Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D.
Of course, as we age, we are more vulnerable. We don’t see as well. We don’t hear as well. Our balance isn’t what it used to be – the list goes on and on! Staying healthy and safe becomes our job!
Most falls will happen in the bathroom! So, take some time and assess your facilities!
- Consider installing grab bars in your bathroom and near stairs and other obstacles BEFORE any emergency. The Masons’ Elder Outreach has had calls from older residents who have just had a fall, or have just had surgery, or a bout with vertigo and need the assistance of grab bars. The problem is, or course, that the patient needs them urgently. Our Masons are volunteers with jobs and families, and they cannot respond immediately. Grab bars are available at hardware stores, home improvement centers, and even online at retailers like wayfair.com.
- Do you have more difficulty on steps because of changes in eyesight? They look less distinct? I have that problem because of glaucoma – especially in my garage where the wooden steps are gray, and the garage floor in gray. So, I bought small quantities of floor paint in different colors. I painted each step a different color – light colors that are reflective in a dimly lit space (light green as opposed to dark green, for example; light blue as opposed to dark blue, for example).
Do you have difficulty seeing things clearly in cabinets – especially lower cabinets? I found motion sensor disk lights in Home Depot (look where the lightbulbs are) that require no installation. They run on 2 AA batteries. You peel off sticky paper and press them against the side of a cabinet. Now when I look for pots and pans, a bright light comes on, and it is far easier.
Dr. Wendy C. Kasten, Writer 