Creating a Safe Home Environment for Seniors: Tips from Homecare Experts : Many individuals prefer to choose home care services for their seniors. There is no doubt that these services are the best for improving the quality of life for seniors, as they will get medical care in the comfort of their homes. But the question that arises is: how can family members create an environment like a hospital for proper medical care? Hospitals have specialized beds and treatment equipment.
Not everyone can afford this expensive medical equipment, so what should you do if you are interested in taking advantage of home care services? You don’t need to worry at all. All your confusion will be cleared out after reading this to the end. We bring some tips from certified home care experts who have been serving for years. Let’s explore the tips and take advantage of their experience.
The importance of a safe home environment for seniors
As individuals grow in age, their physical bodies may decline to move fast, and their internal organs may become sensitive. Visiting hospitals can cause accidents, injuries, and infections. A safe home environment is a crucial need for seniors, and getting medical care in the comfort of the home is like icing on the cake. The experienced nurses in home care services are on a mission to provide medical or personal assistance within their homes using sanitized tools. A well-organized and safe home environment will provide peace of mind for both seniors and family members because the risk of complexities has been reduced.
Tips from home care experts
Some must-follow tips from home care experts are given below.
Analyzing the home environment
Before creating a home safety environment for seniors, you first have to conduct an analysis of the area. This analysis can include areas that are broken or damaged, which can lead to injuries or falls and need improvement. For example, sharp edges of tables or broken mirrors on the table can harm our precious elders.
Some common hazards are:
- Falls hazards
- Electrical safety
- Fire risks
Modifications for fall prevention
After analyzing the risks and conditions that could cause harm, the next step is to take action to improve those hazards. Before making modifications, you can ask home experts if you are going to take home care services and take advice. Some common fall prevention tips can be
- Use non-slipper mats and rugs.
- Install grabbing bars.
- Ensure clear walkways.
- Avoid wet floors
Arranging furniture and layout
The arrangement of furniture at home plays a major role in a senior’s ability to move around safely. The arrangement is also essential if you are going for home physiotherapy services. Physiotherapists will suggest exercise for movement of the body, and they prefer to use home furniture so individuals can feel comfortable and do not need to buy expensive exercise equipment. Always put furniture in a way that seniors can have a clear walk, which is essential for fall prevention. You can place heavy furniture around the walls, keep wide spaces to walk, and place chairs and tables in easily accessible locations. Seniors with breathing issues felt tired after walking for a few minutes or standing as well. They need a chair to sit and relax. Always prefer furniture with round edges for safety while walking.
- Arrange furniture to allow for easy movement.
- Ensure adequate lighting in all areas.
Improving bathroom safety
The bathroom is one of the most risky places for seniors. The chance of slipping on wet surfaces has become a nightmare as individuals grow older. Try to place a chair and grab bars. So they can take a bath by sitting on a stable, and after showering, stand up using grab bars. The most important thing is to never leave them alone while bathing. Try to fix the tabs in the middle so they can control the flow of water while sitting comfortably on the chair.
- Install shower chairs
- Fix grab bars in various areas of the walls.
- Place non-slippery rugs
Fire and Emergency Safety
Bad times do not come by knocking on a door. Always take a proactive approach by ensuring safety measures are taken properly.
- Make a fire escape plan.
- Built an emergency contact list
- Keep the first aid kit in an easily accessible place.
- Regular inspection of electrical rods
- Proper handling of kitchen appliances
Enhancing home security
Home security systems are also important for senior’s safety because they provide them protection against thieves or any threats. There are various types of steps you can take to ensure the safety of your home, like installing cameras and alarms to alert you to any suspicious activity.
- Secure entries and exits.
- Installing peepholes at doors
- Install cameras, monitor sensors, and alarms.
Conclusion
A proactive approach is required to make the home a safe environment for improving the health of seniors. Analyzing hazards and making improvements accordingly will help individuals walk without any risk of falling and also give peace of mind to family members by reducing the complexities for their lovely elders. By utilizing the above-mentioned tips, family members can create a secure and supportive living space for elders.