How to Keep Elderly Parents Accident Safe

The greatest challenge in caring for an elderly parent is keeping them safe from accidents. If the parent is in denial about their capabilities, your job becomes even more difficult. Just as you child proofed your house for your children, you will need to elderly proof your house for your parent(s).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Mom Will be Stubborn at Times

   The most frequent accidents among the elderly are falls. This is the number one reason for severe injury and hospitalization. There's a lot you can do in your house to prevent falls:
   
   1. Remove all throw rugs and mats. The elderly tend to shuffle rather than picking their feet up to walk.
   2. Immediately wipe up any liquid spills. If you mop the floor, be sure to tell Mom or Dad to stay out of that room until it dries. If need be, sit down and visit with your parent until it dries.
   3. Make sure there aren't any toys, shoes, etc. lying around the house where they might trip on them.
   4. Install a safety bar in the bathtub and next to the toilet.
   5. Make sure the bathtub has a slip proof mat.

2. 
   Make Time for Yourself

   The kitchen can also prevent hazards for the elderly. If they are forgetful or have dementia, the stove is a major hazard. Mom usually wants to continue cooking even though she forgets to turn off the stove after the food is done, or walks away to do something in another room and forgets she was cooking. While I was caring for my elderly aunt, she forgot she was frying bacon. I discovered the smoking pan in the kitchen and her sitting in the living room. The solution to this: Take the knobs off the stove and hide them.

3. 
   Pets Will Keep Mom Happy and Occupied

   If your parent needs to use a walker or cane, insist that they do. This was a struggle for me, because my aunt was afraid people in public would think she was old; she was 89. When we'd go anywhere I would put the cane and eventually the walker and wheelchair, in the car. When we got to where we were going, I'd either hand her the cane or walker, or get out the wheelchair, and tell her to sit in it. She always complied.

4. Most elderly people take several different medications. My mother who is 86 years old has a sharp mind and can still take care of this on her own. However, my aunt couldn't do it so I had to take charge of dispensing meds. Don't leave their medication around where they might take it even though they've already had the pill for the day.

5. If your parent is left alone during the day for any length of time, you might want to consider getting an emergency response system for her/him. This will require they wear a bracelet or pendant. If they should have an emergency such as a fall, they can push a button and signal for help. Information on this can be found at AARP.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Set up arrangements with family, friends, and neighbors to check on Mom or Dad should you be away from home and can't get in touch with them.
• The elderly can be stubborn.

Resources

• AARP

[maraiya]

on 7/4/2009 I'm glad you wrote about this. Good article. It's a common problem. I take care of an elderly lady. Biggest problem I have is that she is in denial about her Alzheimer's and I can't change that. She's also very stubborn and hard to get along with. I just handle it the best I can and try not to react emotionally to her.

[johnnyutah]

on 5/9/2009 interesting article on How to Keep Elderly Parents Accident Safe 5* nice work

[jpwriter]

on 5/7/2009 Good information. Yes, they are very stubborn and being consistent is important.

[Coach4U]

on 4/22/2009 Thank you for a good article. My Mom recently had a stroke and we are doing more and more for her at this time. Everyone wants to be independent; we need to find a balance. "5"

[carmensjones]

on 4/18/2009 How to Keep Elderly Parents Accident Safe is something i needed to read. i get scared sometimes thinking about my parents who are in a different city.