While many seniors prefer to live independently, some homes are poorly designed to meet their needs. Falls are the number one safety risk for older adults – nearly one third of the senior population fall each year with 70% of falls occurring at home.  Older adults need to take extra safety precautions due to physical changes that occur during the aging process, such as declining vision, hearing, sense of touch and smell, and bone density loss.  These factors increase the risk of injury inside the home.

What can you do to reduce the risk of injury for yourself or your loved one?  First, carefully survey their home for safety hazards. Here are just a few examples;

• Remove all scatter rugs, repair frayed carpet, tape or tack down loose carpet edges.
• Arrange furniture to allow adequate space for safe walking between and within all rooms.
• Place safety strips or a non-skid mat in bathtub/shower and install grab bars – do not use soap dishes or towel racks for support when sitting or standing.
• Keep closet doors and drawers closed to prevent bruises or tripping.
• Keep walking aids within reach and keep a nightlight on or flashlight within reach of your bed.

Other factors to keep in mind – the medicine cabinet and kitchen. As seniors may become forgetful, remembering things like expiration dates is difficult. Some ways caregivers can help in this area include;

• Store sharp knives in a rack.
• Use a kettle with an automatic shut-off.
• Store hazardous items separate from food.
• Make sure food is rotated regularly and check expiration dates
• Review your medicines frequently with your doctor or pharmacist and when you take new medication.
• Make sure medicines are clearly labeled.
• Read medicine labels in good light to ensure you have the right medicine and always take the correct dose.
• Dispose of any old or used medicines.

We agree that when possible, caring for seniors at home is best. Over 90% of seniors prefer to stay in their own homes, but its important to work with caregivers to make sure home remains safe and hazard free for our loved ones.

The post Home Safety Tips For Seniors appeared first on Community Home Care.

Home care is not always the best solution for every situation but for millions of American families home care makes the most sense for them. Read here the top reasons we promote in home care for our seniors.

Home care promotes recovery. No matter the duration, hospital stays can be traumatizing. The sheer experience of rapid-fire medical procedures can leave an older adult in a compromised state. If your loved one has recently been discharged from the hospital, home care permits a person to rehabilitate in the comfort of his or her own home.

Home care saves money. While a nursing home sounds like the traditional solution, institutional care comes with a hefty price tag. According to recent data provided by John Hancock Financial, the average annual cost of care in the U.S. for a private room in a nursing home is $85,775 and $75,555 for a semi-private room, whereas home health care average $37,440 annually.

Home care honors your loved one’s dignity and independence. Did you know: Seniors fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than they fear death itself? According to the study, nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their homes.

Home care is flexible and personalized. No one person, lifestyle, or situation is the same. Home care recognizes how essential specialized care is to maintaining health and offers individualized services based on individual needs and preferences. Activities are not pre-scheduled and caregivers can adapt to the wants and needs of their clients.

Home care is safe. Meaning you are faced with the germs and infections of a larger facility. And the one-on-one attention of home care means your loved one receives swift, immediate care – no red tape, no forms, and no bureaucracy. A qualified home care professional can also help make the home environment safer, providing easy fixes such as grab bars and anti-slips rugs.

Read more about our specialized in-home services here.

The post Top Five Reasons To Promote In Home Senior Care appeared first on Community Home Care.