When our parents or friends get old and we are responsible for them, or even if you work in an elderly home and in charge of looking after older folk, there is an inherent responsibility to not only look after their needs and make sure they are comfortable but also, we need to keep them safe.
Ensuring maximum safety in households is key and there are both small and big things that you can do to align with this responsibility. There is nothing worse than an older person who cannot look after themselves to slip and fall or hurt themselves as bones become frail with age and no matter how strong you are when injuries happen, recovery times can be unfavorable.
According to the lifeline website, there are a few tips to abide by this concept leaving everyone happy and healthy throughout their stay at the care homes. Click here for more information about that, and we will be simplifying this below for you as well.
Tips for Keeping The Elderly Safe Within A Household
Preventing Any Falls or Injury. First and foremost the main responsibility of those taking care of the elderly is to make sure they keep the home safe by utilizing a few things created for this particular reason. As one of the biggest risk factors for those who are older, this should be the top priority before, during, and after their stay.
According to the UK medical health organizations, the NHS (National Health Service), almost 1 in 3 residents over the age of 65 years will have a fall each year and the majority of the time it is within the confinement of the house and their website can tell you more about this: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/ this is why as a nurse or care home manager, you should always be observant with them and if you see any bruises or injuries ask them how it happened.
For older people, there are a few precautionary measures both they and you can take from them.
Rushing or Running Around. Things such as answering a phone call are one of the main issues that people can bump into walls, or suffer a fall and get injured. In this case, having a cordless phone is the best solution.
Non-Slip Footwear and Shower Mats. If you as an elderly person can do something good for yourself, it is to invest in a pair of non-slip footwear. Floors are unpredictable, and some materials can be slippery as well as some shoes. Wearing non-slip sturdy shoes around the house can help avoid any falls. If you remove your outside shoes outside the door, make sure there is a pair of non-slip and comfortable house shoes next to them so you can change them.
Speaking of non-slip, a very commonplace where not only the elderly but anyone can suffer a fall is in the bathroom. This is why there are options of non-slip shower mats both for the inside and the outside when you are stepping out of the shower that can avoid this from happening, this shower mats review website, for instance, can show you a few options to choose from, ensuring you pick the right one that works for space. Make sure you go for one and anti-bacterial one that is mildew resistant as well as easy to clean and fits perfectly without leaving any room for accidents.
Good Lighting. One of the main things in a home, whether it is your own home or the elderly home, is the necessity for good lighting. A well-lit floor, as well as a staircase, at night, is the best thing to avoid any accidents from happening. Banisters on stairs are often missed and people will not be able to see them if they aren’t sufficient lighting options near them. The same goes for the steps themselves.
If however, you or the older person is having trouble climbing the stairs, invest in a stairlift, which would make life much easier. Relying on holding onto furniture is never advisable, you could also get yourself a walking stick which you can use throughout the day, and keep it next to you for support.
As a last note, injuries do inevitably happen, however how you handle them and take precautions throughout the house will determine how often this happens. These small tips are crucial in preventing injury as well as death.
