Safe Space

Happy OT month! Those who know me know I LOVE my job and have a passion for it. Being an OT, you don’t see the diagnosis, you see the person. The mother, the son, the employee, the homemaker, the student, the person trying to enjoy retirement. It’s an honor to help these people achieve their personal goals.❤️❤️

Grab bars!

I get this question a lot…”can’t I just get suction grab bars?”

Short answer….you shouldn’t 🫣

while suction grab bars are an easier/faster solution, they are not a safer solution.

1. They lose suction frequently. If you are not checking prior to each use, more than likely when you go to grab it one time it will come right off.

2. They are not meant for pulling, they are meant for balance. Although they are advertised for a certain weight limit, they are not safe enough to use for your primary source of pulling to stand from a shower chair/bench.

3. False sense of security. People who tend to use them only for balance feel they are providing adequate support when in reality that is not true. So if you lose your balance/slip and attempt to grab a suction bar it will most likely not hold up.

There are many options for size, colors, and textures and even shapes to fit everyone’s needs!

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions 🙂

Ashley your OT and Aging in Place Specialist

Let’s talk bathrooms!

While both styles are beautiful and for the most part functional, one image has a couple more features the other doesn’t. Can anyone guess?

1. SEAMLESS TRANSITION! Although both are technically walk in stalls, one shower has quite a large threshold that many people have difficulty clearing, therefore, create a huge fall risk and even at times inability to shower all together.

2. A more subtle detail most people look over; contrast colors. I will admit the white bathroom is more appealing to the eye, however, as we age our eyes have more difficulty with depth perception and having contrasting colors significantly improve our overall safety.

Thinking of upgrading your bathroom to a more aging in place friendly design? I would love to help!

This weather makes me want to stay inside! BUT, if you decide to venture out, make sure your exit/entrance to your home is safe. These non slip treads are an easy and cost efficient way to make your outdoors stairs a whole lot safer.

Many hear the word ‘accessible’ and sometimes think that it means it has to look institutionalized.

I like to use the term ‘universal design’ when considering making one’s home “accessible” or “modified” to fit their needs.

Because the definition of universal design is an approach that aims to make products, environments, and services usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities, ages, or disabilities. It focuses on inclusive design from the outset, reducing the need for modifications or specialized designs.

Take this picture below for example, you may see a beautifully designed bathroom, which it is. What I see is an easily accessible shower with zero entrance that anyone could get into, a sink that a wheel chair could fit under, contrasting colors that could accommodate someone with low vision.

If you are in the process of rennovating or thinking about updating your home to fit your needs, I would love to help!

April is OT month!

What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is treatment that helps you improve your ability to perform daily tasks. It can help you learn how to move through your environment or use different tools to participate in your activities safely. OT can also help adapt and alter your environment to make it safer and more accessible.

Cheers to all the OTs out there🫶🏻🫶🏻

I am happy to announce I am now a distributor for Ponte Giulio, a company that specializes in bathroom equipment and safety

Why Ponte Giulio?
All items are Anti-microbial which reduces microbes, bacteria and fungi up to 99.9%

All grab bars are ada approved and hold from 250-450 lb. They also come in a variety of colors and shapes to fit any persons needs

They have a superior anti slip to traditional grab bars and medical equipment for increased safety.

Thinking of an upgrade for your bathroom? Reach out and I can help set you up! Click the link below to review all their items!
https://www.pontegiulio.com/userFiles/Documents/Catalogue_USA/NAM_GEN_CAT_2020.pdf

80% or 2/3 of falls occur in the bathroom or shower.

Main reasons include: slippery floor, lacking appropriate equipment, reaching too far for items, tripping over throw rugs or other hazards, bending for hard to reach areas.

Let me help you make your bathroom a safer place!

Did you know that 1/3 of falls can be prevented? 3 major facors that lead to falls are medications, physical conditions, and the top leading cause are environmental hazards. As an OT and Certified Aging in Place Specialist I can assess your home, recommend modifications as well as oversee remodels or renovations in order to help aging adults or person with a disability live safely and comfortably in their home.