How To Make 2020 The Start Of Your Safest Decade Yet
Safety first – it’s a term that will never get old. A new decade is here and yet, putting the safety of your elderly loved ones at the top of your priority list remains as important as ever. In fact, it can be argued that it’s more important than ever. After all, quite naturally, the older adults in your life are only getting older. As a result, they’ll only require more of your love, concern, and attention.
It’s not unreasonable to consider making some changes around the house to ensure that 2020 marks the beginning of your safest decade yet. Start with the potential tripping hazards that may be scattered on your floor. Those shoes at the doorway aren’t as innocent as they look. The magazine that fell off the kitchen counter may be a bit more dangerous than you assume. Clear all walkways immediately to ensure the potential for slips and falls quickly diminishes.
Replace Door Knobs With Lever Handles
Preventing slips and falls is important. But injuries can certainly take place in other ways. For senior citizens, diminished wrist strength can become an issue. For many, lifting not-necessarily-heavy, but awkwardly-shaped objects can be dangerous. The same can be said about trying to manipulate faucets and door handles. Those of the lever variety is a lot easier to manage than round knobs. Therefore, it is recommended that you replace your doorknobs with lever handles.
“Change dual faucets with a rotating knob to a single-lever mixing faucet,” advises Cubby of Eldercare Home Health, “Switching cabinet knobs to straight handles will make life easier for an elder with limited hand strength, possibly because of osteoarthritis.”
Keep Emergency Numbers Handy
If you live in a home with an older adult and he/she doesn’t have around-the-clock caregiver, it’s extremely important that you can be quickly reached at all times. Give your mom or dad peace of mind in knowing that even when he/she is alone at home, help is not far off. Rick Lauber of Home Care Assistance advises seniors to have cell phones on them and that, in addition to your number, emergency numbers are easy to access.
“Consider a more basic model,” he recommends, “Seniors can find excessive options confusing, costly, and completely unnecessary. Equip the feature for larger keypad numbers and a display window. These will be easier to press and see. You can also set up a ‘call display’ feature on a telephone. Mom or Dad can immediately recognize an incoming call as either from a family member or a stranger. Aging brains can’t always remember emergency information.”
Also Read: Helping Your Elderly Loved One To Enjoy The New Year
Eliminate the Dangers of the Shower
It’s no secret that a lot of slips and falls occur in the bathroom. Slick surfaces and the presence of water make for very slippery surfaces. In addition, those who require the use of wheelchairs often find bathrooms difficult to enter. Being forced out of the wheelchair because it’s too big for the doorway is often enough to cause an unfortunate tumble.
In 2020, the Forward Day team has renewed its commitment to eliminating bathroom danger by offering our revolutionary Shower Bay portable showers. They can be snapped together in any room of the home where there is a faucet nearby. Make this decade the last one when taking a shower is a dangerous act for your elderly loved one!
If you have any questions or doubts about Shower Bay, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 1-877-593-4461 or email us at info@showerbay.com. We will be happy to assist you in the best way possible.
