According to the census of India, close to one-third of all seniors were living alone. If you are one of these seniors, it is important to take extra safety precautions and measures to ensure that your home is safe and comfortable to live in.
This trend of seniors living independently has been growing steadily and it is important to make sure senior’s are secure and self-reliant in their homes. Falls, thefts, burns among others are the most common accidents involving eldelry living alone at home. If you are a senior living alone or you take care for an elderly living alone, here’s what you need to know…
1. Keep emergency numbers nearby
Accidents and emergencies are unpredictable and impact seniors the most. It is always better to be prepared for all scenarios. Make sure to keep a list of emergency numbers saved in your phone with easy dial access. This list must contain close family members, your health provider, your cartender and medical helpline. This gives you confidence that you can call for help if a situation arises.
2. Fall-Proof Your House
One in four seniors fall each year and falling once doubles your chances of falling. Recent survey has found that one of the scariest things for seniors living alone is falling. It is the most common cause of nonfatal related admissions in hospitals among seniors. Yet, falls are not inevitable. Taking preventive measures and making home senior friendly is the best way to prevent falls. Make sure your bathrooms are covered with slip-free mats because bathrooms are the places prone to make seniors fall. Invest in proper night lightings and grips along staircases. As a senior, engage yourself in regular balance building exercises and physical activity to prevent the chances of falls.
3. Know your neighbors
Make sure that your neighbours are well aware that you are living alone, since they are more likely to be first responders in case of an emergency situation. Safewise said, they can more easily check up on you. You can even include your neighbour’s number on your emergency contact list. Friendly neighbors also help you get rid of self isolation, which can mentally affect a senior living alone. Make sure you also maintain an active social life and meet with your friends and loved ones on a regular basis.
4. Make home secure from intruders
Seniors living alone become an easy target for thieves and intruders. Depending on the senior’s needs and requirements a home security system is a great way to keep the senior living alone safer and secure. Use of motion sensor alarms and lights makes it harder for intruders. Make sure to install peepholes, so you can know who is knocking and then open the door.
5. Keep medications and health aids for backup
One of dreadful things to happen to a senior is to run out of medicines. It is always advisable to keep a stock of general medicines for cold, fever, headache, etc. Do not travel daily to the pharmacy, but preplan your medications for a month. Keep the medicines properly labeled, avoid misplacing and make sure they are easily accessible. You can also choose online medicine home delivery for your monthly medicines.
6. Protect from abuse
Keep your windows and doors locked at all times. Do not let unwanted people know that you are living alone and avoid letting strangers into your home when you are alone. Make sure to be warned of salespersons and do not share personal and family information over phone and other means. Talk to the person you trust if you face any kind of abuse.
7. Request weekly check-in
Ask your family members to take turns and visit you once a week. It can be a quick conversation or help with your household chores. Also maintain regular contact with neighbours and those nearby. You can also request your personal health care provider to visit you once a month to make sure that you are doing fine.
To live alone in old age can be quite a challenging task and real concern for family members. Luckily, these simple tips can help make your life much easier and secure when you live alone, both now and in the future. In case you are looking for a trusted companion for elders, 60PlusInida is the best place where you can hire experienced and compassionate personal attendants who can take care of elderly needs.
Author: Team 60Plus India
Keywords used : Safety measures for seniors living alone, Aging in place, Senior’s safety, Tips for seniors living alone.
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