Does your senior parent live at home? To ensure that they live in a safe and accessible environment, consider making some home modifications to help your senior parent:
- prevent falls and injuries,
- reduce health problems,
- increase feelings of confidence, and
- increase mobility around the home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one out of four older people fall each year. One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury and the cumulative medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion. The CDC reports that the risk factors for falling include:
- lower body weakness,
- vitamin D deficiency,
- difficulties with walking and balance,
- medications – even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet,
- vision problems,
- foot pain or poor footwear, and
- home hazards or dangers such as broken or uneven steps and throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.
Simple, low-cost, and do-it-yourself home improvement tips to help make your senior parent’s home safe include:
- providing bright lighting at entrances,
- installing sturdy hand rails on both sides of the stairs inside and outside the home,
- removing clutter,
- repairing or removing worn or torn carpeting,
- adding non-slip flooring and stair treads,
- installing bright and non-glare lighting throughout the home,
- replacing knob-style door and faucet handles with lever-style handles,
- installing anti-scald faucets,
- placing grab bars in the shower and bathroom, and
- placing adhesive treads in the shower.
Other home improvement projects that may require professional assistance include:
- remodeling the bathroom to include a shower with a seat,
- widening entryways and doorways,
- remodeling the home to include a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor,
- installing kitchen countertops at different heights,
- installing ramps, removing steps, and creating level flooring, and
- purchasing appliances with front-mounted controls and access.
If you’re unable to regularly check in on your aging parent, and you fear that your senior parent is at-risk for a fall injury, call SYNERGY Homecare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills. Our in-home caregivers can help reduce your senior parent’s fall risk by ensuring that your aging parent lives in a safe home environment.
Our in-home caregivers can help your loved one work to prevent falls daily. Your senior parent may need some assistance staying mobile, and our caregivers can help them stay independent and reduce the risk of falling by encouraging light exercise, helping them connect with their doctor to review their medications, and assisting them with the coordination of making their home safer. Call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills to help your senior parent avoid the risk of moderate-to-severe falls.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills
SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is the name you can trust in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and Placentia for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona & Riverside can be found online at http://www.synergyhomecare.com/agencies/ca/anaheim-hills/ca25 . The location also hosts active social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Ken and Anna can be reached at 714- 706-1613 and [email protected] .
