Posted: 8/25/2015 2:52 PM by
Interim HealthCare
There may be a senior in your life who is living at home alone and for whom you have concern about their safety. When it comes to senior home safety, not everyone takes this issue seriously, especially elderly individuals.
Some people simply have a tendency to overestimate their physical abilities, strength, and agility. No one really wants to admit they are having more challenges each and every year as a result of diminished strength in their body.
Here are seven signs that could indicate an elderly loved one in your life may be increasing their safety hazards at home without even realizing it or admitting.
Sign #1: They continue to try and do everything themselves.
It’s far too tempting to want to take on every activity themselves, but at some point in time it’s necessary for elderly individuals to rely on assistance from others. A sense of pride could prevent them from doing this.
Sign #2: There is clutter in the house.
Clutter can increase the risk of tripping and falling. If the senior has difficulty getting rid of things or organizing rooms, it’s placing their safety at an increased risk.
Sign #3: They have fallen a couple of times already.
Falls are the number one cause of accidental death among seniors within the comfort of their own home. If the senior in your life has already fallen at least once or twice, even though he might not have been injured seriously, it’s a sign he doesn’t take safety all that seriously.
Sign #4: He keeps doing the same thing over and over.
If you noticed your aging father, for example, doing something that is putting him at risk and continues to do it, even though you’ve told him about those risks, he isn’t overly concerned about his safety.
Sign #5: The stairs to the basement remain in poor condition.
If you noticed a loose step or handrail along the stairwell but the senior hasn’t done anything to have it fixed, they don’t have a lot of concern about their own safety.
Sign #6: There are no nonstick mats in the bathroom or kitchen near the sink.
Nonstick mats help to prevent slipping, especially when linoleum or ceramic tile flooring gets wet. If the senior hasn’t placed any of these nonstick mats down, it could lead to a potential safety risk.
Sign #7: They continue to drive, even though they have been involved in close calls.
Just because a senior hasn’t been involved in a serious accident doesn’t mean they should continue driving. The moment they leave home and are not safe behind the wheel, they are increasing their risk of getting into an accident.
When it comes to safety for any senior at home, even when they leave home it’s a good idea to pay attention to the signs and address them honestly and in a timely manner.
If you have an aging loved one in need of home care contact Interim HealthCare today.
