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Page 8 Senior Times - May 2026MOST DANGEROUS ROOMIt%u2019s never too soon, or too late, to prepare your home for aging in place. Most seniors want to remain living at home and stay as independent as possible as they age. To ensure this happens, it makes sense to evaluate your home for safety issues before it becomes an issue, and your bathroom is a great place to start. Seventy-eight percent of falls for older adults occur at home, and 80% of those falls happen in the bathroom. For most people, their bathroom is a relatively cramped space filled with hard surfaces which are often wet and slippery. Combine that with it being a space where you need to turn, step, stoop, and pivot more than most of the rooms in your house. It%u2019s also the space where you are most likely to want privacy and not have someone at your side. It%u2019s not hard to see why falls are most likely to happen in your bathroom.A study by the National Library of Medicine found that the likelihood of sustaining a fall injury in the bathroom is almost two and a half times greater than having a fall injury in the living room. The highest injury rate was among people aged 65 and older, and injuries occurred most frequently when people were in or getting out of the tub, and when they were standing up, sitting down, or using the toilet.Luckily, there are things you can do to make your bathroom considerably safer. A simple place you can start is to evaluate the floor surface and be sure you have good non-slip bathroom rugs/mats on your floors. That%u2019s a start, but you will likely need some professional help to address the other hazardous conditions. Consider installing grab-bars around your toilet to assist with standing and sitting. A good grab-bar could also help with getting in and out of the tub as well, but to really address the hazard of stepping in and out of the tub, consider a tub-to-shower conversion. This eliminates that dangerous step-up that forces you to be on one foot on a slippery surface. Installing a walk-in shower also gives you the opportunity to select a design that has a shower bench built in, if that is something you want. What is key in considering safety modifications for your home is to think ahead. Ideally, you will make the changes needed before you need them, so that they will be there for you when you do need them. Once you have your modifications in place you may be surprised how much you start appreciating them right away %u2013 you%u2019ll be wondering why you didn%u2019t do this years ago. From a simple grab-bar to a full tubto-shower conversion, Milestone Senior Services%u2019 Home Repair & Accessibility department is skilled in installing a wide variety of modifications that can make your home, including your bathroom, safer and more accessible. Milestone is licensed and insured and is available to help anyone in the Kalamazoo and Calhoun County area with their bathroom safety modifications and remodels. Best of all our services are considerably more affordable than other contractors and most tub-to-shower conversions can be completed within a couple of days. Call Milestone today to get started (269) 382-0515 or visit us online at MilestoneSeniorServices.org. Discover Milestone %u2013 We%u2019re here to help.By: Dale Abbott, Special to Senior TimesMILESTONES AgingBranch Area Transit AuthorityCurb to Curb Transportation %uf0a1 Half Fare for Handicapped & SeniorCitizens Over 60 %uf0a1 Weekly Subscriptions Available %uf0a1 Equipped forthe Handicapped %uf0a1 Open Seven Days a WeekCALL (517) 278-5889306 S. Clay Street, Coldwater, MI %uf0a1 www.branchareatransit.comLet us help you piece together the puzzle after sudden illness or injury. Let us help you piece together the puzzle after sudden illness or injury. For referrals call us at 269.365.6366879 E Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068www.MedilodgeofMarshall.comFor referrals call us at 269.365.6366879 E Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068Recover . Rejuvenate . Revitalize . Return Home .1150 East Michigan Ave.Battle Creek, MI 49014Medical Care Facility269-962-5458Adult Day Care269-962-1750Learn more at ccmcf.comLong-Term Care Adult Day CareShort-Term Care & Rehabiliationfacebook.com/CalhouncountyMCFA Trilogy Senior Living Community706 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 theoakshc.com | We%u2019ll adapt to what every new day brings %u2013 all while stayingtrue to our mission of providingcompassionate care.We take a personalized approach to care. Our BFF Approach: our caregiverslearn the unique life story of eachperson that they serve.Our Daily Rhythms program:we provide our residents witha schedule that promotes comfort and fulfillment.Additional programs include:Living Arts, Campus in Color Gardening, Lifelong learning and more!Restaurant-style dining is providedby our four-star chefs and more!Contact us today andschedule a FREE assessment!269-964-4655BCCHSHall of FameBy: Fred JonesThe Battle Creek Central High School Hall of Fame celebrated their 22nd Anniversary by recognizing the accomplishments of another group of 10 worthy inductees. To date, 256 individuals have been acknowledged with Hall of Fame honors and over 140 scholarships awarded since 2007.These inductees have made exceptional contributions to society and exhibited outstanding leadership, a level of competence/integrity, and service to her/his field or community/country through academics, the arts, athletics, and community service.Congratulations to Edward Harris II-1982, Kimberly Holley-1990, Derek Lambert-1992, Kathy (Wiederhold) Mann-1982, Melvin McKnight-1974, Jerry Richards Jr-1987, Deboraha (Burgess) Sallee-1965, James Smith-1969, Marilyn (Langridge) Stewart-1986, and Grindl (Bennett) Williams-1981. Inductees were celebrated at a Hall of Fame Banquet dinner in April in the Commons of Battle Creek Central High School.