Home Improvements: How to Prevent Slips and Falls from Rain, Snow, and Ice This Winter
Rain, snow, and ice during winter increase the risk of slips and falls among elderly loved ones. Seeing as most people aged 65 and above have mobility issues, rain, snow, and ice during winter make navigating even harder for them. Luckily, you can make some home improvements to ensure their safety during this period. Here are expert home improvement tips from Senior Helpers to prevent slips and falls among senior citizens.
Invest In Proper Footwear
Winter is characterized by slippery surfaces, and this can worsen balance issues in elderly loved ones and cause slips and falls, which may result in serious injuries. To prevent this, invest in proper footwear. Senior's shoes are well-treaded with a rubber sole that not only prevents skids and falls but also keeps the feet warm while walking around the house.
Enhance Lighting
Elderly loved ones often have visual problems; therefore, their caregivers should improve the lighting at home during winter to prevent them from tripping over things. This is especially needed in areas such as bathrooms and stairways.
Use Absorbent and Anti-Slip Mats
Absorbent and anti-slip mats come in handy for walkway and doorway areas throughout the home. They absorb the water from the rain and ice during winter, reducing slips and falls. Also, keep common walk areas clean and dry at all times during the winter season.
Check For Trip Hazards Around the Home
Trip and slip hazards include potholes or cracks around the home. Check for these and have them repaired before winter. Additionally, clutter, such as trailing electrical cords, toys, and boxes, can lead to fall accidents. They should also be cleared to leave enough space around to accommodate walkers and canes.
Install Mobility Aids
Mobility aids such as grab bars and safety poles are essential when fall-proofing an elderly loved one's home. They help seniors maintain balance and stability when navigating wet and slippery surfaces during winter.
Plan For Ice and Snow Removal
You should also schedule for ice and snow around the home. This can be done with the help of other family members or by engaging professionals. For indoor ice, you can use a floor fan to keep walk paths and floors dry.
Spread Sand or Salt
Spreading sand or salt on the walkway lowers the freezing point of the water, reducing the amount of ice to declutter and providing traction. This makes it easy and safe for seniors to move around.
Add Non-Slip Tape
Non-slip tapes have a textured upper surface that makes them slip-resistant. Add them on the floor to prevent elderly loved ones from skidding on wet surfaces.
Stair Treads
Stair treads on both outdoor and indoor stairs prevent fall accidents during winter. They are made from slip-resistant and stain-free material.
Clear Fallen Tree Branches Around the Home During Winter
Winter storms and rain may break weak tree branches. These branches are safety hazards that may trip seniors and cause injuries. If there are trees around your home, clear any fallen branches immediately after they fall.
Senior Helpers of Burnsville Can Help
Slips and falls can be serious health hazards to our elderly loved ones. Therefore, home improvements before and during winter are important to ensure their safety. However, caution should be exercised when improving the home; consult an expert if you cannot make the changes on your own.
Senior Helpers of Burnsville can do a house safety evaluation and help you fall-proof it to be safe for seniors. If you're looking for more personalized help, we also have professional caregivers serving Burnsville, Saint Paul, and Cottage Grove, Hastings. Contact us to get a caregiver you can trust. Call us at 952-892-8403.
CareAparent offers Occupational Therapy (OT) as part of a multidisciplinary approach to care in the home. This type of care can only be provided by medical personnel that is licensed and registered. Occupational Therapists in the home environment assist clients who may have pain, illness, injury or a decline in function due to the aging process by creating routines and strategies for managing daily activities safely and productively while reducing the risk of injury or further decline.Interdisciplinary Approach to SafetyRead Details: A CareAparent Occupational Therapist (OT) ... conducts an in-home health assessment to design a Plan of Care customized for you or your loved ones physical, emotional, and functional environment. Our Occupational Therapists will work with you to assess performance skills and identify the best strategies needed to promote independence and safety in the home.Cognition and Memory FunctionRead Details: Dementia and similar cognitive impairments... may put you or your loved one at a higher risk for accidents or injury in the home. Occupational Therapists can perform an evaluation to determine cognitive abilities. A Plan of Care is developed to provide the guidance and tools for improved functioning, adaptation, and continued independence.Chronic Disease ManagementRead Details: Chronic disease management relies on... recommending and implementing solutions that address disease related limitations in daily routines. Our Occupational Therapists can teach strategies to manage symptoms that may interfere with activities of daily living as well as the outcomes for prescribed solutions.Sensory ChallengesRead Details: Very often, sensory challenges like... vision loss and changes in speech can have an impact on our daily routine. CareAparents Occupational Therapists can propose solutions and techniques for challenges associated with vision and hearing loss or speech changes.Falls Prevention ProgramRead Details: Falls can threaten you or your loved... ones safety and independence and it could lead to hospitalization. CareAparents Falls Prevention program is designed to provide screening, instructions, practical interventions, and resources to address the risk for falling and create. awareness and strategies for avoiding falls. This can help prevent injuries and reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions.Client Centered GoalsRead Details: As we age, daily self-care activities... can become burdensome and a risk to overall health. Certain personal cares or activities like using technology may require a higher level of mental and physical coordination that you may no longer have. Together, you and our Occupational Therapist will identify, collaborate, and set goals so you can acquire and maintain a skillset that promotes the management of any long-term conditions.Home SafetyRead Details: Inconspicuous risks to your physical safety... can go unnoticed in the home. Our Occupational Therapists perform home safety assessments to help identify factors that can address these risks. From their assessment, recommendations are made to you or your loved one to implement changes focused on a safe home environment.Download BrochureFor the most compassionate and comprehensive in-home senior care Minnesota has to offer call CareAparent today at 651-702-HOME (4663). Request a Consultation Today!
