Elder Care: Tips For Keeping Seniors Safe At Home

As people age, living in care becomes extremely important to consider. They sometimes need to make some adjustments in their home to insure their own safety. Here are some tips to help your aging loved ones stay safe inside their homes:

1. Remove all items that may cause a senior to slip and fall It is always a good idea to take a look around the home and identify possible trouble spots that need to be addressed. Throw rugs, loose electrical cords, other loose wires that may get in someone's way as they try to walk around the house. Waxed floors that tend to cause slippage would also fit into this category. Depending on what you find, you may need to do some changes to the flooring, like replacing throw rugs or slippery floors with a tacked down carpet.

2. Make sure there are stable handrails on all stairs If your loved ones live in a multi-level structure with stairs, it is critical that they are able to climb these stairs safely. First of all, make sure that all sets of stairs (even just 2 or 3 steps) have accompanying handrails. For stairs that already have handrails, make sure they are not loose or shaky. If you're not able to yourself, hire someone to come over and stabilize all shaky handrails.

3. Secure the bathrooms Make sure all the bathtubs and showers are slip-proof by putting in bathmats. Also install handrails in the bathtubs and showers to help them get in and out easier.

4. As a Senior Caregiver ensure that all the necessary and regularly used items are just around the corner. Avoid putting them on top shelves because seniors have a greater tendency to lose their balance when reaching high spots. In case a step stool will be needed for places that are hard to reach, acquire one that has firm footing.

5. Make sure that there is adequate lightning in hallways and other frequently visited areas within and outside the house. If your senior parents have cataracts and diabetes, understanding that poor lighting makes these already troublesome diseases worse can be a source of great relief. You can solve this problem by cleaning the overhead light fixtures and replacing defective bulbs. Also, furniture should be placed very near the outlets to make sure that electric cords are out of the way. If necessary, install an additional wiring to cut down the distance between the outlet and the appliance. Another great option is to install an occupancy sensor light switch, an electrical device that automatically turns on the light anytime it senses a movement such as the opening of a kitchen door.

6. Beware of heating system hazards. Because seniors tend to spend more of their time inside the house, they are highly vulnerable to gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. For their safety, make it a habit to have your heating systems professionally serviced every year. Monitor the carbon monoxide level within the house. According to statistics, carbon monoxide has been the primary reason for accidental poisoning deaths. Having a carbon monoxide detector inside the house, especially near the bedroom can help. This is the best way to detect if the carbon monoxide level is becoming too dangerous for their health.

7. Ensure that all your furniture is firm and safe. Unstable furniture, such as a chair that has a broken leg is dangerous. It is best to repair or replace them as soon as possible. Beds that have an elevated platform are also not advisable for seniors because not only will they have a hard time getting into it, they might also accidentally fall from it. Provide them with beds that are high and comfortable enough for them.

8. Put food products and toxic products in different storage areas. People with a blurred vision can easily confuse a cleaning product for a condiment, especially when they don't have their glasses on.

9. Install grab bars in high traffic areas inside the house. Grab bars can give extra security to seniors who are prone to light-headedness or dizziness. Installing grab bars can make moving around the house much easier and safer for them.

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