Many older adults place a high value on being able to stay in their own houses for as long as they possibly can. However, the house might not always be the safest place, particularly for people with trouble maintaining balance or coordination or impaired vision.
An evaluation of the level of safety present in one’s house can be an important preventative strategy, particularly given that falls are one of the most common causes of injury among people of advanced age. According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls were responsible for over 34,000 fatalities among persons aged 65 and over in 2019. This places falls as the greatest cause of mortality from an injury within this age group. There were three million visits to emergency departments in 2019 due to falls experienced by older adults. In this blog, we will look at proactive home safety checks and how they work:
The significance of home safety inspections.
Evaluating older people’s home safety involves doing a comprehensive risk assessment of the individual’s living environment and providing recommendations for changes that you can make to enhance the home’s safety features. If you are an older adult, getting this comprehensive elderly home safety exam can be beneficial to you, particularly if any of the following apply to you:
- You live alone
- You were just released from the medical facility where you were staying.
- As a result of concerns such as dizziness, visual impairment, or poor balance, your risk of falling is significantly raised.
- When you have osteoporosis, you have a greater chance of suffering serious injuries if you fall.
- You have already fallen, and it makes no difference whether or not you were injured in the process.
- You’ve had at least one “narrow escape,” and possibly more.
- Your loved ones have voiced their worries about you and your well-being.
Fall hazards can cause various ailments, including hip fractures, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and more. Falls are the main cause of death, hospitalization, admission to a nursing home, long-term impairment, and loss of independence among seniors. Falls are also one of the leading causes of loss of independence. Thus, avoiding falls needs to be one of the highest priorities.
Identifying Common Household Risks.
Your home safety assessment will begin with a thorough examination of the potential risks in and around your house. Some of the most common faults identified in the exteriors of clients’ homes are:
- Insufficient illumination in walking areas
- Surfaces for walking that are uneven or rough.
- Pedestrian walkways that do not have railings
- The obstruction of walking lanes by outdoor furniture or other types of debris.
There are also a lot of possible dangers found within the house. Some of the things that professional house evaluators check for include the following:
- Trip hazards on the floor, such as throw rugs, clutter, and extension cords.
- Dangerous conditions on the stairs, including shaky or nonexistent handrails, slick floors, and inadequate illumination
- Dangerous seating conditions, including an absence of robust armrests, armrests that are too low, and insufficient support
- Dangers in bathrooms include low toilet seats, a lack of grab bars, and slippery tubs.
Be proactive in providing seniors with safe home care.
Older adults frequently are unaware that their homes are unsafe and do not feel the need to make any necessary adjustments. Senior citizens comprise roughly half of the people who ask for home safety assessments, while concerned family members comprise the other half.
It is preferable to begin preparations far before any potential emergencies or significant life changes to help older adults remain secure in their homes. It is considerably simpler for older adults to age in place if they do not sustain injuries, and they can mitigate fall risks by taking the appropriate precautions.
Grab bars, non-slip mats, and easily accessible light switches and door handles are some simple improvements that can be made as part of an incremental approach to reducing the need for more extensive and costly upgrades. A qualified home safety specialist can help you prioritize the safety measures that need to be taken to keep an elderly family member or friend safe in their own home.
You can modify any home for elderly safety.
Seniors need to be able to continue living independently in the homes they cherish. It is possible to make any house senior-friendly by making the necessary adaptations.
Accessibility gadgets can assist a senior loved one with their heart set on aging in their home. Wheelchair lifts are an option for homes with many levels, and ramps can be constructed in place of outdoor stairs.
Home safety experts can help your elderly loved one remain in their home for as long as possible by making modifications such as relocating electrical outlets to more reachable locations and replacing doorknobs with lever handles. They can also assist with larger renovations, such as installing an elevator.
Wrap-up.
The need for assistance with health care and activities of daily living may become necessary as seniors age. However, access devices and frequent safety inspections can help elderly persons maintain a safe home environment. When looking for home care for seniors near me in Sonoma County, you should consider Sequoia Senior Solutions. Home health care and personal care are important resources that can provide a variety of advantages to older adults who choose to age in place.
You can contact a Senior Living Advisor at Sequoia Senior Solutions for professional assistance and direction. We will assist you in getting a qualified in-home care provider who can assist your loved one in remaining in the comfort of their home safely. Contact In-home care for North Bay seniors – Sequoia Senior Solutions for all your elderly loved one’s care needs.