I think if you are dressing up you should wear either panty hose or thigh highs.I just think people look underdressed without nylons when they are supposed to be dressed up. A lot of the tv stars don't wear them,like Kelly Rippa and some of the other hostess's of shows don't wear them either,also some of the runway models. MY own personal opinion is that they make the outfit and the person look finished. Oh and i really hate to see women in dresses in the winter time with open toed shoes as well and no hose!!!JMO Kathi

Praire, I very much like the look of the shower that you posted, but I do have one big concern about this layout: You can't place grab bars on both sides of that shower. If you're concerned about aging in place, the bathroom is the first place you want to direct your attentions, and grab bars are kind "rule #1" for elder-friendly building. Will this matter to you in the future? None of us can possibly answer that question today. If your elderly years are still decades away, I suppose a reasonable, middle-of-the-road answer might be, Build what you like /need now ... but make the shower wide enough that -- if you need to do so -- you could add a pony wall that could support grab bars. You wouldn't have to change the shape of the shower, just add a wall, if it becomes necessary in the future. I definitely think you should go with a curb-free, or barrier-free doorway. Even a small step-over can be difficult for an elderly person, and that's harder to fix later (because it entails details about the floor /drain). As for the shower seat /teak stool question, I come down solidly on the side of the stool. I like the idea that it's moveable. Today you can move it out completely if you're taking a two-person shower. In the future, if you're ill, you could place it in such a way that you can sit down while someone stands behind you and washes your hair. Or you could "sub in" a real hospital style chair with a back and hand holds, if necessary in the future. The stool is more functional than the built-in seat. Another option to consider: A fold-up seat.

I have been wearing the Vionic slippers for the last two winters--they made a huge difference in my ankle pain. Just what the doctor ordered! which was similar to your advice--don't go barefoot and make sure you have support for your arch. For summer slippers around the house, I've been wearing FitFlops and recently ordered some from Spenco after reading about them here. For summer walking shoes I have Finn Comfort sandals which are expensive but wonderful and Brooks sneakers. I agree that you have to try different brands to find what suits your feet. I didn't like the Vionic thong sandals for some reason. Here is a link that might be helpful Podiatry Shoe Review

Yes, I use mine daily. There are data that higher steps are related to a lower BMI, no surprise. I will use the treadmill desk at night if I am low, though if I am working I have to put it in my pocket and off the wrist. Correct, they are not perfect, and they don't pick up non-walking activity that well such as resistance training or spinning. I used to like the little one I wore on my waist like a pedometer, but they don't make that the One anymore. I have the Ionic which is large. I don't like to sleep with it, either, because it's too large. But this technology used to be only available to researchers and now they are great for consumers. However, people stop using theirs after 3 months or so, to go along with the new year's resolution. I also like that it reminds me to move if I haven't gotten up every hour. I will go to the bathroom and do some laps on the indoor track. I do Goal Day challenges with my sister and friend. I used an old fashioned pedometer steps was when we were in Paris early 2000's because that was the technology, and we had 30K per day! On the Great Wall a couple of years ago, I had 54 floors! Sure felt like it, too. Data from my conference in Charleston a few weeks back. Taking the stairs at the hotel, walking group at the conference, too. Our conference actually has planned activity breaks, so you can choose what you want to do. One of the days we used the Holy Spokes bikeshare.