In-Home Senior Safety (Kitchen)

- If kitchen appliances are too high or too low to reach, find a senior-friendly handy-man in your neighbourhood who could move appliances on to the counter, or a waist-height cupboard as well.

- Have an honest conversation with your parent about cleaning out the fridge but not just replacing the food with new supplies- ask him or her if they need help cooking, grocery shopping, and picking out nutritional meals. Make sure that you give your parent a variety of options and be open to suggestions.

- Make sure to apply dates to perishable items, including salad dressings, spices, and canned foods. This will make it easier for your parent to prepare his or her own meals moving forward.

- Offer to help your parent with cooking, as they may have probably noticed a change in his/her dexterity and mobility.

- If your parent’s food habits are changing, have an honest discussion with them about it. Provide them with options and reassurance that you are working with them to eliminate their fear or loss of independence.

In-Home Senior Safety (Bathroom)

• Install non-slip strips or a mat if your parent can still shower and take a bath without assistance.

• Add grab bars and a shower bench. Remove or tighten any loose fitting towel bars to avoid being used unsafely as a grab bars. Make sure the safety bars are PROPERLY installed.

• If needed, put grab bars on each side of the toilet. There should also be an elevated toilet seat to help with standing and sitting.

• As the floor could be slick with tile or linoleum, put a non-slip carpet or mat near the toilet, sink and bathtub. Make sure towels are easily accessible. Bring in a hamper where wet towels can be put.

In-Home Senior Safety (Bedroom)

As your parents age, they will feel more comfortable and safe in the bedroom. It will be easier for them to stay in this room if they have trouble walking, or if they are suffering from an age-related disease.

- Help your parent arrange a walkway in the room to avoid falls. Once again, you will need to clear all clutter from all walkways and make sure they have room to turn around. Bring in a small nightstand with a drawer where they can put all of their necessities. With that, they will be able to find all their personal items easily, within reach.

- Provide a nightlight or a touch-light on the nightstand or near the bed, to provide them with light if they wake up in the middle of the night. Again, make sure to clear all the clutter around the bed.

- Shaky hands, or problems with vision are age-related diseases are problems your parents may have while dressing. Check to see that your parent’s wardrobe is organized and easily accessible, and that the clothes inside are easier to wear (clothing that has few buttons, and more comfort). If your parent is struggling because of fatigue, bring in a small chair where they can sit down when getting dressed.

- Ask your parent if he or she needs help with doing the laundry. It would be a good time to talk about bringing in a third-party advocate to help them during times when you are not available.

In-Home Senior Safety (Living Areas)

Determining if your loved one is safe at home is overwhelming and frustrating. Homewatch will share tips on this. Hope to hear your ideas too. . .

Most seniors want to age at home, where they feel safe and close to the things that they value. However, falls are the leading cause of death and injuries among Canadians over age 65, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. More than half of all seniors fall each year, resulting in almost 12,000 deaths. Of survivors, 50 percent lose their mobility, and 40 percent, their independence, forever. It is estimated that about 40% of falls among seniors which result in a hospital stay are attributable to hip fractures, and it is expected that the number of annual hip fractures among seniors will increase to 88,214 by the year 2041. (The Hygeia Group)

The elderly are also 2.5 times more likely to die in a residential fire than the rest of the population. Cooking, open flames, smoking, and heating caused more fires that resulted in injuries among the elderly than other fire causes.

With the appropriate supervision and consistent in-home safety evaluations, you can make it safe for your senior loved one to live at home. Fatalities and injuries can be avoided if you take the right steps in ensuring your loved one’s safety. One of the major reasons that a senior will cover up a loss of capabilities is the perceived threat of losing his/her right to live at home. Assuring them that you are working with them to make their lives easier will alleviate their fears. Please do not take any action without having an honest talk with your parent. If these conversations are troubling, try to engage a third-party advocate who can help you both through these conversations.


ALL LIVING AREAS:

As your parent ages, you need to be aware of specific situations that could cause an accident and possible hospitalization. Make note of changes you make and be ready to continually do safety updates. Your parents are used to living a certain way and are comfortable with the way things are. They need to be involved in any changes you make, especially decisions involving their future.

- All rooms should be well lit. Your parents’ senses have changed and lessened, especially sight, hearing and smell. Although it may seem like comfortable lighting to you, your parent may be having trouble seeing. Trouble with vision leads to avoidable injuries (such as falls, which can then lead to hip fractures). If the house seems dim, change all the light-bulbs to a higher wattage. Install ample reading lights in the bedroom, kitchen and sitting room for reading pleasure.

- Remove or throw unnecessary clutter (but make sure you discuss it with your parent). Remember that your aging parent will not always lift his/her feet when walking. In addition, he/ she will be using walking aids, such as a cane or walker. That will require more room to turn around, and all doorways should have a clear walkway. Remove all throw rugs, electrical cords and low-lying decorations to avoid falls.

- Although pets provide comfort and companionship, be aware that the pet may no longer be receiving the care it deserves and could potentially cause injury. Have an honest conversation about the pet, its needs, and your parent’s burden in caring for the pet. Offer to find third-party help with the animal or help find it a new home.

- There should be a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector somewhere in the house, preferably by the kitchen and near the boiler room. Make sure there are working batteries in the devices and available in the house as well, and offer to change them as necessary.

- Extension cords are something that need to be moved out of the way, either behind furniture or run along the walls. If the outlet is over-loaded, switch to a surge protector. This will help prevent fires or power outages.

Homewatch CareGivers is HIRING

Homewatch CareGivers is looking for experienced care aides (RCA) and home support workers (HSW) in Metro Vancouver area. Have shifts available from 2 hours to 12 hours. Reliable transportation is a plus, and being able to provide personal care as well as companionship services. If you are compassionate and a professional care person, please send your resume to Homewatch CareGivers at vancouverwest@homewatchcaregivers.com. Thank you for your interest working with us.