As life expectancy continues to increase, along with the demands on the NHS, it is becoming more and more common for older people to be cared for in their own homes. Staying out of hospital or a care home can help people stay active and independent but it can also be very worrying for families who are unable to check in on their loved ones as regularly as they would like.
There are a number of measures you can take to help keep your elderly parents safe in their home. Here are our top five:
1) Fall-proof their home: The number one safety hazard for older people in their own homes is the risk of falls, but there are a few simple steps you can take to minimise
the dangers:
• Remove any loose rugs and mats – this ensure floors are clear of trip hazards.
• Consider introducing non-slip mats in their bathroom, as well as grab bars in the bath/shower area and next to the toilet.
• Rearrange furniture – make sure all through routes are clear so there’s no need to squeeze around furniture. You should also consider the position of chairs/stools to ensure your relative never has to walk too far to find somewhere to sit down.
2) Give them a mobile phone: A simple handset with a large display, pre-loaded with your key contacts, provides reassurance and security. Teach your relative how to make and receive calls, and ask them to keep the phone nearby at all times.
You may need to do a few test runs to ensure they are happy with how it works but knowing there is always a way of calling for help can give older people the confidence to keep active and mobile.
3) Encourage them to keep active: Light exercise is a great way to keep muscles and joints mobile, which can help older people to stay steady on their feet. Just ten minutes of fresh air every day could make a huge difference to their overall well being and regularly seeing neighbours ensures they have a network of people to watch out for them.
For those that are not up to this, there are a number of seated exercise routines that can be found on the internet. The NHS website is particularly good for this and has step-by-step photos.
4) Look at lighting: It’s important that your relatives’ home is well lit in order to prevent trips and falls, but also to deter would-be intruders.
Ensure there are always lamps within easy reach of places where your relative would sit or lie-down (eg. their bed or favourite armchair) and make sure the path to the toilet is always well lit at night. You could also consider installing timers that switch lights on automatically at a certain time in the evening.
5) Consider a home security system: An alarm system with a button that the user wears around their neck or waist can provide huge reassurance to both the older person and their family. It means that should there be an accident or a fall which leaves them unable to reach a phone, they can access help at the touch of a button.
They can also be used to call for help if there is a suspected intruder. Bulldog Security’s alarm systems connect directly to a our NSI approved monitoring station, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning there is always someone there to talk to whatever time of the day or night. All our guards are trained in basic first aid and will also help with calling an ambulance if needed, as well as alerting key family contacts.