Traditionally, May is Older Americans Month. It was started as Senior Citizens Month in 1963 by President Kennedy and thankfully, President Carter changed the name to Older Americans Month in 1980. Can you believe that in 1963, only 17 million Americans had reached their 65th birthday? In 2009 (the last year for which these statistics are available) there were 39.6 million Americans over 65 and in 2030 it is estimated that there will be 72.1 million older Americans, who will be 19% of the overall population.
In the past, Older Americans Month has had a theme. This year the theme is "Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow." As caregivers or those involved with our older Americans, we know that older adults are at a much higher risk of injury than the general population. Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least 6 million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. Most of these injuries and deaths can be prevented by making sure that the environment is more safe. You can help, here are three easy things you can do today.
Make sure that stair railings are sturdy and don't move. Go ahead and give them a shake. They shouldn't move. A person grabbing a railing to prevent a fall will have a lot more impact than your shake and the railing should be able to take it.
Install (or have your handyman install) grab bars by the toilet and in the shower/bath. Make sure they are securely fastened to a stud or suitable foundation. Even if you are told "I don't need those", install them anyway.
Consider getting your loved one a smart phone app that can help in the case of an emergency. Look at Life360, or consider a Jitterbug cell phone with large buttons and medical alert built in. We like the idea behind ManDown, an app for your iPhone or Android that costs $1.99 and does not require monthly monitoring.
Please remember that we are not affiliated with any of these apps or companies and receive no compensation for mentioning them here. We just think that even the older folks can take advantage of the newest technologies.
Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow. Sage advice for every day living.
Take care and stay healthy!
Debbie Carroll. Founder
The Senior Sage
In the past, Older Americans Month has had a theme. This year the theme is "Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow." As caregivers or those involved with our older Americans, we know that older adults are at a much higher risk of injury than the general population. Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least 6 million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. Most of these injuries and deaths can be prevented by making sure that the environment is more safe. You can help, here are three easy things you can do today.
Make sure that stair railings are sturdy and don't move. Go ahead and give them a shake. They shouldn't move. A person grabbing a railing to prevent a fall will have a lot more impact than your shake and the railing should be able to take it.
Install (or have your handyman install) grab bars by the toilet and in the shower/bath. Make sure they are securely fastened to a stud or suitable foundation. Even if you are told "I don't need those", install them anyway.
Consider getting your loved one a smart phone app that can help in the case of an emergency. Look at Life360, or consider a Jitterbug cell phone with large buttons and medical alert built in. We like the idea behind ManDown, an app for your iPhone or Android that costs $1.99 and does not require monthly monitoring.
Please remember that we are not affiliated with any of these apps or companies and receive no compensation for mentioning them here. We just think that even the older folks can take advantage of the newest technologies.
Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow. Sage advice for every day living.
Take care and stay healthy!
Debbie Carroll. Founder
The Senior Sage
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