As the primary caregiver for an elderly loved one, you know that one of your biggest concerns is worrying about an accident. We all lose some of our coordination as we age, and even the most independent seniors are at risk for falling down. Our elderly loved ones are far more prone to serious injury when falling than those who are younger. Among adults 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury and death, and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries. Here are a few senior home care tips for preventing falls and keeping your home a truly hospitable environment for your loved one.
Check Medications
As we age, we all tend to rely on more medications. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep these medications organized, and if you’re not careful they can interact negatively with each other and cause a serious problem. Make sure to keep your loved one’s medications organized, in separated, clearly-marked containers.
Safety Equipment
While canes and walkers can certainly make life easier, it’s important to make sure those tools can function properly within the environment. If they are constantly getting caught on floors or carpets, don’t hesitate to put tennis balls on the bottom or adjust carpets so they lay flat. Shower chairs and railings might come at some expense, but they can really help your elderly loved ones stand up and sit down easier. A walk-in shower can be extremely beneficial.
Home Layout
Creating an open layout for your home can go a long way toward eliminating obstacles for seniors. A path between a TV stand and a couch that’s too narrow, or an ottoman situated in the middle of a room, can prove to be tricky obstacles.
Regular Checkups
This might sound obvious, but regular doctor checkups are important for keeping track of your loved one’s health. If a senior is feeling dizzy, or experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, a doctor should be able to identify the issues before they become too serious. Going for regular vision checkups and keeping glasses up-to-date is also important as it can help prevents falls.
In-Home Senior Care
While it never hurts for families to utilize these prevention techniques to minimize the risk of an accident, it can be much easier and provide more peace of mind to hire senior home care professionals like Senior Helpers. Senior Helpers offers personal caregivers who are trained to provide specialized care to your elderly loved ones. Their primary goal is making sure your loved one can maintain a high quality of life in the comfort of their own home.
Mobility
Encourage your loved one to stick to a regular exercise regimen is a crucial aspect of proper senior home care. It can really help improve their mobility and reduce the risk of accidents around the home. Even light exercise like walking around the house a few times a day can help stretch the muscles.
If you think your loved one would be a good candidate for our professional senior home care services, contact Senior Helpers today.