Important Mobility Safety Tips For Seniors - Living Alone Safely

As we grow older, safety and mobility can become a major issue in our daily lives. More and more Senior Adults are  experiencing terrible falls everyday. One in four seniors over the age of 65 will experience a fall. The National Council On Aging says that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the leading cause of non fatal trauma related hospital visits among senior adults. Let’s look at 4 tips that can help seniors stay safe while navigating from place to place in their homes, especially when living alone:

Senior Mobility

1. Limited Mobility - Those with limited mobility should consider using a walker, a mobile chair or a cane to navigate safely thorough their home and property. It is helpful to make plenty of room in your home so that you can walk through your home safely. It is a good idea to add a ramp outside your home to your driveway so that you can enter your vehicle safely. If you have difficulty walking up and down porch steps, adding handrails inside and outside of your home and on your property are very helpful and can give you more confidence when walking in and around your home and property.

 2. General Safety - It is always good practice to have important telephone numbers nearby in  case of emergencies. Always remember to carry a mobile phone with you or wear an emergency alert button around your neck when walking in your home or around your property. It is very important to make sure that you are able to get help quickly in case of a fall. Always remember to never let strangers into your home and keep doors and windows locked. Seniors can be easy targets, because of their limited mobility, for criminals and individuals who would try to overpower them to steal their money and belongings.

3. Senior Safety While Bathing - One of the most challenging tasks for seniors is taking a bath or a shower. Bathing can be one of the most dangerous tasks for seniors, especially if the senior is struggling with their balance. Always make sure that you have hand railings installed in your tub or shower and always make sure that the tub or shower floor is not slippery. It is also helpful to have a bath chair if you do not have seating in your tub or shower. This can be very helpful if you have a hard time standing for long periods of time. If you feel that taking a bath or shower is too risky for you to do alone, please either have someone at your home to help with baths or place a bath chair near a sink to sponge off and bathe while sitting.

4. Senior Safety While Cooking - Cooking can also be a difficult task for seniors, if their balance and mobility are not very stable. Always make sure when cooking, that you are careful if having to use a walker or cane while navigating in the kitchen and carrying and preparing food. Make sure that you take your time to prepare your food safely and when using your microwave or stove or any other appliance, please make sure that all appliances are turned off. If you feel unsafe preparing your meals, then please have someone help you prepare your meals.

Senior Mobility

Senior mobility and safety is one of the most important things that we need to think about whether for ourselves or our family members. Safety starts at home first and making sure that your home  is easy to navigate and that your rugs and flooring are secure is a perfect place to start. It is wise to go over your home and make any changes that you feel are unsafe for your mobility safety. As we age, we want to feel safe and secure, but we also want to keep as much
of our independence as possible. Are you ready to start making your home and property more secure for your mobility, while also maintaining your independence?