34 The Courier sun • health • july 2, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com The environment and aging, part 1 by SHELDON ORNSTEIN Every day can be a cause for celebration; an ordinary drink when thirsty, an ordinary shelter when the rain is beating down. Many of the difficulties encountered ▶health by the aged person(s) are caused or intensified by lack of the basic amenities that give daily life a secure structure. A social and physical environment that meets the aged person at least half way does much to sustain self-respect, a robust morale and competence to negotiate with their surroundings and their peers. Think about the following “ordinary scene” – it’s about an elderly couple, secure in the knowledge that they are safe from physical hazards, specifically: • they have nonskid floors in their shower and bath; • the water temperature is automatically controlled to prevent accidental scalding; • the controls on the kitchen stove are in front of the burners, so there is never any need to reach over a hot burner; • throughout their apartment, raised thresholds have been eliminated; • there are no barriers to trip over, no rugs unfastened; • the doors themselves do not swing closed with enough force to topple over a feeble or unsteady person; • a special feature: elevator doors that close slowly and gently and re-open rapidly when necessary; • hand rails and grab-bars are found at every place that one might feel the need for a little security, leverage or steadying. In effect, the entire living environment has been planned in such a way that accidents, danger and inconveniences have been reduced to a minimum. Taken one at a time, the design features are mostly small and born out of common sense, although advanced technology is called upon when appropriate. But taken together, the carefully planned design of this particular apartment helps the elderly couple keep their lives in their own hands. They can live independently, longer, more fully and with less effort because their living space is so hospitable. The special features designed into this environment are generally unobtrusive and their effects are best measured in terms of what does not happen, i.e.: accidents and misadventures that otherwise might disrupt patterns of independent living. In the next wellness section, I will conclude with “Physical Environment and Aging Part II.” I hope to offer timely options and recommendations for a safe and comfortable living space for everyone, but especially our aging population. Sheldon Ornstein Ed.D, RN Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a registered professional nurse with a doctoral degree in nursing organization. He has specialized in the care of older adults and has published many articles on the subject. He has done post-graduate work in gerontology and has taught at several universities. In 2013, he was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame at Teachers College, Columbia University.
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