Category: News

Backyard barbecues are great activities for people of all ages. Whether you invite people from your neighborhood to hang out with you or if you have friends and family nearby, getting people together to enjoy the sun, maybe a cool swimming pool and great food are relaxing. One thing to keep in mind is how you can make your guests feel comfortable. If anyone has mobility limitations, installing a temporary wheelchair ramp or a porch lift can make the environment safer and help them feel more comfortable. Here are a couple of other aspects to keep in mind when planning your next summer barbecue.

Protect Yourself And Others From The Sun

Spending time in the summer sun is great, but you have to make sure you’re protected at the same time. Wear sunscreen and have some extra for your guests who may have forgotten to apply some on their skin. If you don’t have a lot of natural shade from trees or other objects, consider investing in some canopies for people to sit under to get out of the sun. Ensuring your guests are hydrated is important as well. It’s better to have too many bottles of cold water than not having enough, so make sure they feel comfortable grabbing anything they need to stay cool and safe. And of course, make your home accessible for anyone who needs a break from the heat so they can soak up some A/C. Heat strokes can happen quickly, and it’s especially important to watch over any elderly guests you have and ensure they are protected.

Prepare Healthy Food Options And Promote Hydration

Whether you’re grilling burgers, hot dogs or anything else, prepare healthy food options as well to promote healthy habits. Some fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, onions and asparagus, go great on the grill. You could also have some non-grilled options as well for added variety. Think also about preparing fruits that promote hydration, like grapes and watermelon. Since you may not know the specific dietary restrictions your guests may have, it’s important to prepare a variety of options so everyone can enjoy their time without ruining any healthy habits they have. And if you’re having a smaller gathering, you can consider asking them ahead of time what would make their time more enjoyable and accommodate them accordingly.

While you’re busy preparing food, activities and coordinating other things for your summer barbecue, Next Day Access can help ensure your guests are safe. A temporary wheelchair ramp is quick and easy to install and can go a long way in preventing trip-and-fall accidents that could put a major damper on your event. Promoting a safe and healthy environment for your backyard is important and will be much appreciated by your guests. When you’re in the planning stages of your backyard barbecue this summer, give us a call for a free evaluation and see how you could improve safety and accessibility in and around your home.

Caregivers have a difficult job of taking care of their own family as well as a loved one. When summer activities are going on, it may seem like you have to be in multiple places at once. This is when having meals planned ahead of time can be a lifesaver. While it may be simple to heat up a frozen entrée or order food to be delivered, those don’t always promote healthy habits. We’ve got some great meal ideas to consider that are healthy and can be made ahead of time for convenience.

Chili In A Crockpot

Chili is great for any time of year and you can be as creative as you’d like with the ingredients. You can use any combination of ground beef, ground turkey, onions and beans as your base. Then all you need to do is add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and any other seasonings you desire. And the great part about chili is you can freeze it for later use and have meals ready to go for an entire week on particularly busy days.

Healthy Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is a comforting main dish that can be customized to your liking. Simply mix a combination of vegetable broth with carrots, celery, zucchini, diced tomatoes, beans and any other ingredients you desire. Consider making small batches and freezing them individually for single-serving options. Or make a large batch for easy-to-enjoy meals throughout the week.

Quick And Easy Egg Muffins

Egg muffins are easy to make and can go a long way with very few ingredients. All you need for this recipe is eggs, milk, green onion, kale, red peppers and feta cheese. Of course, you can substitute any of these ingredients if you have other preferences. Mix the ingredients and put them in a muffin pan in the oven and you’ll have breakfast ready to go for the entire week. When you have a go-to breakfast option like this, you won’t have to rush as much when loading up your loved one’s mobility device on the auto lift to get to where you need to be.

