All parents know how important it is to take safety precautions when their children are small. However, you may not realize that having an elderly parent or friend visit also requires safety measures to ensure they have a pleasant, stress-free stay. The most important areas include your home environment, your senior’s mobility needs, and emergency preparedness.. The following is a checklist of senior living safety tips to ensure an enjoyable experience, whether a friend or loved one is there for a few days or coming to stay.
Tips for Ensuring Your Home Environment is Safe for Seniors
✅ Keep Areas Well Lighted: As we age, our eyesight often diminishes, especially at night. Make sure all areas of your home are well-lit, particularly walkways and stairways. You should also have nightlights in hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms.
✅ Pay Attention to Rugs and Clutter: According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) falls are the number one cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older. Secure all rugs with a non-slip backing and remove any clutter on floors and walkways, including cords and other senior fall risks.
✅ Make Sure Furniture and Stairs Are Navigable: Your furniture should be arranged so that there are clear unobstructed paths for your senior to navigate. Also, stairways should be in good condition, be free of any obstructions, and have handrails.
✅ Check Your Kitchen: Senior home safety extends to kitchens, so store frequently used or heavy items on lower shelves. Also, check for expired foods and if possible, have appliances with automatic shutoffs. Be sure to have an easily accessible fire extinguisher near the kitchen.
✅ Prevent Bathroom Falls: For seniors, bathrooms are a common hazard for falls. This means you may need to install a raised toilet seat, or even a walk-in shower if your senior loved-one is coming to live with you. At a minimum, have slip proof rugs on the floor and provide secure bathmats and a bath or shower chair, if needed.
Mobility and Personal Care Tips for Senior Home Safety
✅ Ensure Mobility Devices are Being Used: If your senior guest depends on a mobility aid, be sure they are using them and that pathways are wide enough to facilitate wheelchairs, walkers or canes. Remind your senior loved one or guest how important it is to consistently use a mobility aid and ensure that they are using it correctly.
✅ Encourage Safe Footwear: Wearing shoes with non-slip soles and good support are key to helping prevent falls. It’s also a good idea to make sure your senior loved one has non-slip socks or slippers for wearing around the house.
✅ Check Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids: Make sure your loved one is wearing the prescribed glasses and hearing aids and that both are providing up-to-date correction.
✅ Organize Medications: This is an important consideration for senior home safety, especially if the visit is long or perhaps permanent. First, obtain a complete list of all the medications your loved one is taking, including dosages, and make note of any allergies. Make sure there is an adequate supply of medications and arrange them in clearly labeled containers. Pill organizers can help ensure that medications are given at the right dosage and time.
Tips for Preparedness in Case of an Emergency
✅ Have an Up-to-date Contact List: Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for seniors to require emergency services. Keep a current contact list handy with the names of doctors, family members and your local emergency services.
✅ Keep a First-aid Kit Handy: A well-stocked first-aid kit should be a part of any household and is especially important to have on-hand for seniors. Make sure it has all the essentials, including antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze, tape, antibiotic ointment, disposable gloves, a thermometer and first aid instructions.
✅ Make Sure a Phone is Available: Your senior guest should have access to a phone. If they have a mobile phone, keep it in good working order and charge it consistently, especially if you leave your senior alone for any period of time. Seniors living alone or left alone for extended periods may need a medical alert system.
✅ Keep Your Home Fire Safe: Having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in good working condition is always important. Also, fire extinguishers should be easily accessible in the kitchen and on each floor of your house.
Honest Medical Is Dedicated to Senior Home Safety
Whether seniors are your guests, living with family, or living alone, their safety is of the utmost importance. Honest Medical provides thousands of health and wellness products designed to help seniors, their loved ones and caretakers lead safer, healthier lives. Search the HonestMed site to find the critical products you need, priced affordably and delivered with care and efficiency. If you have questions about any of our products, please contact an HonestMeds Care Specialist at 833-933-2323.
The Honest Medical blog addresses many topics important to seniors and their caretakers. The following blogs focus on senior mobility and safety issues:
- Exploring the Best Mobility Aids for Seniors: Enhancing Their Independence
- Budget-friendly Home Improvements for Seniors: Safer Living
- An Essential Wheelchair Guide: Types, Selection, Maintenance and Accessories
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