If there is a silver lining to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19, it is that it has helped raise awareness of the vulnerability of the elderly and the health and safety risks they face on a daily basis. It has also taught us the true meaning of solidarity and showed us the powerful impact that acting together as a community can have in protecting the elderly population.
But although the days of COVID-19-induced lockdown when seniors were forced to stay indoors are behind us and the risk that our elderly loved ones will contract the virus is drastically lower now, there are still dangers out there that we need to be on the lookout for.
Professionals offering quality home care in Brentwood are experts in providing help and assistance with normal day-to-day activities to the elderly living independently at home. They have comprehensive experience in that domain which gives them in-depth knowledge of the common risks and dangers that may jeopardize the wellbeing of your loved one.
So what are these safety hazards and how do you eliminate them?
What are some safety hazards in the home?
Even if you have taken every precautionary measure to beef up security in your elderly loved one’s home and protect it from home invasion, there are safety hazards that you cannot entirely eliminate if your elderly loved one lives alone.
These include:
- Driving and car accidents which may result in personal injury and property damage, especially if your elderly loved one suffers from poor vision or hearing.
- Slips, trips and falls which may result in injuries and fractures of varying degrees of severity, as well as sprains and joint dislocation.
- House fires: risks include varying degrees of burns, smoke inhalation and asphyxiation.
- Food-related risks: risks include food poisoning and the ramifications of not following special diets for health conditions or allergies.
- Medication-related risks: depending on their age and underlying medical condition, the elderly may put their health at risk by taking medication in incorrect doses or forgetting to take their meds altogether.
- Cuts and lacerations which increase the risk of infections.
- Infections caused by improper or irregular personal hygiene.
- Bedsores, typical in the edlerly who are bed-ridden.
How can we prevent hazards at home?
To protect the elderly at home and eliminate health and safety hazards, take the following steps:
- Clear the floor
Declutter the floor, remove throw rugs and other small pieces of furniture, items and knick-knacks and tuck the power cords away. A clear floor can reduce the risk of your elderly loved one tripping or falling. To make sure the floor is not slippery, add non-slip mats or tape the area rugs to the floor.
- Mindful room layout
Rearrange furniture to leave plenty of room for walking in various areas of the house. If necessary, remove certain items altogether.
- Organize and prioritize
Put all the essential, most frequently used items within reach. Move items with sharp edges and glass tops.
- Add safety features to the bathroom
Install grab bars next to the toilet and inside and outside of the shower or bathtub. Install an elevated toilet or toilet seat.
- Add safety features to the stairway
Install railings on the stairs.
- Upgrade the lighting system
Insufficient or ineffective lighting can be a safety hazard, especially on the stairway, in hallways and in the outdoor areas.
- Upgrade the electrical system
Perform maintenance and repairs of the electrical system to prevent safety hazards. Also consider installing automatic shut-off systems on major appliances, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
How can home care in Brentwood help keep the elderly at home safe?
If work, household chores, errands and other obligations are weighing you down, along with a non-existent social life and alone time, you may find it difficult to be there for your elderly loved ones. But if they have a serious medical condition, a strict medication schedule or history of falls, they need help day in, day out.
We have a solution in the best interest of your elderly loved one, one that will ease your guilty conscience and give you peace of mind. Professional caregivers that A Better Way in Home Care can match you with can provide your elderly loved one with much-needed support and assistance on a daily basis, as well as protect them from common household safety hazards. Call now to find out more about how we can help your elderly loved one stay safe in their Brentwood home.
