Tag elderly safety tips

Admitting the need for help and accepting assistance is not easy for anyone, particularly an aging adult. The responsibility often falls into the hands of family members to recognize the signs and seek out the appropriate support solutions to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Signs of age-related issues can sneak up quickly, so it’s important to be aware of the small warning signs that something might be wrong. The issues may be minor to start, so an assisted living or nursing home wouldn’t be immediately necessary, but they may need extra help at home from a home care aide.

How do you know if it’s time for in-home care? Look for some of these red flags in your aging mom or dad.

Changes in physical abilities and mental status
Are they having difficulty with walking, balance or mobility?
Uncertainty and confusion with performing once-familiar tasks
Forgetfulness, including forgetting to take medicine
Do they have a poor diet and sudden weight loss?

Poor personal hygiene
Is there a noticeable decline in their grooming habits, such as strong body order, unkempt hair, lack of oral care, and wearing soiled or stained clothes?

Neglected household
Is the house noticeably dirty or clutter is piling up?
Little to no fresh food in the refrigerator
Late payment notices and calls from bill collectors
Utilities turned off due to missed payment

If you notice several of the red flags listed above in your family member, it might be time to consider daily in-home support. Contact the healthcare staffing services at Arcadia Homecare and Staffing to learn more about how our staff can assist your aging parent.

Allowing your elderly family member to age in place requires modifications to their home. Hidden hazards in the home, that are often overlooked when eyesight is better and getting around isn’t as difficult, can put seniors at greater risk of injury. However, a few inexpensive, do-it-yourself home modifications can make a huge difference and make getting around a lot less challenging.

Comfort and safety are of the utmost importance for seniors planning to age at home. Whether they are receiving geriatric care or are still comfortable being on their own without assistance, simple changes around the house will result in a senior who is better equipped to age in place.

Home Modification Checklist

Main Living Spaces

• Rearrange furniture to create clear pathways without clutter
• Add more lamps behind and around furniture
• Replace curtains with blinds to let in natural light

Kitchen

• Move regularly used items to easy-to-reach spaces
• Use a table for prep space instead of standing by tall countertops
• Add lighting wherever possible

Bathrooms

• Install grab bars in and around the shower and toilet
• Place non-slip pads on tub floors and surfaces that often get wet
• Lower water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

Bedrooms

• Place additional, easy-to-use lights on each side of the bed
• Install a bed rail for support getting into and out of bed

Ask questions and pay attention to what your aging loved one mentions as concerns. Watch carefully as they move about the house and take note of what causes them to hesitate or requires extra effort. Use this list, as well as what you see firsthand, as your guide for home modification requirements.

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for people over the age of 65? As many as one in three older Americans falls every year. Falls can result in hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. And even falls without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed, making it difficult for them to stay active.

The fear of falling becomes more common as people age, even among those who haven’t fallen. It may lead older people to avoid activities such as walking, shopping, or taking part in social activities.

Many things can cause a fall. Diminished eyesight, hearing loss, and reflexes not being as sharp as they once were are all factors. Diabetes, heart disease, or problems with thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood vessels can affect balance. Some medicines can cause a person to feel dizzy or sleepy, making them more likely to fall. Other causes include safety hazards in the home.

Elderly home care services recognize several personal risk factors for falling, including muscle weakness, problems with balance and gait.

The dangers of falls for seniors are numerous. To avoid falls and broke bones the elderly should: stay physically active, have their eyes and hearing tested regularly, be aware of the side effects of medication, get enough sleep, stand slowly, and use a cane or another assistive device to feel steady when walking.

For older people, a broken bone can be the start of more serious problems, such as a trip to the hospital, injury, or even disability. If you have an aging parent or grandparent in your life, helping them reduce their risk of falling is a great way to help them stay healthy and independent as long as possible.

It’s a fact of life that as we age we experience the world a little differently. People over 65 are often dealing with health issues such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. These conditions result in reduced eyesight, poorer balance, less flexibility, and weakened muscles. Others may be suffering from osteoporosis or diabetes. No matter how routine the activity or how familiar the surroundings, at some point all senior citizens are at risk for accidents as a result of these changes in their bodies.

According to Consumer Affairs 80% of falls in the home are in the bathroom. These accidents most often occur at the following times:

• Climbing into or out of a tub or shower.
• Sitting down or standing up from the toilet.
• Using shower chairs that are not slip resistant.
• Grasping counters or towel bars for balance.
• Slippery floors.

Arcadia has been providing elderly home care services for over 40 years. We know from experience how essential safety features are for seniors. We recommend adding the following safety features to a bathroom used by an elderly person:

• Bath Chairs
• No-Slip Mats
• Built-In Safety Bars
• Anti-Scald Faucets

From medication safety to properly equipping a bathroom, we recommend you shore up the ways you protect the well-being of your family member or friend.