Understandably, nearly 90% of homeowners approaching retirement want to stay in their homes as they age, so to keep your loved ones safe as they age it’s best to start preparing before they experience a life-changing event. Families should incorporate home safety tips and follow a home safety checklist to lessen the risk of falls and injuries and ensure independence while aging at home. These steps, combined with some home care services, can help our seniors age in place longer.
We discuss home safety tips for the elderly to make you’re safe at home and highlight the benefits of our accommodation for seniors in Albany.
Preventing Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors. If your loved one has difficulty with walking or balance or has fallen in the past year, maybe talk to your healthcare provider about a fall risk assessment. You could also ask them if your parent or grandparent would benefit from an exercise programme to prevent falls.
If they have fallen before, or are scared of falling, think about buying a special alarm that they can wear as a bracelet or necklace, such as a St John medical alarm. This is the only alarm that connects directly to St John. The new mobile pendant features a hands-free speaker and built-in GPS technology, pinpointing your location at the press of a button. This is one of the best things you can do to ensure home safety for the elderly.
Safety Proof the Home
- Use rails when going up and downstairs
- Tape all area rugs to the floor so they don’t move when walked on
- Put rubber mats in the bathtub to prevent slipping
- Install grab bars in the shower and toilet
If your parent or grandparent struggles to get into and out of the tub or on and off the toilet, ask your provider to help you find a tub chair or raised toilet seat.
In the kitchen, fires are the most critical kitchen-related safety risk. To prevent fires, install automatic shut-off devices in the kitchen for stoves, hot plates, toasters, pressure cookers, and coffee makers. You should also purchase a fire extinguisher and check the smoke detectors.
Also, to create a safe cooking space, your parent needs to see everything they’re doing, which requires bright lighting.
A Working Phone for Your Aging Loved Ones
As our parents grow older, keeping in touch becomes even more important. Set them up with a cell phone that offers a ‘call display’ feature, so they can immediately recognise an incoming call. The elderly can’t always remember emergency information, so make it easy for your loved one to call for help by posting a note in large letters on the back of their cell phone.
A Retirement Home Gives Safety & Security
For those looking for more safety and security, our Albany Retirement Village is a private assisted-living facility and aged-care hospital, with exceptional standards and a high level of care. If you reach a stage where your parent needs extra day-to-day help, we’re here to assist you.
For peace of mind and well-being, registered nurses are on-site at Settlers 24/7, with preferential access to private hospital care at Fairview Care as part of the Premier Lifestyle Villages group.
