There’s no place like home,” which is why 87 percent of adults age 65+ want to stay in their current home and community as they age. The neighborhood in which I live has many folks who’ve been here for several decades, generously sharing their wisdom and memories with the next generations. Experience tells us, however, that risk of injury from falls and difficulty with transportation are 2 challenges older adults face when wanting to remain in their homes.
Modifications such as installation of grab bars and stair railings, walk in-shower conversions, and removing some interior doors and all throw rugs can make mobility easier in traditional homes built prior to the concepts of accessibility and single-level living. There are also new, simple technologies to help keep aging adults safer in their homes.
Enhanced lighting is an important improvement to make. As we age we rely disproportionately on vision for balance; walking around in poorly lit spaces is similar to walking around with your eyes closed. It is essential to have well-lit paths in the bedroom, hallways and bathrooms at night. Plug-in, light-sensing LED night-lights illuminate dark spaces in older homes which result from limited natural or overhead lighting, and few switch controlled outlets for lamps. The new lights turn on automatically when needed, are energy efficient, and require no replacement bulbs. Their low wattage provides adequate light without disrupting normal sleep.
Unfortunately, home improvements have not eliminated falls. In June the National Council on Aging reported 1 in 4 adults over age 65 fell in 2017; 55% of those falls occurred inside the house, and 23% occurred outside but near the house. With 85% of people over age 65 now owning a cell phone, many older adults living in the community opt not to purchase a separate emergency alert system, intending instead, to use their cell phone to call for help if needed. But Murphy’s law says that the one time it’s needed will be the one time it’s left resting on the kitchen counter out of reach from the floor. Someone is rarely without their watch though, making it readily available in the event of an emergency. Gizmo-Gadget, by Verizon, is a watch with a very basic cell phone inside. It uses single touch dialing to call a limited number of contacts. The Kurio Smart Watch, and similar devices available through retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, calls select numbers by connecting to the user’s separate cell phone via bluetooth technology. We recommend testing signal range in and around the home before relying on either as a safety device.
For the 15% of older adults without a cell phone, we recommend that their traditional phone be placed within reach of the floor in the event a fall. Since almost 1/4 of falls occur just outside the home, we also recommend older adults who routinely enjoy the privacy of their own backyard keep a whistle outback to easily call for help when out of sight, but not out of earshot, of friendly neighbors.
Regardless of what call system is in place, family members often worry about older adults who live alone, especially if a few days pass without contact. Iamfine is an automated call service created by 2 sons living distant from their independent 90 year old mother to ensure routine checkins. A phone call is generated daily at a time set by the customer. If the recipient answers, alerting the system Iamfine nothing happens. The system will continue calling at predetermined intervals, and will alert the customer’s designated contacts, however, if it receives no response. More details can be found at www.iamfine.org.
Transportation to medical appointments, as well as social engagements, can be a challenge for seniors who have stopped or limited their driving. Uber and Lyft are popular options but require the user to have a SmartPhone and do not allow for prescheduled rides. GoGoGrandparent is a service which addresses both concerns. After setting up an account the user calls a toll free number to request a ride by either speaking to a real person, or once familiar with the system, using a touch tone menu. The rides, which are provided via Uber or Lyft, can be scheduled on demand or several days in advance. The service charges a per mile, per minute fee to the cost of the ride, but remains less expensive than traditional taxi rides, and requires much less wait time than Tri-met Lift or Ride Connect. There is an optional safety feature, unavailable with traditional transportation services, which alerts family members of pick up and drop off locations and times. More information can be found at www.gogograndparent.com
Most older adults want to live in their homes for as long as possible. In addition to what friendly neighbors routinely do, such as helping rake leaves or clearing sidewalks, moving trash cans and delivering an occasional meal, independence can be supported through home improvements and community services made possible by technology like those explained above.
If you, or an important older adult in your life are struggling with mobility at home, give us a call. We specialize in keeping older adults active, independent and mobile by seeing them in the convenience of their own homes. Colleen Gilroy, PT Founder of Vitality PT NW Healthy Aging experts in Portland, Oregon www.vitalityptnw.com Together, let’s keep you on your feet.
Colleen Gilroy,
PT Founder of Vitality PT NW
Healthy Aging experts in Portland, Oregon
www.vitalityptnw.com
