Accident Prevention in the Home

Falling at home is the leading cause of injuries and hospitalizations for the elderly, so it’s no surprise that it’s a serious concern for seniors as well as their family members. Here are some tips from our in home senior care team in New Jersey that will help make home a safer place for seniors.

Accident Prevention Tips for Outside the Home 

If there are stairs outside your loved one’s home, add rails on both sides of them. Each step can be marked with non-slip contrasting colour strips for easier navigation by seniors with poorer vision, and outdoor areas with stairs should be kept well-lit – preferably with motion or light-sensors so that they turn on automatically.

Accident Prevention Tips for Inside the Home 

In the bedroom, make sure the bed is at a height where it is easy to get into and out of, remove clutter to keep pathways free of trip hazards, and install nightlights so that your loved one doesn’t have to get out of bed and move around in the dark. If their bedroom is upstairs, make sure the stair railings are secure or suggest that they move downstairs to avoid the stairs completely.

Safety rails in the bathroom are a must, especially in the bath and shower. Make sure the towel rail is securely fitted to the wall and that there is a grab bar by the toilet if your loved one has trouble getting up from a sitting position. If possible, modify the bath to a low-rise bath and the shower to a walk-in shower to make access easier. Place bath mats on non-slip material and fix down if necessary with double-sided tape. It’s also a good idea to make it a habit to leave a light on in the bathroom at night.

In the rest of the house, check all light bulbs to make sure they are working and that they are bright enough. Remove any pieces of furniture and belongings to make clear, wide pathways through the home, and fix down any carpets or rugs so that they can’t trip your loved one.

In Home Senior Care – The Perfect Balance between Independence and Safety! 

As a leading senior independent home care provider in New Jersey, our team offers at home care for older adults through trained, experienced nursing and health aide staff. We have a wide range of services from companionship and help around the home to 24-hour live-in care, depending on exactly what you and your loved one requires. Our services are scalable and by-the-hour, allowing you to develop a custom care plan.

For more information on our seniors home care services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/Home-Heath-Aid-services

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