Keeping seniors as safe in their homes as possible while they age in place is probably one of the biggest goals that family caregivers share. To do this effectively, it’s important for family caregivers to understand what the major safety risks are for the seniors they love. Home care providers can help aging adults and family caregivers determine where they need to pay the most attention to safety concerns.

Address Area Rugs and Other Flooring

Flooring issues, particularly area rugs, are a big safety problem for seniors. The edges of area rugs can roll or get wrinkled up, which can be a tripping hazard. Some area rugs also slide easily on floors, making them incredibly dangerous. Using a rubberized mat underneath area rugs or taping them down helps to keep them secured. If there are other flooring issues, like uneven flooring, those need to be corrected.

Pay Attention to Clutter

Every house has those items that start to pile up and daily life brings with it a lot of clutter. For seniors, clutter can truly be dangerous, though. Doing a walkthrough of the senior’s home is a good first step to noticing clutter. Take pictures, because that can help spot clutter that can be hidden from the naked eye. Elder care providers can be a huge help after decluttering as they help seniors keep their homes tidy.

Fix Lighting Issues

When seniors can’t see obstacles or problems, they can’t maneuver around them. Lighting issues are super easy to fix, especially by adding additional lamps or lighting fixtures. It’s a good idea to make sure that lighting is easy for seniors to turn on and off. Plugging lights into an outlet that turns on and off with a remote is one idea, for instance. Lights with motion sensors turn on as soon as seniors need them and turn off automatically.

Get Seniors Some Support

As seniors age in place, it becomes more important to make sure they have the assistance they need. Home care providers can assist in so many different ways. They offer practical help with household tasks and mobility assistance, for example. But they can also alert seniors to safety concerns that need to be addressed. If seniors need help with personal care tasks, home care providers can be there to help seniors stay safe.

Encourage Assistive Devices

There are a ton of different types of assistive devices that can help seniors to be safer at home. These range from tools like canes and walkers to grab bars, bed rails, and a host of other assistive tools. Remembering to use these tools is essential for them to do the most good.

Keeping track of safety issues is an essential part of helping seniors to age in place. Home care providers offer valuable education and support that keeps family caregivers aware of what’s happening as well as informed about possible solutions. Having a plan helps both seniors and family caregivers to feel prepared for the situations they might encounter along the way.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Pikesville, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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