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Home Safety Tips for Seniors
When discussing elder care, it is important to understand that falls are the leading cause of injury death for those 65 and up.
Each year, more than 1.6 million seniors are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for fall-related injuries caused by incidents such as slipping on a wet bathroom floor, loss of balance on stairs, or tripping on a rug, according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Falls account for 4 of every 5 injury-related hospitalizations by seniors and 20% of deaths related to an injury can be traced back to falls! If a senior has fallen, they have a 66% chance of falling again within 12 months.
Over ½ of seniors falls occur in or around the home.
The statistics are frightening and it's clear that preventing falls in the elderly is a high priority health care concern for independent living seniors.
Simple Steps for a Safer Home
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help yourself or an aging parent to be safer in their home. The simplest, and cheapest, projects offer some of the biggest benefits. These steps enhance a senior's quality of life by enabling you to enjoy the full use of your home and maintain your personal independence.
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Remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways. Arrange furniture so that it creates open space and clear passage. Place bed, telephone, etc. where they are easily accessible. See article, Remove Home Hazards. It is also important to keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping. See article, Low Cost Ways to Improve Lighting in the Home.
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Add bathroom safety features, such as using non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors and install grab bars. Having a handicap accessible bathroom is an important element of home safety as many falls occur in the bathroom . See article Bathroom Safety for Seniors, Bathroom Safety Grab Bars, Handicap Access Showers, Walk in Bathtubs.
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Improve Mobility into and throughout your home . This includes safety of outdoor walkways, entrances, doorways and stairs. Assistive Devices such as a cane or walker can also help your balance and mobility. Wheelchair home safety products such as portable handicap ramps help you move freely into and through your home. See articles A Clear Path, Doors, Entrances and Walkways.
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Most homes don't have the features and conveniences to make them appropriate and safe for seniors . By planning ahead you can make more economical decisions on what and when to make changes in your home.
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If you choose to remodel to increase the convenience and comfort of your home, how you select, hire and manage the independent contractor often defines a successful project. See article, Hiring a Contractor.
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For seniors living alone, a personal medical alert system allows a senior in distress to call for help. See article, Elderly Medical Alarms and Elderly-Medical-Alarms.com.
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Exercise regularly to increase body strength, flexibility and improve balance. Regular exercise can also help prevent depression in seniors.
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Review all medicines with the doctor or pharmacist (both prescription and over-the-counter) to reduce side effects and interactions. Have vision checked. Be prepared for visits and be aware of the different types of health care professionals. We also recommend a geriatric home safety assessment be performed by a professional such as an occupational therapist. Be aware of elderly medical products that assist in independent living.
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Consider home health care to assist senior in higher risk activities, such as bathing. Many levels of personal, psychosocial and domestic care are available including live-in health care.
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Bathrooms
