This may sound familiar. Your elderly Mom and / or Dad lives in their own home and are fiercely independent—maybe you are thinking “stubborn”. Their home is their sanctuary, the place in which they raised their family, feel the most secure and comfortable and yes, safe.
But are they really safe?
Most accidents that involve seniors take place at home in the very environment in which they feel safe and secure. It is this very sense of security that can contribute to these accidents. Less care is taken as they go up and down the stairs, less attention to the distance they travel between rooms, the lack of attention as they use their appliances…well, the list goes on and on.
Most people tend to drop their guard at home (don’t you?!) and reduce their attention to their surroundings, and it is when they are in this relaxed state that accidents can and do occur.
So how can you keep Mom and Dad safe at home? Here are just a few things that you should consider:
- Do a simple home inspection and pay extra attention to areas where accidents frequently happen. Unsecured scatter rugs, insufficient lighting, loose wires and a slippery porcelain shower without the necessary grab bars or traction pads can be potentially lethal (fatal?) and should be corrected sooner rather than later. These simple steps are easy enough to do even without hiring any outside resources.
- Personal Emergency Response Systems provide peace of mind that comes from knowing that someone will be alerted immediately if a fall or medical emergency occurs.
Sometimes all that is needed is a little companionship and assistance with errands, recreation and light housekeeping. If that’s the case consider hiring a home care companion whose services can help to keep your parent comfortable in their home and provide them with an improved quality of life.
Do you have any questions? We can help you make the right decision for your family. Give us a call and we’d be happy to help.
