Elder Care Hicksville NY
If you're concerned that your elder loved one could ever break a hip, you need to first look into making sure that her home is as safe as possible. Checking even a few of these items can help to ensure that your loved one is less likely to fall and injure herself.
Check for Problems with Carpets and Rugs
Carpets and rugs can be sneaky in terms of your loved one's safety at home. They can appear to be quite safe, yet you may find that they're actually quite slippery, worn, have a tendency to roll at the edges, or otherwise provide a slip or a trip hazard. Make sure that all rugs and carpets are secured to the floor, either with tape or by tacking them. If a rug can't be secured, remove it completely.
Adjust the Lighting
Your elderly loved one likely needs more lighting in her home than you realize in order to see obstacles clearly. Double check her existing lighting and replace bulbs with brighter, newer bulbs. If the lamp or fixture itself just can't get bright enough, consider replacing them. You don't want to blind your loved one with too much lighting, however, so it's important to make sure that the light isn't directly in her eyes.
Add Hand Rails throughout the House
Hand rails are invaluable if your elder loved one starts to feel that she is going to fall. Some of the most common locations for hand rails are stairways, hallways, and bathrooms. You might want to consider placing them in other locations, as well. If there is a room that seems as though it might present a problem with navigation, a hand rail may be just the ticket.
Reduce Clutter, Particularly on Floors
Clutter can be far more dangerous for your elder loved one than you might first think. It's easy to overlook and it has a way of multiplying itself so that it takes over a space. Work with your loved one to contain or remove as much clutter as you can so that you can keep pathways clear for her to walk safely through her home.
Talk with your loved one's elder care providers about how to spot other potential safety risks in her home.