The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: October 2014

The Top Four Needs of Seniors

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: inc.com

Ever wonder what your top four needs should be as you get older?

As seniors, we’ve seen a lot in our lives. As the world as it moved from the Industrial Age to the Information Age across the new millennium, we witnessed it in real-time. Both the good and the bad. Some of us were fortunate to be able to acquire valued belongings, some of us were able to travel a bit, and maybe, some of us had the chance to really enjoy our families.

As we age, our “needs” list change somewhat. For example, when we are in our late teens and early 20s, getting a good education is a vital concern. The next ten years require that we find a good-paying job or a promising career. This would also be the time for purchasing our first home. Our 30s and 40s are the earning years, when we should be putting money away and investing wisely. In our 50s, we should be thinking about retirement and putting the final touches on planning for our “Golden Years.” Then come the retirement years.

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Now, everything changes.

If you have planned well, you can enjoy some rest and relaxation. No more punching a clock or running a business. You can slow down and enjoy retirement. Obviously, with money, life always seems to be a little easier to manage. But, whether you have planned perfectly or not, there are certain needs that you’ll have as you reach the “Golden Years.”

Number one is Companionship. If you’ve been happily married for many years and still have your lifelong companion, this can be a great time. Many who are just reaching their retirement years want to travel. They want to see the world they were deprived of visiting while they were busy making a living.

However, health issues can soon slow down the travel arrangements ― any retirement plans really ― and may require rethinking how you will spend those special years. Health problems may require needed assistance from your companion.

But what if you don’t have a companion? There are in-home services that can offer help with everything from meal preparation to companionship. Usually their services are offered during regular business hours. If nighttime assistance is needed, the cost can add up. Moving in with your family may be an option, as long as there is someone in the family that has the time, willingness and/or ability to help. If not, assisted living facilities are available. They provide housing, meals, assistance with medications, transportation and companionship. These can be costly, but it’s a possible option. One of the advantages of assisted living is the ability to be with other residents, create friendships, and have projects that you can enjoy doing together.

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The second need that seniors will require is Transportation. If you’ve reached a point where you can no longer drive, transportation becomes critical. Crucial errands such going to the grocery store and pharmacy suddenly become a real challenge. Same with going to scheduled doctors’ appointments or other health-oriented events (exercise sessions at the gym, etc.). Who can help with that? There are some stores that offer free delivery. If not, some non-profit groups offer transportation. If you have some form of assisted living, they can also take care of transportation needs. In many cases, family or friends can help with this, too. However, some transportation issues are more oriented towards rest and relaxation. It may be that you just need to get out of the house to take a drive, for your own mental well-being.

The third need is a New Challenge. Whether we are eight or 80, we never outgrow our need for a new challenge. Even in our retirement years, we need to seek out challenges for our mind and body. It might be starting some fitness program, developing a new hobby, or getting more into reading. Keeping the mind challenged and busy is another way to ward off things like dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Challenge yourself!

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Number four is Making Your Environment Safe to Live in. Whether you live in your own home or an assisted living facility, making your location safer becomes more and more important as you age. One third of those aged 65 or older will fall each year. At age 80, that percentage increases to 50% of us. And of that number, once having fallen, these people are two to three times more likely to fall again. Falling is significant because it almost always leads to broken bones, such as fractured hips, which could reduce mobility and permanently hamper one’s lifestyle. Worse yet, a head injury can lead to more serious problems such as brain trauma or even death (read our previous blogs, “The Danger of Bathtubs – Falling is a Family Matter,” and “How Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Falling.”)

Why are seniors prone to falling? There are several reasons. It may be because of prescribed medications. It could be because of loss of balance due to lightheadedness. It can also stem from being unfit. This is why exercise, even in our senior years, is so important. Falls can also occur simply because precautions have not been taken to make the house safe. Slippery floors, thrown rugs and clutter doesn’t help.

One area that requires special attention is the bathroom. It’s is the number one area where harmful falls can take place. Why not add several grab bars in the bathroom, especially around the toilet and the tub?

