October 2022

by Lee-Anne Creery

 

The day is finally here—the one that you been thinking of and planning for years.  From organizing your finances and investments, to mapping out when and what day you will announce your next chapter of living.

 

People around the world, are living longer, healthier lives.  In Canada alone, our group of 7.337M older adults is projected to grow to 9.407M by 2030, and 10.745M by 2040.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared 2021-2030 the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, to focus attention on what we all can do to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live; to ensure that older people can fulfil their potential in dignity, equality, and in a healthy environment.

 

Healthy Aging and those next steps don’t have to be difficult, but deciding on details early can help make it easier and according to your Healthy Aging Plan.

Are you prepared?

 

The National Institute on Aging identifies influential factors that are within our control in taking care of ourselves, such as exercise, a healthy diet, taking care of our mental and cognitive health, as well as our social well-being.  Despite what big plans that you have in mind for your future, the most important consideration for your Quality of Life and how you choose to live it, should be at the grassroots level:

1. 1. 1. Health and Well Being

      2. Living Environment

There are many health professionals to advise and assist you in maintaining your weight, diet, blood pressure, heart health, chronic conditions, and emotional health; but who do you go to for advice on your living environment to ensure that your home gets a medical and safety checkup just like you do?

No matter how well you take care of your own personal aging, accidents happen—and they can be quite costly.

In a perfect world, our living environments (our homes) should be accessible to all who live and visit you.  The sooner older adults can assess their living environment, the easier that it will be to make changes or adaptations to support healthy aging.

 

If you plan in your retirement to travel, or spend time with family & friends; shouldn’t you plan for your physical and emotional safety as well?

 

From the moment that you step into your home, it should be a safe haven—from the front entrance, through to the kitchen, bedroom, and to the most used and most personal room—your bathroom.

Ideally, being able to Age in Place in a home that is all on one floor, is the safest type in terms of eliminating stairs.  Realistically though, there are more two-storey homes than single-storey, so addressing stair safety is important, no matter what age you are.

Handrails—are they fastened properly, are they installed correctly, and at the proper height?

Treads/Risers—do the height & depth of the stairs meet standard Codes, that would prevent too narrow of a step, or too high between steps?

Surface Material—are the steps carpeted, non-slip or a slippery surface?

Clear/Clean—are your stairs clean and free of clutter?

If all your stairs (including outdoor steps) have been given a green check, and you are still struggling to safely ascend/descend them, perhaps installing a stairlift or elevator is your best option to get from floor to floor.

 

Here is a home safety checkup list of areas in your home that should be reviewed with a goal of safe and healthy living through your years.

According to Statistics Canada, 2/3 of all falls at home occur in the bathroom, and most people falling are older adults 65+.

Bathrooms are the most often used room in our homes, and are our most intimate areas; because of that, they are usually private and personal, and not considered until an accident occurs.

 

Some bathrooms are used as spa retreats where you can relax, unwind, eliminate stress, or find therapeutic relief from aches & pains; others are used for their intended purpose of cleansing and toileting.

Regardless of how fancy your bathroom is or not—SAFETY should be the primary focus in how it is used, how it is organized within, and how it will grow with you and your aging needs.  Universal design is usable by everyone, and can be designed attractively and comfortable.

 

Consider Ages and Stages: age is inevitable, so planning well through the stages of use and needs, allows you to keep using your bathroom independently until you can no longer stay in your home.

Surfaces—floor surfaces should be non-slip

Materials—consider low-maintenance materials and wall surfaces for easy cleaning

Heights—as we age, higher seating protects knee & hip joints, and higher countertop levels allows a better work and cooking space; however for older adults using walkers or wheelchairs, a more universal counter height would be beneficial

Space—ensure sufficient room for movement to prevent tripping and that would allow walkers and wheelchair use

Lighting—insufficient lighting will impair tasks, movement between rooms, and hinder safety.  Consider types of lighting that will not cast shadows

Storage—ensure there is a place for everyday items, and that they are within reach.  Clutter and over-reaching can cause accidents

Contrasting Colours—with changing vision as we age, it is best to look for contrasting colours between floor transitions, counter surfaces, furnishings, and accessories

Ease of Use—lever handles on doors, faucets and walk-in tubs helps those with arthritis and other physical impairments

Door Sizes—aim for 34”-36” for interior doorways, which will allow for optimal movement between rooms

Ease of Maintenance—consider low-maintenance materials and wall surfaces for easy cleaning

Accessibility—are rooms on one level, or are there numerous height transitions or steps?

