Safety for Seniors

You Can’t Be Too Careful!

There are many aspects to safety in the home and in general, than you may ever realize. This articles covers: safety issues in and around the home, preventing falls, food safety, preparing for emergencies and managing medications.

Even the coziest home can hold hidden hazards, especially as we get older and lose some of our vision and balance. An older person is more vulnerable to stray telephone cords, slipping throw rugs, broken steps, sticky floors, and so many more “pitfalls in waiting”!

Falls are by far the leading cause of injury in the home, and currently account for six thousand deaths a year! Naturally, much of our concern for safety in the home is about preventing falls. Dangerous for everyone, falls are particularly dangerous as we get older and our bones are more brittle. Here’s a statistic that will make you put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and examine your house carefully to be sure it’s safe… one-third of Americans over 65 fall each year. One-third!

Damage from falls is not only physical, but can have an emotional impact too.

The shame of it all is that most of these falls and many accidents in and around the home… are easy to prevent. Here’s what you can check and change, to be sure you are not one of these terrible statistics.

In the Home…

• Handrails on both sides of stairs
• Handrails that extend beyond the first step
• Lights at the top and bottom of stairs
• Safety grip strips on uncarpeted stairs
• Tape any small rugs to the floor
• Night lights in the bedroom, halls and bathrooms
• Remove clutter from walking paths
• Remove clutter everywhere… it causes confusion.
• Smoke alarms – one of the most important safety features is a smoke alarm on every floor. Check batteries regularly.
• NO smoking in bed!

Outdoors…

• Bright lights over all porches and walkways
• Handrails on both sides of stairs
• Put ladders away after using them
• Keep sidewalks and paths clear – No Tripping!
• Repair broken or chipped steps and walkways, asap!

Emergencies

• Keep a list of important phone numbers
• If you have it, keep the most important numbers on speed dial
• Be sure the numbers of your address are easily visible… make them large and light them up at night
• Are you alone at home? You might consider a personal emergency response system that you keep on your wrist or on your person. One push, and help’s on it’s way.

Other general safety concerns

• Keep items in reach… avoid having to stand on a chair or step stool to access items stored in cupboards and closets.
• Insert no slip mats in the bathtub
• Install grab bars by the toilet and bathtub
• Wear shoes with non slip soles.
• Check vision and compatibilities of medicines

Managing Medications

• Keep a list of medications handy and updated
• Check meds regularly with doctor and pharmacist. Reactions to medications can change over time and modifications to prescriptions can lead to dizziness and falls.

Food safety

As we age, we have a reduced ability to fight off dangerous bacteria, so we must pay much closer attention to food safety for ourselves and our aging family. You know… an ounce of prevention…

Elderly who live alone tend to be safer regarding food safety, unless they are dealing with memory loss.

Why older adults are more susceptible:

• Immune systems weaken with age
• Stomach acid decreases, which plays an important role in reducing bacteria
• Illnesses such as diabetes, kiney disease, cancer… all increase these risks

Hard to recognize forms of harmful bacteria, that can’t be detected by sight, smell and taste.The amount of time it takes to be affected by different kinds of bacteria can vary widely from 20 minutes to 3 days to 6 weeks, making it difficult to determine the culprit, if it is sickness or a food born illness.

Tips for preventing food born illnesses …

• Keep food preparation surfaces clean…. Countertops, cutting boards, cutting utensils and your hands.
• Rinse raw foods well
• Cut meat on different surfaces from other foods
• Wash cutting boards with hot soapy water.

24 hour rule

• Discard perishable foods left at room temperature for over 24 hours
• Keep hot foods hot, until you eat them.
• Reheating – reheat food thoroughly.

If you just follow these few safety tips, you can feel good that your home is a place where you can be safe. Contact us to provide care for your loved one at home.

Contact us at: http://www.seniorhomecareusa.com

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