Smart Senior

Edible Gardening - Senior Living

Edible Gardening - Senior Living

 

I have never been an avid gardener but I can remember growing up in the country and eating strawberries and tomatoes right off from the vine.  It has been a long time and we have grown accustomed to buying convenience foods and produce from our local grocery store; the memories of canning and freezing vegetables are far behind us.

 

Living on a fixed income is frightening.  Even more frightening is paying $1.88 for two small tomatoes.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (Thursday, June 5, 2008) by Anne Marie Chaker, more and more families are looking for ways to ease the problem of high food prices.  As a result home owners are realizing that cutting out sections of the lawn or retiring some of the flower beds to grow your own food might not be such a bad idea.

 

Gardening is a lot of work but with the high price of gasoline people are staying home anyway, so why not consider using some of your extra hour’s homes rediscovering the joys of gardening.  Be kind to your back and set up raised vegetable beds and for the price of a package of seeds for a dollar or two you can have a whole bed or organic vegetables.  Your initial cost might be a little high if you plan to do this with style but remember that you can use the same materials year after year.  Talk to your local nursery for instructions on ideal planting times and for a wealth of information growing your own favorite vegetables.  Parents and grandparents need to lead the way and let the next generation know that getting back to basics is often the way to go.

Appliance Designs Target Baby Boomers

Appliance Designs Target Baby Boomers

 

Articles are cropping up every day that focus on appliances and other fixtures of interest to people entering the senior ranks.  This is a good thing!  I know you don’t feel all that old yet, but if you are entering or are in the last third of your life you want to make it the best third.  People are taking a stance regarding aging-in-place (a.k.a. opting to stay in their own homes for the duration) and are looking for products that people without infirmities can appreciate.

 

As a result of this movement, appliance and bathroom fixture makers are coming up with more and more products designed to make this possible.  Sara Lin wrote an interesting article called “Designing for the Senior Surge,” for The Wall Street Journal (Friday, April 25, 2008).  She looks at fixtures with controls that are easier to operate for arthritic hands as well appliances that can give you a hand through degrees of memory loss and dimming vision.  Safety is a high priority and the author highlights a few examples of innovative products design for the likes of us in mind.

 

How does a wall oven by Dacor sound? The have designed an oven that features a display panel with adjustable font size and colors.  It also has a volume and pitch control so that you can really hear it, instead of the usual low beep that doesn’t really call your name.

 

How about a motion-sensor light control system by Lutron Electronics that can be programmed to turn on your night light when you get out of bed?  Or, my favorite, a toilet by Kohler with a blue nightlight and a motorized seat and cover that go up with the touch of a button.

 

What about flooding water from sink overflows?  This happens just often enough at the place where I work to make this sound like a really good idea.  There is nothing worse than having your overflowing sink drip through to the apartments below.  To prevent spills in the bathroom, Flowban has come up with a device that shuts off water to the faucets when the tub or sink is full.

 

 Thermador has designed an electric cook-top that can monitor the amount of heat coming from the cookware.  A Sensor Dome switches the heating element on and off to help maintain a constant temperature.  Bosch has an induction cook-top that sounds an alarm if liquid boils over and has cooking elements that are cool to the touch.

 

Other design options may be as simple as moving controls to the front of the stoves, replacing levers with knobs, or installing faucets that turn on and off when you tap them.   Vision problems, decreasing memory, decreasing motor skills are only a few of the problems that we need to think about.  I find it rather reassuring that manufacturers are listening to people and recognizing their needs.

Shoes for Super Women of Any Age

Shoes for Super Woman

 

Clogs and sandals are all well and good if foot comfort is a priority, but maybe pink clogs just don’t do it for you. If high heels are not only a fashion statement but part of your “power woman” image, what are you going to do?

 

Christina Brinkley, writing for The Wall Street Journal (Thursday, April 10, 2008) touches on the subject of comfort and the power heel. A small but increasingly popular number of shoe companies have been busy trying to combine height and comfort. By the time you reach 40, 50, 60, or beyond, the thought of wearing shoes that put extreme pressure on the ball of your foot is painful just to think about.

 

Help is on the way. The top contender for comfort and style is Taryn Rose. If you really value comfort you won’t blanch quite as quickly when you see the $495 price tag. Remember that you are paying over $100 for athletic shoes today so it might not be a bad idea to think about one pair of really good shoes. They were tested for both style and comfort and the model pictured actually looks like a shoe that will never go out of style.

