home modifications can make it easier to live safely. The following represents the top things seniors and their loved ones should consider before making structural changes to their homes:

1. Needs: What are your specific concerns and needs related to safety and accessibility? Seniors that use a wheelchair or walking equipment will likely need to replace stairs with ramps or stair lifts for greater accessibility. Consider whether it makes practical sense to make changes to any outdoor or indoor stairwells. What areas of the house will you continue to use? Some seniors decide that replacing an indoor staircase with a ramp is unnecessary if they do not need to gain access to specific portions of the house. For instance, a live-in caregiver may reside within the areas that are accessible via the staircase and the separation will serve both parties well.

2. Costs: What will it cost you to make the necessary changes to your home? Will you need financial assistance? It is best to make a list of the changes you will need to make and get an estimate from a licensed contractor. If the changes involve the purchase and installation of stair lifts, decks, ramps, support bars, and elevators, research the anticipated costs with several companies. These types of changes can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Several agencies and volunteer organizations, such as the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), may be able to provide financial assistance. Mortgage lenders may also offer products that can supply funds to pay for upgrades.

3. Modifications: Does carpet need to be removed and replaced with a slip-resistant alternative? Is any laminate or wood flooring potentially unsafe? Sometimes simple changes such as a rug will do the trick. Do the bathrooms need to have support bars or special tubs and showers installed? Do doorknobs and handles need to be replaced with arthritis-friendly levers? These are questions about modifications you will want to ask before contracting any work that needs to be done. It is best to list all modifications ahead of time so that all equipment and work that needs to be completed can be done at the same time.

Overall, these are some things to consider when making your Santa Rosa, CA home more accessible to seniors. Whether you are making changes to your home for yourself or for your loved ones, think about the needs, costs, and modifications involved so you can be fully prepared.

 


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