safety

Those who are buying a walker for the 1st time are often forced to choose between style, features, or durability. This can make purchasing a walker stressful and frustrating. If you or a loved one is at the time of life when a walker has become a necessity, be sure that the walker you choose meets these 5 criteria.

As we age, our reaction speed, coordination, and physical strength tend to decrease, making driving more difficult and potentially risky. In fact, studies have shown that older drivers receive more tickets and get into more accidents than younger drivers. That’s not to say seniors can’t drive well, but those who do would be smart to take some extra precautions.

Typically, 30th wedding anniversaries are significant and memorable events. But Fred and Debbie Strubin never would’ve guessed theirs would be the day they rescued an elderly woman.

We all want to avoid falls, but they can happen even to the best of us. If you ever experience a fall, remember—

 1. Stay Calm

Sudden falls are very upsetting. Take a moment to breathe deeply and calm yourself before doing anything. This will help you recover from the shock so you can better handle the situation.

Did you know there are over a hundred forms of arthritis, not to mention a plethora of causes?

If the pain and stiffness of arthritis is affecting your mobility and prohibiting your independence, it’s time to fight back. Your doctor will know the best way to combat your specific form of arthritis, but there are several simple home remedies which may help as well.

As you age, regular exercise and daily walks become much more important to your health. But they also pose an increased risk. Here are some safety tips so you can go on your daily walk with peace of mind.

Throughout the year of 2011, two conmen preyed on the elderly in the United Kingdom. Now both are going to jail. Darren Sharpe has been sentenced to five years and Christopher Andrew Simpson to 18 months after both plead guilty to fraud.

Rolling walkers, or rollators, are walkers with a wheel at the bottom of each leg. Though they’re relatively easy to use, there are some things you should do to ensure you have the best and safest experience. Here are our tips for safe rollator use, though we encourage you to seek guidance from a medical health practitioner for your specific situation.

If you’re an elderly wheelchair, walker or cane user, you may not have put much thought into taking up martial arts. But perhaps you should. Tai Chi, as we’ve previously mentioned, is a slow meditative martial art that’s great for helping the elderly and those with limited mobility stay active.

If you’ve recently gotten injured and will have to start using crutches at school, you probably have some concerns. But don’t worry. Life on crutches will take a bit of getting used to, sure, but most schools are ready to handle these situations and students tend to be supportive.

Recently, the World Health Organization released a warning that “a sedentary lifestyle could very well be among the 10 leading causes of death and disability in the world.” They claim that 2 million deaths every year are attributed to physical inactivity, making it one of the biggest public health issues of our time.

Using crutches incorrectly can be a painful experience. Either you fall on your face or, if you have them adjusted wrong, you injure everything from your hands and arms to your back and neck. Here are some of the most common crutch mistakes we recommend avoiding.

The word 'summer' conjures up classic images of beaches, tank tops, and lemonade stands. One thing we often forget about, or at least deliberately ignore, is the heavy, oppressive, suffocating heat and humidity that go right along with those happy thoughts.

If you’re confined to a wheelchair, we don’t need to tell you the smallest tasks can be a big event in a wheelchair. Federal regulations may require public buildings to be wheelchair accessible, but older and private buildings don’t have to follow the same regulations. And there’s always the constant inconvenience of finding the side door, the cargo elevator, or the only staff member with a key.

Do you think you’re too old for a tongue piercing? Or maybe you think such things have no useful purpose? Think again! A project under development at Northwestern University would introduce a new mobility aid onto the market—one which uses a pierced tongue to control a wheelchair, hands-free!

Many people who fall develop a fear of falling even if they are not injured. However, if you can prevent the fall in the first place, you will feel more safe and secure. Since poor lighting is one of the most prevalent reasons for falls, it turns out that the best thing you can do for your health and safety is simple - improve visibility!

"I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Most of us will instantly recognize that familiar phrase and groan, nod, or smile. Unfortunately, for thousands of Americans, it's an unpleasant fact of life.