The home can be a dangerous for elderly people, whether they live alone or with their spouse or loved ones. However, many of the most common accidents around the home are preventable, so it’s important to do all you can to stop them from happening. Here are some of the most common accidents at home and what you can put in place.
Trips or falls on the stairs
The stairs can be one of the most dangerous for older people. They can be steep, slippery, or even have hazards in the way which can cause a trip or fall. If you know an elderly person who wants to live independently, you might want to look for a stairlift company Northampton to fit a stairlift in their home. There are models to suit all sorts of homes and staircases, from wide to narrow and steep, and fitting a stairlift can take a matter of hours.
Accidents in the kitchen
There are a number of accidents that can occur in the kitchen:
- Accidental fires
- Scalds from boiling water or oil
- Cuts from sharp equipment
- Burns from hot surfaces
Luckily, there are a lot of kitchen adaptions you can make and there are special pieces of equipment that can be bought to make cooking easier and safer for older people. If you are worried about an elderly relative or loved one injuring themselves in the kitchen, it’s important that you put adaptions in place to minimise the risk. Also, make sure there’s fire protection available such as a fire blanket.
Accidents in the bathroom
The bathroom is another dangerous area for people who are becoming less physically able. This is because slips and falls are common in the bathroom, and if people live alone, they may struggle to get help. One thing you can do is fit a bathroom alarm, which allows the elderly person to get help. You can also look at adaptions such as a walk-in shower to help avoid common accidents.
Accidents do happen, but many of them are preventable by simply putting some measures in place. From making home adaptions, to giving people a means to communicate if they need help, you can help elderly people live in their homes for longer. People are living longer nowadays, so there will be more and more people who want to live independently as they age, but this means there are many new methods to keep them safe and happy in their homes.