There are more and more seniors choosing to stay living independently rather than go into a senior living home. Aged care communities are still relevant and they have their place, but when seniors choose to stay at home, there are some safety concerns to consider.
Staying in your own home is familiar. It’s what you know and so you want to start being proactive about your decision. Shopping at a mobility superstore to get chair and stair lifts, a new wheelchair and some ramps is just the beginning. You need to make your home as safe as possible and we’ve put together a list of things that you could do to ensure that safety.
Start removing hazards.
For a senior to stay in the home, you have to assess the interior and the exterior of the house first. Loose rugs, fire hazards, electrical cords – all of these things need to be considered so that there are no trips, slips or fall hazards. Developing routine checks inside the house to be certain that you’re not going to fall on anything is the first step. Checking the exterior of the house is a good start, too, as you can see whether you need mobility aids to get in and out of the house, up and down the steps and more.
Put an emergency plan in place.
Falls are the biggest concern for someone living at home of a senior age as there is a level of frailty to consider. Even the bounciest and happiest seniors are those who need additional support. Emergency planning in the form of alarms and panic alerts can help, too. Emergency numbers on the refrigerator and in large enough print is important, as is having emergency plans with local neighbours in place.
Have better lighting in place.
Lighting can help to compensate for vision loss, and as seniors may have reduced vision, lighting plays an important factor in safety. Stairs, steps and paths should be well lit and bathrooms and kitchens should also be paid attention to. These are areas where seniors can misstep.
Make spaces more accessible.
If you shop in a mobility store, you’ll know that you can get the right equipment that you need to help to modify your home. You may need to seek the advice of a qualified contractor for structural home modifications, too. So, it’s worth getting started on these adaptations sooner than later. Planning ahead now is vital so that the work can be done in stages and doesn’t impact day to day life.
Consider in-home visits.
While staying at home is the preferred option, that doesn’t mean that extra care won’t be required. Seniors can stay happily safe in their homes and feel secure with visits from care teams. This offers seniors the chance to feel supported, less isolated and get some help with medications. Having care teams come to the house means that if there are any overnight issues, these can be found straight away.
LoveRosiee
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