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Keeping Seniors Safe While At Home

One of the best ways to ensure your senior stays safe is by actually living with them, or having them live with you. However, we know that isn’t always possible for every family. In a perfect world, parents would allow their kids to take care of them, and you would have the time to do this. Unfortunately, that’s not very realistic.

Some seniors are stubborn and refuse to ask for help, and you may not have enough time between your own kids and a full-time job. Luckily, other options like home care assistance can help ensure your senior parent’s safety. Home care assistance providers will help care for your older family member while still allowing them to live independently. It’s the best way to age in place.

With more seniors living alone in their homes than ever before, safety and planning become primary issues. Their living area must be secure for them, but they must also consider the possibility of power shortages or weather hazards. Seniors’ houses should be decluttered of anything that might potentially cause a fall, and a list of emergency supplies should be created. That is a ton to remember, but you may be able to help your parents better with this list.

Think About House Fires

A house fire is more common than we would like to admit, and when a senior lives alone, that thought can be scary. However, there are ways to prevent this. Firstly, having a hose nearby or a fire extinguisher that a senior can actually use. Show them how to fire it if necessary and leave it in an easily accessible location. Invest in smoke detectors that can help detect fumes and fires in a senior home. Someone should also be checking for electrical cords that could be compromised. This is one of the best ways to keep a senior safe from house fires. Keep in mind that a senior should also have an evacuation plan with whoever is watching after them.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

You don’t have to be a doomsday prepper to have an emergency kit, and these can help in all kinds of situations. If you live in a place where the power goes out frequently, your seniors will need backup water for toilets and food that will not go bad while the power is out. They may need batteries, candles, and flashlights in this emergency kit. Keeping a senior’s home safe when emergencies hit is the best way to feel comfortable and confident when they want to live alone.

Have Emergency Phone Numbers Written Down

Having a list of emergency contact people will be crucial for seniors. You can leave this list up on the fridge and include anyone important. This list can be the neighbors, close friends, family, doctors, and even therapists that can be called in an emergency. This allows a senior to have immediate access to people and allows any caregiver access to them. It’s not something that should be glossed over, and it’s a good idea for when a senior can’t find their phone but has a house phone nearby.