Senior Safety

With an increasing number of seniors staying alone/living independently, it becomes important to ensure their safety. Falls, burns, theft, home intrusion are common accidents that happen with seniors. If you are a senior living alone or a caretaker for a senior person, below are certain tips and products that may help prevent accidents and make lives of seniors safe.

Tips:

1. Carry a mobile phone or a cordless phone for answering phone calls. Do not rush to answer the phone, many people fall trying to answer the phone.

2. Wear non-slip footwear, such as slippers with rubber/no-slip bottoms or flat, thin-soled shoes that fit well to avoid slipping on smooth surfaces.

3. Avoid holding onto walls or furniture, instead use a cane or a walker.

4. Avoid falling by taping all rugs to the floor.

5. Put rubber mats in the bathtub to prevent slipping.

6. Keep all medications in their original containers so you don't mix up medicines.

7. When alone, never let a stranger into your home.

Most of all, keep emergency numbers handy. Write the following numbers in large font that can be read easily in time of need/ when you are in hurry or frightened.

• Police helpline: 999
• Ambulance: 998
• Fire Department: 997
• Family friend or a friend to call in emergency
• Family doctor/senior person’s regular doctor’s number

Products:

• Medical alert systems – For older adults who live alone, medical alert systems can give you the extra protection you need to keep living independently.  The best medical alert systems can automatically detect when a user has fallen if they are wearing a connected device.
• Home security systems – – It can help to prevent any efforts concerning home intrusion and can
  ensure a greater sense of safety. It includes options such as video camera, motion detectors,
  intrusion alerts, etc.
• Walk in tubs and showers – Common in west, they feature a large safety door that allows one to step into the tub without lifting their legs very high, which reduces falling risks. They come with a molded seating bench and handrails inside the unit. Curb-less showers are essentially set very low to the ground and are ideal for those who use wheelchairs and prefer showers over bathing.

• Shower chairs – Shower chairs/ benches allow one to sit comfortably while bathing, and they
  are designed for ease of use and stability.

• High seated commodes – These commodes are typically three to five inches higher than standard models. Elevating the commodes’ height (plumbing) will make it easier for seniors to get on and off the seat safely.

• Safety grab bars – Grab bars within the bathroom, around the toilet area provides support for those with mobility concerns. Within the shower or tub stall, it’s recommended to have one long horizontal grab bar along the longest wall, and a vertical handle near the showerhead.

• Safety hand rails in home – Installing handrails in certain potential ‘danger zones’ throughout the home is recommended, like installing a handrail along both sides of the stairs indoor.

• Stair lift devices for home – Common in western countries, these devices simply require one to push a button to be elevated to the next floor level, and there are options for wheelchair accessibility or those with a built-in seat.

• Adjustable beds for home & bed railings – They are now popular with seniors in home because adjustable beds allow various areas of the unit to be raised and lowered to suit comfort level of seniors as per the condition they suffer.
  Mobility devices like wheelchair – Walkers and canes are ideal for those who are recovering from an injury or simply need a bit of additional stability when moving around to prevent falls. Wheelchairs can meet the needs of older adults who cannot walk or have serious health or
  mobility issues.

• Wheelchair accessible ramps – Ramps leading to home entryways or commercial establishments are valuable asset for wheelchair users.

• Hearing aids – Wearing hearing aids can improve overall hearing, improving communication with family, friends, and co-workers, which can help maintain a high quality of life.