The Most Common Home Accidents for Seniors and Tips to Prevent Them

The Most Common Home Accidents for Seniors and Tips to Prevent Them
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When building a house, most don’t consider how well a senior could navigate through it. Today, though, is called the information age for a reason, and more people than ever are learning how important it is to make life easier for the elderly. One of the best ways to do this is by thinking ahead and utilizing professional services.

It’s estimated that the need for professional elderly care is going to increase significantly in the coming years, as the generation of baby boomers reach the age of retirement. In fact, each day, 10,000 more American seniors turn 65. A growing trend is that more and more of these seniors opt to stay in their own home.

Unfortunately, as a person ages, the likelihood they are going to be injured due to an accident grows. Some of the most common injuries experienced by seniors, and the best way to prevent them, can be found here.

Help your senior stay safe and prevent in-home accidents

Falls

A fall is the top cause of nonfatal and fatal injuries in seniors who are over the age of 65. In many situations, falls occur due to uneven surfaces and floors, misplaced objects, poor lighting, unstable furniture, and other problems.

A great way to prevent these situations is by installing handrails and grab bars where they could be beneficial. Floors should also be kept free of any slipping or tripping hazards. If a senior trips and falls in a location besides their home, they may be able to file a lawsuit. You can get more information here.

Burns or Fires

Usually, a burn or even fire is caused by unsafe or even malfunctions of heat-generating devices. The majority of incidents that include scalding in adults who are over the age of 60 are usually the result of some type of physical impairment. This risk grows for elderly individuals who use the kitchen on a regular basis.

To help prevent these types of accidents, it’s a good idea to install anti-scald devices on all sources of water. It’s also smart to invest in quality, durable appliances that include easy-to-use safety mechanisms. In the kitchen, set up smoke alarms and offer seniors longer oven mitts that not only cover their hands, but their entire lower arm.

Choking or Another Food Related Accident

An often-overlooked issue for the elderly is food safety. This is especially problematic for those who have vision problems, allergies or are confused by the modern food labels used. There is also an increased risk of choking, as this is much higher among the elderly population. Usually, choking occurs when someone laughs or talks while they are eating.

To help prevent a food-related accident, storage areas and individual containers need to have large and easy-to-read labels on them. It’s also a good idea to note the purchase date as well as the “best before” date on the tag. When storing vegetables or fruit, along with other perishables in the refrigerator, make sure the temperatures remain at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

By doing this, you can increase the shelf life of the items. Also, when trying to prepare food for seniors, be sure the size and the texture of the ingredients are right and that they won’t choke on what they are eating.

Use these tips to help the elderly navigate through life more easily

Keeping Seniors Safe at Home

If you have a senior loved one who wants to age at home, you should use the tips and information to not only know what the biggest risks are, but also to help prevent them from happening. When you do this, you can feel confident your loved one will be safe and happy while staying at home through their Golden Years.


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I am a pop culture and social media expert. Aside from writing about the latest news health, I also enjoy pop culture and Yoga. I have BA in American Cultural Studies and currently enrolled in a Mass-Media MA program. I like to spend my spring breaks volunteering overseas.

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