More than 1.2 million Americans are living with paralysis from spinal cord injuries (Reeve Foundation). What is a spinal cord injury? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, spinal cord injury (SCI) is the result of a bruise (contusion) or a tear (transection) in the spinal cord from a traumatic injury. It is estimated that… Read more »
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Honoring Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. Juvenile arthritis (JA) occurs when children have inflammation in their joints. Similar to adults, children can develop various kinds of arthritis, but the most common type is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases). About 300,000 children in the United States live with juvenile… Read more »
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Home Modification Tips to Help Address Depression in Seniors
Depression is an ever-growing and very serious mental disorder that affects the lives of more than 300 million people across the globe (World Health Organization). More than two million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression (Mental Health America). A recent article in New Life Outlook discusses ideas how to… Read more »
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Join in on National Safety Month!
Aging in place is becoming more popular over the years, with nearly 90 percent of seniors now saying they want to stay in their home as long as possible (Right at Home®). At the same time, that means the need for safety in the home is ever increasing. In honor of National Safety Month, we… Read more »
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Improving Bathroom Safety with Shower Chairs
Realizing you or someone you know could benefit from bathroom modifications such as shower chairs or tub benches is only the start to improving functionality and safety in the bathroom. Now that you’re ready for the next steps, we’d like to walk you through some of the considerations to keep in mind when choosing what… Read more »
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Safer Living with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is one of the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorders in older American adults, increasing as the population ages. Currently, nearly one million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation). As the disease progresses, so do the difficulties of daily activities at home due to tremors in limbs and the… Read more »
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The Rising Need for Bathroom Modifications
From slippery surfaces to sharp corners, bathrooms can be considered one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Especially for older adults with limited mobility, these surfaces can make seating transfers, showering and toileting even more difficult. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.5 million older people are treated in emergency… Read more »
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Breathe Easier with Home Modifications
Pulmonary issues refer to the lungs, affecting breathing which may prevent the body from getting enough oxygen (Office on Women’s Health). Because of these issues, common side effects include wheezing, chronic cough, shortness of breath and a tightness in your chest. The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) offers these tips to living at home with… Read more »
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TIPS ON LIVING WISELY: Ramps and Doorways
Debbie Hartzler OTR/L, CAPS As walkers and wheelchairs become more common in your home, entrance into and mobility around the house can become more difficult. Below are some tips to improving your accessibility concerning stairs and doorways. Stair Access Managing the stairs into the home from the front or garage entry can be challenging for… Read more »
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WHOOO You Callin’ a Fool?
Happy April Fools! Homer always enjoys celebrating the holidays! Nonetheless, there’s no fooling him when it comes to remodeling! He knows LifeWise Renovations is the go-to source for making renovations to better age in place because: We have one of three Master Certified Remodelers in the Kansas City Area (President and CEO Mike Dodd). Our… Read more »