Home safety and aging at home has become a major issue in society today. Senior citizens are the largest growing segment of the population. The ratio between health care providers and the elderly residents of rest homes is too large. Coupled with the expense, and leaving all that is familiar and comfortable, more and more seniors are opting to stay at home for as long as possible.
However, family and friends are often pushing for an alternative, simply because living at home can become risky business. No one wants to come knocking at the door only to find a loved one has been lying on the floor in pain for quite some time. Understandably, they would prefer and elderly loved one not be left home alone.
Senior Citizen Resources
But, many senior citizens will not thrive in a community living environment, with one small room that feels like a hospital. So, thanks to some inventive senior programs, devices, and equipment, more seniors are living independently, and more family members can relax a little.
The Programs
- Life Alert
- Meals on Wheels
- Senior Transportation
A Few Devices
- Reachers
- Dressing Aids
- Easy Grip Garden Tools
- Kitchen Gadgets
Equipment
- Lift Chairs
- Support Rails
- Walk-in Bath Tubs
- Hospitals
Although only a short list, programs are available to help people age with dignity and stay in their homes for as long as possible. An alert necklace is an excellent alarm for the elderly that have fallen and cannot get up or have some other emergency where the phone is not in easy reach.
Food is also a major issue if cooking is difficult or appetites are not what they used to be in younger days. Many seniors have a problem with malnutrition, so community services are available to deliver one well-balance meal each day. Then, if transportation is needed for an appointment or a trip to the grocery store, a handicapped accessible van or bus can be called.
A plethora of devices are now available to make the everyday chores and activities a little easier, with less chance of getting hurt or even straining a muscle. When the body is no longer limber, dressing aids make it possible to still practice self-care and do those things that most of us take for granted.
Kitchen gadgets can also make mealtimes safer, especially for those who may have limited motion on one side or the other. It is better to accept the help of special devices and do certain activities a little differently, than to risk injury that will bring aging at home to a quick end.
Finally, if mobility has been hampered by age related health issues, there is plenty of home equipment options that can make life a little more comfortable and safe at the same time. For example, a lift chair helps a lot of elderly and disabled individuals.
In the bathroom, support rails and walk-in bath tubs can prevent those nasty falls that can result in a broken hip or some other injury requiring long-term healing. Of course, do not forget about the bedroom. A lot of injuries occur during the process of getting in and out of bed. In some cases, it may be necessary to have a hospital style bed to raise the feet for better circulation, or raise the head for those days you or a loved one must stay in bed.
In short, there are plenty of programs, devices, and assorted equipment choices to make home safety and aging at home possible.