Preventative medicines, increasing lifespans, and assistance from family caregivers enable seniors to remain independent for longer. To promote independence, it’s necessary for family caregivers to increase safety in their senior loved ones’ homes. Family caregivers can provide their loved ones with peace of mind by minimizing these safety hazards.
1. Bathroom Slips & Falls
Older adults are at risk for slips and falls in bathrooms, but there are several ways to reduce the likelihood of these events. Safety bars positioned in strategic locations around the toilet and on the wall beside the bathtub can help seniors maintain their balance.
Tubs should also feature nonslip mats and possibly inexpensive shower seats. A shower seat enables a senior to sit on the edge of the tub, slide onto the chair, and remain safe. Handheld showerheads allow seniors to thoroughly cleanse themselves without worrying about standing, slipping, and falling.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs assistance with bathing, cleaning, toileting, or other daily tasks. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated elder care, you can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
2. High Water Temperature
Elderly people have thin, fragile skin. High water temperatures are more likely to burn seniors when they bathe or do the dishes. Check the temperature on the water heater and adjust as needed.
3. Throw Rugs Lying Around
These types of small rugs can bunch up or slide, creating a fall hazard. If the rug cannot be secured to the floor in some manner, remove it from the home. If rugs are used to prevent damage in high-traffic areas, consider using lengthier vinyl runners, which typically have nubs underneath to hold them in place.
4. Stairs without Safety Railings
Stairways should have safety railings to provide stability to seniors going up or down the stairs, and they should be free of clutter. Many seniors don’t have the muscle strength they once had during their younger years, and they might have difficulty climbing the full height of steep stairs. Consider installing a seated chair lift.
5. Cluttered Home
Any obstacles located in high-traffic areas pose a safety risk, as they could cause older adults to lose their balance and fall. Commonly traveled pathways should be widened and free of any type of clutter.
Removing clutter from the home is just one of the many duties of a family caregiver. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Opelika, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
6. Insufficient Lighting
If a senior ventures to the bathroom after dark and the pathway is poorly lit or not illuminated at all, he or she may stumble and fall. Installing night lights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms can reduce the risk of falls. Bright lights on shiny floor surfaces produce glare that may impair a senior’s vision.
7. Uneven Sidewalks
Tree roots can sometimes make sidewalk surfaces uneven. Seniors who have poor vision or are physically weak could trip and fall over uneven sidewalks. Family members must determine a means of remedying the issue.
8. Poor Landscaping
Low-lying branches or shrubs that extend onto walkways may cause damage to your loved one’s fragile skin. The obstructions might also influence older adults to detour around the areas, which could cause a loss of balance and falls.
Minimizing safety hazards is the first step toward ensuring your loved one’s safety. In the long run, you may need to hire a professional caregiver to help your loved one make healthy lifestyle choices that could reduce the risk of falls and injuries. In Opelika, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today at (334) 744-7100.