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Do you plan on visiting your#elderly loved one for the holidays? Here are a few things to look for to ensure #safety in their home! Most seniors are adamant about staying home and refuse to believe they are at risk for falls and of course, are capable of caring for themselves. In order to prevent falls, here are a few things to look for while visiting them during the#holidays! Let’s keep your senior loved one as safe and independent as possible. Tip: you’ll want to go room by room to observe each and every area is covered.
Let’s start with the hallways and entryway… Because seniors sometimes suffer from arthritis having lever handles makes it easier for them to open doors versus regular round door knobs. Another good idea is to have a small table that is sturdy and not in the way so they can put things down such as keys or mail. This table can also be used to hold in case of loss of balance. If the hallway is wide enough for a chair or bench, that would be good too so your elderly loved one can sit to put on or take off shoes.
If your loved one lives in a two-story home, then you’ll want to consider looking at how sturdy the handrails are and when it would be a good time to invest in a chairlift (if necessary). Poor knees, vertigo, and long upward stairs are difficult to climb but can also be dangerous when walking down. The worst fall can be from the top of the stairs…
Moving on to the living room area, you’ll want to make sure there is no clutter and furniture is arranged so there is plenty of room to walk. According to Oregon State, “an 80-year-old needs approximately three times more light than a young adult.” with that being said, improved lighting is key. Although seniors tend to be private and not want to open window shades or blinds, you can always change light bulbs and add additional light fixtures. Most importantly, rugs! I can’t stress this enough. Either remove rugs or secure them with double-sided tape. Rugs tend to be one of the top trip hazards in homes. The worst thing that can happen is a terrible fall where your elderly loved one is laying on the ground and unable to call for help OR worse, a broken hip. Make sure all cords are working and out of the way. Like a rug, long cords can be trip hazards. Also, have a large screened phone within reach.
Your elderly loved one’s bedroom should be free from clutter and furniture should be arranged so there is enough walking space. Lighting is also important in this room so having a lamp on the nightstand is a good idea. You’ll also want to have a flashlight nearby as well as a bed rail to help with additional support to get in and out of bed. I also like to tell people to have a nightlight. If your loved one wakes up to use the bathroom, the nightlight will make it easier for them to lead their way around the room. Don’t forget to remove or secure rugs and also check cords.
The bathroom is the most important room as most falls take place in the bathroom due to slippery floors and nothing to hold on to. Just like the living and bedroom, be cautious or rugs. Buy nonskid bath mats and make sure the bathroom lights work. You’ll want to make sure the toilet is elevated so they are able to get up and off easily. Some people have difficulty bending or sitting on low surfaces. A shower chair may reduce the risk of slipping in showers, shower heads with hand heads make it easier to use and most importantly, grab bars! Grab bars should be in the shower, on the sink, and near the toilet. Grab bars give extra support and can help prevent falls.
Let’s be honest, we all love traditions and most importantly food! Hopefully, your elderly loved one prepared a delicious holiday dish for you! Spend time in the kitchen by observing how they maneuver around. Commonly used items should be stored in low-level cupboards, smoke detector batteries should be checked, anything heavy should also be stored in low areas, and what I find helpful is a pushcart to move food and drinks from room to room. Let’s not forget lighting and rugs!
If you feel that after going room by room your loved one needs additional help, consider having a private duty#companion come in for a few hours per week! If you think your loved one is isolated and would do better in a social setting with prepared meals and housekeeping, you’ll want to consider an assisted living as an option.
Assisted Living Facilities have come a long way and are more apartment like! Some even look like cruise ships with all the amenities and chef-prepared meals! If you feel as if that’s too much then consider a residential assisted living facility! Make sure you do your research when choosing a community! Contact a #senior living advisor to help you along the way.
This holiday season, give your senior loved one a gift of safety and check their home for the above-mentioned details. You may be able to prolong their independence!
North Star Senior Advisors wishes you a happy holiday!
