| When it comes to senior housing, there are a | | | | grab the sliding door as a means of getting in and out |
| surprising number of options available to seniors. While | | | | of the shower. The door moves and fall occurs. Grab |
| discussions tend to range between assisted living, | | | | bars give the person a more stable means for |
| senior communities and nursing homes, a significant | | | | moving about. |
| debate exists on the issue of independent living. | | | | Storage space is a second issue. Many of us put |
| Independent living is pretty much what it sounds like. | | | | store clothes and what have you in every nook and |
| A person lives independently in their home or in an | | | | cranny of closets. Okay, let's be honest. We cram |
| apartment within a community. The residence, | | | | stuff up onto shelves we can't reach half the time on |
| however, is modified to provide assistance for the | | | | the best of days. For seniors, this is more so a |
| person with certain daily tasks that may seem small, | | | | problem. If you are setting up an independent living |
| but can make a major difference in their standard of | | | | environment, moving shelves and stored items to a |
| living and the safety factor therein. | | | | lower level makes sense. |
| So, what type of assistance are we talking about | | | | The ability to communicate with the outside world, |
| here? The first is very simple. Independent living | | | | particularly in an emergency, is also a critical issue. |
| often comes with meal options wherein the person in | | | | The simplest way to deal with this is to place a |
| question is provided with two meals a day. This may | | | | phone in every room. If a situation arises that |
| sound simple, but preparing meals can take a lot of | | | | requires a 911 call or what have you, the ability to |
| time and require trips to the grocery store and so on. | | | | reach out and grab a phone can make the difference |
| Being relieved of the burden can make a big | | | | between immediate help and a major tragedy. |
| difference to many seniors. | | | | At the end of the day, independent living is |
| The second area of help is found in the more | | | | controversial as a senior housing option. Some seniors |
| practical. The biggest concern for many seniors is a | | | | are independent enough to have no problems while |
| falling accident. Falling can result in broken bones, pain | | | | others really need more help and run serious safety |
| and death. The placement of grab bars throughout | | | | risks by not moving to an assisted living facility or |
| the living area is one way to deal with this issue. This | | | | other care solution. The dividing line is often difficult |
| is particularly true in the key fall area of the | | | | to distinguish. If independent living is the choice, |
| bathroom. Placing grab bars in the shower and just | | | | taking the steps to make a home safe is key. |
| outside of the shower is a critical step. Many seniors | | | | |