Talk About Senior Safety with Your Aging ParentsSenior Safety is a new conversation that you will have to have with your parents. We all assume the responsibility to protect ourselves in adulthood. But, as our parents age, there are new frailties and new risks. Talks about the special concerns of elder safety is the first step to help prevent accidents or harm coming to them. Safety In the CommunityYour parents have always been open and trusting and live in a friendly community. But there are now people in every town that prey on the elderly. Learning to be watchful in their own neighborhood may be a very new skill. Sharing their excitement about coming to visit you for a week with the grocery clerk is no longer a good idea. And for goodness sake, EVERYONE knows the key is hidden under the mat, so it must be moved. A Safe HomeFor seniors living alone, safety begins at home. You’ll have to help them look at their home in a new way for dangers unique to older people. Accidents waiting to happen lurk among things that you previously overlooked. The pile of newspapers near the fireplace is no longer a convenience, but a fire hazard. The throw rugs, no longer decorative additions, but falling risks. A medicine bottle with print that is now unreadable is a poisoning hazard. The water heater may need to be reset to prevent burns on older, delicate skin.The kitchen will be a new source of conversation. Food safety is a topic that is often overlooked. Whether it’s food that’s left out after being purchased, or leftovers that have hung around too long, food poisoning is a special source of danger for the elderly. Fire SafetyWe teach our children religiously, to STOP, DROP and ROLL if there is a fire. But senior citizens have the highest fatality rate in a fire of any group. You’ll need to be just as vigilant in helping your parents learn new ways to prevent a fire. For elders whose hearing, sense of smell, and speed are diminished, they’ll need to re-learn what to do if there is a fire.
Your parents may intensely dislike new “gadgets” that they have to manage, but safety alarms for fire, burglary, or medical alerts, just may save a life. Outdoor DangersAs winter approaches, the outdoors brings new hazards. Ice can be invisible on stairs or sidewalks. And if not done properly, snow-shoveling presents it own risk for injury, falls or heart-attacks.Getting HelpIf your parents are injured or have an accident or a fall, being reminded of some modern safety first aid measures may help them get help faster, and prevent the injury from being made worse. Senior citizens may need to be reassured that the Emergency Medical Technicians and the folks at 911 are there waiting to help them. They won’t mind being disturbed, and it’s no bother at all for the ambulance to come to the rescue. The realm of senior safety will probably be a new one for you and for your aging parents. There will be things that never occurred to you that can now present serious danger. It worth your time and theirs to be thorough and cautious. You’ve thought nothing of baby proofing your house for children -- now it’s time to make sure that your parent’s environment is just as safe. Seniors Living Alone - A Checklist Your parents are now seniors living alone. You live across the country and don't get back that often to see them. You noticed signs of their aging last time you got together, and now want to really evaluate how they are doing. Here's how you can make use of visits for holidays, birthdays or other occasions to better evaluate if they need additional support or help. Senior citizen home safety: Talk to aging parents about door to door thieves Senior citizen home safety can be compromised by "fake" contractors. Your aging parents are vulnerable to these door-to-door thieves. These schemes are well thought out to take advantage of the trusting nature of many senior citizens. From Senior Safety to talk early talk often with aging parents Home Page
|
You may have to help your parents think about money differently. Carrying large amounts of cash is a “no, no” for senior safety. Thieves and scam artists hone their skills to win the trust of seniors for the purpose of taking their valuables, or draining bank accounts. 