Oatmeal Cups

Oatmeal cups are the ultimate quick and healthy breakfast caregivers and seniors alike can enjoy. Oats, brown sugar, milk, water and toppings are all you need to make these tasty breakfast bites. Add assorted fruits as toppings to promote healthy habits and make some with tasty treats like chocolate chips. It takes a matter of minutes to put together these oatmeal cups and they can be taken out individually from the freezer for a quick breakfast on those busy summer days.
Make-ahead meals can make the life of a caregiver much more convenient, just like a quality mobility device can. Summer days can be busy, so even a few minutes here and there that can be saved can make a huge difference in stress levels. Be sure to contact us at any time to see how we can make your life more convenient as we ramp up into the summer months.

The importance of daily exercise gets even higher as you get older. According to a study by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, elderly women with minimal physical activity, and who sit for at least ten hours a day, develop cells that can be eight years older than other more active women of the same age. Not to mention that prolonged sitting can lead to other conditions like heart disease, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and more. If you or a loved one spend a lot of time sitting, developing good habits can be made easier by following these tips.

Invest In A Fitness Tracker

Investing in a fitness tracker is a good strategy for people who have a competitive nature. You can set daily goals for how many steps you take, how many calories you burn and it can even alert you if you’ve been sitting or not moving for too long. It may take some discipline at first, but wearing a fitness tracker provides a constant reminder that you need to be moving more.

Take Breaks To Stretch

Whether you’re sitting on the couch watching television or at your desk chair looking at the computer, taking breaks to stretch is important. A problem elderly people have is getting up and down frequently can be challenging if they have balance issues or weak muscles. A chair lift is a good solution to make the transition from sitting down to standing up, and vice versa, much easier.

Get A Dog

Dogs can make you more active without even realizing it. Seniors often get older dogs that don’t have as much energy as a younger pup would. However, they still need to be walked to stay healthy, like to play occasionally and need to go outside often to do their business. All of these things combine can make you get up and move around more than you think. Plus, you’ll have the great companionship of a friend who benefits from you moving around just as much as you do.

Don’t Sit Down While Talking On The Phone

If you talk on the phone often, make it a rule that you can’t sit down while doing so. Either stand and lean against the wall, walk around, do some squats or anything else on your feet. Small good habits like these make a huge difference since they get your blood flowing and keep your muscles engaged.

Be Around Children As Much As Possible

Children can keep you young in your mind, heart and body. If you don’t have grandchildren, consider volunteering at an organization offering child care. The benefits you get from being around children are good for your health and wellbeing.

Next Day Access is here to help you get up and move even if you have a hard time doing so. A popular product is our chair lift to help you easily transition from sitting to standing. We also install grab bars around different areas of the home to keep you safe wherever you walk. Sitting too much is dangerous for your health, so contact us today to see how we can make moving easier for you.

It doesn’t take long for the UV rays from the sun to damage your skin. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the skin can suffer sun damage in just 15 minutes when exposed to UV rays. It’s critical for seniors to protect their skin from the sun as much as possible since they tend to have more sensitive skin. Previous sun damage or certain medications can increase the sensitivity, so it’s recommended to develop healthy habits for your skin as the summer season approaches. Here are some tips to consider.

Always Wear Sunscreen

If you’re planning on going outside for any amount of time, protect your skin with at least 30 SPF sunscreen. And if your outdoor outing will keep you outside for several hours, consider reapplying the sunscreen every hour or two. Water and sweat can wash away the sunscreen so you want to make sure you’re protected at all times. Consider investing in sunscreen that protects you from both UVB and UVA rays for the ultimate protection.

Remember To Protect Your Eyes And Lips

The eyes and lips often get overlooked when applying sun protection. You may be reminded to grab your sunglasses when walking out into the bright sun, but you may not remember lip protection until you feel them start burning. The same recommendation applies to the lips, which is to wear a 30 SPF lip balm for sufficient protection. Your eyes and lips are sensitive parts of your body as well, so it’s important not to neglect them when exposed to the sun.

