How to Ensure Safe Daily Living for Seniors
Dangerous falls are the leading cause of injury to seniors. Almost 3 million visits to emergency services each year are because of seniors falling.
Falls are a preventable problem. With the right preparation and care, daily living for seniors doesn't have to be a cause for worry.
Addington Place of Collinsville is here to help you with actionable ideas to increase safety for the seniors in your life. Keep reading to learn all about our aging gracefully tips!
Safety Modifications
When it comes to senior safety outside of assisted living, the first area to start is to go through the entire home and install modifications. Keep ease of use in mind and adjust the layout of the floor plan to get rid of any tripping hazards.
For example, remove excessive rugs that might catch a person's foot as they walk past. If the rug is necessary, apply tape to keep it in place more securely. Other safety adjustments can include:
- Install grip bars in the bathroom and shower
- Place non-slip padding in the bathroom and kitchen
- Upgrade light fixtures with brighter alternatives
- Reorganize belongings, so they're within easy reach
- Widen doorways for walkers
- Install a stairlift for a multi-storied home
- Replace handles for easier gripping
Even if you're only able to apply a few of these changes, you'll improve the overall safety of the home. Take time to investigate problem areas to see which modifications will do the most good and start with those first.
Be ready to modify current safety measures as medical needs change and shift.
Wearable Safety Device
When a fall happens, immediate attention could be the difference between an injury and a serious problem.
Wearing a safety device that can alert emergency services with a push of a button can be a lifesaver in some situations. It's a breath of relief for seniors and their families to know that such a device is within easy reach.
Sometimes a senior may forget to wear their safety device which means you'll need to take precautions beforehand. Placing other emergency-call devices in the most frequented rooms can make it simple for a senior to call for help, even without the wearable device nearby.
Smart Home Installations
Smart home features are becoming more popular every year but did you know that they're also an excellent way to assist in senior safety?
Automatic shut-off appliances, for example, can be the key to preventing fires. Lights that turn on as a person walks past can prevent a trip during a nighttime bathroom visit.
Some features can even be voice-activated, making it easy for seniors to control. Instead of getting lost in buttons and settings, they simply need to say what they want and the device does the work for them.
Plus, if they need help and have no way of contacting anyone, they can tell the smart home device to call services even when incapacitated.
Routine Exercise
Staying physically active is paramount to a senior's health, but it's not an easy task for most people. Low energy levels and medical conditions can make it feel like a chore they'd rather skip.
Without regular exercise, muscle strength and balance can get worse. Soon, falls and other accidents will happen more often, leading to worsening safety concerns.
It's important to find ways to encourage seniors to participate in exercise, such as:
- Going on family walks
- Joining a fitness group
- Add game elements to the routine
- Start with easy goals and work towards more difficult challenges
Medication Management
As we age, the number of medications we take can increase to boggling amounts. It can be overwhelming to try and figure out which ones to take, leading to potential overdosing or missed dosages.
Setting up a pill organizer can take away the confusion so it's easy to ensure a senior takes the required medication every day. If they struggle to remember when to take the pills, set up an alarm to help remind them when necessary.
Stay Connected
Loneliness and depression are common symptoms when seniors have no chance to stay connected with friends and family. A strong sense of community is necessary in senior daily routines so that they have a constant connection with other people.
Great ways to help a senior stay connected include:
- Frequent phone or video calls
- Visits
- Participating in local activities and events
- Joining a senior community
These kinds of connections help seniors' mental health and they also help keep seniors safer. With so many social interactions going on, a senior is less likely to be alone and there will be someone nearby in case of a problem.
Regular Doctor Visits
It's impossible to achieve healthy senior living without keeping a close eye on medical changes. By focusing on regular checkups with a doctor, it's easier to monitor a senior's overall health. You'll have a better idea if they're eating enough, taking their medication, or if they're experiencing problems that you may have missed.
With insight from a professional, you'll know which routines to adjust, which home modifications to make, and other measures to keep. Working with a doctor makes it easier to keep seniors safe in all aspects of their lives.
Emergency Plans
Even with safety as your main focus in elderly daily care, it's vital to have emergency plans in place. Emergencies can arise in even the most protected of homes.
Make sure to come up with multiple emergency plans ready to go for different situations and have them listed in an easy-to-access place. Take time to go through the plan every couple of months so that there's never any confusion when an emergency happens.
Improve Daily Living for Seniors With Confidence
By using our tips for secure daily living for seniors, you and your loved ones are sure to feel more at ease. If these simple changes aren't enough to keep the senior in your life safe within their home, it may be time to start considering assisted living options.
Addington Place of Collinsville can be the solution to your senior safety concerns. With catered hotel-like amenities, compassionate staff, and a welcoming community, we work hard to bring fulfillment and protection to every resident. Schedule a tour with us to see our pet-friendly apartments and thriving community for yourself!