Dont wait for an accident to happen. If your elderly parent is living alone in their own home, it is important to take steps in advance, to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.  It is wise to access the situation and assist in implementing safety solutions around the home.Statistics are frightening. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that on average, 1.4 million seniors 65 years of age and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually as a result of an accident in the home. Of that age group, the rate of injury is the highest for those 75 years of age and older.Fortunately, most accidents are preventable. By spotting and addressing these hazards early on, you can prevent potential injuries.Heres a home safety guide for seniors to help prevent falls, burns and other household accidents.7 Ways to Make the Home Safe for Your Elderly Loved OnePlace flashlights in several rooms of the house.Make sure there is flashlight available, that is easy to reach from the bed, coffee table, porch seat and any other dimly-lit area in the house where your loved one likes to spend time especially at night. With an easy-to-reach flashlight in place, the senior can safely roam around the home, even in the event of a power outage.Also, keep in mind that stairs, entryways and exteriors should be well-lit at all times. Switches should be easy to reach from doorways.Install grab bars, ramps and railings in the home as needed.Many seniors need something to hold on to in order to help maintain their balance. Grab bars are necessities, particularly in the bathroom. Use your judgement to determine which other areas of the home should be equipped with grab bars. Ramps are crucial if your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker occasionally or at all times. If they are still able to use stairs safely, make sure railings are strong enough for them to grab ahold of and use for support.Maintain a fireproof kitchen.One of the most important things you can do to fireproof a home is to keep a functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure your loved one knows its location and how to use it properly. Ventilation and exhaust systems should be routinely serviced and maintained. Ensure all smoke alarms are working properly and have fresh batteries inserted. Make sure all potential fire sources (candles, ashtrays, etc.) are away from flammable items, such as blankets, bedding, newspapers, etc. Develop an emergency escape plan with your loved one and go over it with them in detail. Print out a copy and post it on the refrigerator if you feel it is necessary.Stairs should be evenly constructed, clear of clutter and well-lit.An evenly built, clear and well-lit staircase with sturdy handrails makes the home safer for the elderly. Serious injuries can occur as a result of an unstable staircase. Never leave clutter on a staircase. Items like shoes or bags left on the stairs can easily lead to a fall resulting in a very serious injury. Consider installing a stair lift if stairs are becoming too difficult or dangerous for your loved one to manage.Renovate the bathroom with walk-in bathtubs or showers.Walk-in tubs (watertight tubs with doors) are built for individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of a traditional bathtub. They also help prevent slipping and come in right or left-handed configurations. This allows for seniors to bathe independently and safely. Walk-in showers are also preferred to those that have sliding shower doors.Program emergency numbers into their cell phone.Show your loved one how to make calls to these contacts quickly and easily. Helping them navigate the phone and even playing out a hypothetical scenario is helpful. In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence! Getting the most important numbers ready for quick dialing can help save a life!Rugs and carpets must be level with the ground and pathways should be clear from cords and/or wires. A homes fundamental components can possibly be dangerous for the elderly when basic safety precautions are not taken. Accidents can happen when floors are not flat and uniform, thus increasing the risk of slips and falls. Always make sure pathways are safely walk-able and consider installing slip-resistant surfaces.There are many things you can do to help keep your loved one safe. This list is just a start and provides some of the most common steps to take. If you like this guide, please share it with someone you know will benefit from it!While many seniors prefer to live independently, they may need assistance with chores, personal care, keeping up with their medications or simply would appreciate extra companionship during the day.  Elderlink Home Care can help you keep your favorite senior safe.

Aging in place is a goal most seniors fully embrace. And no wonder. Staying in a home you love and maintaining a sense of independence is incredibly important to them. But the desire to remain at home, especially living alone, has to be balanced with the realities and pitfalls of what that decision might mean.1. Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death for seniorsWhen youre young, its easy to regain your footing and balance if you trip on something. When youre older, thats not the case. As people age, maintaining a sense of balance becomes challenging: reaction times get slower, and bones become more brittle.All of these factors create a high risk of falling and injury. The fact is a third of all seniors living in the United States fall every year. Around half of the falls that send seniors to the hospital happen at home. Some seniors living at home alone wear medic alert devices to call for help if they fall, but many dont for various reasons. Falling and injuring yourself is bad enough, but being unable to get up to call for help can mean hours of pain that could be avoided if the senior was not living alone, and assistance was close by.2. Malnutrition is a real concernFood is both a comfort and a necessity. Unfortunately, older loved ones living alone often find making dinner is more work than they can handle. For instance, instead of eating a well-balanced meal, they may just snack on odds and ends they have in the pantry or refrigerator. In addition, many seniors take medications that come with dietary restrictions that further limit what they can eat. In many cases, those factors combine to make eating a regular meal a serious challenge which can result in a loved one living alone simply choosing to skip meals. Over time, it can lead to debilitating malnutrition.3. Accidental prescription mishaps can harm seniors healthMost seniors take a variety of medications to manage chronic medical conditions. And while taking those medications as prescribed can help them live longer healthier lives, seniors living alone may forget to take them, or may take too much or too little, which can lead to serious health consequences.4. Isolation can cause mental health problemsPeople enjoy spending time with others they love and care about, not to mention, they get mental and health benefits from it. And while most families try to visit older loved ones as much as possible, other obligations often get in the way. The resulting isolation can result in depression, anxiety, and loneliness that can be as bad for a seniors health as obesity or an extreme smoking habit.While living alone can be empowering, the benefits can diminish over time. If you notice the situation isnt working as well as it used to, know there are senior living options that will help keep your senior safe, well-nourished, will provide them their proper medication, and will encourage them to be socially active. Eliminating the dangers of staying home alone as a senior is easier than you think.MorningStar Senior LivingIf your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where theyll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offering care and hospitality services that meet each residents social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.

