Information
and resources dedicated to helping seniors find
organizations, products, and services that improve their
quality of life in The Shenandoah Valley - Aging in Place
Shenandoah Valley Virginia - Powered by VA Senior Services
Senior
Services Shenandoah Valley
Helping
Seniors in the Shenandoah Valley find honest trustworthy
business services
Aging in Place in the Shenandoah Valley
The Pifer Companies1822 Roberts Street
Winchester,
VA 22601- 540-542-1670
For many older and disabled individuals living in the
Northern Shenandoah Valley, preserving a sense of independence and
dignity means maintaining the ability to stay in their own homes. An
aging in place or universal design can work with your current home’s
design to accommodate your changing physical needs. Whether you
currently have physical disabilities or you’re looking to prepare your
home for the future, Pifer Construction can help you create and
implement a home remodeling plan that will keep you comfortable and safe
in your home for years to come.
We’re a local, family-owned Winchester, VA
construction company. Our decades of construction experience will ensure
that your remodel is done right, and our one-on-one customer service
will ensure that you are confident and satisfied with the process.
Certified Aging In Place
Specialist Winchester VA -
Handicap Ramps Frederick County VA -
Walk in Tubs installed Winchester VA -
Grab Bars Winchester VA Homes -
Handicap Accessibility Frederick County VA -
Barrier Free Entrances Winchester VA -
Barrier Free Showers Frederick
County VA -
Stair lifts in Northern Shenandoah Valley -
Universal Design Access Winchester VA
Replacement Windows
Shenandoah Valley
If you live in
Winchester VA we recommend for
Window Replacement Winchester VA
Call Pifer as well.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Safety
Tips That Helps the Elderly to Stay in Their Own Home
Each year more than a third of the people 65 and older
fall. What is more, in that age bracket, falls are the
leading cause of injury-related death.
Even though old age often brings physical challenges, you
can take practical steps to enhance your personal safety
and the quality of your life. For one thing, you can
strive to maintain reasonable health and strength. For
another, you can make your home safer.
Maintain
Your Health and Strength
As we age, our coordination may suffer and we may have
trouble with our eyesight and sense of balance. We may
also become more frail as our muscles and bones weaken.
However, regular physical activity and good eating habits
can slow this decline.
A publication of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services states: “Regardless of their health and
physical abilities, older adults can gain a lot by
staying physically active. Even if you have difficulty
standing or walking, you can still exercise and benefit
from it. In fact, in most cases, you have more to lose by
not doing anything.” Among other things, physical
activity can help you to combat heart disease, joint pain,
osteoporosis, and depression. It can improve your
circulation, digestion, and sleep, and it can enhance
your self-confidence and alertness.
If you are not used to doing physical exercise, you would
be wise to see your doctor first. Also, consult him or
her if you feel faint or experience chest pain while
exercising. In fact, in such a situation, you may be wise
to call the emergency telephone number. Do not treat such
potentially dangerous symptoms lightly! And it is
recommended that you have your eyes checked by an eye
doctor once a year.
In regard to diet, avoid meals that lack vitamins and
minerals, even if they are quick and easy to prepare.
Older people especially need food high in vitamin D and
calcium, both of which can help to maintain bone mass or
at least slow the loss of it. So try to eat meals that
include whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and fresh
fruits and vegetables. Check with your doctor before you
make major changes in your eating habits. He or she may
suggest useful dietary options or foods to avoid because
of certain health factors.
Additionally, try to stay well hydrated. Dehydration,
which is common among older people, especially those
living alone or in nursing homes, can predispose one to
falls, confusion, constipation, poor skin elasticity,
infection, and even death.
Make Your
Home Safer
Most falls occur at home. Yet, by taking a few practical
precautions, you can significantly reduce that risk.
Think about your home as you read the following.
Bathroom:
The floor should provide good footing when wet.
The shower or tub should have a nonslip mat or finish,
and if you have a shower chair, it should allow easy
access to the faucets. It may also be helpful to have a
handheld showerhead so that you can remain seated when
bathing. It is good to have grab bars for support when you step into or
out of the bathtub or use the toilet. These supports should be strong
and firmly mounted.
Stairs:
Stairways should be uncluttered, in good condition, and
well lit.
Stairways ought to have stable handrails on both sides if
possible as well as nonslip strips and light switches at
both the top and the bottom.
Walking up and down stairs can help older ones to
maintain leg strength. If you have balance problems,
however, you should try to avoid negotiating stairs alone.
Bedroom:
Allow sufficient space for you to move around the bed and
other furniture safely.
Have a chair where you can sit to dress.
Keep a lamp or a flashlight within reach when you are in
bed.
