want as a room might not be available when you need it.” With the weather being nice and the roads being easily accessible, he suggests looking now. He says another plus in checking out options includes being able to see what the home would look like throughout most of the year, specifically concerning flowers in bloom. If you or your loved one wants to stay at home, Ahlman recommends reaching out to offer assistance instead of waiting to be asked, whether it be shoveling the driveway or giving them a ride to doctor’s appointments, family activities or otherwise. If you’re not available to help, a suggestion Ahlman offers is looking into transportation that can assist with getting you to the places where you need – or want – to be. Above all, aside from emphasizing the abundance of resources that are there for you to use if and when you need them, Ahlman says planning is key. “You plan for retirement, plan for a wedding, and plan for almost everything else in life, so why not sit down and plan for the next step so you are prepared to make the move when ready?” After finding the ideal place for you or your loved one, moving from a home into an apartment can be a daunting process. From sorting out belongings and downsizing to physically moving the items from one location to the other, and oftentimes putting some items in storage too, it takes a lot of time and effort. After retirement, for those who are interested in moving, whether it be somewhere for a couple of months or permanently, it can be overwhelming. Let’s be honest, a move is a big feat no matter the age! People generally have a lot of items that they want to bring with them - after all, every item holds a memory or meaning. However, some items are things that will not be able to fit into apartments. This is a realization that can be hard to admit because of the connection people can have with certain items. When downsizing for a move, the most important questions to ask yourself or your loved ones are “Do I need it?” and “Will I use it?” If the answer is no, then it becomes a question of what to do with it. Options include selling it at a garage sale, donating it, passing it on to future generations, or storing it while its fate is being decided. Seasonal Safety Tips With the colder months coming, more people in general are prone to falls because of snow, ice and sleet that will build up on sidewalks, stairs, roads and parking lots. As you might suspect, this correlates with more accidents occurring involving seniors throughout the winter months. Before deciding to venture outside, whether it’s just a quick walk to the mailbox, an appointment in town, or to another state to visit loved ones, your safety should be a priority. Don’t go out unless you absolutely have to for whatever reason, particularly if inclement weather poses a serious hazard. Or, ask your loved one to take you or accompany you instead of going it alone. For seniors especially, just one slip and fall can do serious damage, with the initial injury leading to further complications that may impede recovery. Especially for those who choose to remain living in the place they’ve called home for many years, home safety is something that when in place, will provide peace of mind for seniors and loved ones as they go about their daily lives. It’s actually a great way to plan for the future, too. By having an alarm system installed, having access to a personal emergency system, making any necessary
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modifications within the home, or otherwise, you have the ability to prevent accidents from happening or act quickly in the event of an emergency. Daniel Ward with MediGuard mentions that it’s common for adult children to express concerns about the safety of their aging parents who continue to live at home. To that end, he notes, “More people are having quality conversations with their senior loved ones regarding safety at home, which is a great thing to see because it can truly make all the difference.” He recommends taking the time to talk Daniel Ward about safety issues within the home MediGuard and identifying areas that could use improvement based on the person’s daily activities and needs. Some suggestions he provides are: • Handrails around the house and outside on the porch stairs and sidewalk. • Properly operating entry doors. • “Easy reach” access to frequently used items, like dishes. Since better safe than sorry holds true here, Ward also highly recommends purchasing a personal emergency system. As technology as have advanced so have these systems, which have increased in popularity as they are convenient, discrete and easy to use. “Having protection when you are alone is becoming normal for many and it can be fun as well!” he adds. He also provides a final word of caution. “When Mom or Dad SEPTEMBER 2018 Strictly Business 43