Remaining at home or living with family and friends is what most seniors prefer. However, some risks inside the home can put an elderly individual’s health and safety in jeopardy. Below are some of the hidden safety problems in a senior’s home and tips you can use to handle each risk and keep your aging loved one safe.
1. Carbon Monoxide
Compared to natural gas, carbon monoxide is typically undetectable by smell, making it a serious safety risk for older adults. Adding detectors to your parent’s home and monitoring the devices regularly can keep your loved one safe. Check your loved one’s heaters annually for carbon monoxide and other dangerous chemicals.
2. Unstable Staircase
Going up and down stairs can provide the muscles with a good workout, but stairs can also increase the odds of slips and falls. Make sure all stairways in the home have solid rails that are attached correctly and adequate lighting nearby. To prevent your loved one from falling and breaking his or her bones or experiencing head traumas and other severe injuries, you should fix any loose stairs immediately.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide elderly home care. Turn to InCasa Home Care Services for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
3. Candles
Many fires in seniors’ homes are preventable, such as accidents caused by candles. Continuously monitor candles when lit rather than leaving them burning while you run an errand or spend time in other areas of the home. Instead of lighting candles, consider using air fresheners and essential oils with humidifiers.
4. Wet Surfaces
Wet floors around the home can be a dangerous hazard for seniors. An excellent way to prevent water or other liquids from spilling on the floor is to tightly close and secure all bottle lids and grocery bags. When coming indoors with rain boots or an umbrella, leave those accessories at the door on a nonslip rug. Also, place nonslip mats in the bathrooms to prevent water from dripping on the surfaces.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to InCasa Home Care Services, a leading Edmonton in-home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
5. Cords
Tripping on phone cords, computer plugs, and other wires in the home could lead to minor or severe accidents and injuries, which is why these safety risks need to be placed away from entrances and other high-traffic areas inside the home. If possible, purchase wireless appliances and devices to reduce the number of cords inside your loved one’s home.
6. Various Small Items
Older adults living with cognitive problems or diseases like Alzheimer’s often have difficulty making proper decisions, putting their safety at risk. If you provide care for a senior with dementia or Alzheimer’s, remove all small or dangerous items around the home. Your loved one could mistake these things for food, try to eat them, and choke. For added safety, sweep the room for small objects multiple times per day and remove them as quickly as possible.
Some older adults need regular assistance to remain safe at home. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive at-Home Care. Edmonton seniors can count on InCasa Home Care Services to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at 587-609-6854 today.
Recent Comments