Maplewood Sauk Prairie Offers Tips to Prolong Ability to Live at Home.

Maplewood Sauk Prairie Offers Tips to Prolong A Senior’s Ability to Live at Home.

There are a variety of things to incorporate into a person’s daily living that increases safety and may prolong the ability for a senior to live in his/her home.
1. Bathroom Safety
• Utilize a shower seat.
• Have a cordless phone near a tub or shower, in case of an emergency.
• A walk-in shower or tub eliminates the need to step over a barrier which increases the risk of falling.
• Use a taller toilet seat. It makes it easier to get up or down.
• Install grab bars as an assistive aid and to help with stability.
2. Incorporate “Life Alert” or some monitoring agency. There may be a time when you can’t get to the phone because you fallen and by pushing a button on an assistive device the agency is notified that you need help.
3. Phone
• Multiple cordless phones around the house makes accessibility easier.
• Carry a cell phone on your person at all times.
• Use phones with large buttons for better visibility.
4. Rugs are tripping hazards
• Remove them or secure rugs in place with tape, tacks or non-skid backs.
5. Bright accessible lighting.
• Install automatic safety-motion lights for both the inside and outside of the home.
• Make sure the pathway to light switches is easily assessed.
6. Stairs
• Use non-skid strips for outside steps and porches.
• Make sure handrails or banisters are securely tightened for support.
• Remove runners on stairs. They are a tripping hazard.
• Indoor wooden stairs should have non-skid strips installed on them.
• Use and/or install a chair lift.
• Have a ramp for those who use a walker or wheelchair.
7. Outdoor
• Trim trees that cover walk ways.
• Install adequate lighting.
• Fix broken/cracked pavement or sidewalks
• Utilize non-skid materials on decks. It is a lot safer in wet weather.
• Fix broken or loose boards on decks.
• Secure hand and deck rails.
8. Bedroom
• Utilize bedrails to eliminate the possibility of falling out of bed.
• Have a phone next to the bed with emergency numbers programed or next to it.
• Proper bed height makes it easier to get into and out of bed.
• A firm mattress makes it easier to move on and off the bed.
• Have a light next to the bed.
• Utilize a night light.
9. Fire Safety
• Utilize smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If possible, have the smoke detector hooked up so it is part of a monitoring alarm system that will automatically contact the fire department.
• Have fire extinguishers accessible. Place them in rooms that are high traffic areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and living room.
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10. Power Outages
• A cell phone allows a person to communicate regardless if the power is out.
• Have a flashlight and batteries within easy reach.