As adults age, we understand that they want to stay in the comfort of their own home. If your loved one is living independently, there are a few steps that you can take to prevent accidents.
• Home, Safe, Home: Do an audit of your loved one’s home looking for potential hazards. Watch your loved one closely as they move around the house. If there are stairs, make sure the railings are secure. Look for things on the floor that could cause someone to trip, like throw rugs or raised carpeting.
• Sound The Alarm: Keep emergency numbers near the phone. In addition to contact information for the police, ambulance, and doctors, list the telephone numbers of key family members. If you are nervous your loved one could have a fall, consider a necklace or bracelet that can call emergency services or a family member. Remember to check the smoke alarm batteries to make sure they work.
• Safe Showers: Is it easy for the homeowners to get in and out of the bath or shower? Is there a mat to prevent slipping? You may need to add a rail to the shower or bath or purchase a shower chair.
• Let There Be Light: Install lights in the hallways and in the bathroom so that your loved one can see if they wake in the middle of the night. •
If your loved one needs some extra help, Caring Mission at Home provides individualized plans for care. Additionally, our geriatric care managers can conduct an assessment to identify problems in the home and provide solutions. To learn more, visit our Home Care Support site.