Homewatch CareGivers: In-Home Senior Safety – LIVING WELL Magazine

Posted by LIVING WELL Magazine on January 12, 2012 in Akron, Articles, Home Care, Local Editions, Ohio, Retirement Living

Guide to In-Home Senior Safety                                                                    

Courtesy Homewatch CareGivers, Akron LIVING WELL Magazine

Is your loved-one safe at home?

Most seniors want to age at home, where they feel safe and close to the things that they value. However, falls are the leading cause of death and injuries among Americans over the age of 65, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. More than one-third of all seniors – or about 11 million people – fall each year, resulting in almost 12,000 deaths. Of survivors, 50% lose their mobility and 40% lose their independence, forever.

The elderly are also 2.5 times more likely to die in a residential fire than the rest of the population. Cooking, open flames, smoking and heating caused more fires that resulted in injuries among the elderly than other fire causes.

Colleen Richison, LPN with Homewatch CareGivers of Akron, has worked in the health care field for over 38 years. Her advice with regard to senior safety is “with appropriate thought and intervention people can remain safely in their home, but they have to make some lifestyle changes to accommodate their change in physical and mental status.”

Determining if your loved one is safe at home can be overwhelming and frustrating. Homewatch CareGivers’ Guide to In-Home Senior Safety is here for you to evaluate your loved one’s home and to help create a safe and healthy living environment. Evaluating your loved-one’s living environment needs to be done on a regular basis, as their capabilities to live independently will continue to change.

William Christener, a caregiver for Homewatch CareGivers in Akron, Ohio, says the most important thing is to, “Look at the condition that that your mom and dad are living in. Remember that their senses are fading. Brighten it up. Be aware of clutter.”

He also says to not look at the house as a place they live, but as a place they want to stay. “Most elderly are comfortable with the way things are. Discuss the changes with them before you do anything, but make sure they know that any changes are to make life easier for them.”

One of the major reasons that a senior will cover up a loss of capabilities is the perceived threat of losing his/her right to live at home. Assuring them that you are working with them to make their lives easier will alleviate their fears. Please do not take any action without having an honest talk with your parent. If these conversations are troubling, try to engage a third party advocate who can help you both through these conversations.

All Living Areas

As your parent ages, you need to be aware of specific situations that could cause an accident and possible hospitalization. Try to look at your parent’s house from a safety standard from now on. Remember that involving your loved one in changes that you make will help them feel more comfortable with the adjustments.  

In all living areas you should solve the following potential hazards:

Potential Hazard & Solutions

Dimly lit spaces – Senses change as we age, and sight can be impaired. Change light bulbs to higher wattage to improve vision.

Throw rugs/small pets – Having clear walk-ways will lessen the risk of being tripped because as we age, we tend to drag our feet. The use of walkers and wheelchairs also necessitates clear floor spaces.

Small pets need care that your loved-one may no longer be able to provide. Consider finding help from a third party for the animal or find it a new home, where it can be properly cared for.

Alert systems may be old – Check batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Homewatch CareGivers offers personal emergency response systems to help your loved-one get help when they need it.

Extension cords – Extension cords need to be moved out of the way, behind furniture or run along the walls. Use surge protectors to minimize the risk of fires or power outage due to overloaded outlets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each room of the house poses its own unique risks. As your parents age, their bedroom will become their sanctuary – where they feel most comfortable and safe. Keeping the areas around the bed clear of clutter, throw rugs, etc., will allow them to get into and out of bed more safely and lessen the risk of falling. Bathrooms also pose risks – with slick, wet floors – it is easy to see why the majority of falls happen in this room. Kitchens can be hazardous due to the possibility of water being left on, burners being left on, food being left out to spoil. Also, laundry rooms are often inconveniently located and poorly ventilated.

Outside the Home, in the Yard and the Garage

Make sure that outdoor areas are safe by following the below tips:

  • Gardening tools should be available and easy to reach
  • Any yard chemicals should be clearly labeled and dated
  • Any tools should be easy to reach from a flat-footed stance
  • There should be a window or some sort of ventilation in the garage
  • Make sure that your parents have access to snow removal services in the winter months and yard maintenance in the summer
  • Other helpful services to have in place for your loved-ones are gutter cleaning and window washing

To receive information about Homewatch CareGivers, or to schedule a free in-home evaluation, contact Paul Bonacuse at 330-668-1500.We are available 24 hours a day/7 days per week to meet your family’s needs. Ask us for a complimentary copy of our complete guide to “In-Home Senior Safety.”