Many seniors (and/or their caring families) are seeing the need for a Walk-in Tub. These specialized bathtubs offer a soaking and sit down shower option that’s free of the risks taken with normal bathing. They fit in the spot where a normal bathtub is located. They offer a water-tight door that can be easily opened and closed by the occupant. The door’s low threshold makes entering and exiting the tub easy. Once the door is closed and locked, the tub can be filled with warm water that covers the back. A hand-held shower wane allows them to shower while sitting. Therapeutic air and water jets can be added to relax the body and help heal problem areas.

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Another great thing about Walk-in Tubs is they this allow the senior to bathe independently and in private. This is tremendous for one’s self-esteem. And all this is done without the fear or risk of falling. Not surprisingly, many who have just reached retirement age and are still in good health are installing Walk-in Tubs as they plan for the future.

Another option for seniors is the Safety Suite Shower. These can be configured as Low-Threshold or Zero-Threshold designs. Each model has a built-in seat, in a variety of different configurations (i.e., fold-down, built-in, etc.), which can be topped with slip-resistant acrylic surface or a Brazilian Walnut seat top.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

These handsome showers can be customized to meet each individual’s situation. For example, in the Zero-Threshold models, the shower can be right- or left-side oriented (in terms of where the seat and hand-held water sprayer are configured). In the Zero-Threshold models, the hand-held shower wand and controls can be situated on the left, center or right. Even the drain can be placed in different locations to facilitate installation and plumbing issues. Both designs feature safety wall grips and handrails, even atop the temperature control. Optional accessories include a bathroom paper roll, towel rack and shelf, all of which have built-in safety grips.

Whatever your age, it’s not too early to think about what lies ahead. Planning and preparation will make life a little easier down the road. Take the time to think about these four needs. Set aside some time to discuss these issues with family and friends. Once you have determined what your needs and goals, put your plan in writing and then begin implementing your plan one item at a time.

In this article, I discussed the top four needs of seniors, especially as they reach retirement. I outlined the details on each need and discussed how seniors can pragmatically address and accommodate these needs. If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog.

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If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Thanks again for visiting with us.

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Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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How Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Falling

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: tampabaybraininjuryblog.com

While traumatic brain injuries can happen to anyone at any time, those most susceptible are the elderly. These life-altering injuries are usually the result of a fall. Every year, one in three people 65 years or older will fall. Over half of all deaths due to falling are attributable to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Fall risks increase with the advancement of age, with 60% of falls occurring in those age 75 or older.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):

“Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes.

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"Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

"A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.”

Why Are Seniors More Prone to Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Current research suggests that the aging process is associated with several structural, chemical, and functional changes in the brain, in addition to several different neurocognitive changes. Advances in MRI technology have enabled neurologists and researchers to see the brain’s structure in great detail in an easy, non-invasive manner. The brain is very complex, composed of many different areas and types of tissue, most commonly referred to as grey matter or white matter, each of which occupy different structures or regions of the brain. The different functions of these various tissues in the brain may be more or less susceptible to age-induced changes.

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A natural result of aging sees the brain mass gradually decreasing over time. This, in turn, creates more space between the outer lining of the brain and the inner lining of the skull. Within this space are tiny blood vessels. A serious fall can tear these blood vessels, which, if injured, cause blood to seep into the brain’s cavities. This can cause serious damage to the brain and its functioning. (There is also converging evidence from cognitive neuroscientists around the world that age-induced cognitive deficits may not just be due to neuronal loss or cell death, but may also be the result of small region-specific changes to the morphology of neurons.)

Because, from a physiological standpoint, seniors’ brains are more vulnerable, a TBI can occur in an older adult who’s had even a minor bump to their head. It could happen while getting out of a car, inside one’s closet, or taking a spill on a piece of furniture. A common cause of falling is rising too quickly from a sitting or prone position.

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Many medications that older adults take, such as anti-hypertensive drugs, can have a side effect of a sudden drop in blood pressure when the person stands up too quickly. The sudden drop in pressure causes dizziness, causing the person to fall and bump his or her head on the floor or a nearby object. The unsuspecting individual or family members may initially dismiss the fall as a “close call” when there are no immediate signs or symptoms of brain injury. Family members and/or caregivers should watch for sudden changes in behavior over the following 24 to 48 hours. A change in the level of consciousness, weakness on one side, or unusual changes in one’s ability to do simple activities such as getting dressed should be evaluated immediately by a physician.