 

Taryn Rose isn’t the only company out there and the author foot tested several other brands that she found quite acceptable. Stuart Weitzman heels log in at $275 and get top marks for style. Cole Haan’s has a $275 Nike Air but watch the pointy toes (author did mention that they made her toes numb). Naturalizer, Aerosoles and Ecco brands feature shoes that blend style and comfort at a more affordable price.

 

The good news is that we are going to see a lot more of this kind of thing, so if you can’t give up your high heels, help is on the way.

 

 

Space Saving Shoe Storage

Space Saving Shoe Storage

 

I have a very modest selection of shoes, but even with my new space saving closet organization system my shoes seem to spill out all over the place.

 

Arthritis Today (May/June 2008) featured the perfect solution and boy do I want one of these! It is a shoe wheel (okay, it looks like a slotted hamster wheel) but it stores up to 30 pairs of shoes. A spin of the wheel brings the shoes to you and each slot adjusts to the height of the shoe. The cost is $65 and would be the perfect Mother’s Day (or any other day) gift (www.rakkudesigns.com).

Seniors and their Feet

 

Woman love shoes! Women of all ages are tempted to buy for style rather than comfort, even though we know that when your feet hurt you hurt all over. Painful feet are no picnic. Flimsy shoes lead to sore feet and can contribute to knee and back problems as well.

 

Shannon Wilder (Arthritis Today May/June 2008) understands arthritis and understands painful feet. She wrote an article called “Summer Soles” with tips about what to look for when you buy your next pair of shoes.

 

Support is the key. If your feet are painful you need proper support for the ball, arch and heel of your foot. Shoes should have semi-rigid soles, backs and sides in order to provide enough support. She recommends avoiding shoes that can be bent in half front to back.

 

Coverage is of the essence. It might be fun to show off your fancy pedicure but shoes that have bumpers that cover the toes and heels are studier and more comfortable than flat slippery sandals, and protect you from stubbed toes.

 

Comfort is everything if you are on your feet a lot. Cushioning and support with supple materials such as soft leather is ideal. The heel should be as wide as the back of the shoe rather than tapered, in order to lend stability and comfort.

 

Everyone wants to be a size six or below but if your feet are bigger you are going to have to live with that. Make sure that your shoe has a wide enough toe box so that you can wiggle your toes from side to side and up and down. The space between your longest toe and the edge of the shoe should be equal to the width of your thumbnail. Your heel should not lift off of the foot bed when you walk.

 

Recommendations for summer wear include the Key Largo, which is a closed back clog by Klogs (www.klogs.com) and the Row which has an internal rocker and Velcro straps by

Clarks

(www.clark.susa.com).  For more ideas check out: (www.ArthritisToday.com ) for a more about arthritis friendly shoes (or anyone looking for tips about really comfortable shoes).

Remote Control Door Openers

Remote Control Door Openers

 

Protected entryways, opting to use levers instead of knobs, or even keyless entry systems that are operated by a touch, are the first steps to take to assure easy access into your house. 

 

An automatic door opener is another good option. These devices attach to your existing door and automatically open, close, lock or unlock your door by means of a remote control system or a touch pad. Devices are available that include a hold-open setting to allow you time to get safely through your doorway. Turn garages or utility rooms into well lighted and organized areas where everything from car to lawn care equipment can be stored in a safe easy to access environment.  Install automatic door openers and keyless dead bolts to open entryways in your home. Remember to update lighting near entrances to come on automatically to eliminate shadowed areas, and rework thresholds so that they are no higher than ¼ inch.

 

If limited hand or arm strength is an issue an automatic door opener can make life easier for you. An automatic garage door opener can make it easier for you to get in and out of your garage. Special features like keyless entry systems can provide secure access without the need for keys, and electronic sensors can prevent people or pets from being crushed by the heavy door.

 

Garage door openers are available in keychain versions, visor clip-on units or touchpad systems. The three basic models are chain-drive, belt drives, and screw drives. The chain-drive is the most common but it is noisier than the more expensive models.

Automatic Curtains and Blinds

Automatic Curtains and Blinds

 

It seems like science fiction but in today’s electronic age, practically everything can be automated and activate by sound, motion, timers, or even commands sent over the internet or by your cell phone. If you have a disability these features can make the difference between dependence and independence.

