An increasing number of people in their sixties and seventies areÂ
opting to stay on in their own homes these days, or live with familyÂ
instead of moving to retirement villages or assisted-living units thatÂ
have been specifically designed for senior citizens.
However, even the most active and healthy of them should prepare forÂ
at least some loss of mobility and dexterity as they get older and takeÂ
precautions to avoid household accidents and age-related injuries, saysÂ
Gerhard Kotzé, MD of the RealNet estate agency group.
Families who have grandparents living with them may also want to goÂ
through their homes to identify and address potential problems, saysÂ
Kotzé.
"And the place to start is the bathroom, which is usually the mostÂ
dangerous room in the house for seniors. Slippery floors, hard objectsÂ
and sharp corners are not the best combination for those whose balanceÂ
is in question, and the minimum suggested safety precautions to avoidÂ
falls and fractures are showers instead of baths, non-skid rubber stripsÂ
or mats in standing areas and sturdy grab rails next to the shower andÂ
toilet."
In the kitchen, Kotzé says hot stove plates and sharp utensils are theÂ
usual injury culprits, but it also helps if all taps, electrical socketsÂ
and appliance controls are within easy reach. In addition, nothing flammableÂ
should be kept near the stove and countertops, and cupboards should be at aÂ
convenient height for the seniors in the household.
"Other safety aspects to consider include ensuring that passages and walkwaysÂ
are unobstructed, that windows and doors are easy to open and close securely,Â
and that any loose rugs and mats have non-slip backing strips."
Kotzé says furniture should also be of a comfortable height to allow seniorsÂ
to rise easily, electrical leads and cords should be tucked or tacked safelyÂ
out of the way, and all stairways should have sturdy bannisters or grab rails.
"In short, it often takes just a little preparation to prevent a nasty accidentÂ
- and usually, the extra safety measures will benefit everyone else in theÂ
family too."
SOURCE:Â Property24
