Many seniors desire to stay in their own homes as they age, after all home is where we're most comfortable! However, one of the major considerations to living independently is safety. Here are some safety tips to consider when desiring to age in place.
Fall Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of injuries in seniors. Here are some suggestions to minimize the risk of falling:
- Install railings on both sides on all stairs, including outside stairs.
- Have well-lit areas, especially near stairways; use night lights as needed.
- Avoid standing on stepstools, chairs, or ladders.
- Watch out for tripping hazards - avoid throw rugs; tape all area rugs down to avoid tripping; keep electrical wires away from walking pathways; have adequate space to walk safely throughout the house; remove excess clutter.
- Wear nonslip footwear and well-fitting shoes.
- If you use a cane or a walker to help with ambulation and balance, use it all the time instead of holding onto walls and furniture. When walking outside, be aware of uneven sidewalks or other surfaces.
- Remember to wear your glasses to see any obstacles that might cause a fall and be mindful of items on the floor including pets, toys or other objects that may be near you. If possible, avoid going out in icy weather conditions.
- When getting out of bed, sit at the bedside before getting up to avoid dizziness and discuss with your healthcare provider any medications that might contribute to dizziness or drowsiness.
- If balance is a concern, consider speaking with your health care provider about exercises to improve balance that you could safely do at home, or physical therapy to improve your balance.
- Some people who are at high risk for falls, or simply want increased peace of mind when living alone, may also want to invest in a personal emergency response system (PERS) device. There are several types of units available, both for in home use only and some with GPS capability to be accessible when outside the house. For more information on types and costs, visit https://aginginplace.org/medical-alert-systems/personal-emergency-response-systems/.
Fire Prevention
- While using a stove, don't wear lose fitting clothing or long flowing sleeves, especially with an open flame with a gas stove. Consider using an electric stove.
- Have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen or next to a fireplace.
- Never let candles burn unattended.
- Avoid overloading electrical sockets and extension cords with appliances.
- Have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, if applicable and replace the batteries as recommended.
- Never smoke in bed and be extremely careful not to fall asleep on a chair or sofa while smoking.
- Replace any appliances or lamps that have frayed cords.
Safety Considerations in the Bathroom
- Set water temperature on water heater no higher than 120 degrees to avoid burns.
- Install safety grab bars in the tub, shower or near toilet to avoid falls, and consider investing in a walk-in shower or walk in tub.
- Use rubber mats to prevent slipping.
- Consider a special tub bench or chair if needed to sit in shower or tub, along with a handheld shower device.
- Ask about an elevated toilet chair if getting on or off the toilet is difficult.
Medication Errors
Medication mistakes can be reduced by doing a few simple things:
- Keep all medications in their original container.
- Ask the pharmacy for large print on the labels.
- If you want to organize your medications, there are different types of medication organizers available.
- Keep a current list of all medications and dosages and give a copy to each of your health care providers.
- Talk with your health care provider and pharmacist about your medications - what they are for, how do you take them, what side effects you might experience and any possible interactions with other medications, supplements, food, or alcohol.
- Keep emergency numbers accessible, including 9-1-1 and your health care providers, and have a list of family contacts in case an emergency.