How Can We Keep Seniors Safe in Their Own Homes?

Keeping seniors safe includes making sure that the interior and exterior of the home is up-to-code, senior friendly, and accessible for those who are disabled. Interior safety includes modifications such as safety grab bars in the bathrooms, elevated toilet seats and lower sink and vanity heights if needed. Kitchen cabinets can be lowered for easier accessibility.

Doorways in older homes may be too narrow for walkers and wheelchairs, and may need to be widened if possible. Levered door handles area plus for everyone. Throw rugs are a bad idea in a senior’s home. They contribute to falls more often than not. On the exterior of the home

there should be sturdy handrails wherever there are steps or uneven pavement. Senior friendly homes are now constructed on one level with no steps at the front door or garage entry. Many home builders are now specialized in senior living and are available for consultation.

Personal Emergency Response Systems

Personal emergency response systems (PERS) are another form of safety that should always be addressed. A “PERS” is a system that can be set up very inexpensively in a senior’s home. This isn’t just for “sick” people.  These systems keep well people well. The senior wears a pendant around their neck, or a watch style pendant, and has the system with them at all times inside and outside of the house. If they suffer a fall, stroke, illness, or any other event where they feel they might need assistance, all they have to do is access their system with the touch of a button.

Statistics:

A study by AC Nielson indicates among other things that seniors who have a personal emergency response system stay at home an average of 6 years longer than those who do not have a PERS. Also most PERS have smoke detector options, keeping the home safe and protected from fire devastation.

• 58% of customers with a PERS for a year or more feel that their quality of life has improved.

• 87% of customers with a PERS think that this protection is important or a main factor in their decision to continue living at home.

• 95% of customer with a PERS feel protected at home.

• 80% feel that the comfort of living in their own home is important.

• 76% feel that being independent is important.

Medical research shows that falling down and being unable to get help is not an uncommon event. In fact, nearly 1/3 of all people over the age of 65 (and half of all people over 90) will fall each year. Of course the older a senior gets, the more dangerous and debilitating falls can be, and they often mark the end of independent living. Research also tells us that 30% to 50% of elderly people fear falling—a fear that can cause them to lose confidence and restrict their normal range of healthy activities. The confidence and peace-of-mind that comes from a PERS helps to ease these anxieties, as well as the feelings of isolation and depression caused by such worries.

Facts About Personal Emergency Response Systems

 • PERS are recommended by doctors, nurses and other professional caregivers. They know even a minor fall or incident can have serious physical and psychological consequences if a senior can’t get help in a hurry.

• A PERS is for independent living at home. The alternative to getting a PERS is often assisted living, a nursing home, or 24-hour care.

• A PERS is a good idea even if a senior doesn’t live alone. Accidents are unpredictable. A senior might need help when someone they live with is temporarily out of the house.

• A PERS is easy to live with. The personal help button is very small, simple to use and won’t interfere with a senior’s activities in any way.

• A PERS is for everyday living. A PERS telephone also includes many other features that makes conversing with others more convenient and can provide personalized reminders of important things to do.