developing a safe environment for an aging mom or dad

2

Click here to load reader

Upload: marub8cdst

Post on 31-May-2015

25 views

Category:

Health & Medicine


1 download

DESCRIPTION

A large number of accidents take place inside homes every day. What steps can you take to make any home safe for elderly people to live in?

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Developing a safe environment for an aging mom or dad

developing a safe situation for

The home can be a dangerous place, many injuries happen there on a daily basis. Some of the

places that are prone to accidents include the kitchen, stairs and the bathroom. These are not the

only places that accidents can happen; it all depends with what is in the room such as furniture,

equipment and much more. Many senior citizens experience poor vision and mobility issues

which makes them vulnerable to accidents in the home. The question is what can you do to

create a safe home environment for the older generation?

Lighting

{randimg] Lighting is a key feature of any house that is being made safe for a senior person. All

areas of the home need to have correct lighting so that the older person can move around freely.

Light can't be glaring because it hurts the eyes and it can't be dim because then the person can't

see clearly.

Stairs, aisles and dark corners in a house need to be well-lit. Be sure that the light switches are

easily accessible to the aging member in the house. In order to see them clearly, you may try

adding glow to the standard switch. You should also have a method of emergency lighting

throughout the house in the event of a power outage. The various accessible points in your home

must have these.

Furniture

Make sure you have furniture and fittings that are safe for the elderly. Some of the guidelines you

need to follow when installing such items in your house include:

• Make the doors and windows easy to open and also fix secure locks

• Make sure the heating and air condidtioning systems are set at a comfprtable level for a senior.

• Avoid having low furniture in the room that can cause tripping

• Make sure the curtains are fixed tightly to avoid billowing

• Avoid the use of ladders and stools by fixing low cupboards and storage cabinets

• Choose non-flammable fabrics for furnishings

• Checka dn secure railings on terraces, balconies and high windows.

• Install easily opened garage doors.

• Secure and hide all wires and cables to prevent tripping.

Put Provisions for Emergencies

The following guidelines will help you install items in your household that are safe for senior

citizens that live alone. Make sure you have all emergency numbers on speed dial so that these

seniors can access them easily.

to learn more You need to call them on daily basis to check on them, if you are the one who is providing thecare for the aging person. You may evaluate the situation by driving down on your own. An

Page 2: Developing a safe environment for an aging mom or dad

additional way you can assist senior citizens is to provide a easy to read list of important servicenumbers and other relevant information helping the elderly person. Put a copy on the fridge anddistribute some copies to the neighbors so that they can know how to handle any situation thatarises. A safe and secure dwelling place is essential for all seniors. An ill-maintained home can poseseveral hazards for the elderly. {This is why you need to take your time and take care of allaspects that relate to safety in the home.|It is a good idea to take the time to make sure that thesesafety measures are taken care of around the house. |The safety and security at home for yourelderly need to be ensured by sparing some time from your end.|That's the reason you mustpatiently look at all aspects of home safety. Home Health Care Deerfield Beach