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Important Safety Tips For Seniors
Due to the remarkable advances in health care and better living habits, many senior citizens are living alone in their own homes longer than ever before. Although seniors are usually perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, their loved ones often worry about what might happen if something goes wrong. Here are a few things to look out for when a senior citizen is living alone.
-- Maintaining proper lighting in a home is essential to safety. So many seniors fall in their own houses simply because they couldn't see where they were going! Making sure light switches are near doorways will prevent having to venture into a darkened room.
Windowless hallways may be a hazard at any time of day, so consider having permanent nightlights kept on in these kinds of areas. There should always be a lamp on a bedside table and a flashlight for emergencies at hand.
-- To prevent bathtub falls, make sure it has a non-skid surface and have safety railings installed. There are seats available for both bathtubs and showers for people who struggle with standing for prolonged periods of time or who may suffer from occasional imbalance.
-- Although throw rugs are beautiful, they can be a serious tripping hazard for seniors. Hallway runners should especially be avoided if the rugs end near the top of a stairway. Even rubber backings on rugs are no guarantee against slippage. It's safest just to get rid of them altogether.
-- Make up your own system of organization. Keep important numbers on speed dial or in the same spot by your phone at all times. Keep medications in the same place and establish a routine for taking them in the right dosages at the same time every day.
Routines for other daily activities are a great idea also: let your family members know what your schedule is. Then, if you are not where you are supposed to be, they will know something may be wrong.
-- Know your neighbors! When people are looking out for each other's welfare, everyone is safer. Good neighbors watch for trouble and will know a senior's routine also. Install a security system for greater peace of mind, or wear an emergency pendant in case of accident.
-- Keep a cell phone in your pocket whenever going outdoors, even for a minute. You will have an instant connection to your loved ones should something happen.
Following a safety conscious lifestyle brings peace of mind to both seniors and those who love them.
About the Author For expert, friendly advice on medical alert systems for senior citizens, contact the professionals at Accel, Inc. (http://ezmedicalalert.com/). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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