Is your Aging Parent Safe at Home?
Visiting aging loved ones is not a time that any of us want to be thinking about making decisions that could change the course of our their lives; but for those of us that have seniors who live on their own, visits are a time to evaluate their health and safety. Make sure that you take a close look at how your loved one is living, and determine if they might benefit from care assistance at home.
There are many senior citizens who are fortunate to live an extremely active and independent lifestyle. Elderly loved ones may be living in a nursing home or another type of long-term care facility; while others live with family members. Perhaps you are caring for your elderly parents. Whether you are caring for them at your home or their home, use these tips to help make any home a safer for your aging relative or friend:
1. Put nonskid mats on the floor beside the bathtub or shower. Make sure the bathtub has a non-slippery finish on the inside.
2. Use securely fastened grab bars to help the elderly maintain balance while showering or bathing, and to help them enter and exit the tub or shower. The towel rack is not to be used as a grab bar. It cannot hold the weight of the senior nor is it securely fastened.
3. Install bars on each side of the toilet or a safety frame which can give support when sitting or rising.
4. Remove any loose throw rugs that can be tripped over.
5. Turn down the water heater a few degrees to prevent scalding accidents.
6. Install a ramp or rails at the entrance of the home.
7. Install smoke alarms. There are a variety of smoke alarms available including some that not only sound an alarm but also flash when set off.
8. Do not give out personal information over the telephone or elsewhere.
9. Make the stairways are well-lit and free of clutter. Handrails are a great safety feature for any stairway and need to be properly and securely attached to the wall.
10. Make sure the shoes your aging loved one wears fit properly, have a non-skid sole and support your weight. Replace the shoes every three to four months. If you are not sure which type of shoe is appropriate for you, contact a podiatrist.
Use this checklist on your next visit to help you recognize the important warning signs of home safety; if you can’t answer “yes” to all of the statements below, then it’s time to suggest some changes.
• There are no spoiled foods in the fridge, and it, along with cupboards are well stocked with nutritious meal and snack items
• Their home appears in the same state as it always has, with no dirt and dust appearing in locations that are harder to reach
• Bills are not piling up at home or in the mailbox, indicating that they’re probably being paid
• Dates and dosages on medications match up with what’s on the prescription bottles and it appears as though he/she is managing her medications effectively and taking them according to schedule
• His/her appearance is neat and tidy and to the same standard as normal
• Neighbors and friends close to him/her seem to have no concerns about the health, safety or happiness of the senior
January 31st, 2011 at 12:02 am
Good points, Carol. I remember when a dear elderly neighbor of mine was starting to have health issues. I did her shopping so didn’t worry about how she was eating. Then she got ill, and in the course of helping her in other areas, discovered a LOT of the food I had been buying was still in the freezer and cupboards. I learned then to make sure they are actually eating what they are buying! I just signed up for your email and am looking forward to reading your ebook. Thank you.
January 31st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Great article! Before we got my grandmother in-home care, we had neighbors “on watch” as well– we asked a few friendly neighbors to check in, on occasion, to make sure everything was okay and gave them all of the family phone numbers, etc. Thankfully, we never got a call– but it was comforting knowing that someone was keeping an eye on her!
February 1st, 2011 at 3:01 pm
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