Seniors should get to enjoy their retirement years without having to stress over falls, medical emergencies or other issues that might pop up. Yet safety emerges as a concern when getting older, and how to mitigate safety factors while maintaining a semblance of independence can seem counterproductive. Yet for those determined to live life to the fullest as they age, it’s not necessary to sacrifice the enjoyment of golden years to feel safe.
Gone are the days of panic buttons. While those still exist, technology has gone above and beyond in offering comprehensive coverage to ensure seniors can get all the help they need at a moment’s notice while they continue on with their daily lives.
Understanding Real Risks
Statistics indicate that falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in Adults aged 65+. According to the World Health Organization 32% of people aged 70+ fall per year, with 43% women and 31% men. What does this say about the people who will have possibly fallen 2-3 times in that time period? Even more, almost 50% of falls occur within the home that trigger hospital care, with 61% occurring when a senior is walking across surfaces.
Yet these statistics do not serve to frighten people into avoiding their homes at all costs. They serve to note that when someone ages (often) an established plan is needed to make everyone feel comfortable. Where there once may have been plans to move or go back to work, now any actions dedicated towards making things safe should decrease safety exposures without interfering with daily life.
The Technology Available to You
With medical alert systems, it’s expected that if a senior needs help, they press the button. But new technology has shifted this standard to include automatic response where emergencies can be detected and proper teams dispatched without asking someone for assistance.
Life Assure fall detection devices provide this new realm of technology as do similar other companies, who provide automatic response detection. Depending on your area, it might be prudent to do some research into where sensors go – sensors that can differentiate movements between falls and normal patterns. Fewer false alarms means quicker response times when it matters most. The highest quality of protection comes with comprehensive coverage – GPS location, two-way communication capability, waterproof options, charge resistance and battery longevity – and services that allow the technology to be more of an asset than anything cumbersome.
Your Home Safety Evaluation
When assessing where safety solutions are most lacking, it’s within the home where most incidents occur. As such, practical upgrades can be made without turning someone’s living space into a hospital.
For starters, lighting is essential. Lighting prevents falls; therefore motion activated lights should be installed in bathroom hallways and at the top/bottom of any staircases. People are often reluctant to turn on lights when heading somewhere at night for fear of awakening everyone else in the house, but these lights will keep them from stumbling about or avoiding going to the bathroom altogether until morning. LED strip lights also make great under-cabinet glow-in-the-dark lighting should anyone need guidance at night.
The bathroom is the most treacherous place; additional help must be provided there with grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower (300 lbs minimum safety certification) and non-slip mats in tubs or shower areas. Shower chairs also help when people tire easily.
Loose rugs should either be secured or removed. If decor dictates their retention, then non-slip backing or double-sided tape should pin them down without creating tripping hazards. Electrical wires should be pushed against walls instead of across walkways. Set furniture up to accommodate pathways even if this means rooms appear cluttered without purpose.
Safe Mobility
As essential as it is for seniors to get exercise (for stronger bones, muscle engagement/motor skills, as well as balance), it’s critical to support low-impact movements.
Low-impact movements mean you get the best for your buck without too much health risk if risk assessed for relatively low-impact movements. Swimming (although potentially tiring quickly) gets everyone moving every muscle in their body; walking is one of the best exercises for people regardless of age.
Seniors must also ease back into exercising – too often people leap right back into what they did before assuming they’ve caught up on time lost – and injure themselves in ways that prevent them from exercising for significant chunks of time. Start with 10-15 minutes for a few sessions per week and extend if fitness resumes.
Emergency Awareness/Networks
Should the worst happen, modern systems are great at catching you when you fall…but there’s so much awareness regarding emergencies that can be prepared beforehand.
Create an emergency contact list – from family members able to help with doctor’s office information and insurance help – to copies in various places. Emergency response teams should have this updated information.
Emergency supply kits should contain medications (and notes), flashlights, batteries (and notes), water and non-perishable foods that people are securely able to access even without power. Keep important documents secured but readily available; use waterproof bags.
Social networks are crucial at assessing senior emergency needs/living situations as well as assuring quality-of-life developments. Family members or friends, or close neighbors, will notice inconsistencies if they check in – even if semi-frequently just for honesty’s sake. A three-minute call every other day doesn’t displace anyone from answering while ensuring someone will pick up when something’s amiss.
Many seniors join communities/groups so they feel they’re helping give back while ensuring they’re socially engaged – an added benefit! Friends made through groups where seniors volunteer often provide fabulous support systems where they may otherwise lack family involvement.
Medical Safety
For many seniors, medical safety provides an opportunity where it will become necessary for them to either manage their ailments or comprehensive plans from professionals will reduce emergencies from happening in the first place.
Work closely with professionals as necessary to determine which precautions can help avoid emergencies. Medications especially require attention; so many accidental overdoses occur because seniors don’t remember what drugs they’ve taken for what conditions – even failing to disclose complications with other doctors due to forgetfulness about seeing different specialists altogether.
Pill organizers help seniors remember what drugs they’ve taken each day; pharmacies provide pre-portioned pouches with timestamped assistance that ease daily decision-making too. Keep a copy of all medications (from dosages and prescribed doctors) in a wallet (as well as emergency contacts).
The Balance Between Safety and Independence
Ultimately everyone wants safety systems that allow them independence and minimal risks. Yet this differs depending upon personal health needs, living arrangements and comfort levels.
Some people want extensive precautions that easily transform their lives back into stability at the snap of a finger without relying on others; some would rather accept responsibility for themselves and not bother others unless truly necessary. It’s important NOT to let comfort levels fight stabilization; if systems meant to protect you simultaneously preclude you from living your life or make you feel uncomfortable, then it might not be the right system for you.
They’re called precautions for a reason – not safety measures! They shouldn’t be activated for you to avoid living! They’re meant to protect you while allowing you comfortable integration of whatever makes you feel alive!
Creating this comprehensive plan may take time; research might be required, but none such peace of mind suggests playing it safe isn’t designed for avoidance or total treatment – but rather intelligent risk management instead – because avoiding risk management altogether isn’t feasible either. Life is meant to be lived – not sheltered away! By eliminating as many safety concerns against exciting benefits – technology steps taken, plans implemented and interpersonal support – you’ll find living safer than ever throughout your senior years!