There’s no place like home, but for seniors, their home
can be a collection of hazards. Most older adults’ injuries happen at home, so
it’s prudent to do a safety review every six months and remove unnecessary risks
to help keep our loved-ones safe in their homes.
Railings & Handrails – many handrails were built for decoration, but seniors need to have secure railings to support them as they go up and down stairs, and to support them getting in and out of the shower/tub safely. Too many seniors end up in the hospital with a broken limb because the towel rack they were pulling on came away from the wall – towel racks are for towels, safety bars are for people.
Adequate Lighting – make sure that each room and all entrance has adequate lighting. Older folks, especially those with visual challenges, will likely require brighter lighting. Replace older 60w bulbs with a brighter and more energy-efficient A19 LED bulb (equivalent to 100w). Also make sure that light switches are within reach and illuminated if necessary.
Throw Rugs – scatter rugs were popular back in the day, but they are a serious tripping hazard for older folks. If your Mom is reluctant to remove them for her home, try to find somewhere she could still see and enjoy them without being directly in her path. At the very least, tack them down to avoid tripping.
Clear Pathways – remove obstacles including cords and loose items from the hallways. We encourage you to think about all the places your parent walks during the day: bed to bathroom, bedroom to kitchen, kitchen to living room, living room to front/back door, and ensure there are no tripping hazards.
Cluttered rooms are accidents waiting to happen for seniors with mobility issues.
Non-Skid Floor wax – if your parents live in a home with polished floors, check to ensure that they only buy and use non-skid floor wax. You’ll want to ensure the whole house offers good traction and that your parent’s wear good, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear. Don’t forget to make sure the bathtub and shower have a fairly new non-slip mats in them as well.
Emergency Numbers near all phones – ensure that all phones are placed within easy reach for your parent. Rushing to answer the phone is a common cause of falls and broken hips. Cordless phones are quite affordable today, and your Mom or Dad should have one that can be easily carried to their favourite chair and bedside.
First Aid Kit – these make great gifts. Give one to someone you love to day, and be sure to spend ten minutes and review what’s in the kit, and where it will be kept so everyone is aware.
Chair at front door to put shoes on and off – this will help your ageing parent an opportunity to sit and safely put their shoes on and off, and allow them to catch their breath.
Fire Extinguishers & Smoke Alarms on every floor – help your parents by checking their extinguishers and detectors biannually (put on your calendar for Day Light Saving and check theirs and your own every Fall and Spring). Change the batteries annually if the alarms are not hardwired.
Have a Medical Alert system – research the options and choose a system that your parent will use (there’s no point having an emergency button if they leave it in their bedside table). Today there are many options: pendants, watches & bracelets, and table top units to name a few. Research the options and find the unit that your parent likes the best.
BONUS SAFETY TIP: probably the number one cause of serious injury in seniors is falling when they first get up. Seniors are susceptible to falls for many different reasons – poor balance, decreased eyesight, light headedness, overall weakness and fragility. As a result of frailer bones and slower reflexes, these falls are often serious, resulting in broken hips, or, by trying to break the fall, injured arms or wrists.
Learn to Count to 3 when Standing: as we age, our body’s reactions slow, this includes the message to the brain to increase our blood pressure when we stand. To help prevent falls when first rising from bed or a chair, learn to stand in three steps:
1)
Count “1” and take a good breath, then sit up straight and place your feet
evenly on the floor.
2)
With your hands securely holding both
chair armrests, count “2” and take
another good breath and then stand (but do not take a step yet).
3)
Once you are standing, count “3” and take another breath as you
assess how you feel. Are you at all dizzy or light-headed, if so, you can put
your hands back on the armrests and safely sit down. If you feel ok after your
third breath, then you may take a step as your body has now had time to
increase your blood pressure from sitting to walking.
If you would like a Home Healthcare specialist to come and
help review your loved-one’s home, contact Shylo Home Healthcare today.
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