Page 16 - Hawaii Renovation - August 21, 2022

16 HAWAII RENOVATION
AUGUST 21, 2022
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TROPICAL WHOLESALE
No matter who we are, we get older. Most people don’t think it
may be time to be proac- tive for senior safety. I had to learn the hard way. My mother was visiting, and my wife and I were both not at home. When I came home, my mom informed me she had slipped and fallen. Af- ter two days at The Queen’s Medical Center and a lot of stress, I felt really bad for a
number of reasons.
Sure, she was OK, but this
made me think what could have happened.
Also, I’m a general con- tractor and a plumbing contractor, and have been since 1981. This could have been prevented, and I, of all people, should have known better.
I am Matt, the owner of Tropical Windows and Baths. We specialize in
semi-handicap bathrooms, tub-to-shower conversions, walk-in tubs and bathroom remodeling.
I was so busy working on other homes, I forgot about my home and how refusing to be proactive could affect one of the most important people in the world to me.
This changed my life, and I dug deeper into senior safety. When interviewing seniors ages 60-85, 90% of them felt there was no need for special safety precau- tions in their homes. The main reasons were: I don’t feel old; I’m healthy; it’s a waste of money; it’s such an inconvenience.
Now, here are the real sta-
tistics: 72% of all seniors get hurt in the bathroom; 88% of seniors are injured by unex- pected falls; 63% of all seniors have no hand-bars or other safety items in their home to prevent accidents.
Every major fall to a senior can take as much as three years off their lifespan. Also, if a senior falls three times or more in a year, they normally do not live more than four years from that year. Pretty scary if you love your senior mother, father or other fam- ily members.
No fall, slip or trip is planned. No senior, or any- one for that matter, plans on getting hurt. The real ques- tion is what quality of life do
I want now that I’m a senior at age 63?
I have multiple bathrooms in my home and all are semi- handicap fitted. My mother is now 93 and lives with me. She has not taken a fall since seven years ago, and I can tell you, from the day she fell, I became proactive. I have nonslip showers with handi-bars.
I have strategically in- stalled handi-bars anywhere there could be a dangerous step. I have installed non-slip floors in my entire home, as well as improved lighting for better visibility. I could go on and on about all the little ad- justments I have made, not only for my mother but now
to benefit myself.
To sum this story up, I
would like to first say be pro- active about senior safety. Whether you call me to help you make your home a safe space or not, call someone and be proactive for your own safety.
Again, I am the owner of Tropical Wholesale, and I have a showroom with bath- room ideas and solutions at 1351 S. Beretania St. We are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays- Fridays, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays.
Give us a call and we will be glad to help you live a long and healthy life at home.
And remember, “buy lo- cal!”
TROPICAL WHOLESALE
CONTACT 808-593-2000 • 808-263-1252 ADDRESS 1351 S. Beretania St., Honolulu WEB twoahu.com
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