As the seasons change, we age and our bodies change, too. The choices we make to adapt to these changes - seasonal or more lasting - will be reflected in the richness of our lives. As it is National Home Care Month, we offer suggestions and resources to make your home work for you and your loved ones over time.

For many, help at home becomes necessary when mobility is limited, perhaps after a fall or injury, short-stay surgery or illness. When the patient returns home, you can help maintain their independence by providing adaptive appliances or modifying your home.

"Home modification and repair can help prevent accidents such as falls, allow people to remain in their homes (and) accommodate lifestyle changes and increase comfort," says a report developed by the National Eldercare Institute on Housing and Supportive Services.

When first assessing your home's suitability, look at safety issues. Remove small rugs and check to ensure the edges of any carpeting are smooth and secure. Select a place out of children's reach for medications. Speak with appropriate health care professionals to determine what kinds of assistance may be helpful.

Adaptive or durable appliances can make a huge difference in your home's suitability. This category includes canes, walkers, bed rails, elevated toilet seats with arm rests, commodes, hospital beds, and lift chairs. After abdominal surgery for example, a raised toilet seat with arm rails will lessen the strain of lifting on and off the toilet.

"An infirmity can affect someone of any age," said David O'Connor of Mass Surgical Supply, Holyoke. "We can set up a full hospital room in people's homes. You can have all the same things the hospitals have, and that can make your stay at home more comfortable."

Adjust canes and walkers to the proper height for the user. Many older homes have a raised threshold between rooms. Fluorescent tape on the edges can remind people to step up or down when entering and leaving the rooms. Lamps and light fixtures with switches near the doorway will help illuminate hallways at night. Nightlights can also assist in navigation.

Many newer telephones have speed-dial features that can be pre-programmed with emergency phone numbers (doctor, police, fire and ambulance), as well as those of relatives and other frequently called numbers. Persons recovering from eye surgery will find telephones with large numeric buttons particularly easy to use.

Bathing and showering may be harder because of the fatigue common during recuperative periods. The exertion of getting in and out of the tub or shower can be exhausting in itself. Tub seats and hand-held shower wands minimize exertion, allowing for continued independence in personal hygiene.

Wheelchairs are often useful in moving about the home, but stairs and/or narrow doorways in many homes can hinder mobility. Before selecting a wheelchair for use in the home, measure the width of your doorways to ensure movement between rooms will be possible.

Rising from a seated position can be a challenge when there has been some reduction in upper body strength. Lift-seat chairs (manual or electric) lessen the need for another person to give one a "boost" out of the chair. With the touch of a button, the seated person is supported while being raised to a standing position or gently lowered into the chair.

Getting in and out of bed safely can usually be managed by adjusting the height of the bed, mattress or box spring. If the height of the bed is already acceptable, a grab bar at the side of the bed can provide the additional leverage and support needed to get in and out.

Finally, to provide a sense of security for those who may suddenly need assistance ("I've fallen and I can't get up") the Personal Emergency Response System is available. It consists of a "call box" (about the size of a 9 volt battery) worn on a chain around the neck that, when activated, dials a telephone numbers to notify a pre-arranged relative, neighbor, or nurse to check on the wearer. Response personnel also receive the call information and respond appropriately to each individual's situation. For further information about these and other resources, call WestMass Elder Care in Holyoke at 538-9020.