Shade Your Skin With A Hat Or Protective Clothing

It’s easy to find a wide-brimmed hat that looks great also. Just be sure to find one that isn’t weaved too loosely and lets too much sunlight through as a result. A quality wide-brimmed hat can shade your entire face, neck and even your shoulders. And when it comes to protective clothing, a common misconception is long sleeves will keep you too hot during the summer. Depending on the material of the clothing, loose-fitting shirts may keep you cooler and some materials today have SPF made within the fabric.

Find Shade As Much As Possible

Even when you’re just spending time outdoors at your home, stay in the shade as much as possible. If you have a porch lift on your back porch, keep it shaded or covered somehow to protect it and yourself. While it’s still possible to experience sun damage or other heat-related illnesses in the shade on hot summer days, the shade will keep you much safer in general.

Next Day Access can help you feel safe all summer long with the appropriate mobility products you need. If you travel a lot, an auto lift is a great investment. And if you stay home and enjoy the sun in your yard, a porch lift can help you access every area with ease. One of the keys for seniors staying safe during the summer is to be proactive with sun protection and developing healthy habits for their skin. If you have any questions about how we can help, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

As the weather continues turning hotter and more humid, it’s important for seniors practicing independent living to become aware of their body and environment. Heat exhaustion can occur quickly, so you can’t ignore any of the signs that develop indicating you’re becoming overheated. Seniors with underlying conditions are at an even higher risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, as outlined by this AARP article. Knowing the facts about heat exhaustion and heat stroke could save your life or the lives of others you’re with.

How A Heat Stroke Differs From Heat Exhaustion

If you or a loved one are experiencing heat-related illnesses, trying to determine whether it’s a heat stroke or heat exhaustion should not be the priority. Heat exhaustion can lead to having a heat stroke quickly if immediate action is not taken when signs are detected. For example, if you’re experiencing changes in your mental state or are sweating excessively, you may be suffering from heat exhaustion. However, these symptoms could turn into lethargy, confusion, seizures, dry skin, and not sweating at all, which are signs you are having a heat stroke.

Detecting Heat Exhaustion In Seniors

Seniors practicing independent living need to know the signs of heat exhaustion better than anyone. Any time you are feeling weak, nauseous, sweating excessively, experiencing cramps or anything else out of the ordinary, seek help or get indoors immediately. Having an electric scooter nearby is beneficial so you don’t have to put forth as much effort walking to get to a safe place. And if you have any underlying health conditions, you need to keep your radar up for any kind of different physical feelings you have and seek a cool area and water immediately.

Preventing Heat Exhaustion

Seniors have to be aware of their environment and take proactive measures to protect themselves from hot and humid weather. Sometimes this means avoiding outdoor activities altogether if the heat index is high any given day. If you have to travel somewhere, take the time to load your electric scooter on your auto lift for ease of accessibility. It’s much more ideal to use an electric scooter for mobility rather than the strain of walking. And hydration is the number one thing to prioritize as well. Keeping cold water with you at all times and drinking more than you think you need will go a long way in keeping your body safe and preventing heat-related illnesses.

At Next Day Access, we want to keep seniors focusing on independent living as safe as possible. Heat exhaustion can occur quickly during excessively hot and humid days, so it’s recommended to have your home equipped with the necessary mobility equipment to prevent you from having to exert yourself too much on those days. And if you do happen to experience signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, seek medical attention immediately so it does not turn into a heat stroke. Be sure to contact us at any time to schedule a free home assessment and learn more about how we can help you stay safe this summer.

Boredom happens at all stages of life. Kids can get bored playing with toys, adults can get bored with their job and people of retirement age can get bored trying to find things to do. Too much boredom can have unintended consequences like eating unhealthy or becoming sedentary, which could lead to health issues later on. Curing boredom goes beyond investing in a mobility scooter to improve mobility, and here are some great activities for curing boredom.

Put Together A Music Playlist

We may not realize it, but anyone who listens to music likely knows thousands of song titles. A great activity that can take hours over several days and weeks is putting together a music playlist of your favorite songs. Think about the newest hits you enjoy as well as the old classic songs and you can listen to your playlist for hours on end.