Potential Trip Hazards—carpets should be securely fastened or removed.  Bathmats should be rubber-backed to prevent movement, but are needed to prevent slips from wet feet. Shower thresholds need to be visible.

Bathtub vs Shower—traditional bathtubs can be dangerous, and aging sometimes prevents being able to step over the side.  While showers might be the answer for accessibility, glass doors are unsafe with changing vision needs, future caregiving needs, and the inability for proper seating that you can be within arms-reach to all of the controls.  A walk-in bathtub with shower, is an option that will meet all needs for Ease of Use, Accessibility, Safety & Comfort.  For those requiring circulation assistance, the included therapeutic water/air massage jets are an added bonus

Grab Bars—properly placed and properly secured grab bars can help you support yourself and remain confident when they are needed.

There are many elements to consider in ensuring your bathroom will safely age with you and your stages—and there are plenty of bathroom products on the market to help.  From Right-Height toilets, lever faucet handles, to accessible bathtubs.  It is peace of mind when bathroom fixtures and aids are properly sized, mounted and secured.

 

American Standard’s DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) Division works directly with customers to provide bathroom safety assessments.  They are Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) and Senior Home Safety Specialists (Age-Safe Canada), so they know what the most common issues are, and can provide the best advice, through all Ages & Stages.

 

American Standard knows bathrooms, and has been manufacturing for 150 years—innovative products that allow you to be comfortable and independent, and with many design patents, some of the safest and most hygienic products available.

Like the ComfortSeries™ accessible bathtubs that not only allows you to access it from a seated or standing position, but provides the most therapeutic bath air & water jets available, providing the ultimate experience in relaxation, pain relief & rejuvenation at the touch of a button.

It’s the ideal product to grow with you, even if you just want to have a shower.

And because American Standard knows bathrooms—we know that as you age and go through changing stages, an accessible bathtub is the necessity for keeping you safer, and it’s dependable: there for you when you want and need it.

 

When American Standard Safety Specialists complete a free Bathroom Assessment for you, they will provide advice based on your Age & Stage to prevent falls from occurring.  Bathcare can help you get started before you schedule an appointment.

 

Did you Know?

There are Home Accessibility Tax Credits available to you when you choose to make your bathroom safer and more accessible.

 

As we enter the month of October and Active Aging Month, we celebrate Canadian Older Adults and Seniors, and we are committed to keeping you Safe, Independent, and Well.

 

Learn More about American Standard’s bath products for Seniors Safe at Home.

 

American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada         1-844-867-7737

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March 18, 2022

 

Do you ever wonder why you lay in bed wide awake, when your body knows that it should be getting at least 7 hours of restful sleep?

Well it turns out, that there are several elements that can hinder your precious shut-eye, and here are some tips to help you cope and remedy wakefulness.

 

There are three types of Insomnia; which one relates to you?

• Transient (symptoms are less than 1 week)
• Acute (short term symptoms)
• Chronic (long term symptoms)

 

Statistics show that 20%-30% of Canadian adults struggle with sleep issues, and 50%-60% of those are related to medical and mental ill health.  Older adults are more susceptible to insomnia, and suffer from sleep deprivation for a number of reasons: age, anxiety, worry, hormones, digital devices, illness, inflammation, injury, and nighttime bathroom visits.

 

 

What is Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, and waking through the night, preventing you from falling back to sleep.  We need 7-9 hours of restful sleep for general good health and cognitive functioning.

Not getting a recommended 7+ hours of sleep regularly can leave you feeling foggy, irritable, depressed, confused, and at a higher risk of accidental falls.

According to the Sleep Foundation, those suffering from chronic insomnia are at a 20% increased risk of stroke and heart attacks.

 

Causes

There are several risk factors that can cause insomnia such as age, family genetics, the environment that you live and/or work in, the one you sleep in, your lifestyle in general, and the condition of your health.  A lack of sleep can affect your daily energy level, your mood swings, memory, concentration, decision-making and work performance.

We know that when we lack sleep, it can worsen your immune response, contribute to heart problems, blood pressure increases, mental health, cognitive decline and dementia.

For some, chronic pain and inflammation is the number 1 reason for their reduced Quality of Life and sleep deprivation.  Addressing pain directly could be the most important method to of tackling the source of your insomnia cycle, and promote self-healing.

