After seniors decide they want to age in place, there are a lot of different safety considerations that have to be addressed. The decision to age in place is one that promotes independence as well as comfort. But if seniors aren’t safe in their homes, then their independence and comfort are threatened. Having help from senior home care providers along with a solid plan for addressing safety concerns is crucial.
Water Safety
Water safety is easy to forget, especially when it comes to seniors. Water can make surfaces slippery, especially in the bathroom. Installing grab bars and using non-slip mats wherever possible can help significantly. In the kitchen, addressing spills immediately helps to keep them from becoming a tripping hazard. Something else to consider with water is the water temperature on the hot water heater. Seniors are more susceptible to burns due to excessively hot water, so it’s important to check the temperature setting on the hot water heater.
Fire Safety
Having a fire safety plan is crucial. An emergency exit plan is important to have, so seniors can understand what their evacuation routes are and where they need to go once they get out of the house. Fire extinguishers need to be kept in key spots, including in the kitchen and near any fireplaces. Seniors need to pay close attention to fire safety when cooking. If that’s becoming more difficult for them, then letting home care providers do the cooking can be the right answer.
Lighting
Seniors may not realize if the lighting in their homes isn’t bright enough. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including cognitive changes and vision issues. Improving lighting, especially in areas where seniors are walking through a room, can help to keep them from tripping or misjudging distances. Nightlights, especially ones that are motion-activated, can greatly improve safety for seniors.
Fall Prevention
Fall prevention is a massive task and it is one that is a lot easier with help. Family caregivers need to take a close look around their seniors’ homes and pay attention to what might be a tripping hazard, including clutter, throw rugs, unsafe stairs, and damaged flooring. Senior home care providers can help a lot with addressing fall prevention needs because they have a lot of experience with helping seniors manage these types of concerns.
Stay Alert When Visiting
When family caregivers visit their aging adult family members, it’s important to pay attention to small clues that safety might be a bigger concern. For family caregivers who aren’t able to visit as often as they’d like, the concern might be that they’re missing something. Hiring home care providers can offer a lot of peace of mind because they can help family caregivers to stay informed about what’s happening.
Aging in place is something that seniors often choose so that they can stay in the comfort and familiarity of their homes. But in order to do that, they need to remain safe. Senior home care services can be instrumental in helping seniors to stay as safe as possible at home so they can age in place peacefully.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Breckenridge, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today. Call 254-559-2030
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high quality home care in McCulloch County, San Saba County, Mills County, Hamilton County, Runnels County, Coleman County, Brown County, Comanche County, Eastland County, Callahan County, Palo Pinto County, Stephens County, Shackleford County, Jack County, Young County, Throckmorton County, Baylor County, Archer County, Clay County, Wilbarger County, and Wichita County in Texas.
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