Keep Elderly Parents Safe at Home

I remember the day my mother-in-law almost died alone in her own home. It was a terrifying day for the entire family, but especially for her children who blamed themselves for not doing what they could to keep her safe. This poor woman spent three days wedged between the toilet and bathroom vanity - unable to move, unable to call for help, and stuck there without food or water. Thankfully, she survived her ordeal. But these types of injuries happen every day.

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in three adults ages 65 and older will sustain a fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of injury or death for the elderly, and most accidents happen in the home. While we may want our aging parents to enjoy the independence and comfort of living at home as long as possible, this environment may not be the safest one for them.

After my mother-in-law's frightening ordeal, we learned a lot about how to keep elderly parents safe at home. The home safety tips below are the same ones offered to us by medical professionals, rehabilitative resources, and in-home nursing staff.

First and foremost, at least two people in the family should have a key that will access every entry door to the house! Secondly, someone should be assigned to check on the elderly parent, even if it's over the phone, at least once in the morning and once in the evening.

Bathroom safety tips for the elderly:

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house for anyone, but especially for the elderly. The combination of water, slick flooring and hard surfaces are a recipe for disaster if proper precautions are not taken. Keep elderly parents safe by taking the following action:

- Install heavy-duty grab bars near the toilet, bathtub and shower. They not only provide leverage, but they also can be grabbed if someone begins to slip or fall.
- Elevate the toilet seat to make sitting and standing less of a strain.
- Provide a non-slip mat in the bathtub, shower, and also on the floor around the surrounding area.
- Use nightlights when it's dark.
- Get more bathroom safety tips here.

Stair safety tips for the elderly:

- Stairways should be kept free of clutter.
- Any loose or frayed carpeting should be removed at once to prevent falls or injury.
- Nightlights should be used to illuminate stairways at all times.
- Light switches should be available at both the top and bottom of the stairway.
- Handrails should be used on both sides of the stairway.
- If stairs are made of slick hardwood flooring, consider adding non-slip rugs or mats to prevent falls.

Kitchen safety tips for the elderly:

- Items in the cupboards should be kept at a low level for easy accessibility.
- A long reaching tool should be available for grabbing items out of reach.
- A fire extinguisher should be kept on hand.
- Non-stick rugs or mats should be used to prevent slips.
- Get more kitchen safety tips here.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you keep elderly parents safe at home by:

- Ensure they receive regular exercise. This will keep up their strength and improve balance.
- Receive regular screenings for osteoporosis, which is a disease that can cause brittle bones.
- Have a doctor or pharmacist review a list of their medications. Some combinations of both prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness and drowsiness, which can lead to falls and injury.
- Ensure that an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D is in their daily diet to strengthen bones.
- Have an optometrist verify that eyeglass prescriptions are up-to-date.

Finally, an electronic device should be worn around the neck AT ALL TIMES in the event of a fall or other injury. These electronic devices keep elderly parents safe at all times as help can be summoned with the push of a button. My mother-in-law was given one of these devices, but removed it when she entered the shower. If she had kept it on, she would have been able to alert someone of her fall as soon as it had happened.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

10 Things You Can Do to Make A Home More Accessible

Fireplace Safety Tips for the Home

Keep Your Home Safe From Burglars with These Home Improvements

　

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

　 http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html