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The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in one
year alone, more than 622,000 people over the age of 65 are treated
in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products in
the home.
As we get older, changes in vision, gait, strength,
hearing and cognition make even the most youthful senior more prone
to accidents. Falls are one of the leading health risks for older
people, with an estimated one third of all people age 60 and older
suffering a fall each year. This increased risk of falling is
related to:
- the normal aging process (decreased muscle strength or slowed
reflexes)
- higher incidence of chronic health problems (arthritis or
diabetes) that may limit mobility, agility or sensory awareness
- side effects of medication (dizziness or blurred
vision)
Depending on the brittleness of your bones, the
consequences of a fall can be serious and long lasting.
Research by the Association of Aging (AOA) shows that
one half to one third of all home accidents among older adults can
be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes and basic
modifications and repairs to the home environment. Here are some
lifestyle changes that experts recommend to increase your
safety:
- Have your vision and hearing checked regularly.
- Speak to your health care provider or pharmacist about the
possible side effects of your medications.
- Limit your intake of alcohol.
- If necessary, use a cane or walker to help maintain your
balance.
- Wear supportive, rubber-soled shoes, even at home. (There's a
reason "slippers" are so named!)
- Exercise regularly to help maintain muscle tone, agility and
balance.
According to the CPSC's "Older Consumer Home Safety
Checklist," it is important to check for potential hazards in each
room as well as in your home in general. And remember, proper
lighting is an essential factor in home safety, because if you can't
see clearly, you're more likely to fall.
Important questions to ask yourself include:
- Are lamp, electric, extension and telephone cords placed out
of the flow of traffic and maintained in good condition? Have
frayed cords been replaced?
- Are all small rugs and runners slip resistant? If not, you can
secure them to the floor with a special double-sided carpet tape.
- Are smoke detectors properly located, (with one on every floor
of your home) and in good working order? Are batteries replaced at
least once a year?
- Does your furniture layout leave plenty of space to maneuver
between and around chairs, tables, beds and sofas?
- Are hallways, stairs and passages between rooms well lit? Can
you reach a lamp without getting out of bed to prevent nighttime
falls?
- Are floor surfaces well maintained? Shag rugs, high-pile
carpeting, tile floors and polished wood floors can be
particularly slippery. Stairs should always have handrails and be
carpeted or fitted with a non-skid tread.
- Is your telephone easily reachable, and is the cord safely
tucked away?
According to the Association of Aging, bathrooms and
kitchens are the two most potentially hazardous rooms in your
home.
- In the kitchen...
- Be sure your stove is in proper working order and always make
sure burners and the oven are off before you go out or go to
sleep. Keep pots on the back burners, turn handles away from the
front of the stove, and keep stove clean and free of grease
build-up. Kitchen ventilation systems and range exhausts should be
working properly.
- Keep flammable objects such as towels and pot holders away
from the cooking area except when in use, and make sure kitchen
curtains are tied back. Move cords and appliances away from the
sink and hot surfaces, and, if extension cords are needed, install
wiring guides so they don't hang over the sink, range or working
areas. Look for coffee pots, kettles and toaster ovens with
automatic shut-offs. Keep a mop handy in the kitchen so you can
wipe up spills instantly, as well as a small fire extinguisher.
Arrange your kitchen with frequently used items on lower shelves
to avoid the need to stand on a stepstool to reach them. Make sure
countertops are well-lit to avoid injuries while cutting and
preparing food, and reduce glare by using frosted bulbs, indirect
lighting or globes on light fixtures.
- In the bathroom...
- Use a non-slip mat or decals in the tub and shower, since wet,
soapy tile or porcelain surfaces are extremely slippery. Make sure
bathroom rugs are non-skid or tape them firmly to the floor.
Bathtubs should have at least one, preferably two, grab bars,
firmly attached to structural supports in the wall. (Do not use
built-in soap holders or glass shower doors as grab bars.) Tub
seats fitted with non-slip material on the legs allow you to wash
sitting down, and, for people with limited mobility, bathtub
transfer benches allow you to slide safely into the tub. Raised
toilet seats and toilet safety rails are helpful for those with
knee or hip problems.
- In the bedroom...
- Bedrooms are generally considered to be safe places, but there
are some precautions you can take. Make sure you use a nightlight
and that the area around your bed is clear of potential obstacles.
Be careful with electric blankets and never go to sleep with a
heating pad, which can cause serious burns even if on a low
setting. Use fire-resistant mattress covers and pillows, and NEVER
smoke in bed. Keep a phone next to the bed that is programmed to
dial 911 at the push of a button.
If you have a chronic medical condition, you may want
to sign on with an automatic call-in service. Typically the system
includes a small pendant that connects directly to an emergency
medical voice-response system. You should also make arrangements to
stay in contact with someone—friend, neighbor, family member—every
day, few days or week.
According to the National S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms for
Every) Home Foundation, senior citizens are one of the two highest
risk groups for death and serious injuries due to residential fires.
When cooking, wear short-sleeved items, never a bulky long-sleeved
robe. The CPSC's Safety Checklist for Older Consumers emphasizes the
importance of checking basements, garages, workshops and storage
areas for fire hazards such as volatile liquids, piles of old rags
or clothing and overloaded circuits.
Small portable electric or kerosene heaters are
responsible for many home fires and should be used cautiously if at
all. In case of fire, make sure you have a pre-established emergency
exit plan.
Baby boomers entering the golden years will continue
to see the development of new products to help older adults live
safely and independently in spite of age-related changes. Making
Life More Livable, by Ellen Lederman, lists over 1000 products
for "living well in the mature years," such as bathing and mobility
aids, household security devices, ergonomically designed knives and
peelers, and faucet valves and knobs for temperature control.
Medical supply stores and organizations such as the Lighthouse
National Center for Vision and Aging, AARP or the Arthritis
Foundation are good sources of information about products that
improve your quality of life and insure your safety.
