Safety Proofing Seniors’ Homes
Many seniors live in homes that have not been equipped for elderly care. This makes injuries more likely, which is unfortunate because it takes people longer to recover as they age. However, there are many safety tips that can help prevent a serious injury.
There are some steps that can be taken in any living area of the home. * All rugs and loose carpets should be either tacked or taped to the ground. This will prevent seniors from tripping on turned-up corners or scrunched rugs. * Electric cords should be secured to the wall or placed under rugs so no one trips on them. * Sharp corners on tables or countertops should be covered to avoid serious injury in the event of a fall. * Staircases should have railings on both sides that are strong enough to support a person’s full body weight. Ideally these railings should extend beyond the top and bottom steps.
Bathrooms can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the home if they aren’t prepared properly. * An elevated toilet seat allows seniors to get up and down easily. Adding a bar on both sides of the toilet further increases safety. * The shower can be safety proofed by installing a grab bar in case someone starts to slip. Using a shower seat is also safer than standing in a slick tub. * No-slip mats should be placed around the shower and sink. * To prevent scalding, label the hot water faucet or paint it red. * Many shower doors are made of glass, which makes it easy for those with poor eyesight to realize that there is a door at all. You can prevent injuries by placing bright tape or decals on clear glass doors.
The kitchen also needs to safety proofed. * Any appliances that do not work properly need to be replaced. Using them increases the risk of injury. If money is an issue, hiring a repairman may be cheaper. * Place all appliances at waist level so seniors do not have to struggle to reach things that are either too high or too low. * Adequate lighting is especially important in the kitchen, where sharp tools are used on a frequent basis. Replace any burned out light bulbs and consider adding an additional desk lamp by the cutting board. * Make sure the smoke detector is in good working order and has fresh batteries.
Safety proofing a home may seem like a daunting task, but it is necessary, and most of the jobs that need to be done are relatively simple. Enlisting the help of a friend is a good idea, as the job will go faster and you’ll be less likely to miss anything. With the proper precautions, you can rest assured that your older friend or family member is living in the safest home possible.
For more information about homecaregiving safety proofing, visit Susan Love’s site where you will find a wide selection of senior homecare products and services.
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