Senior Home Safety is a Key Factor in…
Posted on: July 15 2021
Senior Home Safety is a key factor in seniors maintaining an independent lifestyle. If you or a loved one is living at home, especially alone, it is important to make safety a priority.
It is important to recognize that one of the most common dangers seniors face is falling. Research indicates that injuries and subsequent complications due to falls are the leading causes of death in seniors aged 65 and older. One out of three seniors in this age group falls each year. Even though every fall does not result in an injury, these statistics should encourage us to make every effort to prevent falls occurring in the senior’s home. By taking certain safety measures, you can protect yourself and your loved ones by decreasing dangers inside and outside the home.
When you look around your house or the home of your loved one, you may not notice simple things you can do to make everyday living safer. Take a second to look around and see if you notice any of the things on the safety checklist below.
- Loose Railings. Whether or not someone is prone to falls or not, a loose railing can result in serious injury. Be sure all hardware is fastened tightly so that when someone leans on the railing, it is sturdy and does not fail.
- De-clutter. Clutter can cause trips and falls. Clear floors and stairs of any objects that can easily be tripped over.
- Secure rugs. If there are area rugs in the home be sure they are secured so that no one will slide or trip. There are rug fasteners you can buy at any hardware store to keep rugs in place. It’s a simple measure that can go a long way when it comes to safety.
- Do not wear loose sleeves while cooking. If you or a loved one is still able to stand at the stove and cook, avoid wearing loose-fitting sleeves as they can catch on fire.
- Be mindful of candles. Do not leave candles lit at bedtime or if you are leaving the home. Also be sure to never smoke in bed as that it is the cause of many house fires across the country.
- Check bathroom safety. Many slips and falls can occur in the bathroom. You can prevent these by installing grab bars near the toilet and in the shower as well as bathmats on the shower floor.
- Get a medical alert system. If you are living alone, it may be worth investing in a medical alert system. There are many different types of systems to choose from, but the idea is the same in pretty much all models. If you fall or are in need of emergency attention, simply press the button on your medical alert system (which you should have on you at all times). This will signal a call to 911 and can alert any family members you have designated as emergency contacts.
- Be sure smoke detectors work. Just because there is smoke detector visible in your home or apartment complex, does not mean it is working. Have smoke detectors tested and be sure to change the batteries twice a year.
- Buy a grabber. If you are living alone and need to grab something out of reach, do not try to stand on a chair or ladder. Rather buy one that you can use to grab items. Better yet, try to keep everything you need on a daily basis in arm’s length. This will prevent any accidents as you try to get something that is not close by.
Looking to safety proof your home and not sure where to start?
Around the Clock Home Care will provide a home care and safety assessment for you or your loved one’s home. Our assessment can help reduce the risk of an accident without interfering with your quality of life. Reducing risks helps seniors remain independent and healthy in the long run.
Posted in News