6 · SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 GETTY IMAGES ADAPTING & ADJUSTING Security features such as exterior motion lighting make a house safer, but the most important thing is ensuring everyone, young and old, is able to see around the house. There should also be rail-ings on both sides of the steps, not just one. Falls can easily happen as steps turn at a landing, for instance, or at other places where there might be a break in the railing. It’s important that a loved one be able to use both arms for balance and support the length of the stairs. In the bedroom One concern often found in the bedroom is whether it’s easy to move across the carpet. Thick carpeting can sometimes make it difficult to walk, particularly with a cane or walker, so ensure that the floor covering is something that still works as a loved one’s mobility changes. It might also be necessary to lower the bed if getting in and out becomes prob-lematic. Often, this can be accomplished by simply changing the boxspring, but sometimes a new boxspring and mattress might be needed. Another consideration would be a bed handle, which slides between the mattress and the box spring and gives an individual a little extra support. In the bathroom Like stairways, bathrooms are places that can be par-ticularly hazardous if the proper measures aren’t taken to ensure a loved one’s safety as much as possible. Grab bars are a must in the shower. Ideally, there should be a vertical bar placed at the spot where the individual enters and exits the tub and another inside the tub, placed either diagonally or horizontally depending on preference. The shower isn’t the only place where grab bars are useful, either. Often, if an individual loses balance in the bathroom outside the shower, he or she will reach for a towel bar for sup-port, but those can easily be pulled from the wall. A better option is a decorative grab bar that looks nice and serves the same purpose as a towel bar but will provide support if needed. Bath mats can be haz-ardous. If possible, ensure they’re pulled up after a shower or have a sticky enough backing that they won’t slide. Once mobility becomes a greater concern, there are plenty of options to modify the tub so that it’s easier to get in and out. These range from buying a tub with a Observer. Interpreter. Optimist. Picasso groupie. Soul searcher. Gallery crawler. Grandma of 12. a change of address can be a real inspiration. We believe that each day holds opportunities to enrich every life. That’s why our Memory Support Services are focused on therapeutic, fulfilling activities that engage, entertain and inspire. Here, residents are cared for based on their unique needs. And each is surrounded by familiar faces in comfortable settings, helping to reduce stress and encourage involvement. Because an abundance of joy should always be part of the picture. Live an Abundant Life.® For more information visit lutheranseniorlife.org adno=6462621 Residential Living | Skilled Nursing | Memory Support Services | LIFE Programs
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