Senior help at home can help keep your loved one safe and give you peace of mind. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among the senior population. In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that falls account for over three million injuries treated in emergency rooms every year. This includes over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 20,000 deaths.

Senior Help at Home Benefits:

But you must keep in mind that falling is not an inescapable consequence of aging. There are several ways you can do to prevent your senior loved ones from experiencing fall accidents. One way to go about it is to make your home senior-friendly. Below are some insights on how to make your home safe for your loved ones

Pick up clutters to prevent tripping

In making your home safe for seniors, the best place to start is by removing any clutter that can cause them to trip and fall. We are talking about newspapers, books, clothes, and toys laying around the floor. Do not also forget to secure electrical and phone cords in their proper place.

Use non-slip rugs to reduce slip hazards

We discourage you to put throw rugs as they can be a potential slip hazard for them. However, if you really want to put throw rugs on the floor, secure them with double-sided tape. Or better yet, purchase non-slip rugs.

Secure the stairs

Going up and down the stairs can be a strenuous task for your senior loved ones. Make sure the stairs are safe by installing handrails on both sides of the staircase. Moreover, you have to make sure that the staircase is well-lighted from top to bottom to help them identify their steps.

Install bathroom safety items

The bathroom is the best place to relax, but this can turn into a dangerous place for your senior loved ones. In fact, many people agree that slips and falls are more likely to occur inside the bathroom. Make the bathroom safe for your loved ones by installing grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and near the toilet and sink. Non-slip rubber mats are also a must in front of the sink, toilet, shower, or bath.

Make simple modifications in the kitchen

If they still love to cook and bake, make the cabinets and pantry in your kitchen more accessible. Install pull-out shelves. You can also change the knobs on the cabinets and drawers into D-shaped pull handles as the latter requires less effort to grab.

An elderly person could fall and remain on the floor, in a worst-case scenario, injured for several hours or days because they live alone or are unable to make a phone call. Senior help at home can regularly check-in, call, and visit your loved one to ensure they are safe and well cared for. Should a senior suffer a fall, home care services can get the proper medical care quickly.

Looking for more information? See our FAQ page.

Source:

Facts About Falls