Avoiding a fall is one of the most important tasks for your senior. It might seem as if that’s not always possible, but most falls are preventable. Following just a few of these steps can help to ensure that stairways and major pathways in your elderly family member’s home are as fall-proof as possible.
Install Handrails
Handrails are the easiest answer for stairways and applicable pathways in your senior’s home. They need to be installed securely so that if your senior does fall the handrail can support her weight. Encourage your senior to use handrails for more than just something to grab when she falls, though. If she’s going up and down stairs, for instance, she needs to have at least one hand on the handrail.
Double Check Lighting
Proper lighting is absolutely essential. Your senior may need lighting that is a little bit brighter than you need in order to see well. Consider using motion sensors to turn lights on for her, especially on stairways. This helps to ensure that your elderly family member has light as soon as she needs it most. If motion sensors aren’t an option, there need to be light switches on both sides of the stairwell, hallway, or room.
Remove Clutter
Clutter is always a potential problem because it takes up space that your senior needs for safety. If your senior is in the habit of keeping anything on the floor, make sure to remove those items. Furniture that makes a path in your senior’s home narrower also needs to be moved. This might mean rearranging furniture to create a little more space.
Inspect Flooring
Don’t forget about your senior’s flooring. Hard floors have their own challenges, of course, like ensuring that they’re not coated with slippery surfaces. But carpeting has risks, too. If carpet becomes loosened, it can present a tripping hazard. Reconsider area rugs and throw rugs that are small and easily moved, too, because those can easily become a tripping hazard for your senior.
Many of these things are not “one and done” situations, either. It takes staying on top of these issues to make sure that your elderly family member still has what she needs in order to stay safe and to avoid a fall in her home. Elderly care providers can help your aging family member to keep up with these tasks and they can let you know if they see anything that you need to know about.
For more information about hiring Elderly Care in San Diego, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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