As a large number of Baby Boomers approach retirement, family members and caregivers are increasingly faced with finding ways to reduce their risk of accidents, unintentional falls, and other avoidable injuries. The first line of defense is in the home, where, according to the CDC, 60% of all falls occur.

How to Make Homes Safer

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Make sure that all stairwells and common walkways are clear of clutter.

The bathroom is one of the most slippery and dangerous places in the house when it comes to the elderly. It consists of mostly hard, unforgiving surfaces for someone to hit their head against when falling such as a countertop, sink, cabinet, toilet, side of the bathtub, towel rack and more. Installing grab bars on the walls can provide extra security. Also make certain the bath rug is securely fastened to the floor, so that it won’t slip.

Installing a Walk-in Tub can solve many problems. This specialized tub can replace the existing drop-in tub in the bathroom. It comes with a slip-resistant seat, as sanding for long periods of time can be difficult for the elderly, especially on a wet, slippery shower floor. Similarly, the floor of the Walk in Tub is also slip-resistant. Instead of having to lift one’s legs over a 12 inch height on a traditional bathtub to get into a traditional bathtub, the Walk-in Tub has a short, 6-inch threshold with its water-tight door. This door is watertight, allowing the senior to relax in comfort while bathing. Walk-in Tubs allow seniors to have privacy, independence and dignity, as most will be able to totally bathe themselves without assistance. The Walk-in Tub also comes with jetted systems that help to relax and heal the body. The hand-held shower attachment inside the tub makes rinsing easier.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

Another option other than a Walk-in Tub is the Safety Suite Shower. These can be purchased as Low-Threshold or Zero-Threshold (i.e., Barrier-Free) designs. Each model accommodates a built-in seat, which can be topped with slip-resistant acrylic surface or a Brazilian Walnut seat top. Another option is a four-legged seat made of ABS plastic. There are three different seat configurations: molded, fold-down, and four-legged seats.

The showers can be specifically configured to meet each individual’s situation. For example, in the Zero-Threshold models, the shower can be right- or left-side oriented (in terms of where the seat and hand-held water sprayer are configured). In the Zero-Threshold models, the shower can be configured on the left, center or right. Similarly, the drain can be configured to the left, center or right, so upon installation, there’s no rerouting of existing plumbing necessary. Both designs feature wall grips and handrails for added safety. Safety-designed accessories with built-in grips are also available for the bathroom paper roll, towel rack and shelf.

Photo Credit: agingcare.com

Add raised toilet seats with or without arms to increase ease of use and permit self-sufficiency. Some newer models come with handrails on both sides to facilitating sitting down and getting up.

Encourage your loved one to be careful about getting up too quickly, especially after lying down, resting or even sitting for long periods of time. A security pole can be a great help for people who have trouble standing from a sitting position. It’s portable and especially useful when there are no walls for grab bars. Walkers can be helpful here as well.

If you have concerns about your loved one falling out of bed, consider a low bed, which reduces the possibility of injuries due to its low-to-the-ground stature. Some beds even come with guards on the side, not unlike the upper bunk sleeper compartments in Pullman car trains.

Finally, as a precaution in case of a power outage, keep flashlights handy in easy-to-remember and easy-to-reach places.

Perhaps the most obvious safety precaution is to make sure your loved one is using their walker. Many seniors who are suffering from mild dementia will set their walker aside and begin to stroll around the house without it. After all, they have been walking on their own for most of their life and the walker may be a new addition to their mobility and therefore can be easily forgotten.

Another thing you can do to help your seniors' cognitive functioning is ensure they're getting adequate nutrition, in particular, eating a wide range of foods that have been found to promote brain health and functioning including blueberries, olive oil, certain types of seafood, and, of course, water.

By taking easy steps to make a home safer for the elderly, you can reduce the costs associated with healthcare-related ― or, God forbid ― emergency medical services, preserve a better quality of life, and perhaps even a life itself.

In this article, I discussed the issue of senior “confusion” and also gave a brief history/overview of Alzheimer’s disease. I then discussed various steps one can take to ensure their senior can remain safer at home, and in particular, the bathroom, such as installing a Walk-in Tub and/or a Safety Suite Shower. If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers.

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If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Thanks again for visiting with us.