Seniors should feel the safest at home, but home-related accidents are a leading cause of injuries for older adults. The good news is families have multiple ways to increase safety around a senior loved one’s house. Taking a look at these strategies can help your family ensure your loved one is safe when going about his or her daily routine.
Clear All Walking Paths of Fall Hazards
By now, most people know to keep cords out of walkways. However, some of the biggest fall hazards for seniors may seem the most innocent. For instance, pet toys are often left in areas seniors walk through. Encouraging your loved one to keep toys picked up can prevent a fall. The same is also true about other forms of clutter. Finding a place to store books, paperwork, and knickknacks makes it safer to walk through the house.
Eliminate Bathroom Hazards
A few simple changes around the bathroom can prevent dangerous accidents. Take a moment to adjust the water heater thermostat to no more than 120 degrees to prevent burns. Then make sure your loved one has a nonskid mat and grab bars around the tub or shower. Some seniors may also benefit from adjustments to the toilet that make it easier to get up and down. Raised toilet seats are an option that add more stability for people with mobility challenges.
A professional home caregiver can help your loved one age in place safely. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Home Care Naples. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Increase Lighting Inside & Around the House
Simply being able to see better can prevent trip-and-fall accidents. Plus, criminals tend to avoid homes that are well lit on the outside. Automated lighting systems are perfect for seniors to use inside and outside the home. Being able to have outdoor walkways light up as they arrive home from events keeps them safer. Indoors, you can use automatic lighting in the hallways to protect your loved one from getting hurt if he or she wakes up at night.
Set Up a Medication Routine
Seniors who take medications on a regular basis are at risk for mishaps that could lead to a missed dose or overdose. Your loved one could also be at risk for having a health incident if he or she takes a new medication that causes an unexpected reaction. Make sure your loved one’s medications are clearly labeled and that he or she knows the right dosing schedule. You can also set up an automatic dispensing system or create a log your loved one can use to track when taking medication.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior care. Naples families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Provide In-Person Support with Challenging Tasks
Technology is an asset for seniors who can use smart home systems and other options to stay safe. But you still cannot fully replace the power of in-person supervision. Seniors may face a wide range of challenges on any given day that are difficult to set up devices to manage. With an in-home caregiver, your loved one will never need to stand on a shaky ladder to replace a lightbulb. Seniors also rely on in-home support for daily tasks that range from cooking meals to help with personal hygiene. Ask your loved one what types of support he or she needs, and arrange for someone to provide daily assistance that keeps your loved one safe and happy.
Some seniors need occasional assistance at home, and oftentimes the family members who take care of them need time away to run errands, take a nap, go to work, or take a vacation. Naples respite care experts from Assisting Hands Home Care are available on an as-needed basis, giving your family peace of mind that your loved one will remain safe and comfortable while you relax or focus on other important responsibilities. Call us today at (239) 946-9268 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
