Safety is the number one priority when your parent is living on their own. But it can take time and effort to make sure that your parent’s home is safe for them, especially if they have health challenges that limit their mobility.
If you can’t consistently visit your parent or be at their home everyday to make sure their home is safe for them, home care assistance can be. With home care assistance, your parent will get daily visits from a care provider who can help your parent maintain a safe home environment.
When your parent has home care assistance, neither of you will have to worry about your parent being safe at home.
Hazards Around The House
Of course, seniors and their families worry about them falling at home. But there are a lot more hazards than just tripping and falling that your parent has to contend with each day.
Having a home care assistance provider in the home to help make sure the home is free from hazards can help your parent avoid a lot of injuries besides falls. Home care assistance can help your parent avoid injuries from things like:
Hot Water That Is Too Hot
Water that feels warm to you might be too hot for your parent’s skin. Aging skin is thinner and more sensitive, which makes burns more likely.
If the water heater is set too high, your parent could get burned while washing their hands or taking a shower. Setting the water heater to a lower temperature, usually around 120°F, can help prevent serious injuries.
A home care provider can also check to make sure that water isn’t too hot for your parent before your parent showers or washes their hands. They can also do the dishes.
Stove Burners That Turn On Too Easily
Some stoves have knobs that are very easy to turn, which can be a problem if your parent bumps into them by accident.
A burner could turn on without them noticing, leading to burns or even a fire risk. This is especially dangerous if something flammable is left on the stove. Stove protector knobs can help, and so can having a home care provider cook meals and prepare snacks so that your parent doesn’t need to use the stove on their own.
Spills on Floors and Surfaces
Even if spills don’t cause a fall, they can still be hazardous. Water, grease, or food spills can lead to burns, especially in the kitchen.
For example, your parent might touch a hot spilled liquid or try to clean it up quickly and get hurt. Or they might get dizzy and fall over bending down to clean up a spill. A home care provider can quickly clean up spills to protect your parent.
Reaching for Heavy or High Items
If your parent has to reach up high to grab items like dishes, a toaster, or pantry goods, it can strain their arms and shoulders. They may also lose their grip and drop something heavy, which can cause injuries to their hands or feet.
It’s safer to store commonly used items at waist or chest level so they are easy to reach without stretching or lifting too much. A home care provider can also help your parent get whatever they need so they don’t have to reach or bend.
Poor Lighting in Key Areas
Dim lighting can make it hard for your parent to see clearly, especially in places like the kitchen, bathroom, or hallways.
This can lead to mistakes such as touching a hot surface, misjudging where objects are, or using appliances incorrectly. Brighter bulbs, night lights, and easy-to-reach light switches can make a big difference in safety.
Unstable or Hard-to-Use Appliances
Small household appliances can become a hazard if they are difficult to use or not stable on the counter.
For example, a toaster or blender that moves around during use can cause burns or spills. Buttons and controls that are hard to read or press may also lead to mistakes. A home care assistance provider can help your parent safely use appliances.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care assistance in Allentown, PA please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Allentown today. Call 610-432-6766
Extended Family Care Allentown is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania including Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Macungie, Whitehall, Schnecksville, Catasauqua, Northampton, and Nazareth.
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