Keeping Aging Baby Boomers Safe
Some aging baby boomers experience health problems or become frail and sometimes need to move in with younger members of the family to sustain a safe way of living and also avoid some of the more unpleasant aspects of elderly life such as loneliness and isolation.
Having an elderly relative move in can be a blessing but there are one or two precautions that need to be addressed so that everyone can be confident that Mom (or Grandpa or Aunt Maud) is not living in a home that is a potential booby trap! Aging Baby boomers might be quite vulnerable and susceptible to falls and the resulting broken bones and bruises.
Start with the stairs. Obviously your aging loved one is going to need a sturdy handrail, so make sure yours is solidly fixed to the wall and not over polished to ensure elderly hands with a weaker grip can grasp the rail firmly. Make sure that if your stairs are carpeted, the carpet is properly attached to each stair and that if you have those smart brass clips that they are in good repair and holding the carpet securely.
Check for any loose carpet tacks and make sure the staircase is well lit. If you do not already have a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs, install one so that the light can be switched on both upstairs and on the ground floor. Never leave loose objects on the stairs, either at the top or the bottom and make sure loose rugs are never left where they might act as a slide and cause a fall. Ideally, a stair lift should be installed for the extremely frail.
Exterior steps should also feature a hand rail and if they are rickety or of different heights, this should be corrected. Outdoor tiling should be non slip, even after becoming wet. If there are any rusty or jagged edges to gate latches or door handles, repair them and make sure they remain in good repair.
Put a telephone within easy reach of your aging loved one’s chair or bed and try to set up an emergency alarm as soon as possible. This need not be a complicated electronic system; often a simple hand bell is sufficient to call for help.
Do not set hot water systems so that near boiling water gushes from the hot tap and take the time to explain to your new resident how to use all household appliances so that your aging boomer will not attempt to figure things out for themselves and end up being injured trying to assemble an ironing board or light a gas fire.
Use your common sense. Help your aging guest up and down steps and across roads and try not to make them feel useless or redundant in the process. Set some rules about opening the door to strangers and attempting to reach high shelves by climbing on chairs – always an absolute no-no!
Making Your Home Safe for the Elderly is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of baby boomers psychological coaching tips and how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
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