Many of the safety risks that seniors face on the daily happen right at home, especially when they are left by themselves. This is why apart from identifying common safety issues at home and making sure that seniors are safe from them, it is important that you employ the use of a senior monitoring device that can provide you with timely senior emergency alerts in case they stumble upon a safety risk. With the right senior monitoring device, you can have peace of mind that your elderly loved one is always safe from harm, even as they spend their days alone at home.
Here are some of the most common safety risks that seniors are susceptible to on a daily basis:
- Slips and falls – Slips, and falls are among the leading causes of injuries and accidental deaths among seniors. Fortunately, these incidents are highly preventable by making sure that homes are free from trip hazards and are well adapted to cater to the mobility challenges that seniors may have. Proper maintenance and design of home lighting, as well as the house’s layout, can also help prevent slips and falls that could lead to grave injuries and sometimes, even the death of a senior loved one.
- Mismanagement of medication – Making sure that seniors receive the proper dosage of their medicine is crucial to their health. A senior who is living alone, however, may not be able to manage their medication by themselves, which is why it is crucial to make sure that their daily dose of medicine is properly prepared and labeled beforehand so as to avoid the risk of overdose or missed doses.
- Fire – Fire incidents are also among the most common security risks that seniors face. This is especially true for elders with frail health conditions as well as those with mobility restrictions. Reducing fire risk is possible by making sure that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are properly installed and that electrical appliances and household machines are inspected for damage on a regular basis.
- Mental health– A senior’s mental health condition is also a major risk to their safety, especially when developing dementia and memory problems, which makes them susceptible to confusion, wandering off, and getting lost.
