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Senior Living in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan

A guide for seniors in the community covering topics ranging from retirement options, active adult communities and events, assisted living, financial well-being, nursing homes and health care options.
 
Check back often as information is updated.

Sylvania senior going for Olympic gold  
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Fostoria man killed in crash  
Friday, February 05, 2010

Honor Flight's tribute show remembers the 'good ol' days'  
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

State dollars will allow senior center expansion  
Monday, February 01, 2010

Construction on a new Toledo senior center one step closer  
Monday, February 01, 2010

North Toledo group adding development corporations  
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Cedar Point donates thousands to local organizations  
Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Seniors stay fit with SilverSneakers  
Thursday, December 10, 2009

Alzheimer Association Q & A  
Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Free health screenings for area seniors  
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Local Health Care facilities receive prestigious honor  
Monday, November 09, 2009

Grant given to senior center for expansion, improvements  
Monday, November 09, 2009

Seniors watching Issue 4 results  
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Ohio Guard refuels F-16 in mid-air demonstration  
Monday, November 02, 2009

Designing for downsizing  
Monday, November 02, 2009

Home Safety 101

Home Safety Factoids:

• Falls are the leading cause of unintentional home injury death
• Falls account for an average of 5.1 million injuries and 6,000 deaths per year
• Nearly 5,000 of those deaths occur with adults over the age of 65, making this age group at the greatest risk for falls
• Only 48% of U.S. adults have proper lighting at the tops and bottom of stairs
• Less than a quarter of U.S. adults have installed grab bars in the shower
• Only 22% have handrails on both sides of the stairs

What to do to make your home safer:

• Have grab bars in the tub and shower
• Have non-slip mat or strips in the tub and shower
• Have a bath mat with a non-skid bottom on the bathroom floor and remove throw rugs without a non-skid bottom
• Have nightlights in the bedroom, hall and bathroom
• Have handrails on both sides of stiars and steps
• Have bright lights over stairs and steps on landings
• Make sure all cords are out of the traffic flow
• Don't overload your extension cord
• Have emergency numbers posted near the telephone
• Have frequently used items within reach, to avoid use of step ladders
• Make sure all flammable objects are kept away from the range

Thinking Points:

• When was the last time you had your eyes checked?
       - How often do you clean your glasses?
• Is your physician and/or pharmacist monitoring your use of medications?
• Strengthening exercises and gentle exercise programs such as Tai Chi have been shown to improve balance and strengthen muscles safely.
• Do you have a plan for when you are struck with illness and/or fatigue?
• Can you tell when there is a storm coming in by your arthritis?  How do you compensate for the increased pain?
• Do your shoes fit properly?  Wearing flat, non-slip shoes will help prevent in falls
• Have you already fallen in your home?

What therapy can do to help:

• Increase strength and balance
• Teach you tips and tricks on home safety
• Evaluate your home for safety
• Teach you strategies with dealing with arthritis flair-ups
• Determine if your shoes are fitting properly
• Refer you to a reputable orthotist to be measured for diabetic shoes

www.homesafetycouncil.org
www.aota.org

Get Your Hands On Home Safety! 
Prevent Falls 

Is it Alzheimer's?
10 Warning Signs

• Recent memory loss that affects job skills
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation to time and place
• Poor and decreased judgement
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative