At any given instant, 3 out of 10 senior citizens are likely to fall; 2 out of those 3 senior citizens are likely to fracture a hip or sustain other kinds of life-threatening injuries! This is an alarming statistic because, for seniors, apart from broken bones and other physical trauma, falls can cause more subtle damage like abdominal discomfort, internal bleeding, muscle tear etc. It is a fact that as one grows older falls can become more common and are more likely to have a serious impact. Safety at home should be a priority whether seniors are living alone or with family.
Here are a few measures that improve seniors’ safety at home and could help prevent a fall:
KonMari your Space
Marie Kondo, the Japanese tidying expert says uncluttered spaces bring joy into a home. It is also one of the most important safety measures for a senior home. Consequently, clear clutter, keep walkways as free and wide as possible to prevent tripping. Move or clip telephone and electric wires, pet bowls and other small things out of the way. Be sure to repair or remove torn carpets and install non slip mats in bathrooms.
Illuminate for Safety at Home
As you get older, you need more light to see. Ensure hallways and rooms are well lit and light switches are easy to reach at the bottom and top of any stairs. Additionally, two-way switches are a good option for better accessibility. Always know where your torches or candles are in case the electricity goes off.
Step it Up
If you have a staircase, put handrails on both the sides and put non-skid treads on each step. Hold on to a railing when you walk up or down the stairs and go slowly. If you are carrying anything, make sure you can see each step.
Shoe-stoppers
Always wear the right shoes. Shoes should be comfortable, form-fitting and flat or with low wide heels. Ensure that they are well fastened with either laces, buckles or Velcro. Rubber soles that grip also helps avoiding trips and slips. If might be a good idea to switch from chappals to slip on footwear, even inside the home as you grow older.
Reachability
Keep items you use often — food, cans, dishes, clothes — where they can be reached easily. This way you won’t have to climb on a stool.
K.I.S.S. – Keep it safe and sound
An entire industry has sprung up around the production of home safety products for senior citizens at home. Making small renovations like installing a few of the listed safety equipment could go a long way in securing a senior home
- grab and shower rails
- handrails
- ramps and other mobility aids
- emergency alarms and other safety aids
- smoke alarms
Finally, while none of these can completely eliminate accidents, the ABC of safety at home is Always Be Careful.
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