Home Safety Tips for Seniors
Home Safety Tips for Seniors
Tuesday June 9, 2020
Home Safety Tips for Seniors
At home with an older loved one or checking-in on a senior who lives alone? Now is a good time to take a look around the house and do a safety check. Below are some easy steps to take while remaining at home:
- Look for fall hazards. Falls are a big risk to seniors’ health and can lead to a hospitalization or placement in a long-term care facility. They can be prevented by the following:
- Make sure that floors are cleared of clutter and pathways are easy to navigate.
- If your loved one uses a walker or cane, encourage them to use it at all times and keep it close by so they can easily reach it whenever it is needed.
- Have your loved one wear nonslip footwear.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- If the home has area rugs, consider taping down the sides and corners.
- Be sure that cords are kept out of the way to avoid the potential for trips and falls.
- Install night lights in dark rooms/areas to ensure that there is adequate lighting, especially at night, to prevent falls. These can easily be ordered from an online vendor, such as Amazon, for convenient delivery.
- Manage medications.
- Make sure that all medications are properly labeled with large lettering.
- Use a pill box to divide up the correct dosage for every day.
- Prevent accidental overdose. If you loved one has severe dementia, make sure medications are secured until needed.
- Consider keeping a current list of medications with dosages and other pertinent information with the medications.
- Bathroom
- Consider turning the hot water heater down to around 120 degrees to prevent burns on sensitive senior skin.
- In the future, consider adding handrails to the shower to prevent slips and falls.
- Put a rubber mat in the tub.
- If your loved one has trouble getting on or off the toilet, consider purchasing a raised toilet seat with handles. They can be easily ordered online during this time.
- Kitchen
- Place frequently used items on shelves or in cabinets that are easy to reach.
- If there is a high cabinet or shelf that your older loved one needs to reach, make sure a sturdy stepstool is handy.
- Keep emergency phone numbers handy. Post a list of phone numbers on the refrigerator, by the phone, or other easily accessible place so that if your older loved one is living alone or temporarily home alone, they are able to contact you or emergency services immediately.
If you have concerns about your older loved living alone, Abramson Home Care can help. Call 215.371.3490 for more information.
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