Safety Tips for Seniors

Staying healthy is important in order to keep an independent lifestyle. Seniors at home will benefit from the following suggestions.

Older people often suffer from dehydration. Be sure to sip water during the day.

Many seniors also lack exercise so it’s important to exercise regularly. If a gym or sport is out of the question, walking is great. If walking is not possible, some simple low impact exercises can be done even sitting in a chair. Did you know that exercise can be relaxing? Put on some happy music for inspiration!

Falls are the bane of the elderly. To prevent injuries that lead to other problems, be sure to check your environment for factors that help prevent falls.

• Home hazards such as nonessential furniture and wires as well as long bedspreads should be removed or put out of the way.
• When relaxing use chairs with armrests. (One local senior fell asleep while reading in a chair without armrests. She fell and was badly injured.)
• Families can help install handrails where needed such as hallways and showers.
• For night time make sure there is a light within easy reach and be sure to turn it on before getting out of bed.
• If a walker is used it should be kept next to the bed at night. If getting up at night the senior should get up slowly, sit up for a moment before attempting to stand, put on the light and use the walker, if needed. (We know a senior who got up in the night, made a wrong turn in the dark and fell down a flight of stairs! He was eventually found by neighbors and his life was saved.)