Home Safety for Seniors

by Thomas Kraeutler

Age may be a state of mind, but when it comes to household accidents, some very real physical changes put senior citizens at risk for being injured in the home.

As we get older, our center of gravity changes and our bones and muscles lose strength. The result? A loss of balance and mobility that can lead to falls and other accidents. In fact, 75% of all reported falls involve senior citizens.

But there is good news. You can fight mother nature's effects on the body and also make some common sense improvements around the house that can greatly reduce your risk of serious injury.

Troubleshoot for Tripping Hazards

Eliminate cluttered areas and provide wider paths between rooms. High traffic rooms are most prone to accidents, so check the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, stairs and dining room carefully with an eye toward eliminating obstructions. Next check the floors for slippery spots. High gloss finishes like vinyl and ceramic tile are dangerous, especially when wet. Likewise, old shaggy rugs can catch feet and send you for a tumble. If you use throw rugs, make sure they have anti-slip pads installed underneath of them to avoid a first hand experience of the flying carpet. Make stairs safer by removing loose runners and installing a second hand rail on the wall opposite the existing railing.

 

Firm Furniture

Unstable furniture, like a broken chair leg, can lead to broken bones or worse so repair or replace all broken furniture. Elevated platform beds are difficult to get into and can lead to an unexpected fall. Use a bed only as high as necessary. If you need a step-stool around the house for hard to reach places, make sure it has a firm-footed design and never substitute a chair to reach high spots.

 

Electrical Safety

Vision often decreases with age, especially at night, so good lighting is essential. Have overhead light fixtures cleaned and install new bulbs to the maximum wattage printed on the fixture. Never install a bulb larger than the fixture is rated however, as this can cause a fire. Make sure your electric and telephone cords are out of the way. If necessary, consider re-arranging furniture closer to outlets or have additional wiring installed to shorten the distance to the light or other appliance. Also, label your main electric panel or fuse box so breakers can be easily re-set if they become tripped.

 

Healthy Heat

Having your heating system properly maintained is vital! As seniors spend more time indoors, they become susceptible to heating system dangers like carbon-monoxide poisoning and gas leaks. To be safe, make sure your system is professionally serviced at least once per year. Most utility companies have programs that will help. For instance, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Company's "Protection Plan Plus" includes an annual inspection of your system with replacement of key parts, if necessary. The program cost is discounted for seniors. Also, NJNG has a "Lifeline Credit Program" that helps qualified senior citizens pay their natural gas and/or electric bills. For information call the State's Lifeline hot-line at 1(800) 792-9745. Moreover, NJNG's "Gift of Warmth Fund" provides help for those who are experiencing financial hardship. According to Laura Conover, director of corporate communications, the fund "extends beyond the usual channels to help those who fall between the cracks". She said more than $1 million has been contributed to the fund since it's inception in 1988. For information call (732) 828-4510.

 

Emergency Contact

Plan for emergencies early by setting up an emergency contact plan. If you are alone, consider investing in a medical alert system. Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ offers a system called the "Medcom Medical Alert". The system consists of a pendant worn around the neck or a bracelet that, when activated, puts you in touch with a 24 dispatch center that has access to your medical history and family contacts. If you are within 50 feet of the base unit installed in your home, you can have a conversation with the dispatcher to describe the problem. In any event, when the system is activated, police are immediately dispatched to your home to make sure you are well. The system can be bought or leased and ranges in cost between $159 and $424, with monthly monitoring charges of between $26.50 and $37.50. Be careful however, there are companies that try to sell similar systems for up to several thousand dollars. For information on the Community Medical Center program, available to all New Jersey residents, call (732 )240-8977.

Tom Kraeutler is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart! Tom appears regularly on CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and the DIY Network. He's a columnist for House Beautiful and do! Magazine and his work has been featured in Smart Money, Reader's Digest and in hundreds of daily newspapers across the nation.