Safety Precautions for Seniors

2008
Caring Workplace
Monthly Articles

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Caring Workplace Monthly Newsletter:
January, 2005

Safety First
By Anneliese Stoever, Caring Workplace, St. Andrew's At Home Services

Growing up you often hear the phrase “Safety First.” This phrase is of special importance for older adults. As people age, they sometimes lose sensation in their feet, lose vision acuity, lose strength, and lose their ability to grip. These health changes affect senior’s safety in the home—over 33 percent of those over 65 fall each year, with that number increasing to 50 percent by age eighty. There are a number of precautionary measures families can take to reduce the risk of an older adult falling.

In the Kitchen:

To prevent burns, there are lever-type faucets or faucets with a single lever to control flow and temperature. This can prevent an older adult from being burned. These levers are fairly inexpensive and can be bought at a local hardware store.
To reduce the risk of falling while trying to reach a cabinet that is too high or while trying to pull something out of a cabinet that is too low, install pullout shelves under the counter to enable the older adult to work from a seated position or keep items within easy reach, and lower existing cupboards so that they are not out of reach.

In the Bedroom:

To prevent falling while walking to the bathroom at night, a nightlight is an inexpensive item that will provide a lighted path. A lamp should be located close to the bed in an easy to reach area and a flashlight should be kept on a bed stand in case of a power failure. Also, make sure there is a clear path from the bed to the bathroom.
In case of a health concern during the night, keep a charged phone near the bed and if the area does not have a 9-1-1 service, keep a list of important contacts, such as the police and fire department, near the phone. Make sure the numbers are large enough for the older adult to decipher at the time of an emergency.

In the Bathroom:

For ease in transitioning, install a grab bar near the toilet, in the bathtub, and near a chair if there is one.
Also, use a rubber mat inside the bathtub and invest in a shower chair or bathtub seat.
Bathrooms are not known for being well lit. Installing extra lighting can prevent miscalculating distance to a grab bar or the bathtub and may prevent a fall.

In General:

Throw rugs and other floor decorations are very hazardous to older adults. It is easy to trip on the side of a rug if an older adult either does not see it or shuffles and does not lift their leg high enough to step onto it.
Look around the home for extension cords, lamp cords, dog leashes, or other items that impede the pathway.
Make sure that each stairway has a railing. Be sure to look at stairs to the backyard, stairs to the basement, and stairs to an attic or another floor. Have a conversation with the older adult about the importance of walking without items in their hands and holding onto the railing.
Good lighting can be the difference between seeing a stair or falling. Make sure that the home is well lit and that the older adult uses sufficient lighting in the home.

While these suggestions are a good start in helping to ensure the safety of an older adult, each situation is unique and requires different adjustment. A home assessment by an Elder Care Specialist would offer a solution catered to your specific needs. Just remember to keep in mind, "Safety First"!

Need Advice? Ask Our Eldercare Specialist
A St. Andrew's Eldercare
Specialist is available to
answer your questions
about caring for an aging loved one.

Ask Now!

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Caring Workplace: The Resource for Working People Caring for an Older Adult.
6633 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130 Phone: 314-802-6291 Fax: 314-726-5719 e-mail