Home Safety

HOME SAFETY

Submitted by Patricia Avery, Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

This month is national safety month, a good time to remind us that there are always steps we can take to improve our well-being and lessen the chance of an accident happening. This is particularly true as we age. According to the CDC, every 20 minutes an older adult dies as the result of a fall. As we age it is important to proactively take a fresh look at our homes and habits, and make modifications to improve safety. Environmental factors account for approximately one-half of all falls at home. While seniors may resist making certain changes, the importance of doing so cannot be emphasized enough. The steep stairs that we skipped down at age 30 take on a whole new dimension and risk at 65. First, let’s start with the basics. Good lighting is essential, particularly in hallways and bathrooms. Install nightlights or motion sensor devices to lessen fall risk. Keep up on vision care with regular eye exams. Wear solid, nonskid footwear. Wearing only socks or going barefoot increases the likelihood of a slip and fall. Throw rugs are potential hazards and should be eliminated. Tape area rugs to the floor. Commercially available carpet tape will help ensure the rug stays down and lessens the opportunity to trip. Keep heating ducts free from clutter. Space heaters should be at least 3 feet from anything in their vicinity and never be left unattended. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to burns due to skin changes and decreased sensation as we age. Set your hot water heater no higher than 120 degrees. Use heating pads with extreme caution, on lowest settings. Outfit your bathroom with grab bars in the tub, and by the toilet. Ensure all steps and stairways have solid railings. A home safety assessment can identify many risks and suggest modifications to put in place before accidents happen. Many free checklists are available online. A room-byroom home safety assessment can be found at: https://www. seniorsafetyreviews.com/. Technology assists in many ways to keep us safe at and away from home. A Personal Emergency Response System is a tool that enables a person to summon help at home in the event of an emergency. The Office for the Aging’s EISEP program may provide or help with the cost of a PERS. Call (845) 807-0241 for information. Smartwatches include GPS systems which can be invaluable if a senior becomes lost or wanders. Google home or similar devices enable lights and TV to be turned on with a voice command. Use a portable or cellular phone for easy access, eliminating the dash to answer the phone and subsequent fall in the process. Driving safely can present special challenges for seniors. Changes in vision, slowed reaction time, reduced mobility, and cognitive difficulties all can result in unsafe driving. A friend tells the story of his family’s recognition it was time for Dad to stop driving. Dad had driven the wrong way on a one-way exit ramp and was met with many angry drivers. He was oblivious to the fact he was in the wrong lane and commented that people were being very friendly and waving at him as he exited the mall. Mom explained that yes, they were waving,

but they were NOT friendly waves…Their sons hearing the story began the dreaded conversation regarding it being time to retire from driving. Recognizing when it’s time to turn over the keys or limit driving is very difficult for many. Family members may hesitate, and the impaired driver may resist. Both have the potential for tragic consequences. To take the onus off family members, when driver safety is a concern there are facilities where individuals may go to have their driving ability evaluated. St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in conjunction with Burke Rehabilitation Center offers a Driver Evaluation program. For information please call (845) 458-4267 or visit www.MontefioreSLC.org. The Caregiver Resource Center at Cornell Cooperative ExtensionSullivan has a wealth of information on the topics of home safety, fall prevention, and driving safety. Contact us at (845) 292-6180, ext. 122. Be safe and stay well!

Sources:

Felgar, Trisha. 2022 The Definitive Guide to Preventing Falls for Seniors. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from National Safety Council. 2022. Fall Safety. Take Steps to Remain Independent Longer. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from Older Adult Falls - National Safety Council (nsc.org)

National Safety Council. 2022. Driving Can Present Challenges for Older Adults. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from Older Adult Drivers - National Safety Council (nsc.org)