subject: Making Your Home Safe for Seniors [print this page] Making Your Home Safe for Seniors Making Your Home Safe for Seniors
Having your elderly parent move in with you requires major adjustments on your part, but a few minor adjustments to your home will enable both you and your parent to feel more secure and at ease. With age, seniors are more prone to household falls and accidents, the following safety proofing measures will decrease the likelihood of mishaps along with your stress level:
Get rid of throw rugs, as they can easily get caught under walkers and result in falls.
Install handrails in areas where they will be of assistance, common areas include around toilets, tubs and showers.
Medical alert buttons, like LifeFone provide instant, caring and compassionate assistance from specifically trained Emergency Care Specialists 24 hours a day. Investing in one costs less than one dollar a day, and provides a priceless lifeline to security.
Purchase rubber grips for faucets and door knobs, elders with arthritis have a weakened grip and rubber grips allow them to securely grasp and turn knobs.
Replace old appliances with newer ones that turn off automatically: irons, electronic heaters and fans can be hazardous if left on.
Ensure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are functional and have new batteries.
Amplified telephones with enlarged buttons and caller ID help visually or hearing impaired individuals make and receive calls easily.
Heavy cast iron pans are good for cooking, but their weight is hard to manage with age. Consider switching to lighter pans to avoid spills and burns.
Shower chairs make showering safer and easier, and can be purchased at medical supply stores.
Replace flip switches with illuminated light switches, or larger rocker switches throughout the house.
About LifeFone: LifeFone provides personal medical emergency alarm devices that are monitored 24/7 to allow independence, security and fast response at the press of a panic button.
LifeFone has been an innovator in providing security and peace of mind to thousands of people throughout the US and Canada since 1976. Utilizing the latest information technology and our continued commitment to "personal" response, LifeFone is in the forefront of the healthcare communications industry.
