Dont wait for an accident to happen. If your elderly parent is living alone in their own home, it is important to take steps in advance, to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.  It is wise to access the situation and assist in implementing safety solutions around the home.Statistics are frightening. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that on average, 1.4 million seniors 65 years of age and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually as a result of an accident in the home. Of that age group, the rate of injury is the highest for those 75 years of age and older.Fortunately, most accidents are preventable. By spotting and addressing these hazards early on, you can prevent potential injuries.Heres a home safety guide for seniors to help prevent falls, burns and other household accidents.7 Ways to Make the Home Safe for Your Elderly Loved OnePlace flashlights in several rooms of the house.Make sure there is flashlight available, that is easy to reach from the bed, coffee table, porch seat and any other dimly-lit area in the house where your loved one likes to spend time especially at night. With an easy-to-reach flashlight in place, the senior can safely roam around the home, even in the event of a power outage.Also, keep in mind that stairs, entryways and exteriors should be well-lit at all times. Switches should be easy to reach from doorways.Install grab bars, ramps and railings in the home as needed.Many seniors need something to hold on to in order to help maintain their balance. Grab bars are necessities, particularly in the bathroom. Use your judgement to determine which other areas of the home should be equipped with grab bars. Ramps are crucial if your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker occasionally or at all times. If they are still able to use stairs safely, make sure railings are strong enough for them to grab ahold of and use for support.Maintain a fireproof kitchen.One of the most important things you can do to fireproof a home is to keep a functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure your loved one knows its location and how to use it properly. Ventilation and exhaust systems should be routinely serviced and maintained. Ensure all smoke alarms are working properly and have fresh batteries inserted. Make sure all potential fire sources (candles, ashtrays, etc.) are away from flammable items, such as blankets, bedding, newspapers, etc. Develop an emergency escape plan with your loved one and go over it with them in detail. Print out a copy and post it on the refrigerator if you feel it is necessary.Stairs should be evenly constructed, clear of clutter and well-lit.An evenly built, clear and well-lit staircase with sturdy handrails makes the home safer for the elderly. Serious injuries can occur as a result of an unstable staircase. Never leave clutter on a staircase. Items like shoes or bags left on the stairs can easily lead to a fall resulting in a very serious injury. Consider installing a stair lift if stairs are becoming too difficult or dangerous for your loved one to manage.Renovate the bathroom with walk-in bathtubs or showers.Walk-in tubs (watertight tubs with doors) are built for individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of a traditional bathtub. They also help prevent slipping and come in right or left-handed configurations. This allows for seniors to bathe independently and safely. Walk-in showers are also preferred to those that have sliding shower doors.Program emergency numbers into their cell phone.Show your loved one how to make calls to these contacts quickly and easily. Helping them navigate the phone and even playing out a hypothetical scenario is helpful. In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence! Getting the most important numbers ready for quick dialing can help save a life!Rugs and carpets must be level with the ground and pathways should be clear from cords and/or wires. A homes fundamental components can possibly be dangerous for the elderly when basic safety precautions are not taken. Accidents can happen when floors are not flat and uniform, thus increasing the risk of slips and falls. Always make sure pathways are safely walk-able and consider installing slip-resistant surfaces.There are many things you can do to help keep your loved one safe. This list is just a start and provides some of the most common steps to take. If you like this guide, please share it with someone you know will benefit from it!While many seniors prefer to live independently, they may need assistance with chores, personal care, keeping up with their medications or simply would appreciate extra companionship during the day.  Elderlink Home Care can help you keep your favorite senior safe.

Aging in place is a goal most seniors fully embrace. And no wonder. Staying in a home you love and maintaining a sense of independence is incredibly important to them. But the desire to remain at home, especially living alone, has to be balanced with the realities and pitfalls of what that decision might mean.1. Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death for seniorsWhen youre young, its easy to regain your footing and balance if you trip on something. When youre older, thats not the case. As people age, maintaining a sense of balance becomes challenging: reaction times get slower, and bones become more brittle.All of these factors create a high risk of falling and injury. The fact is a third of all seniors living in the United States fall every year. Around half of the falls that send seniors to the hospital happen at home. Some seniors living at home alone wear medic alert devices to call for help if they fall, but many dont for various reasons. Falling and injuring yourself is bad enough, but being unable to get up to call for help can mean hours of pain that could be avoided if the senior was not living alone, and assistance was close by.2. Malnutrition is a real concernFood is both a comfort and a necessity. Unfortunately, older loved ones living alone often find making dinner is more work than they can handle. For instance, instead of eating a well-balanced meal, they may just snack on odds and ends they have in the pantry or refrigerator. In addition, many seniors take medications that come with dietary restrictions that further limit what they can eat. In many cases, those factors combine to make eating a regular meal a serious challenge which can result in a loved one living alone simply choosing to skip meals. Over time, it can lead to debilitating malnutrition.3. Accidental prescription mishaps can harm seniors healthMost seniors take a variety of medications to manage chronic medical conditions. And while taking those medications as prescribed can help them live longer healthier lives, seniors living alone may forget to take them, or may take too much or too little, which can lead to serious health consequences.4. Isolation can cause mental health problemsPeople enjoy spending time with others they love and care about, not to mention, they get mental and health benefits from it. And while most families try to visit older loved ones as much as possible, other obligations often get in the way. The resulting isolation can result in depression, anxiety, and loneliness that can be as bad for a seniors health as obesity or an extreme smoking habit.While living alone can be empowering, the benefits can diminish over time. If you notice the situation isnt working as well as it used to, know there are senior living options that will help keep your senior safe, well-nourished, will provide them their proper medication, and will encourage them to be socially active. Eliminating the dangers of staying home alone as a senior is easier than you think.MorningStar Senior LivingIf your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where theyll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offering care and hospitality services that meet each residents social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.

As you age, your future care plans may become a topic of conversation among your family members. Most seniors scoff at the idea of senior living communities. Still, many places that feature personal care services have the potential to renew your sense of purpose and improve your quality of life.Here are five ways personal care communities can help you to live better:Daily Support. A little help goes a long way. With 24-hour personal care services, staff members are available to assist you with dressing, bathing, and grooming. Many senior living communities include light housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance in the rental fee, so youre free to conquer the day on your terms. Safety. A fall-related injury could be detrimental to your health; even a fear of falling can keep you homebound. Personal care communities are designed with mobility challenges in mind, offering fall prevention programs and emergency call systems.Food. Leave the food preparations to the Dining Director. Most communities provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an emphasis on nutrition without sacrificing taste. Special dietary needs are also accommodated.Engagement. Through social, recreational, and educational programs, personal care communities can nurture your physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Senior Commons at Powder Mill in York engages its residents with an array of activities and events designed to foster meaningful relationships. Activities include card games, on-site entertainment, guest speakers, shopping and scenic excursions, devotions and more.  Fitness. Personal care communities provide on-site fitness classes like circuit training and yoga to help maintain your strength, mobility, and balance, so you remain as independent as possible.At Senior Commons, residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve with a focus on preserving overall wellness through life-enhancing programs and services. To find out if a move to a senior living community is right for you, schedule a tour to meet the staff and residents.Editors Note: This article was contributed by Kelly Golden, marketing director at Senior Commons at Powder Mill, which provides Independent Living, Personal Care, and Memory Care on one campus.