Share this article on social media!
Do you plan on visiting your#elderly loved one for the holidays? Here are a few things to look for to ensure #safety in their home! Most seniors are adamant about staying home and refuse to believe they are at risk for falls and of course, are capable of caring for themselves. In order to prevent falls, here are a few things to look for while visiting them during the#holidays! Let’s keep your senior loved one as safe and independent as possible. Tip: you’ll want to go room by room to observe each and every area is covered.
Let’s start with the hallways and entryway… Because seniors sometimes suffer from arthritis having lever handles makes it easier for them to open doors versus regular round door knobs. Another good idea is to have a small table that is sturdy and not in the way so they can put things down such as keys or mail. This table can also be used to hold in case of loss of balance. If the hallway is wide enough for a chair or bench, that would be good too so your elderly loved one can sit to put on or take off shoes.
If your loved one lives in a two-story home, then you’ll want to consider looking at how sturdy the handrails are and when it would be a good time to invest in a chairlift (if necessary). Poor knees, vertigo, and long upward stairs are difficult to climb but can also be dangerous when walking down. The worst fall can be from the top of the stairs…
Moving on to the living room area, you’ll want to make sure there is no clutter and furniture is arranged so there is plenty of room to walk. According to Oregon State, “an 80-year-old needs approximately three times more light than a young adult.” with that being said, improved lighting is key. Although seniors tend to be private and not want to open window shades or blinds, you can always change light bulbs and add additional light fixtures. Most importantly, rugs! I can’t stress this enough. Either remove rugs or secure them with double-sided tape. Rugs tend to be one of the top trip hazards in homes. The worst thing that can happen is a terrible fall where your elderly loved one is laying on the ground and unable to call for help OR worse, a broken hip. Make sure all cords are working and out of the way. Like a rug, long cords can be trip hazards. Also, have a large screened phone within reach.
Your elderly loved one’s bedroom should be free from clutter and furniture should be arranged so there is enough walking space. Lighting is also important in this room so having a lamp on the nightstand is a good idea. You’ll also want to have a flashlight nearby as well as a bed rail to help with additional support to get in and out of bed. I also like to tell people to have a nightlight. If your loved one wakes up to use the bathroom, the nightlight will make it easier for them to lead their way around the room. Don’t forget to remove or secure rugs and also check cords.
The bathroom is the most important room as most falls take place in the bathroom due to slippery floors and nothing to hold on to. Just like the living and bedroom, be cautious or rugs. Buy nonskid bath mats and make sure the bathroom lights work. You’ll want to make sure the toilet is elevated so they are able to get up and off easily. Some people have difficulty bending or sitting on low surfaces. A shower chair may reduce the risk of slipping in showers, shower heads with hand heads make it easier to use and most importantly, grab bars! Grab bars should be in the shower, on the sink, and near the toilet. Grab bars give extra support and can help prevent falls.
Let’s be honest, we all love traditions and most importantly food! Hopefully, your elderly loved one prepared a delicious holiday dish for you! Spend time in the kitchen by observing how they maneuver around. Commonly used items should be stored in low-level cupboards, smoke detector batteries should be checked, anything heavy should also be stored in low areas, and what I find helpful is a pushcart to move food and drinks from room to room. Let’s not forget lighting and rugs!
If you feel that after going room by room your loved one needs additional help, consider having a private duty#companion come in for a few hours per week! If you think your loved one is isolated and would do better in a social setting with prepared meals and housekeeping, you’ll want to consider an assisted living as an option.
Assisted Living Facilities have come a long way and are more apartment like! Some even look like cruise ships with all the amenities and chef-prepared meals! If you feel as if that’s too much then consider a residential assisted living facility! Make sure you do your research when choosing a community! Contact a #senior living advisor to help you along the way.
This holiday season, give your senior loved one a gift of safety and check their home for the above-mentioned details. You may be able to prolong their independence!
North Star Senior Advisors wishes you a happy holiday!
