Category Archives: Senior Living

Fall Proofing Your Home

November 20, 2013How-To's, Senior LivingFall Proofing your home, Home safety, Safety tips, Senior CitizensJoanne

Simple Changes for Home Safety

Six out of every 10 falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. Many falls could be prevented by making simple changes in your living areas, as well as personal and lifestyle changes.

Take steps to “fall proof” your home, both inside and outdoors. To make your home safer, you can:

remove or avoid safety hazards
improve lighting
install handrails and grab bars
move items to make them easier to reach.

Tips to “Fall Proof” Your Home

An important step toward preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking. Tripping on clutter, small furniture, pet bowls, electrical or phone cords, or other things can cause you to fall. Slipping on rugs or slick floors can also cause falls.

Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Also remove items from stairs, hallways, and pathways.

Be sure that carpets are secured to the floor and stairs. Remove throw rugs, use non-slip rugs, or attach rugs to the floor with double-sided tape.

Put non-slip strips on floors and steps. Put non-slip strips or a rubber mat on the floor of your bathtub or shower, as well. You can buy these items at a home center or hardware store.

At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Use only non-skid wax on waxed floors at home.

Be careful when walking outdoors, and avoid going out alone on ice or snow. A simple slip on a slick sidewalk, a curb, or icy stairs could result in a serious injury.

During the winter, ask someone to spread sand or salt on icy surfaces. Be sure to wear boots with good traction if you must go out when it snows. Better yet, don’t take chances walking on icy or slippery surfaces.

Poor lighting — inside and outdoors — can increase your risk of falls. Make sure you have enough lighting in each room, at entrances, and on outdoor walkways. Use light bulbs that have the highest wattage recommended for the fixture. Good lighting on stairways is especially important. Light switches at both the top and bottom of stairs can help.

Place a lamp within easy reach of your bed. Put night lights in the bathroom, hallways, bedroom, and kitchen. Also keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.

Have handrails installed on both sides of stairs and walkways. If you must carry something while walking up or down stairs, hold the item in one hand and use the handrail with the other. When you’re carrying something, be sure you can see where your feet are stepping.

Properly placed grab bars in your tub and shower, and next to the toilet, can help you avoid falls, too. Have grab bars installed, and use them every time you get in and out of the tub or shower. Be sure the grab bars are securely attached to the wall.

You might find it helpful to rearrange often-used items in your home to make them more accessible. Store food boxes, cans, dishes, clothing, and other everyday items within easy reach. This simple change could prevent a fall that might come from standing on a stool to get to an item.

If you have fallen, your doctor might suggest that an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or nurse visit your home. For more information see Senior Safety Tips

Kentwood Seeks Volunteers in Police Service

November 18, 2013Our Cities, Senior LivingJoanne

Since 1993, Kentwood volunteers have been making a difference in their community by dedicating a few hours every week to supporting police services. An open house was held Wednesday, November 13th for interested residents to learn more about the program. Since 2007, Leslie Montgomery has been the coordinator for the Volunteers in Police Service and says the program has grown from a few to a group of over 40.

Leslie Montgomery talks with interested citizen. Photo WKTV

“It sounds like a lot, but we are always in recruiting mode,” she says. “We never know when our numbers may go down due to life circumstances. Plus, we have a lot of real estate to cover.”

Opportunities exist in areas such as, clerical, community road and trail patrol, and chaplain. Seasoned volunteers and police officers, including Police Chief Hillen, were at the open house to answer questions. Montgomery says interested volunteers have to be interviewed, pass a background check and attend training.

Volunteers answer questions at open house. Photo WKTV

“When you volunteer for the Kentwood Police Department, you know you’re making a difference in the community,” she says. “You also make friends, and interact with and learn more about law enforcement. “

By patrolling areas that police officers may not have sufficient time to cover, volunteers fill the gap in public safety. From checking handicapped parking stickers, to cruising walking trails for debris, these primarily senior volunteers take their job seriously but with a lot of room for fun and camaraderie.

“Oh yes, we have to add fun to it – it keeps us coming back” smiles Richard, who is a 32 year veteran of the Kent County Police Department and a 4 year VIPS. He and his partner patrol the area around Woodland Mall for parking enforcement. He says he enjoys doing what he has known for most of his career, but without all the stress.

“You know back on the force, there were some days I’d wonder if I’d ever make it back home. This is nothing like that!”

Montgomery stresses that although the open house has come and gone, they will always take volunteers. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer in police service, contact Leslie Montgomery at 616-656-6571 or email her at montgomery@ci.kentwood.mi.us.

Pause to Remember and Honor

November 13, 2013Local Faces, Our Cities, Senior LivingArmy, Marines, Navy, Soldier, Veteran's Day, VietnamJoanne

Dick - Korea — A marine, a father, a veteran – Dick in Korea.

Your Soldier

by Susan Lamos When you hear the word soldier does it bring a vision to your mind? Do you have someone you call, “my soldier?” It might be your grandfather Chet, whose wrinkled voice on rare occasion will offer the story of crawling on his belly with General McArthur’s Army during WWII. He might tell of the blaring momenthe realized those buddies who flanked his body there in the dirt were gone forever.

Your soldier might be Dick, your father perhaps, who left his unopened college books to battle on hill 812 in Korea. He moves tall through his life, telling many he meets, “Dog Company, 2nd battalion, 5th regiment…1st Marine Division sir,” as he rubs at the phantom pain in an empty shirt sleeve.

Perhaps your eyes see his brother Bob who 10 years post Korea was driven to continue his brother’s service. This war is Viet Nam. As a Navy Corpsman he aided many wounded. Knowing after he came home that there were more bodies in the fields awaiting rescue, he returned for a valiant second tour…this time going closer from the pilot’s seat of an Army helicopter.

Is your soldier Steve, a 44 yr. old Marine, who served his country in the Middle East? His intelligence work took him through many heart wrenching years both in his conscious psyche and meditating soul. Steve walked out the front door of his California home one February night. All contact ceased.

You might find your soldier in the face of someone at a Veterans Day parade. He could be the one standing next to you, who has quietly slipped away from his family to pay tribute with fellow comrades. Many who line the streets come alone with their story marinating in their hearts. A wiped tear from a lone serviceman, a tight but treasured uniform worn in the cavalcade or an American Legion hat carefully donned by an amputee in a chair, they are all there.

On November 11th our country remembers, honors and pays homage to our men and women in uniform. Search for your personal reason to support our troops and leaders today. Find it in those around you, knowing their sacrifices continue to give us our freedoms. Try and understand their passion and love of “Old Glory,” as she passes by. To some who have traveled further from the agonies in their mind than to where the original battle was fought…that beautiful flag stands more than their own life…it represents yours.