 

Glare from windows and shiny surfaces can be a problem for people with limited vision. You can reduce glare with anti-glare window films or by installing adjustable blinds or shades. Automatic window covering openers make it easier for people with limited arm or hand strength to adjust windows, blinds and shutters.  You can control hard to reach window blinds by remote control.

 

Controlling the amount of light that you want to let into your room is reason enough, but don’t forget to consider how you can increase energy efficiency, privacy and personal security by installing timers. Shades on a timer or sensor can open and close the blinds at certain hours or even be configured to close them when the sun hits that side of the house. Motorized blinds are available as wall mounted, hand held or by a fully automated system that can adjust each blind individually, as a group or both.  There are starter kits available at home improvement stores for do-it-yourselfers or hire a professional if you are interested in a more sophisticated set up.

Accessible Window Openers

Accessible Window Openers

 

Opening and closing windows can require considerable strength. Both the classic double –hung and sliding windows present problems when it comes to ease of operation. Even windows that have sash weights and springs can be hard to open and close if hand strength is an issue for you.

 

Windows in an accessible home need to meet some basic criteria and it all involves around them being functional, easy to operate and of course being attractive. 

 

Experts recommend that you replace existing windows with casement windows. A casement window opens and closes using a hand crank. The window is hinged at the side so that it pivots out like a door. You can open and close it with little effort whether you are seated or standing.

 

If that is still to difficult you can opt to install an automatic window opener. The window can be opened, closed, locked or unlocked via remote control. In addition to immediate commands it can be programmed to close automatically if it starts to rain or open if it gets too warm. These units can be fitted to new or to existing casement windows.

 

 

Hand Rails and Grab Bars

 

Traditional housing design does not take into account issues related to dimming vision and potential human frailties, and as a result your home actually contributes to your problems. The failure to make your home safer contributes to potential falls and the end of life as you know it.

The first and easiest steps to safety should center on the instillation of grab bars and handrails. Your goal should focus on being able to get in and out of your house safely and in being able to move around your house without fear of falling. This includes figuring out how to get in and out of bed, dress, and toilet yourself without putting yourself at jeopardy. Simple changes can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Living independently and safety is important to a seniors’ mental and physical well-being.

It is important to install grab bars around the room, wherever a holding on place may be needed. Grab bars are available in many beautiful finishes, colors and design so they can actually be a stylish accessory as well as a safety feature.

Adding handrails to a long rail or living area can offer the extra support needed to move safely throughout the house. Handrails should be installed along every stairway (preferably on both sides) both inside the home and outside around decks and walkways. Handrails should be considered for any location where there is a change in floor levels. Choose a rail that can support your weight and look for a rail, preferably a round design that is easy to grip between thumb and fingers. The rail should be installed a 1 ½ from the wall in order to prevent an arm from sliding through and being trapped.

Think about how you move around your house and map out where to place bars and rails accordingly. Through the use of innovated products and accessible design, it is possible to help maintain personal independence as well as promote safety.

 

 

Accessible Gardening for Seniors

Gardening doesn’t have to be painful. With a little foresight, you could be thinking right now about things that you could be doing to make your yard/garden attractive and accessible, without screaming disability.

Anyone can garden, no matter what your situation or what the size of your space is. Adapting homes and gardens to accommodate aging has become a mainstream business.  Your can approach this aspect of your home remodeling project by consulting a profession designer or taking a good do-it-yourself attitude. The demand for adaptive or universal gardens will continue to grow.

There are gardening tools and techniques that made gardening possible for anyone that wants to do it. If you think about gardening from a sitting position you will  appreciate the idea of raised beds, window boxes, hanging baskets that operate using a pulley system, resting areas in the shade, handrails  and easy to reach watering systems, that are a must for the comfort of older gardeners. A variety of gadgets are available. Rocking seats, to kneelers, to tools with especially designed handles designed for people with arthritis or other conditions that decrease grip strength will make gardening fun again. It is important to find and use equipment that is comfortable for you.

Don’t let your infirmities prevent you from enjoying the therapeutic and practical aspects of gardening. We aren’t just talking about flowers but of good old fashioned vegetable gardening.  The price of produce continues to skyrocket and it won’t be long before your garden will be the hit of the neighborhood.