It’s very normal for us to be concerned with our safety as we age. It’s natural that as we grow older, we take more risks with everyday tasks. Here are some suggestions that you may have already thought of; if not, let’s think about ways to make our lives safer. Take a mental picture of your home, room by room. Are there some changes we should consider making? Things in my home that are hazards are loose rugs in my hallway. If I continue to keep them, I should use double-sided tape or non-slip padding on the underside, especially at corners and center, to prevent them from slipping. We know that slips, trips, and falls, are serious hazards for workers, as well as seniors.
Continuing through your home: how about the living room/den? Are they cluttered? You should never leave anything on the floor where someone could trip. Furniture should be arranged to provide clear, easy pathways. Power and extension cords should be taped along the baseboards of walls to keep them out of the way. If there are steps in the home, have a ramp or handrail installed. Having a soft nightlight in each room would help us find our way in the dark.
Going into the kitchen, see if the items you use the most are stored on easy-to-reach shelves, between waist and eye level. If the step stool is old (please, never use a chair), get a stepladder with handles for extra support. Keep flammables, like cup towels away from the stove. Don’t wear loose clothing around the stove while you are cooking. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, purchase one, and have the store representative show you how to properly use it.
Bedroom: never tuck in an electric blanket if you use them. This can cause overheating and result in a fire. Heating pads should not be used in bed; if someone falls asleep with it on, burns can result, even at low temperatures. Have a light near the bed within easy reach. Install a nightlight between the bed and bathroom to avoid a fall in the dark.
Accidental falls in the bathroom are a common cause of broken hips; apply self-adhesive non-slip strips to the bottom of the tub or shower. Have a grab bar inside the shower; installing another one beside the toilet is advisable. Accessible toilets, 3 to 5” higher than a standard seat, make it safer and more convenient. It would be wise to have locks that can open doors from both sides.
Stairway/Porch Steps: one of the most common sites of falls is the stairway, or on the porch. Stay safe on stairs with light-sensitive night lights in unlit stairwells, hallways, and by placing light switches at doorways, and at top and bottom on stairs. Railings should be installed for sturdiness on steps of porches. Paint porches with grit to prevent slips.
One last point: if you have pets, watch them when you have older visitors, if you are a senior citizen, or have someone living with you that needs a safe haven. I had a very dear friend, 97 years old, who had always been very careful about falling, because she was a very tiny lady and concerned about breaking her hip. While visiting, the owner’s large dog greeted her, and knocked her down. The result was a broken hip, and she died from complications of the surgery. (She sweetly said, “it wasn’t the dog’s fault!” ) Another first-hand accident I am aware of was when an 80-year old lady was tripped by a young cat. She also broke her hip, and required weeks of therapy following surgery. She was in her early 80’s, and survived. Our animals don’t intend to hurt someone, but we must be vary careful to avoid these types of accidents.
Okay, we took an imaginary tour of our homes to find if there are certain hazards that could cause injury to individuals, especially senior citizens. Let's continue with more safety tips. Please think about keeping your home safe for all who live there, regardless of their ages, and when older visitors come, pay close attention to the tips we have already mentioned. Here are more safety ideas.
Although we are all getting older with each day, exercise is very important. The earlier you begin an exercise program, the better. Always ask your doctor about the type of exercise you can do safely, if you have health problems. Your health may be hurt more by inactivity than by exercise, because with age, we lose ground in four areas: strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay dementia, according to the National Institute of Health. Fitness experts can work out a customized plan for individuals to exercise safely.
Now, let’s talk about keeping medications either in clearly marked containers or in a medication organizer with individually sealed slots for every day of the week. Those who have poor vision or other health problems could ask a family member to help with this.
Have important phone numbers programmed in your home phone and/or cell phone. If you go for a walk, take your cell phone, just in case of emergency, such as a fall. Take along a cane or walking stick of some type just in case a “friendly” dog comes along; this will help with balance, as well as letting him know he needs to move on. Dogs can jump up on those who are unsteady, causing them to fall. Cats can easily trip someone. I’ve known this to happen, and in both instances, broken hips were the result. One lady died from complications following the hip surgery.
Place deadbolts and peepholes on the doors to your home, and keep the doors locked. Don’t let strangers in without verifiable identification, don’t reveal you are alone, and always have your neighbors contact info. Many persons choose to install a home security system. Schemes abound for all of us – old, young, and inbetween. When you are out shopping, keep purses close to you, and, guys, don’t keep a wallet in your back pocket. Tell a family member or friend where you are going, avoid traveling alone, stay away from dimly lit surroundings, and carry a whistle or other alarm. Don’t sit in your parked car, counting money, or talking on a cell phone without locking the door first, and be sure you are in a safe area. If you need handicapped parking accessibility, it’s there for you if you have a placard on your car or license plate. If you don’t, please leave that space for someone who does qualify. A caregiver or handicapped person will thank you for doing that. When driving, don’t talk on the cell phone. If you have taken medication, and are feeling drowsy, ask someone else to drive you where you need to go.
Be aware of internet or phone fraud. According to AARP, many senior citizens are victims of fraud. Here’s some reminders about this subject:
Never give out information such as your social security number or other personal information on the phone or internet.
Stay informed of current schemes.
Don’t freely give large amounts of cash.
Research a home-repair company’s credentials. Use reputable local contractors for repairs.
Don’t fall for the “You’ve won the jackpot!” ploy. This is probably a scam.
If you receive a call saying it is from your internet provider and you have a virus, and they can fix it for you from their office, don’t believe it. Call them to verify the call. It’s probably another “phishing” scam.
Last, but not least, consider a security alert button if you are at risk for falling, or have a chronic illness that may require urgent medical attention. A monitoring system similar to Life Alert will sound for help if you have fallen, or unable to talk due to a head injury or stroke. Most systems are portable and can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. Once the button is pressed, emergency personnel or the primary caregiver is immediately notified and contact is made with the client. Others such as wearable health monitoring systems alert medical personnel of any changes in the body via sensors. A new senior cell phone option is an emergency cell phone that provides wide emergency response coverage, unlike most medical alarms that work only within or near your home. It has an SOS button that will activate automatic dialing, which contacts up to five pre-programmed numbers to call for help. It can also power up a loud alarm to call attention of nearby people that someone needs help.
Aren’t we lucky to live in an age where we can get assistance in many instances by merely pressing a button? Never hesitate to ask for help when you need it. You have a family member, neighbor, or friend who is there simply for the asking. Don’t take chances with your safety – you are too important!
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