Falls at home are one of the most common reasons why seniors end up in the emergency room or the hospital. Seniors who are aging in place have a high risk of falling if they have limited mobility or poor balance. But, relatively healthy seniors can fall. All it takes is one trip or slip and your senior mom or dad could end up in an emergency. To help keep your senior parent safe at home they should have in-home care services. In-home care is a loose term for a range of services provided by caregivers that can help seniors stay comfortable and safe at home.
The biggest fall hazards that seniors living alone and their families need to be aware of include:
Slippery Floors
Wood floors, tile floors, and any other types of floors that aren’t totally carpeted can be risky for seniors. Floors in the bathroom and kitchen especially can be dangerous because there is a high risk that water or other liquids will spill on those floors. If your senior parent is living alone it’s very important that floors are kept clean and dry. A caregiver can help make sure that your mom or dad’s floors are always dry and safe.
Clutter and Obstacles
Clutter builds up fast. A loose remote control, cords from lamps and TVs, pillows that fall on the floor, magazines and mail that spill off of a table, and other items can make getting around the house dangerous for your senior parent. An in-home caregiver can help keep your parent safe by cleaning up the clutter and making sure cords are safely stowed away.
Poor Lighting
Even seniors with relatively good eyesight can fall if the lighting in the home is bad. It’s a good idea to replace light bulbs with long-lasting LED bulbs that mimic natural daylight. And, you should consider installing supplemental lighting like LED strips on stairs, under counter lighting in the kitchen, and motion active lights in the hallways and bathrooms to help your senior parent avoid falls.
Stairs
Stairs are another major trip and fall hazard for seniors aging in place. If there is room you may want to consider creating a bedroom on the main floor for your mom or dad as they get older. If they are going to climb stairs daily then make sure the stairs are as safe as possible. Install non-slip stair treads, check the handrails, and make sure there is plenty of light on the stairs. A chairlift can also help seniors get up and down the stairs safely.
Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and carpets are very dangerous for seniors unless they are very securely attached to the floor. Wall-to-wall carpeting is best for seniors. But, if your mom or dad’s home doesn’t have wall-to-wall carpeting use rug mats, rug tape, and even silicone to make sure any area rugs or runners are as secure as possible and won’t slip.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Linden NJ, please contact the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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