Key Things Home Care Aides Do That Help Their Clients Stay Safe
Maintaining a safe environment is crucial for people of all ages. From infants to aging seniors, safety is paramount in life. Because, if a person is not safe, there is an increasing risk of serious injuries or other mishaps that can negatively impact their life, health, and future. When it comes to aging men and women, home care is a great resource that can assist those seniors in staying safe.
Family can certainly be a valuable asset when it comes to safety, but in many cases younger, healthier, stronger adults simply overlook the various risk factors that might surround their aging loved one on a daily basis.
Below are some key things that home care aides may do to improve the overall safety and well-being of their elderly clients. Keep in mind, these are things that may be done in the home for the most part.
Paying attention to tripping hazards.
Home Care Comstock Park, MI: Senior Safety
Often, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, in the rush to get things done, we might leave a bag of groceries on the floor, the laundry basket near the basement door, or a pocketbook, golf bag, or other item in the kitchen or other common area.
These might not seem like a big deal to somebody in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, but for somebody in their 70s or 80s, they can be incredibly dangerous hazards.
Even though this aging senior may walk around a little bit slower because of their diminished strength, they might not pay attention to every step. Getting their foot caught on a basket, bag, or other object that shouldn’t be there can cause them to topple over, break their hip, leg, shoulder, arm, or other part of their body, resulting in extremely serious injuries and potentially lengthy recovery times.
A home care aide will pay attention to these potential tripping hazards and work to make sure common areas and walkways remain clear.
Understanding the risks involved with bathing and toileting.
Most of us don’t think twice about stepping into the shower, getting out from the tub, or even easing down onto and getting back up from a toilet. However, for somebody whose legs have lost strength over time due to age, health, or the factors, these can be extremely risky endeavors.
Because a home care aide understands these new risks, they are willing to assist their elderly clients with some of these more intimate matters. These are things that family might also be willing to help with, but it might not be the most comfortable situation for everyone involved.
Assistance preparing meals.
An aging senior might enjoy cooking for himself or herself, but reaching spices, dishes, pots, pans, or even food items in the upper cupboards or way back in the refrigerator can be difficult.
Having somebody there in the form of a home care aide to reach those items, help them with some of those tasks, can improve safety. Next to the bathroom, the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house. Having a home care aide supporting the elderly person in your family can be a great way to help them stay safer in the months and potentially years ahead.
If you or someone you know needs help with Home Care in Comstock Park, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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