They say “there’s no place like home”. This isn’t simply some cheesy cliché. It’s a truth that is especially meaningful for members of our elderly population. We all find comfort in being at home. It’s the place where we spend most of our time. We grow, learn and love with members of our families. And, for many of us, it’s the place we rest during our years following retirement.
Not all seniors can afford the luxury of aging in place.
Living at home in your senior years isn’t always possible when you have to contend with particular illnesses and mobility issues. However, it’s important to note that the majority of seniors would much prefer situations where their physical impairments don’t inhibit them from enjoying the familiarity and comforts of the places they call home.
Kristin Easterling of HomeCare Magazine reveals that a 2014 AARP survey found that 87 percent of adults over the age of 65 want to age in place. However, it needs to be reiterated that it’s not always particularly safe for all seniors to live in environments that don’t support 24-hour care. With some help, however, your home can be made safe for your elderly loved ones to live in.
It all starts with fall prevention.
As we’ve pointed out in many blogs before, slips and falls are among the most common causes for hospitalizations for elderly people. As Easterling points out, 2.8 million older people are treated for fall-related injuries every year in the United States. This statistic comes courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chris A. Otto is the senior vice president of Mobile Help Healthcare. “If a patient has had a fall, the risk of a subsequent fall is 50 percent more likely in the next six months,” he is quoted as saying in Easterling’s article, “When you’re talking about fall prevention, [an important aspect] is risk assessment. Understanding if you or someone you love is at risk for falling allows you to devise a strategy around preventing that type of emergency.”
You may need to modify your home.
Naturally, taking steps to prevent slips and falls in the home is of paramount importance when preparing to have a senior age in place within it. This is especially important in the bathroom, which is notorious for its slippery surfaces. The installation of grab bars is highly touted as a top way to provide seniors with more stability and balance when using the shower and/or the toilet.
Easterling agrees that home modifications are often necessary to ensure the safety of seniors. “Small changes to the home, such as removing area rugs or running cables around the ceiling instead of along the floor, may be all that is needed in some cases,” she writes, “For larger home modification projects, there are specialists homeowners can consult to make their home safer for the long term.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we understand that safety and peace of mind are of the upmost importance to you and your family. You can rest easy that our products will aid you in your everyday activities. We have a variety of accessibility devices for bathrooms that include bathroom super poles, grab bars, bath chairs and bath lifts.
For more information about the bathroom accessibility devices offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
