Click here and watch a clip from the original animation!
July 13, 2016
Eagle's easy upgrades for baby boomers!
 


Mary Ellen and I have a lot of experience assisting aging relatives. Being a baby boomer myself, I've learned the importance of making life at home safer, simpler and smarter. The great thing is that with minimal effort, these minor changes can enhance your lifestyle in some major ways!

Sincerely,

Ron Rivard
Owner/Inspector
Replace knobs with levers

 

Doors with levers are easier to open. And for those with limited hand or arm strength, pushing or pulling the lever provides more leverage than twisting a knob. This is also useful when you have to open a door while your hands are full (e.g., use your elbow). And when you need assistance, this enables pets and children to easily open the door on their own. 
More light at night

We love these 3 in 1 Emergency Night Lights! The emergency backup light turns on when the power goes out so you're never left in the dark. It can also be used as a motion sensor night light, illuminating a hallway or room for 20 seconds. The unit charges while plugged into a wall outlet, allowing you to remove the flashlight when you need it. Keeping areas well-lit at night time can help reduce accidents. 
Portable grab bars

Did you know that most falls happen in the bathroom? Unlike permanent grab bars that require drilling holes into your tub and shower surround, locating studs and many times, hiring a contractor, portable grab bars install without tools and will not damage your tub/shower surround. Best of all, they come down and go up anytime you choose. 
Bottom freezer refrigerator

If you're more traditional like us and don't like a side-by-side style, think about this the next time you get something out of your fridge. Most people access their refrigerator section much more often than their freezer section, so why are you bending over or squatting down every time you want to make a salad or use the mayonnaise? Instead, save your back and your knees and buy a fridge with the freezer on the bottom! 
Install a comfort height toilet

Comfort height toilets are approximately 2 inches  taller than traditional toilets, make sitting down and standing up easier. Toilets that measure between 17 and 19 inches in height from the floor to the top of the seat are considered comfort height toilets, whereas traditional toilets measure below 17 inches in height.
Get a hand held shower wand

 

It's adjustable so people of different heights can shower comfortably and you can easily aim it wherever you need to rinse yourself off. This is especially helpful when cleaning and rinsing out the shower. And it's so much easier using the shower wand to fill a bucket or give kids or dogs a bath!