According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 36 million adults aged 65 and over experience falls annually. Statistics also indicate that 25 percent of falls cause serious injuries that include fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Families have the chance to dramatically reduce injury risks for their elderly loved ones by making their homes and properties safer.
Have the Home’s Exterior Assessed
Begin a home safety project by assessing the exterior of your loved one’s property. Remove any obstructions from pathways leading to and from building entrances. Repair uneven sidewalks. Consider replacing stairs with ramps to reduce trips and falls and make entering and exiting easier. Ramps and stairways need handrails to help seniors maintain their balance. Motion-activated lighting installed along pathways provides illumination leading to and from entrances, which also minimizes fall risks.
A professional home caregiver can help your loved one age in place safely. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Miami Beach home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Make General Interior Improvements
Assess rooms for clear pathways going from one area to another. Remove obstacles or unnecessary furnishings. Eliminate loose throw rugs or area rugs, which may curl or bunch and cause tripping, or install adhesive materials beneath the rugs to prevent sliding. Ensure pathways and doorways are wide enough to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters. Survey rooms at night to determine areas that might require additional lighting. Make sure stairways are properly illuminated and have handrails. Some older adults might benefit from the installation of mechanical chair lifts. Make sure there’s a legible list of emergency contact numbers close to the phone, and consider programming your loved one’s phone so reaching a contact merely requires pushing a single number.
Optimize Bathroom Safety
Bathrooms harbor a variety of fall hazards. Perhaps install railings on either side of the toilet to make sitting and standing easier. Assess whether the toilet is too tall or too short for your loved one. A riser placed on the toilet seat also aids in sitting and standing.
Tubs and showers must have nonslip mats or appliques to prevent slipping on wet surfaces. There should also be a grab bar on the back and maybe the side wall to ensure stability while bathing. A bath or shower chair placed in a tub prevents falls by allowing your loved one to sit on the side of the tub and simply pivot onto the chair and into the tub or shower. Add a handheld shower head. Check the water heater temperature setting and adjust if necessary.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Assess Their Overall Health
Home safety also includes your loved one’s health and wellbeing. Make sure medications are taken as prescribed, and report any adverse side effects to your parent’s healthcare provider. Make sure physical complaints or changes are addressed during the appointment. Routine medical examinations can detect and correct any deficiencies that may lead to injury.
Footwear should fit properly and have textured soles to prevent slipping. Older adults who consume healthy diets and engage in some form of exercise are stronger, better balanced, and less likely to fall.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Miami live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life. Assisting Hands Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (305) 564-6251 to learn more about our customized care plans.