Quite a few seniors struggle with health challenges post-retirement. In addition to run-of-the-mill aches and pains, many develop chronic health conditions like diabetes. It doesnt help that it takes a significant amount of extra work to be fit when youre older its easier to just sit on the couch and watch TV! Being in poor shape makes it hard to have a happy, rewarding life. If youd like to improve the quality of your life, you must take control of your health. Good health gives you the energy you need to pursue fun activities and, generally, lead the life youve always wanted. Following are some practical suggestions on how seniors can take control of their health for a better quality of life: Exercise more Exercise offers incredible benefits. As Everyday Health can confirm, exercisemakes you happierreduces stressmakes you look youngerreduces risk of diseases and strokehelps you digest food betterimproves your quality of sleepYou dont need to exercise hard to enjoy these benefits either. Try low-key activities like walking, gardening, cycling, and playing golf! Do whatever you enjoy and youll do more simply because you are having fun.Maintain a beautiful living space Your living space has a massive impact on your mood and overall health. Living in a dirty or cluttered home may increase stress and unhappiness, not to mention make it harder for you to look after yourself. On the other hand, living in a well-maintained space is good for your mental wellbeing and makes it easier to look after yourself. If your home needs work, you can clean, declutter, and redecorate. Downsizing for easier maintenance is also an option.  Start an enjoyable hobby Hobbies are much more than fun pastimes they can teach you things, bust stress, keep your brain in top shape, and some can even be great exercise. Everydays offers 40 hobby ideas for seniors. Some interesting options include bird watching, metal detecting, dancing, getting a pet, photography, fishing, volunteering, and bicycling.  Find some that interest you and a group for some companionship.Eat better They say you are what you eat and theyre not wrong! According to Harvard Business Review, food fuels your body and also impacts your mood. Switching to healthier foods ones high in protein, vitamins, calcium, minerals, and dietary fibers can go a long way toward keeping you in good shape. Some examples of foods you may want to consider adding into the mix include oatmeal, nuts, mushrooms, kiwis, and greek yogurt.  Stay connected to your family and community Humans are highly social creatures needing a significant amount of social interaction to remain healthy. Spending time with your family and members of your community, whenever you can, is a great way to tune up your mental and emotional health. There are several ways to get the socialization you need  joining senior groups, finding a hobby, volunteering, playing group sports, taking classes, participating in family activities, and more. Organize your lifeA well-organized life can help you feel emotionally secure and stable. This involves several things having a financial plan for the future, having chronic health conditions (if applicable) under control, and having a healthy routine to follow. Estate planning and making a will are also things you should look into knowing your affairs are in order and your loved ones taken care of can give you peace of mind. You can reach out to Stone Law  for convenient estate planning. Starting a business to stay busy Many seniors start their own businesses these days. It keeps them busy, makes for a constructive way to pass the time, and can be very fulfilling. If youre interested in starting a business, its a good idea to know what youre getting into. When you have an idea, think about how youll get started, and how youll operate. Writing a business plan can help you stay organized. Once you have a plan, check with an attorney at Stone Law to ensure you get everything set up correctly from the start. One of the most common ways to set up a business is by registering as an Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC limits your personal liability as business assets are separate from personal assets. If your business is ever sued, only business assets are at stake. Other benefits include easier paperwork and organizational flexibility. While you can file the paperwork yourself, getting help from Stone Law you can be confident your business is set up correctly with all the proper paperwork in place from the beginning. You can rest assured that we know all the legal ins and outs of setting up an LLC or other business so you dont have to worry.Good health is your ticket to a happy, rewarding life post-retirement. When youre in good mental and physical shape, you have the enthusiasm and the energy you need to live life to the fullest. Following a self-care schedule, staying connected to loved ones, and staying busy can all help you remain in top shape.