6 Safety Risks that Could Be Hiding in Your Senior Parent’s Home

An excellent care plan should include a safe living environment for your senior loved one. Often, many hazards go unnoticed, causing accidents and injuries that are preventable. Below are a few potential hidden safety risks in your aging parent’s home and ways to handle each potential problem.

1. Clutter

Clothing, accessories, and small objects may seem insignificant, but when they’re stacked on the bedroom floor or near the stairs, the items could put your senior loved one’s safety at risk. For instance, your parent could slip on these items going down the stairs, break his or her leg, or experience head trauma. Remove all clutter in the home to make it easier for your loved one to navigate the property.

2. Bathrooms

Without grab bars near the toilet, shower, or bathtub, your loved one’s risk of falling could increase. If your parent lives alone or you work full-time and cannot check on him or her around the clock, he or she could fall and lie on the floor for hours without any assistance. The longer your loved one lies there, the worse the injury could become. By installing grab bars in the bathrooms, you can reduce the odds of various safety problems. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading elderly home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

3. Unlocked Windows & Doors

An open window in the home could lead to many safety risks, especially if your loved one has cognitive issues or a disease like Alzheimer’s. Failing to lock the windows and doors could allow your loved one to leave the house and get lost. If your parent has severe memory problems, it may be difficult for him or her to remember his or her name or address when asked by authorities. To prevent this, check the windows and doors throughout the day, ensuring they’re shut and locked. If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Winnipeg Home Care Assistance provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Bottles & Cups

Another safety issue is open beverage cans and bottles and cups containing liquid. If these items are accidentally knocked over, it could put your loved one at risk of slipping and falling. However, keeping all containers closed and never leaving glasses of beverages unattended could prevent them from being spilled.

5. Uneven Surfaces

Dresser drawers, chairs, tables, and other types of furniture can easily tip over when placed on uneven surfaces, putting your loved one’s safety at risk. Rearrange the furniture often to ensure it’s always on even floor surfaces. Even a simple scan of the room each day can alert you if the objects are at risk of tipping over and putting your loved one in danger.

6. Vintage Appliances

It’s essential to keep items that mean a lot to your loved one, such as appliances that have been handed down from generation to generation. As sentimentally valuable as these items may be, they could deteriorate, causing the wiring to wear out and increasing the odds of a fire. If your loved one wants to keep appliances from his or her youth or past generations, place them in storage areas. The appliances should never be plugged in or stored near electrical outlets. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Winnipeg home care service. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. Call us at (204) 489-6000 to create a customized in-home care plan.