6 Ways to Prevent Home Accidents
Personal safety for senior loved ones is of paramount importance. Nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits occur due to at home falls every year, with falls and fall-related injuries the leading cause of hospitalization and death among seniors. Loved ones who survive falls are more susceptible to the onset of other fall-related injuries that can potentially limit mobility, independence, and safety. Senior falls also impose burdens on their families.
Unfortunately many seniors are reluctant to take fall prevention actions or precautions in their home. Individuals with a lack of knowledge face a higher possibility of experiencing a fall at home, and the devastating consequences that follow.
Falls are the primary cause of serious injury and can affect your loved one’s independence, leading to health problems, complications, and sometimes even death. Fall prevention education, fall prevention measures, and senior care in homes can help senior loved ones avoid many risks, and live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Senior care providers can help “fall proof” homes so seniors can avoid injuries. More than half of all nonfatal falls occur in the home, indicating there is a need for fall prevention measures in home environments. Personal safety is an issue for seniors who may have trouble accomplishing easy tasks, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed, or walking. Doorways become challenging, and stairs almost impossible. Other personal injuries often result from short-term memory difficulties—a loved one may forget a pot on the stove, under or overdose on prescription pills, or any other number of circumstances. Physical limitations from injuries often result in dehydration, malnutrition, and other nutritional deficiencies.
Senior Care providers are a great alternative for elderly loved ones who wish to live on their own, but are in a position where an accident may happen. Pay special attention to an elderly loved one’s lifestyle and identify which changes or additions may benefit their well-being. A senior care provider can also suggest many personal safety and living space safety alternatives.
Simple Senior Care Safety Tips
- Install grab bars near the bed, near the toilet, shower and other strategic places throughout your loved one’s living space.
- Raise the height of their bed if it’s low—they’ll have an easier time getting out.
- It’s critical to improve household lighting—this will reduce the possibility of falling and stumbling.
- Discuss with your senior loved one pet options—companionship is good, but personal safety is important.
- A senior care provider will help remove obstacles from floors and counters.
- Installing turn table shelving in cabinets is also handy.
Senior care can help ensure the safety of your loved ones, taking consideration of their mental health, physical, and cognitive challenges and changes. Senior care is one option for aging parents and loved ones as it allows them to remain safely in their homes as long as possible—caregivers visit as needed and take care of everyday tasks and services, including cleaning, running regular errands (cleaning and stocking the refrigerator), managing doctor’s appointments, and accident proofing your loved one’s home. These small steps of senior care can really ease the burden on your loved one and make a big difference in their quality of life.
About the Author: Erica Ronchetti is a freelance writer for Visiting Angels, the nation’s leading, network of non-medical, private duty home care agencies providing senior care, elder care, personal care, respite care and companion care to help the elderly and adults continue to live in their homes across America. Visit the Visiting Angels website to find out more information on senior home care.