Unsafe living conditions do not necessarily mean a relocation, even for an elderly family member. And sometimes, the living conditions are not unsafe, but merely some assistance is needed to get around the house from day to day. Safe living is usually pretty easy to attain. This can be overwhelming for you if you are the sole caregiver for an older loved one, but with the addition of a few hours of in-home care on a daily basis, this becomes a lot easier to manage and can restore the safety of your home.
The first problem you must address is mobility. Does your elderly loved one have trouble walking around, bathing themselves, and otherwise navigating throughout the home? A few slight additions or modifications might make a world of difference. Installing bath safety bars, getting a bath chair, putting in high quality railings on stairs, and investing in a wheelchair can be an easy way to make your home safer.
There are, though, some areas of the house that you should focus on more than others. The first of these are entryways. These need to have tripping hazards eliminated, whether it be excessive steps, or simply having debris, toys, or dirty clothes moved out of the way at all times. These also need to be well lit so that your parent or grandparent can see where they are going just to have the likelihood of a fall reduced even more.
The bathroom is another area of concern. A shower with a low step is best since this will reduce the odds of tripping. Also, having bars installed will give your loved one a way to help themselves get in and out of the shower without issue. Putting these near the toilet will help, too. A permanently elevated toilet, or a removable toilet seat, will make it easier to get on and off the toilet. Other little things involve having no slip floors. This can be accomplished with bathroom mats and keeping the floor dry, too.
Finally, focus on other rooms that receive a lot of foot traffic. This includes the bedroom, hallways, and living rooms, usually. Make sure there is plenty of room for maneuvering, the walkways are free of clutter, and that needed items are easily accessible. These little things will make it easier for your loved one to get around without falling. Always make sure that proper footwear is worn and that areas have plenty of visibility.
If you have doubts, an in-home caregiver can help your parent to stay safe by helping them out with their daily tasks, providing companionship, and professionally observing unsafe conditions. When you have a trained caregiver, they will be much more aware of what these consist of and might find things you had never thought of before. At the very least, a caregiver can help your loved one get around their house without injury. They can prepare meals, help with bathing, do simple chores, and otherwise make life easier and less stressful. It might not seem like a lot, but it can go a long way toward making a potentially dangerous situation a very safe one.
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