Home Safety for Seniors
As the body ages, the spine shortens and bones lose calcium, thus putting a person at risk for fractures. The skin becomes thinner and dry and can be abraded or injured more easily. Short-term memory loss can result in the person forgetting if she took her medication. Visual acuity, depth perception and color recognition decline. A person can’t hear as well, especially high frequencies. The person has a decreased sensitivity to temperatures, pressure, and pain. Because these changes occur, the elderly, especially the frail elderly in the 85+ age bracket, are at a safety risk for many accidental injuries, including falls, accidental poisoning, and burns. According to the National Security Council, in 2001 there were 33,200 fatalities and 8 million disabling injuries in the home. In fact, there is a disabling injury every 4 seconds.
An elderly home may compound the probability of injury. According to www.homemods.org, more than 60% of elderly persons living at home are staying in structures built more than 20 years ago. Most likely those homes were not designed for safety of the aging. Hallways may not accommodate wheelchairs. Ground floors may not have a bedroom or bathing facilities.
Stairways to upper floors may be narrow and steep with inadequate lighting.
What can you do to help yourself or a loved one adapt gracefully to aging by modifying the environment for safety? First, identify potential hazards. These include:
– Improperly labeled medication bottles or outdated medications – Carefully check all medications. Besides looking for side effects and drug interactions, make sure you are taking them as ordered or that a loved one is taking the medications with safety in mind. If necessary, set up a med box or order in packaged unit dose.
– Unsecured floor coverings – Scatter rugs spell disaster.
These should be removed unless they are attached firmly to the floor. Make sure any cracked or peeled linoleum is tacked down or removed.
– Clutter, especially in hallways leading to the kitchen and bathroom. Remove it all.
– Electrical cords or phone cords that are loose and not tacked along the wall or floor – Also make sure electrical cords are not frayed and that extension cords and power strips are not overused, thereby putting a strain on electrical current.
– Dim lighting, especially in stairwells- Dim lighting coupled with failing vision can set the stage for a fall. If necessary, use bright yellow tape on the top of every stair so each is clearly defined.
– Wet or slippery bathroom or kitchen floors – This can also be a problem if anyone in your home is plagued with being incontinent.
– Squat toilets that are too low and have no handrails.
Get an elevated one with handrails.
– Flammable objects, especially near gas or charcoal cookers – Suggest that your elderly patient refrain from using a kerosene heater. Not only is it a safety hazard because of the risk of fire, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if not ventilated properly.
– Stairs – Ramps or chair lifts may need to be installed. If you or your loved one is totally immobile, chair lifts are not necessarily practical. Anyone using a chair lifts needs to be partially ambulatory.
– Cigarette smoking – At a minimum, do not smoke in bed.
– Inadequate heating or ventilation – If paying for heat is a problem, check on local resources. There should be funds for heating through a winterization project or through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Check to make sure both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and batteries are changed regularly. Remember, even without kerosene heaters, old homes may have carbon monoxide hazards, such as improperly cleaned chimneys, ill-fitting stove exhausts, and old heating systems.
– Unsafe footing in tub or shower – Use non-skid strips or decals in the floor of the tub or shower. If someone in your home has difficulty getting in and out of the shower, install grab bars, a shower seat, and/or a transfer bench.
– Difficult to open drawers, or knobs that are difficult to turn – Inability to work the stove or open drawers for hot pads, etc., can cause problems.
Replace knobs on cabinets with lever handles. Ovens with controls on the front may be easier for some to reach.
Other equipment can be purchased to help individuals move and relax more easily at home. Some, such as hospital beds, portable commodes, and wheelchairs may be covered by Medicare. Others, such as electric lift chairs, bath lifts, roll-in showers, and stair lifts may range in price between $300 and $4,000. Actual home safety modification can vary tremendously depending on how much modification is required.
Many community programs provide some safetyservices free of charge or at discounted rates for seniors.
Check with these programs that can be located through the local area agency on aging, the state department on aging, an independent living center, a senior center, or possibly through the state Medicaid program.
If you hire an independent contractor, get recommendations from friends or references from the contractor, make sure the contractor is licensed and bonded, have a written agreement, and make the bulk of the payment after the work is completed.
Once you are residing in a safety-oriented environment, you can breathe better, and you and your loved ones can age happily in your preferred location, at home.