Kitchen:
Countertops should be uncluttered so that you can easily
set down groceries and other items.
The kitchen floor ought to be nonslip and low glare.
Items in the cupboards should be neither too high nor too
low but easy to access without assistance. Try to avoid
the use of ladders and step stools, and never climb up on
a chair!
General Tips:
Have night-lights that illuminate the way to the bathroom
and other areas you may go to at night.
It can be helpful to use a cane or a walker at night when
you are not fully awake or alert.
Your chairs should be stable (no wheels), have armrests,
and be the right height for easy sitting and standing.
To prevent tripping, you should repair, replace, or
remove frayed carpets, lifted linoleum, or broken tiles.
Lay all electrical cords along walls and not across
walkways.
Throw rugs can be a trip hazard and should be removed
from carpeted areas. If they are placed on a smooth floor,
such as tile or wood, they should be firmly anchored with
a nonslip backing.
Avoid wearing slippers that are loose or worn out or do
not have backs or nonskid soles. And do not wear high-heeled
sandals or shoes.
Some medicines can make people feel faint or unsteady. If
you ever feel like that after taking medication, be sure
to tell your doctor. He or she may change the dosage or
the medication itself.
If you notice anything that needs
attention that you cannot safely attend to yourself, why
not seek the help of family members, friends or a Aging in Place
specialist? And try
not to procrastinate.
Companies
that specialize in senior transitions
Shenandoah Valley Real Estate Sales
Your Winchester VA
Real Agent!
Northern Shenandoah Valley Real Estate
Brandon Pifer Real Estate Agent
I am available to address all of your
real estate needs. Please give me a call
or email when you are ready to visit
some homes, or to schedule a free home
buying or selling consultation. I look
forward to working with you! -
Winchester VA Real Estate
Frederick County VA Real Estate
Winchester
VA Real Estate Agent -
Winchester VA Homes -
Old Town Winchester VA Real Estate
-
Shenandoah Valley Home Loans
Links
and Resources for Seniors
FirstGov The U.S.
Government's Official Web Portal
Social Security Official
Website of the U.S. Social Security
Administration
Housing U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development for
Senior Citizens
Fraud U.S.
Government FBI Fraud Target: Senior Citizens
Medicare The U.S.
Government's Official Medicare Site
Medicare and Medicaid The Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid
Consumer Protection How to prevent or report
a problem
Education, Jobs, and
Volunteerism Find your next opportunity
End-of-Life Issues Investigate the legal
and ethical questions
Housing for Seniors Information on eldercare
and housing options
Money and Taxes Saving and spending in
retirement
Travel and Recreation Visiting new places, or
learning more about your local area
Drug Interactions U.S.
Government FDA drug interactions fact sheet
National Cancer Institute U.S. National
Institute of Health
AoA The U.S.
Government's Department of Heath and Human
Services Administration on Aging
CDC The U.S.
Government's Center for Disease Control and
Prevention
PBGC Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation
DHHS U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
DOL U.S.
Department of Labor
HealthFinder a National
Health Information Center Service
NIH National
Institutes of Health
OSHA Occupational
Safety and Health Administration
USDA U.S. Food and
Drug Administration
Federal Trade Commission Seniors'
Consumer Information
Veterans Veteran
Health Benefits and Services
Prescription Drug Page Congressman
Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont)
Seniors Commission Commission on
Affordable Housing and Health
Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality
U.S. Census Bureau
The White House
U.S. House of
Representatives
U.S. Senate
The Library of Congress U.S Government for Seniors
Caregivers' Resources
Help providing care, benefits, long-distance
caregiving,
legal matters, support for caregivers...
Consumer Protection
for Seniors
Consumer fraud, elder rights, advocates for
nursing
home residents...
Education, Jobs, and
Volunteerism for Seniors
Adult education, AARP working options, Senior
Corps...
End-of-Life Issues
Advance directives, estate planning, hospice...
Federal and State
Agencies for Seniors
Administration on Aging, Social Security
Administration,
Veterans' Health Administration...
Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren
Benefits and assistance, health and safety, state
resources...
Health for Seniors
Disease, health care facilities, medicare,
nutrition...
Housing for Seniors
Reverse mortgages, eldercare, nursing home
comparison...
Laws and Regulations
Concerning Seniors
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Medicare
Modernization
Act, Social Security Act...
Money and Taxes for
Seniors
Investing, tax counseling, estate planning...
Retirement
Pension plans, benefits calculator, retirement
ages...
Travel and Recreation
for Seniors
Amtrak senior discount, older drivers, travel
tips...
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Sophocles
(496 BC-406 BC) |
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