How To Increase The Safety Of Your Seniors At Home

As people age, they become more susceptible to accidents and injuries in the home. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among seniors in America.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to increase the safety of your seniors at home. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best ways to keep your elderly loved ones safe and secure in their own homes. We will also touch on what to do if you suspect that your senior has fallen and needs medical attention. So, keep reading to learn more about how to keep your seniors safe at home!

Install Medical Alert System

One of the best ways to increase the safety of your seniors at home is to install a medical alert system. With a medical alert system in place, your seniors will have 24/hour access to emergency assistance if they should fall or become injured. There are many different medical alert systems on the market, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs and budget. You can find several alert devices that can be worn as a pendant or bracelet, which is ideal for seniors who may not want to wear a device all the time. Additionally, some of them have a built-in GPS tracking feature, which can be very helpful if your senior should wander off and become lost.

Clear The Clutter

Another way to help increase the safety of your seniors at home is to clear the clutter. Clutter can create trip hazards, which can lead to falls and injuries. So, take some time to go through your senior’s home and remove any items that are no longer needed or used. This includes things like old newspapers, magazines, and clothes. Additionally, you should declutter the floors by moving any cords or wires out of the way. This will help create a clear path for your seniors to walk, which can reduce their risk of falling.

Install Grab Bars In The Bathroom

Another great way to keep your seniors safe at home is to install grab bars in the bathroom. According to the CDC, one out of every four seniors will fall each year. And, many of these falls occur in the bathroom. Grab bars can provide your seniors with much-needed support when they are getting in and out of the shower or bathtub. Additionally, you should install a non-slip mat in the bathtub or shower to further reduce the risk of falls.

Make The Home Senior-Friendly

There are many other things you can do to make your senior’s home more senior-friendly and safe. For example, you should install nightlights in all of the bedrooms and bathrooms. This will help them see where they are going if they need to get up in the middle of the night. Additionally, you should remove any throw rugs or area rugs from the home. These can be a trip hazard for seniors. Finally, you should make sure all of the stairways in the home are well-lit and have handrails on both sides. If they are not, you can install them yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

Put Non-Skid Treads on Steps

If your senior has stairs in their home, it’s important to make them as safe as possible. One way to do this is to put non-skid treads on the steps. This will help prevent your senior from slipping and falling down the stairs. Additionally, you should make sure there is a handrail on both sides of the stairway. If there is not, you should install one as soon as possible.

Lever Handles Should be Used in Place of Standard Door Knobs

If your senior has standard doorknobs in their home, you should replace them with lever handles. Lever handles are much easier for seniors to use than standard doorknobs as they do not require a tight grip. Additionally, you should make sure all of the doors in the home are easy to open and close. If they are not, you can install automatic door openers. They are great for seniors who may have this difficulty.

As you can see, there are many things you can do to increase the safety of your seniors at home. By taking some simple precautions, you can help prevent falls and other injuries. So, don’t wait – start making your senior’s home safer and senior-friendly today.

We hope you found this blog post helpful. Thank you for reading!