The Ultimate Guide to Senior Safety at Home
As our loved ones age, they may require more care and attention. This can be a challenge for family members and caregivers who may not be able to be with them at all times. Fortunately, there are tools available to help keep them safe and secure at home. Below we have created the ultimate home safety checklist for seniors so you can feel confident your elderly family members will be safer at home even when you can’t be around them.
Making seniors safe at home is important for several reasons. Here are some of the key reasons you should have a thorough home safety checklist for seniors in your family. :
Preventing falls: Falls are a major risk for seniors and can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and even death. By making homes safer for seniors, we can reduce the risk of falls and help seniors to stay healthy and independent.
Promoting independence: Most seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, rather than moving to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. By making homes safer, we can help seniors to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Reducing healthcare costs: Falls and other accidents can result in expensive medical bills and hospital stays. By preventing falls and other accidents, we can reduce healthcare costs and help seniors to stay healthy and out of the hospital.
Improving mental health: Seniors who feel safe and secure in their homes are more likely to have good mental health and a positive outlook on life. By making homes safer, we can help seniors to feel more confident and secure in their daily lives.
Providing peace of mind: For family members and caregivers, knowing that seniors are safe at home can provide peace of mind and reduce stress. By taking steps to make homes safer, we can help family members and caregivers to feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
Overall, making seniors safe at home is important for promoting health, independence, and quality of life. By taking steps to create a safe and secure environment, we can help seniors to age in place and enjoy their later years to the fullest. Below let’s explore your ultimate home safety checklist for seniors.
Home Safety Checklist for Seniors
Fall Alarm for Seniors
Care Alarm For Elderly
Care alarms are a device that alerts caregivers when an elderly or disabled person needs assistance. These alarms can be worn by the person in need or placed in a prominent location in the home. When triggered, the Care alarm sends a signal to a receiver, which then sounds an alert, notifying the caregiver that help is needed.
Peace of Mind - Care alarms can provide peace of mind to both the caregiver and the person in need of care. Knowing that help is always available can reduce stress and anxiety.
The Singcall Caregiver Alarm is designed to be easy to use and install. It is a plug-and-play system that does not require any complicated wiring or installation. The system consists of a wearable call button and a receiver, which can be placed in the caregiver's room or carried with them. The system has a range of up to 500 feet, which allows caregivers to move freely around the home or facility while still being able to receive alerts from their patients or elderly individuals. It provides peace of mind for both patients and caregivers and can help to improve the overall quality of care for elderly or disabled individuals.
Bathroom Safety Rails
There are different types of bathroom grab rails for the elderly that can provide extra support and safety for them in the bathroom. Toilet safety rails and frames are easy to attach and add extra support and comfort for getting up and down. Bathroom handrails or grab bars that can be installed in the shower or bathtub to provide additional support and prevent falls. These bars come in a variety of materials and styles, such as a suction cup or wall-mounted, to fit the needs of the individual.
It is important to note that not all bathroom handrails and grab bars aren’t the same, and it is recommended to choose those that are specifically designed for the elderly and have weight capacity and dimensions suitable for their needs. Healthline suggests that toilet safety rails made of metal steel frames with a weight capacity of 300 pounds and dimensions of 27-32 x 22 x 20 inches provide adequate support.
Stair Hand Rails
Stair handrails for the elderly are an essential safety feature for older individuals who may have difficulty with balance or mobility. A sturdy stair handrail can help provide support and prevent falls on stairs. There are several options for stair rails that can be installed in the home to improve safety for the elderly.
It is important to ensure that the handrail is properly anchored to the wall and can support the weight of the individual using it.
Another option is a stair lift, which is a motorized chair that moves up and down the stairs. Stair lifts can be expensive, but they can provide a safe and convenient option for elderly individuals who have difficulty with stairs.
Consulting with a professional or an expert in home safety can help determine the best option for the individual's specific needs. -
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is highly toxic and can be deadly at high concentrations. For this reason, carbon monoxide detectors are essential in homes and other enclosed spaces that use fossil fuel-burning appliances.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for elderly individuals. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most deaths from CO poisoning happen to adults 65 and older. In addition, older individuals may have a harder time recognizing the symptoms of CO poisoning, which can be similar to other common illnesses.
The Wolf Shield Carbon Monoxide Detector is a popular brand of carbon monoxide detector that is designed to protect your home and family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is equipped with an electrochemical sensor that is highly sensitive to carbon monoxide, and it can detect even low levels of the gas.
One of the features that sets the Wolf Shield Carbon Monoxide Detector apart from other detectors is its loud, 85-decibel alarm. This alarm is designed to wake you up and alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. In addition, the detector has a digital display that shows the current level of carbon monoxide in parts per million (PPM).
The Wolf Shield Carbon Monoxide Detector is easy to install and comes with mounting hardware and instructions. It is recommended that the detector be installed in every room of your home that has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.
It is recommended that you test the detector regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly and that you replace the detector every five to seven years to ensure that it is up to date with the latest technology.
Fall Alarm
A fall alarm is a device that is designed to detect when an individual has fallen and alert others for assistance. It is typically used by elderly or disabled individuals who are at a higher risk of falls and may require immediate assistance in case of a fall. However, it is important to note that fall alarms are not foolproof and may not always detect falls or trigger alerts. They should be used in conjunction with other fall prevention measures such as regular exercise, home modifications to reduce fall hazards, and the use of mobility aids when necessary. Some of which we have outlined above.
One of the best-rated fall alarms on the market is the Locaite Fall Alarm, which uses advanced sensor technology to detect falls and can distinguish between a fall and other movements, such as sitting down or bending over. When a fall is detected, the device triggers an alert that sends a notification to a caregiver’s mobile or monitoring service and can also include the location of the individual who has fallen.
One of the key features of the Locaite Fall Alarm is its accuracy in detecting falls. It has been designed to reduce the number of false alarms and can detect falls even when the individual is unconscious or unable to press a button to trigger an alert.
It is also lightweight and easy to wear, with a discreet design that can be worn on a wristband or simply attached to clothing. It also has a long battery life and can be charged quickly, making it convenient for daily use.
In summary, the Locaite Fall Alarm is a reliable and accurate way to detect falls and provide immediate assistance to elderly or disabled individuals who may be at risk of falls. It can help to improve the safety and quality of life for these individuals.
Smoke Detector Alarm
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are an important safety feature in any home or building regardless of the resident's age. However, we feel it is extremely important to still factor them into this list of products for senior safety. They can help to save lives by providing an early warning in case of a fire, giving individuals time to evacuate the building and call for help.
We have multiple articles that talk about the importance of fire safety, including how to test your fire alarm, common smoke alarm FAQs and a review of the best fire alarms on the market today.
Rug Pad Grippers
Rug pad grippers, also known as rug grippers or rug stoppers, are devices that are designed to keep area rugs and runners in place on a variety of flooring surfaces. They are typically made of a durable, non-slip material that adheres to the underside of the rug, preventing it from sliding or shifting on the floor.
When rugs are not secured in place, they can create a tripping hazard, especially for children and elderly individuals. Rug pad grippers can help to prevent falls and improve the overall safety of a room.
You may have noticed that 50% of the suggestions in this article are for ‘fall prevention’, that’s because 250,000 older people are hospitalised in the UK every year due to a fall. For these reasons, it’s important to design a fall prevention plan that suits the individual’s needs and lifestyle, if you wish to use a pre-designed plan the NHS fall prevention plan is a good start.