Tips To Home Safety For The Older Adult

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 14 Jun 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Most seniors prefer to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, but unfortunately most houses are not designed to meet the needs of their aging owners. Falls are the number one safety risk for older adults. Nearly one third of America's older adults fall each year with seventy percent of these falls occurring at home.

Seniors need to take extra safety precautions due to physical changes that occur as they get older. Occurrences during the normal aging process - declining vision, hearing, sense of touch, sense of smell or bone density - increase the risk of injury inside the home. Falling does not have to be an imminent part of aging and there are proven strategies that can help reduce them. During Home Safety Month My Health Care Manager's focus is on tips to create a safe environment to prevent falls.

Ten Tips for Home Safety - Fall Prevention

-- Remove all throw rugs; if can not live without throw rugs make sure they are secure with non-slip backing
-- Install grab bars in bathroom especially in shower/tub
-- Provide adequate lightening - especially around stairwells and pathways
-- Keep flashlight by your bed
-- Use a nightlight
-- Keep pathways clear of objects especially electric cords
-- Remove Clutter
-- Make sure handrails on stairways are accessible and sturdy
-- Check carpets for any tears and/or holes
-- Review all medications, prescriptions, over the counter, herbs and vitamins with doctor and/or pharmacist to reduce risk of dizziness and weakness

Other areas for home safety for older adults is same as for others

-- Make sure have a working smoke detector in each level of home
-- Have a fire extinguisher on each floor
-- If there is member in home using oxygen make sure there is an oxygen awareness sign and that no one smokes in area where there is oxygen
-- Make sure there is a working carbon monoxide detector in each lever of home
-- Telephone within easy reach and numbers large enough to see in hurry
-- Have a disaster plan
-- Have a fire evacuation plan

My Health Care Manager is a national company that helps seniors and their families manage the complexities of older adult life with unbiased professional guidance related to health and independence. For more information and advice, please visit www.myhealthcaremanager.com or call My Health Care Manager's network of nurses at 1-800-499-8020.