How Do I Pay for Home Care Services? When deciding on home care for yourself or someone you love, its important to consider and plan for the associated costs. Typically, the cost of using a home care company such as Homewatch CareGivers depends on how many hours of assistance are needed and whether there is a need for any special services. How to Pay Caregivers: What Are Your Options? If you do not have enough private funds to cover the cost of in-home care, there may be other options to consider. Your local Homewatch CareGivers can provide more information about: Private Long-Term Care InsuranceMost private long-term care insurance policies can be used for home care services. Private PayPrivate pay means an individual or their family will use existing savings and assets to cover the cost of home care services. VA Aid & AttendanceThis program provides monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for Qualified Veterans and Survivors These funds can be used to pay for home care services.Workers CompensationProvides services to employees injured in the course of employment that may include bathing, using the bathrooms, preparing meals, light housekeeping, and medication reminders. Other OptionsVarious grants and special funding may be available via local programs and projects, such as from your local/regional Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimers Association, etc. Options can vary by state, county, insurance plan, and eligibility. Not every Homewatch CareGivers office can process every type of payment source. If you or a loved one is in need of caregiving services, we encourage you to call us at (952) 260-6223 for more information regarding the cost of in-home care and financial options available. Frequently Asked Questions about Paying for In-Home Care Whats the average cost of a caregiver? The cost of services is different for each client based on many factors. Learn more about the average cost of home care in specific areas by visiting this resource. How much does the VA pay for in-home care? Depending on eligibility, the Veterans Administration Aid & Attendance Pension benefit may provide up to $1,794 per month for a veterans home care needs. Veterans spouses and survivors may also qualify for home care benefits. Will Medicare pay for in-home care? At this time, Medicare Parts A and B only offer funding for medically necessary skilled nursing care for homebound individuals. Elective services such as companion care and personal care do not qualify. Does Social Security pay for in-home care? Neither Supplemental Security Income (SSI) nor Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will pay for home care services directly. However, Social Security benefits can be used to pay a home care provider.For further information, please call Homewatch Caregivers Edina at 952-260-6223.
Has your senior loved one been diagnosed with a chronic health condition? Are they still recovering from major surgery or illness? Youre looking at your options between skilled and non-skilled home care services to find the best option for your loved one. In this article we will share the differences between both. What Is Non-Skilled In-Home Health Care?Non-skilled in-home care refers to supportive home care including social care, domiciliary care, and other non-medical services. The term non-skilled is used to differentiate care from home healthcare services that patients may receive from a nurse or nursing assistant. Personal CareWalking and wheelchair assistanceBathing, grooming, and dressing assistanceMedication remindersFall prevention and personal safetyStatus reports to family membersIncontinence and toilet assistance24/7 monitoring after hospitalizationLifestyle SupportHousekeepingHealth and nutrition servicesMeal preparationLaundry and beddingGroceries and errandsTransportationLight exercise and outdoor activityCommunity engagementCompanionshipWhats the Difference Between Skilled and Non-Skilled Care?The difference between skilled and non-skilled care comes down to one factor medical need. Skilled nurses provide medical assistance with medication, wound care, and other recovery and medical needs. Non-skilled, or home care, providers assist with the everyday care and needs of seniors. How Do I Know What Services My Senior Loved One Needs? Home health care, or skilled nursing, services are requested by your health care provider. If your seniors doctor has indicated that they need in-home nursing services, we can work with the doctor and referral services to set up necessary appointments. Often, your loved one will need more than just home medical care, especially if they are recovering from surgery or managing a chronic illness. Our home health care aides can do it all from managing medication injections to meal preparation and everything in between. At Caring Family, we tailor all of your seniors home care and health care services to their needs. What Services Are Covered Through Medicare? Ensuring your loved one receives the care they need means asking one of the most difficult questions how do we afford care? Fortunately, in-home health care is often more affordable than extended hospital stays or nursing homes. Many Medicare plans cover in-home health care, making it the ideal option to help your senior heal and recover their independence. You can learn more about Medicare and home healthcare here and at medicare.gov.Does Medicare Cover Non-Skilled Home Care? Typically, Medicare does not cover home care. However, there are exceptions based on medical need and circumstances. For example, if your loved one needs personal care in addition to home health care services, some of those personal care needs may be covered by Medicare. Be sure to contact your insurance agent for more details. Are You Ready to Build Your Loved Ones Independence? Home care and home health care services help seniors regain and maintain their independence. Contact us today with questions and we will help you set up an appointment with one of our care experts. Call us at 952-345-8770 or our visit us at www.lifespark.com.