Keeping your elderly loved one safe at home

Seniors, who can continue to live in their homes, often do not realize that their houses, can pose serious threats to their safety and health. These problems tend to arise, due to the fact that as we age, our mobility decreases. This leads to common place situations, becoming potential problems. However there are simple steps that can be taken that will help make an elderly loved ones home, much safer and reduce the chance of falls and other injuries that can potentially be life threatening. Here is what you need to know about keeping your elderly loved one safe at home-

• Be on the lookout for potential hazards. Loose rugs that are not attached are a slipping hazard, and cords running across floors can cause tripping and falling. Take the time to evaluate for problems and then make corrections as you see them. Keep in mind that what looks innocent, can prove to be a serious problem.
• Turn up the lights-The reality is that no matter how healthy we are our vision dims as we age. Good lighting is crucial for seniors to be able to see their way around their home. Bright lighting can also reduce the risk of injury in the kitchen or bathroom, where most home accidents occur. Recommendations include using at least a 100 watt bulb for reading and at least a 60 watt bulb in every other light. It is critical not to forget about lighting at night, as well. Placing motion sensor nightlights, can light a path to the bathroom, kitchen or any other place your loved one wants to go, if they get up at night. Proper lighting greatly reduces the chance of slipping and falling.
• Be careful of what cleaning products are used. It is important to use only non-skid wax, and floor cleaners. This is because wax can make a floor slippery, and can cause fall, for people with poor balance. In addition, aging skin is much more delicate, so the use of harsh chemicals that can leave residue and cause burning should not be used in sinks, showers, or tubs.
• Clear the stairs-If there are stairs anywhere in your elderly loved one’s home, it is crucial that they should be kept clear. You want to make sure that the stairway is kept clutter free and brightly lit. In addition, if the stairs are difficult to see, the edge of each step can be marked with brightly lit electrical tape.
• Rearrange furniture. One of the easiest ways to make your elderly loved ones home safer is simply by rearranging the furniture. You should move low furniture, out of traffic areas to avoid potential tripping hazards. Remember that low sitting decorative furniture, can be a tripping hazard for people who don't see well or are balance challenged. You can also move chairs closer together to make conversation easier, for the hard of fearing. Seniors are notorious for having to much furniture (the result of years of buying it), in their homes. You can offer to store pieces or sell them, to make traffic flow much easier within their home.

It can be difficult and overwhelming, in trying to determine what is necessary for your elderly loved one. If you have questions or concerns about any aspect of care giving you should check out the caregiver’s library. This is the world’s largest caregiver resources library, with over 1000 caregiver resources. Resources include non-profits, government and healthcare organizations, home care services, helpful care giving products, information on finances and legal aspects of care. Best of all the library is easily searchable by key word or phrase.