Elderly People, especially those living alone, face numerous safety risks from various sources. Here are some of the most relevant:
Risk of falling
The risk everyone fears most is falling. If an Elderly Person lives alone and falls at home, they may not be able to get up or move to call for help, so they have to wait for someone to arrive or to enter the house.
Threat of strangers trespassing
At the same time, there’s also the danger of the Elderly Person opening the door to strangers, who may enter with the intention of stealing or defrauding the Elderly Person. Sometimes the Elderly Person may facilitate the approach of strangers out of a desire to chat or enjoy company, but in reality, it’s necessary to be vigilant and scrutinize their new friendships.
House fire hazard
House fires are more common than people think. Elderly people often forget about food being cooked on a hot stove. This group also tends to use outdated appliances, such as heaters, Christmas lights, and other items. If sparks come into contact with flammable materials, they can start to burn without the elderly person noticing, causing a house fire.
Exposure to toxic food items
Elderly people are often unaware of the expiration dates of food products and keep them in the refrigerator for too long, ingesting them and ending up getting sick.
KindCare’s suggestions and technical solutions to improve the Elderly Person’s safety
- For falls at home or other physical issues that may happen suddenly, there are alarms or telecare services. Using a sensor, a ringtone, or a phone, a person can communicate with a center dedicated to supporting Elderly People.
- Make small changes to the bathroom to ensure greater safety for Elderly People, such as installing grab bars on the toilet and in the shower. You can also install a bench in the shower so the Elderly Person can shower while sitting.
- At the same time, it’s a good idea to always have a list of phone numbers for family members, neighbors, or friends in an easily accessible and visible location (for example, on the refrigerator door or on the front door). It’s also recommended that a trusted neighbor or friend who lives nearby have a key and be authorized to enter if they notice anything unusual.
- With the Elderly Person’s permission, install cameras in critical areas of the home. It’s recommended to place one at the entrance and another in the kitchen to remotely monitor your family member’s condition and what’s going on. The remaining cameras should be installed with the elderly person’s consent to ensure their privacy.
- Install a fire alarm detection system in your home and purchase a fire extinguisher. This ensures that any fire is detected early and can be extinguished quickly.
- Regularly check the expiration date and quality of food products in the pantry and especially in the refrigerator.
How KindCare can help
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The work rhythm, combined with all the other demands we face these days, doesn’t always allow for the opportunity to address so many issues. If you need support, KindCare is available to visit your family member and provide assistance, or even purchase or install some of the suggestions mentioned. Contact us to learn more.
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