Keeping Safe and Well at Home

Looking after an elderly person at home is rewarding and maintains independence but keeping him/her safe at home can be challenging.  This post gives some tips on  ensuring that the elderly person is safe and well at home and reducing stess for carers.

1. Trips and Falls at home are a prime hazard for elderly people. Make sure that slippers are well fitting and not worn.  Age UK have an excellent slipper fitting service and can give advice.  Find your local branch click here: AGE UK Warwickshire or telephone:01926 458100.

2.Using the toilet at night can also be a hazard. If possible, try to have a light cord by the bed so that the light can be switched on easily to use the toilet at night.  Also ensure that the path to the toilet is well lit and that there are no pieces of furniture to bump into whilst not fully awake.  A commode in the bedroom may be another practical solution for those who find it difficult to get to the toilet at night.

3. Elderly people often do not drink enough and can be at risk of dehydration and associated illnesses such as unirary tract infections.  Keep a small  light jug for water handy all day and remind them to drink often during the day. Being well hydrated can ward off sleeplessness, improve apetite and prevent headaches. 

4. Failing eyesight can be very frustrating for an elderly person.  A TV remote with big buttons can make watching TV more enjoyable. Telephones with oversized dialing pads are also very useful  and digital clocks with large displays are also easier to read and recognise.

5.Fire safety is all important in the home too.  Make sure that the smoke alarm is tested regularly and if the elderly person is hard of hearing then alternatives should be investigated.  Systems with flashing lights and avibrating pad for under the mattresses can be installed and the RNID will be able to help. Click  here for a link to their Smoke Alarm Factsheet.

6. Taking medicines correctly at the right time can prove quite challenging.  Simple solutions are Dossett boxes which are containers with the date and time printed on and which can be pre-filled to ensure that the right dosage is taken at the right time.  There are a wide range of boxes available and some will have verbal reminders programmed into them too. Contact the SureCare office for a list of suppliers of these systems.

SureCare can help you look after your loved ones at home safely.  For more information please see our website at http://www.surecarewarks.co.uk/ or telephone our office on 01926 800159.