 

Lifestyle Contributors

Address and review the activities that you participate in; what and when do you eat, how you exercise, what your hobbies are; do you actively listen to world events, news, COVID; are you socializing, and what medications you are taking?

 

Tips to Manage Insomnia Symptoms

The goal is to change and establish a regular sleep cycle.  One that will allow you to get a more restful night, recondition/reset your body’s time clock, and have a healthier and fresher next day to prevent illness and injury.

1. Schedule your bedtime routine. Identify when you will go to sleep, and when you will wake; be consistent each day.
2. Consume lighter meals at dinnertime, with reduced spices that can cause acid reflux.
3. No caffeine after noon, and no alcohol.
4. Keep your bedroom 2 degrees cooler at night. Your body’s temperature will adjust when you sleep.  Using blankets is a better way to warm your core during wind-down time.
5. Take a hot bath & soak 2 hours prior to bedtime. This will condition and prepare your body to know that sleep will be imminent.
6. Wind-down 1 hour prior to bedtime. Turn off TV or other stimulator sources like phones or tablets.
7. Keep your bed for sleeping only. Don’t bring work or projects with you to bed.
8. Remove artificial light and sounds from your bedroom (ie electronic devices, video games, tv’s).
9. Practice mindfulness and breathe deeply before and after lights go out.
10. Seek assistance for persistent chronic pain.

 

 

Did You Know?

A warm bath within 2 hours of your bedtime, can help promote a relaxed state by decreasing your body’s heat levels.  Here’s the science.

 

 

Exercise & Mindfulness

During the day, it’s important for you to get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, or light therapy and to stay hydrated, so that your muscles and joints are amply lubricated.  By being active and exercising in the morning, it will help blood flow and circulation early, preventing late night excitement and restless legs. Participating in Yoga, meditation, and relaxation activities in the afternoon or early evening can start your body in transitioning to a more calm and peaceful state that is more encouraging of a regular sleep cycle.

 

 

 

 

Not everyone can eliminate work or environmental stressors, but helping to manage it will better support your physical health and mental well-being; and hopefully, a better, more restful night’s sleep.

 

Learn more about ComfortSeries™️ bathtubs, and how they can help you improve your sleep cycles.

Written for BATHCARE August 2018, updated October 27, 2021

 

Occupational therapy plays a key role in identifying strategies that enable individuals to modify their homes, thereby maximizing their ability to participate in daily tasks and activities.  Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled at recognizing how the environment affects the ability to perform desired occupations, and will recommend a course of preventative or corrective actions that will assist people in leading more productive and satisfying lives.  The occupational therapist professional is trained to understand medical, physical and psychosocial factors that affect a person’s health and wellness; but in addition to the individual’s performance abilities, occupational therapists also evaluate the home environment to identify barriers to performance.

Occupational therapy services can be provided directly to clients who are experiencing a decline in safety or independence, or are planning for future needs.

Occupational therapy practitioners provide client-focused intervention to adapt the environment in order to increase independence, promote health, and prevent further decline or injury.  For example, most falls occur at home, from home hazards in combination with declining physical abilities.  To minimize the risk of injury from falls, an occupational therapist will provide a home assessment, and observe daily living activities (bathing, dressing, self-care activities) to instrumental activities (preparing meals, doing laundry, performing home maintenance chores) to play and leisure activities (playing cards, exercising, playing a musical instrument, entertaining friends, enjoying hobbies.

As part of the evaluation, occupational therapists analyze how a person interacts with the environment to complete a task or activity.  Through this process, modifications and intervention strategies are selected to improve the fit between these elements, with a goal of maximizing safety and independence in the home.  The intervention plan may include but is not limited to strategies such as adaptive equipment, lighting, home modifications and renovations, or client training to promote safety in the home.

 

Occupational therapists also work with other professionals to assess and help clients find solutions to address the everyday functions in their homes safely to prevent disability or illness, and help to engage in everyday living.

Often, occupational therapists will call upon American Standard Walk-in Tubs & The Walkin Tub Company as Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) who are also certified with Age Safe Canada, to provide accessible and safe bathing solutions as part of their evaluation and recommendations to prevent or improve injury and promote independence and wellness.

 

Occupational therapy services are available in many places in the community: hospitals, home health agencies, or through private practice.

 

 

For more information contact:

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Ottawa—www.caot.ca

American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada—www.AmericanStandardWalkinTub2U.com