Keeping the Elderly Safe at Home
According to the AARP, nearly 90 percent of people over age 65 want to stay in their own home as long as possible.
As we age, our vision, hearing, and reaction times diminish, therefore, it is very important to make our homes more senior-friendly after we reach retirement age. It is especially important to prevent falls, as they are the leading cause of injuries for older Americans.
The most recent edition of the online newsletter, You Should Know, features articles, links, and safety tips for making a home safer for elderly family members and friends.
Here are 5 tips for safely “aging in place”:
1. Keep a List of Emergency Numbers by Each Phone. Include numbers for the poison control center, fire and police departments, family members, and doctor. Write the numbers big enough to read easily if in a hurry or frightened.
2. Prevent Falls. Keep all hallways, stairs, and paths well-lit and clear of objects. Remove area rugs. Tape cords to the floor so they don’t move. Use railings and banisters when taking the stairs. If possible, add railings to both sides of the stairways and improve stairwell lighting.
3. Protect Against Fire and Related Dangers. Try to only smoke outside. Never smoke in bed or near oxygen. Install a loud smoke alarm on every level of the house, in bedrooms, and outside of sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms once a month.
4. Eliminate Bathroom Hazards. Bathrooms account for 80 percent of all falls. Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet. Use a shower seat and put rubber mats in the bathtub or shower. Set the water heater thermostat no higher than 120 F to prevent scalding. Make sure there is a lit path to the bathroom.
5. Prevent Poisoning. Keep all medications in their original containers. Store them in a well-lit room so the labels are easy to read. Ask the pharmacy to put large-print labels on prescription bottles. Bring all pill bottles to doctor appointments to ensure medications are being taken correctly.
For links to videos and articles on how to prevent falls, how to make a bathroom safer, and other home safety tips for older adults, access the newsletter at this link: http://letamericaknow.com/view_newsletter_ysk.php?memberid=22515&orderid=872&newsletterid=290&issueid=1510&subscriberid=749173
