Caring for The Elderly: Tis The Season For Senior Safety

Senior citizen safety should always be on our minds, but perhaps Christmas is a good time for you to carefully and deliberately reevaluate how your aging loved ones are doing.  Aging at home can be a great alternative to a senior care facility, but only when managed intelligently. An interesting press release from AARP recommends you use the holiday season to raise these questions with your aging parents and your siblings:

Is The Home Safe for Your Special Senior Citizen?

  • Are they able to move around easily?
  • Would switching to a single level home without stairs make life easier?
  • Maybe a stairlift is needed?
  • If moving to a single level home is not possible, can you consolidate daily living into a single level? Move the bedroom downstairs and the laundry up?
  • Is their too much clutter?
  • Are their slippery floors or rugs that could cause slips and falls?
  • Brighter lighting can help. Can you install a simple nightlight for those trips to the bathroom?
  • Is it time you invested in a senior medical alarm in case of accident or illness?
  • Should you install safety bars in the bathroom?
  • How safe is that shower and bath? Could adding some grip bars or possible a sitting area help make things safer?

Now is the time to make look at your parent’s or grandparent’s living conditions to make sure they’re safe and secure. Remember, a tiny bit of prevention (like tacking down that carpet on the stairs) can prevent a physical, emotional and financial disaster.

Here’s a quick tip that can help you see the dangers lurking in your parent’s home. Drop by with a trusted friend and ask them to write down anything they think might be a hazard. Sometimes we need a fresh set of eyes to see an old problem.

See more info at AARP: Home for the Holidays: A Time of Joy, Giving, and Checking in with Aging Loved Ones.

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