Did you know that falls are the leading cause of death and serious injuries among people age 65 and older? Two categories of factors contribute to these falls:
• Personal factors, which include muscle weakness, balance problems, limited vision and certain medications.
• Environmental factors, which include home hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting (especially on stairs) and a lack of stair railings or grab bars in the bathroom.
Senior Safety is a new conversation that you will have to have with your parents. We all assume the responsibility to protect ourselves in adulthood. But, as our parents age, there are new frailties and new risks. Talks about the new concerns of elder safety are the first step to help prevent accidents or serious harm to them.
It is true that with advancements in health people are living longer than ever before. Many seniors today are living active, robust lives but as we get older our bodies change. We move a little slower, don't see quite as well and our bodies begin to lose some of the core strength needed to maintain balance. Combined, these changes can lead to accidents such as falls, breaks and sprains. Safety for seniors is important and there are plenty of things you can do now so they can continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle for a very long time.
Elder Safety in the Community
We want to give our senior loved ones as much freedom as possible, but if you notice a sudden change in behavior, or new people suddenly and deeply involved in your senior’s life, these may be warning signs. Just like parents are advised to stay involved in their teenager’s life, and know who their friends are and what activities they participate in, the same goes for those of us taking care of elderly relatives.
Your parents have always been open and trusting and live in a friendly community. But there are now people in every town that prey on the elderly. Learning to be watchful in their own neighborhood may be a very new skill.
Predators such as kidnappers tend to prey upon what they consider the weakest members of the population, and elderly people can find themselves the victims of violent crime as well as being lured into scams that can ruin them financially. You may have to help your parents think about money differently. Carrying large amounts of cash is a “no, no” for senior safety. Thieves and scam artists hone their skills to win the trust of seniors for the purpose of taking their valuables, or draining bank accounts.
Elderly Safety at Home
For seniors living alone, safety begins at home. You will have to help them look at their home in a new way for dangers unique to older people. Accidents waiting to happen lurk among things that you previously overlooked.
To stay safe, kindly read these tips and facts and discuss with your elderly parents/relatives:
• Many falls happen when you lose your balance. Exercising regularly and rising slowly after eating, sitting or lying down can help avoid dizziness and loss of balance.
• Improper use and handling of medication can create serious safety concerns. Check medication expiration dates on all prescription and over-the-counter medications. Follow all directions. Note that a medicine bottle with print that is now unreadable is a poisoning hazard.
• Store medications in their original containers. If you must transfer medications to different containers, mark the new container clearly and do not forget to transfer the expiration date.
• Post National Emergency Hotline and other emergency numbers next to all phones for quick access. Also store these phone numbers in your mobile phone.
• Consider wearing an alarm device in case you fall and cannot get up on your own.
• Get an eye exam at least once a year. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition that limits your vision.
• The pile of newspapers near the fireplace or in the kitchen is no longer a convenience, but a fire hazard.
• The throw rugs are no longer decorative additions, but falling risks.
• The water heater may need to be reset to prevent burns on older, delicate skin.
The kitchen will be a new source of conversation. Food safety is a topic that is often overlooked. Whether it’s food that is left out after being purchased, or leftovers that have hung around too long, food poisoning is a special source of danger for the elderly.
Senior citizen home safety can also be a problem when "helpful strangers" appear at the door. Thieves will try inventive ways to gain entrance. Elder safety begins at home.
Fire Safety Plan
We teach our children religiously, to STOP, DROP and ROLL if there is a fire. But senior citizens have the highest fatality rate in a fire of any group. You will need to be just as vigilant in helping your parents learn new ways to prevent a fire. Elders whose hearing, sense of smell, and speed are diminished, will need to re-learn what to do if there is a fire.
Seniors Living Alone - A Checklist
Your parents are now seniors living alone. You live across the country and don't get back that often to see them. You noticed signs of their aging last time you got together, and now want to really evaluate how they are doing. Here is how you can make use of visits for holidays, birthdays or other occasions to better evaluate if they need additional support or help.
Talk to aging parents about door to door thieves and kidnappers (especially if you consider yourself well-to-do). Senior safety at home can be compromised by "fake" contractors. Your aging parents are vulnerable to these door-to-door thieves. These schemes are well thought out to take advantage of the trusting nature of many senior citizens.
Create a safe home
So you can continue to enjoy the independence of living in your own home, start this by walking through your home looking for potential areas that are or could become a safety hazard. Pay attention to things such as stairs, loose electrical cords, slippery areas (particularly the bathroom), and dimly lit areas. Although accidents are unintentional, there are still many things you can do to prevent them from occurring and promote seniors' safety.
Tips for preventing falls:
Prevent unnecessary falls and improve your safety by making yourself aware of the environmental hazards. Then take action to have them corrected by:
• Installing handrails that run the entire length of the stairs on both sides of the staircase.
• Add automated lighting to light up rooms as you enter if it can be afforded.
• Keep the stairs and open areas clear.
• Use double sided tape to keep small rugs down.
• Do not leave anything wet on the floor.
• Fix any broken or chipped steps, tiles, or flooring.
• Installing secure handrails and bright lights with switches at the top and bottom of stairways.
• Repairing loose or uneven steps, checking stairs for worn or loose carpeting and installing anti-slip treads.
• Always wearing shoes with traction and making sure throw rugs are placed over rug liners with non-skid backing so that you avoid falls throughout the house.
• Installing grab bars for the toilet, bathtub and/or shower, and using non-slip mats on ceramic surfaces both inside and outside the tub.
• Installing nightlights in areas you frequent at night. Also, consider keeping a flashlight near your bed.
• Storing frequently-used items on lower shelves in the kitchen to limit the use of stools or step-ladders. If you must use a step stool, use one with a bar to hold onto.
Source: nationwide.com
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