You should always feel safe in your own home. Although this is important for everyone – men and women, young and old, city dwellers and country folk – it is especially significant where seniors are concerned. After all, a minor fall that barely slows down a teenager could be devastating for someone in their sunset years. To ensure that you (or a loved one) stay healthy for years to come, use the tips below to provide safety for seniors at home.
Safety for Seniors at Home
Consider moving into a retirement community. If you haven’t already, why not move into a retirement community? Not only will the community provide secure apartments, but it should also offer numerous safety services. Plus, you’ll enjoy the camaraderie, activities, and social events.
Be prepared for a fire. No one expects a fire. To prepare for the unexpected, keep a fire extinguisher and smoke detector on every floor of your home, and replace the batteries in the smoke detector regularly. Finally, make sure there is a clear fire-escape route.
Install a carbon monoxide detector. Speaking of detectors and alarms, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home (or have someone else install it). This detector should sound an alarm to alert you of a carbon monoxide emergency.
Make the floors trip- and slip-proof. To prevent falls, be sure that any rugs in your home have a slip pad and that the edges lay flat. If there are cords on the floor, pin them to the side of the room, and remove any other obstructions. If something spills, clean it up right away. Finally, place a skid-proof mat in your bathtub and a slip-proof bath mat outside of the tub.
Light your way. How many times have you tripped over a shoe or run into a table in the dark? Be sure that your home is thoroughly lit to avoid falling or bruising yourself in the dark. Even better? Install automated lighting that lights up rooms as you enter them. This is especially important on stairs and in bathrooms.
Schedule expiration checks. Every month or so, review the items in your refrigerator and medicine cabinet to be sure they have not expired. To make this easy, use a sharpie to write the expiration date largely on the bottle, jar, canister, box, etc. immediately after purchasing it.
Install handrails for support. The handrails on your stairways should be sturdy and easy to grasp. You may wish to place grab handles in your bathroom as well, as support near the toilet and bathtub will make it easier for you to get up and down. For extra comfort, install a built-in seat in your shower.
Place items at a waist-level height. Store as many items as possible at a comfortable height, so that they can be accessed without squatting, leaning over, or climbing a stepladder. This is especially important for heavy items and items accessed often.
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If you’re concerned about safety for seniors at home, check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville, Tennessee. Our warm and inviting senior living community includes a number of safety features, including ground-level apartments, emergency pendants, medical staff on site, paved walking paths, an emergency call system, and transportation to medical appointments. To learn more about our amenities and services, please give us a call at 901-854-6590 or contact us online. Our Community Directors would be happy to discuss your needs and concerns, and you are always welcome to stop by for a tour of the community.