Learn How To Craft

Crafting is a great way to keep the mind sharp. Anything from scrapbooking to knitting and anything in between are great activities to spark creativity. If you have grandchildren, make something memorable for each of them. Challenge yourself in new ways and you’ll be entertained throughout the process. There are plenty of tutorials and online resources available to help you pursue whatever you are passionate about.

Relax In A Swimming Pool

There’s nothing like relaxing in a nice swimming pool on a warm summer day. If you have a hard time getting to your backyard pool safely without assistance, consider investing in a porch lift or wheelchair ramp to make it more accessible. Grab a good book to read or invite a friend over to talk to and relax with you. 

Reorganize Your House

Sometimes boredom can be compounded when you look at the same things in your home every day. Reorganizing your house can mean changing out photos, moving furniture, upgrading furniture, painting walls a new color and much more. While you’re in the mode of reorganization, think of other upgrades that could benefit your home life, like a porch lift or a mobility scooter. 

Take A Walk

Taking a walk through neighborhoods or other places can be relaxing and peaceful. Depending on where you live, there may be alternate routes you can take to see new things and enjoy the great outdoors. Look for different trees, animals and other things while you walk and you’ll be entertained and exercising at the same time.

Life is too precious to be bored all the time. If you’re experiencing boredom living in your home, it may be time for a change. Next Day Access offers an extensive line of accessibility products to help you enjoy every aspect of your home. Sometimes a simple wheelchair ramp can make a huge difference for people, and we’ve got multiple options to choose from. We are here for you when you need us, so contact us today to schedule a free home assessment.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced people across the world to alter their lifestyles to some extent. Seniors living at home particularly have had to make some lifestyle changes due to social distancing guidelines. However, according to a Gallup poll and reported by AARP, people are more worried about their mental health than their physical health as it relates to the effects of the pandemic. One way to boost your mental health is to become engaged in new creative activities to keep you busy. Here are some great ideas to consider.

Gardening

Many seniors living at home love spending time outdoors, but may not have the resources available to help them enjoy it safely. Anything from a threshold ramp to a mobility scooter and everything in between can be installed to make you feel safe outside. Making a garden is a good activity to boost your mental and physical health. Plus, you get to reap the benefits of your beautiful flowers, fruits or vegetables throughout and at the end of the growing season.

Learn Something New

Repeating the same activities can get boring and cause you to lose interest. Think of different activities you can do, like cooking, crafting, painting, writing or anything else you may have interest in. Plenty of classes and courses are available for these activities, whether you like to do them in person or online. You may not know what you like until you try something, so explore new possibilities and see where they lead you.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way for seniors living at home to stay engaged within their community. If you can’t get out of the house or are choosing to stay inside, call local organizations and see if there are any activities you can help with from home. Many seniors experience a great sense of pride when they know they are making a difference. The actual task you help with isn’t as important as being helpful in any way needed.

Get Creative With Exercising

Exercising is critically important for seniors living at home. Walking around the neighborhood every day could get boring, though. Consider signing up for swim classes or exercise courses designed for seniors. Yoga and aerobics are also great options for seniors to keep their blood flowing and continuously strengthening their muscles. When you get creative with incorporating fun exercises, you may end up looking forward to participating in them every day.

When you’re ready to take on new activities in or around your home, don’t let limited mobility hold you back. Next Day Access offers a wide range of mobility devices and products to make your home more accessible than it has ever been. A simple threshold ramp can bring you more peace of mind than you think, and a mobility scooter can get you where you need to be quickly and safely. We look forward to helping you in any way we can, so contact us today to schedule your free home assessment and see how we can improve accessibility in your home.

Independent living for seniors is all about being comfortable at home. When you spend the majority of your time at your home, the convenience of having a stair lift or other mobility device is worth the investment. But you also have to think about aesthetics. It’s easy to get bored with your home decor, especially if it’s outdated or the color scheme doesn’t match the current season. Part of successful independent living is being active, and changing up your decor periodically is a safe and fun way to do it. Here are some ideas to make your house decor ready for the summer season.

