Karen’s Korner,
Safety is an important issue to discuss with our Senior Adult population. Every year, many senior citizens are injured in or around their homes. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that an average of 2.9 million people 65 or older are treated in hospitals each year due to injuries sustained at home or on their property.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, “The most common hazard for older adults is falling inside or outside their homes. Older people also are at a greater risk than others of dying in a house fire. Many of these and other injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but simple to address. By identifying these hazards and taking the necessary steps to correct them, you can prevent these injuries to yourself, guests or loved ones you’re caring for.”
The National Council on Aging has a very comprehensive check list for safety issues and how to use preventive measures in keeping our seniors safe. You can find this list under the NCOA website entitled, “Home Safety for Older Adults: A Comprehensive Guide 2024. Some takeaways from this include:
NCOA works to compile resources for older adults’ safety to ensure everyone has the support necessary to maintain their independence.
74% of adults over the age of 50 live in single-family homes.
When assessing your home’s safety, consider going room-by-room with our comprehensive checklist to ensure you find all potential hazards.
Some of the biggest home safety concerns older adults face include fires, falls, and medication use.
Mattresses and bedding are some of the primary causes of home fires and deaths, whereas falls happen due to clutter, obstacles like stairs, and even medication interactions.
Many safety modifications for your home are affordable and easy to do yourself.
We all want to be safe in our homes so that we can enjoy our lives and be independent for as long as possible. Safety measures are essential for us all.