Canada’s population is aging, and over the past decade, the number of over 65-year-olds has increased from around 5 million to 6.8 million. By 2036, experts predict that the number of seniors will reach 10.47 million… the vast majority of whom plan to age in place; to stay in their homes for as long as possible. The problem is, most homes were not designed with elderly occupants in mind and can pose a serious risk of falling. Falls are, in fact, the leading cause of injuries at home, resulting in 85% of injury-related hospitalization of seniors and 95% of all hip fractures. Where do elderl ..read more

All important matters in life are discussed as a family, around the kitchen table, and the ideas around safety and care as we age are no different. With this thinking in mind, Jim Closs, along with his colleagues at the Bay Area Health Trust, has brought the Age Safe Seniors Home Safety Specialist™ course to Canada as part of the broader picture of empowering professionals with actionable ways to better help educate clients, older adults, and their family members on the serious issues of home safety, fall prevention, financial exploitation, and personal safety. As Canada’s aging population ..read more

What you really need to know Who doesn’t love a bargain? Many of us enjoy discovering hidden treasure among the weekend flea markets and garage sales throughout the land. In fact, we think most people would agree that nothing quite compares to the thrill of finding a steal amongst piles of unwanted goods. Or maybe you’re an armchair bargain hunter, preferring to scour through the many online platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, searching for items that catch your eye – ones you didn’t even know you needed. But what if you’re searching for something you do need: second-hand mobili ..read more

When it comes to product development, the last 30 years have brought novelty after novelty, moving at breakneck speed through gadgets and appliances as technology develops almost daily. Think of your TV 30 years ago, or mobile phone, if you had one. How about the leaps and bounds taken by home tech, which has quickly reached levels only dreamed of in sci-fi films a few decades ago? However, amid all this progress, one area has been notably left behind: home medical equipment (HME), or durable medical equipment (DME). Now that we are finally emerging from the COVID haze, our thoughts can set ..read more

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors in Canada? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, between 20-30% of seniors experience one or more falls a year, which cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations and 95% of all hip fractures. Of all these falls, around half take place in the home. However, as disconcerting as these statistics may be, there are preventative measures we can take to reduce the risk of falls and help older family members stay safe at home. Why are seniors at higher risk of falls? Anyone can have a fall at any time, which i ..read more

Raising awareness and reducing risks of falls Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors in Canada? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, between 20-30% of seniors experience one or more falls a year, which cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations and 95% of all hip fractures. Of all these falls, around half take place in the home. However, as disconcerting as these statistics may be, there are preventative measures we can take to reduce the risk of falls and help older family members stay safe at home. Why are seniors at higher risk of fa ..read more

Having a homelift installed is a great way to ensure accessibility to all floors of your home for every member of the family. However, before deciding to purchase a home elevator, there are lots of aspects to consider, from size to cost. But above all, you want to make sure your homelift is safe. Which safety features should you look for in your homelift? Modern home elevators are designed and built very much like commercial elevators, adhering to stringent safety protocols and standards. However, like many products and services on the market these days, some companies go above and beyond ..read more

On April 21, 2022, Jim Closs spoke as part of CARP’s Living in Place Explained, Part II, an open discussion around the various elements the effect safe and healthy Living in Place as we age. Jim was joined by Lesya Dyk of LDOT Occupational Therapy, who discussed the role of occupational therapy and the importance of planning and forethought in the various elements of aging in place. Jim recaps his 30 years in the industry and gives an overview of the progression of the evolution of products, design and services. Watch the whole session to learn more open topics around longevity, finances and ..read more

On March 31st Jim Closs spoke as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario Master Class: Engagement Interventions and Promising Practices. Here is a breakdown of the conversation and a recording of the webinar. Enjoy.  All important matters in life are discussed around the kitchen table and the ideas around safety and care as we age are no different. With this thinking on mind, Jim Closs along with his colleagues at the Bay Area Health Trust, have brought the Age Safe Seniors Home Safety Specialist™ course to Canada as part of the broader picture of empowering professionals with ..read more

Over the past two years there has been a keen awareness around emergency preparedness because of the spread of Covid-19 and its continuing variants. There also has been an uptick in natural disasters that we are witnessing from more prevalent wildfires, flooding and destructive windstorms.   This awareness has influenced how we view all emergencies and how we need to be prepared for them and how we need to prepare. A recent report built for the new Canadian Accessibility Standards (Dutta et al Nov 2021) has coined the phase egressibility. The term refers to the concept that in times of ..read more