Choose A Theme And Color Scheme

Some people want to have an overarching theme throughout their home or in individual rooms, while others prefer to simply have an aesthetically pleasing color scheme. Visualizing color schemes can be challenging when you have all of your current colors present, so consider moving out any furniture or items that can be moved easily. Everything from accent walls to throw rugs, lighting and accent pillows should be considered in your color scheme and theme. Think about what types of indoor plants may look great as well and you can plan your theme around them.

Introduce Bright And Colorful Elements To Every Room

A common summer theme for house decor is bright and colorful with subtle accents. Light green or blue with gold accents can brighten up any room. You can use different shades of these colors to add more depth and style as well. Everything from vases to lampshades, curtains and throw pillows make an impact on the overall environment, so be sure to focus on every detail to achieve the look you desire. Find some tropical plants that can survive indoors with limited sun exposure and you’ll make your home feel like a relaxing oasis for independent living.

Incorporate Natural Light Wherever Possible

Every design theme should consider the amount of natural light you have. Look at how light enters every room throughout the day and place certain pieces of decor accordingly. For example, you may not want a mirror on a wall that gets evening sunlight since the reflection can be distracting. Use natural sunlight to your advantage to highlight various features throughout your home. You may even consider having a skylight installed if a room doesn’t have windows or is naturally darker.

Next Day Access can help make your home decorating adventures safer and more convenient. As you are coming back from stores with your new decor, we can install a threshold ramp in your entryways for extra safety. And moving plants, picture frames or other items up the stairs can be much easier when you ride a stair lift rather than walk up the stairs. Senior independent living is all about enjoying your living space safely and we are here to help. Before you start your summer decorating, contact us to see how we can help make your space easier to navigate.

A great activity for senior living is planting a garden of flowers or having flowers located around your home. The process of planting the flowers helps keep you active, and having a porch lift can help increase your mobility and see the beautiful colors in your yard all summer long.

Choosing the right flowers is important and these ten summer flowers are easy to plant and grow no matter how skilled of a gardener you are.

Marigolds

Marigolds are durable flowers that need full sun. You’ve likely seen marigolds planted in different places before because they are so resistant to getting damaged or torn up by pests.

Begonias

One of the reasons why begonias are so popular is because of the various colors they have. These flowers like shady areas and will produce vibrant colors all summer long as a result.

Lavender

Lavender likes being planted in the sun and can thrive in various environments. The vibrant purple color is attractive and can make your outdoor space smell wonderful.

Caladium

Caladiums are sensitive to the sun. They need to be mostly in the shade and can even survive indoors with minimal sun exposure. These are often used in landscaping since their green and pink leaves are subtly attractive.

Lantana

Lantanas are virtually indestructible and are tolerant of the heat and drought. If you have a corner in your yard that looks bare and you don’t know what to plant there, chances are lantanas will survive and make your backyard look great at the same time.

Succulents

Succulents are unusual due to their shapes and sizes and can add a unique aspect to your flower garden. When you’re enjoying senior living by watching your flowers grow, a succulent is pleasing and interesting to look at.

Landscape Roses

Landscape roses will likely bloom all summer long if they get enough sun. And since they come in a variety of colors, you can plant different ones around your yard for a colorful environment.

Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is a classic flower that looks great in virtually any environment. As you’re enjoying senior living in your backyard, you won’t regret having this flower to look at.

Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies have a unique vase-shaped structure and come in various colors. They are easy to plant and thrive when they have full sun.

Portulacas

Portulacas grow low to the ground and can essentially cover the entire ground where you plant them. They are heat-tolerant and don’t need a lot of care to thrive in different environments.

If you want to grow some amazing flowers in your yard this summer, but are worried about your mobility limitations, let Next Day Access help. We can quickly and securely install a stair lift to help you get from your porch or deck down to your yard without lifting a foot. One of the great parts about senior living is having the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, so contact us at any time to see how we can help.