Finding and Using the Best Shower Chair for You Using a shower chair is a simple undertaking for the average person. But then again, only some people use a shower chair on a routine basis. I found myself in need of one for a while last year. I had a total knee replacement and had…
Clearing Your Slippery Ramps For those who use a walker or a wheelchair and a ramp to enter and exit their home, ice and snow on your ramp can be troublesome. Here in Texas, ice and snow are only sometimes a long-term problem in winter for ramp owners. However, that’s not true for you who…
Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety, and Seniors’ Homes Fire safety is a concern for a caregiver every day of the year. Smoke alarms help many caregivers who are caring for elderly smokers. The fire risk is greater when a smoker may not realize the dangers or is careless with lit cigarettes. It’s a stressful situation at…
Staying Cool in the Summertime It’s summer, and it’s hot here in Texas. It’s getting hot wherever you are this summer. And that heat can be dangerous to those who work or exercise outdoors, to the youngest children, to the elderly, and to anyone unable to stay cool in their home. Sadly, it’s not unusual…
Swallowing Difficulties and Holiday Meals Does someone in your household or extended family have difficulty swallowing or chewing? If so, part of planning your holiday dinner should be a few moments to consider avoiding a choking incident at the table for this diner. First, think about the menu for dinner. Does it include soft, moist…
Info about swallowing problems in the elderly. I recently read an article about a man who had a stroke and suffered from swallowing problems. He had a tube called a “peg” put in his stomach to intake liquid nutrition instead of swallowing by mouth. He lost weight. He wanted to eat a regular diet in…
My mother had thin skin on her arms. One day she tripped and almost fell while I was standing next to her. I reached out and grasped her arm to steady her while she recovered her balance. She was fine,… accident avoided. Later that day, I was shocked to see a reddish-blue handprint on her…
A shower can be so relaxing, can’t it? It is great to sit back and let that warm water wash away your dirt and worries. However, for a person who is elderly, injured, or has a physical disability, bathing and showering without a tub transfer bench can be just another obstacle. As a caregiver, you…
When You Must Use Stairs with a Cane Recently, I traveled to a county government building with a lady forced to use stairs with a cane. It was an adventure. I was surprised that access to this building took a lot of work for a cane user. The building would have been entirely inaccessible to…
Monitoring System for Seniors’ As a caregiver, you may be trying to help your loved one remain in their home and be independent. If that’s so, your job might be easier with a device that tracks and reports what he or she is doing. A monitoring system for seniors can help. We’re not talking about…