So how can seniors with pets who still live in their family home (often called “aging in place”) continue to care for a pet? Keeping pet while aging in place can be difficult if you’ve started to experience some of the physical and cognitive challenges of growing older.

Benefits of Having Pets

The physical, mental, and emotional benefits that seniors receive as a result of interactions with their pets have been well documented. Studies show that seniors who care for pets also take better care of themselves, with the following results:

• Lower risk of heart disease
• A more positive outlook on life
• A sense of purpose and being needed
• Lower stress and anxiety levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Companionship that relieves feelings of isolation

Hazards of Keeping a Pet While You Age in Place

Despite the benefits, keeping a pet can create some hazards for senior adults. For example, seniors should watch for the following safety hazards related to owning a pet:

• Tripping over pets, pet toys, food and water bowls
• Slipping in pet waste or on spills
• Being knocked over by an exuberant pet
• Falling while walking a pet or chasing it if it scrambles away

Safety for Seniors with Pets

Many steps can be taken to make the home safer for seniors with pets, including:

• Promptly clean up spills from food and water bowls.
• Clear walkways, hallways and stairs of pet toys.
• Have a designated place where leashes and other pet equipment are kept out of the way.
• Sit down before bending over to engage with a pet to avoid falls.

If a senior adult wants a new pet, the relationship will generally last longer — and be safer — if the pet has the proper size, temperament, and care needs that fit the home and the abilities of the senior.

For example, cats are generally calmer than dogs. Many love to cuddle, and they are small and light enough to lift if needed. While cats are more into peace and quiet, dogs are more energetic, like to be walked, and can provide a sense of security. Small dogs can be a tripping hazard, and large dogs may be too strong to handle safely. Older dogs may be great options for seniors to adopt — they usually enjoy mirroring their activity level with the people around them.

What if You Need Help?

There are many options to assist senior adults facing decreasing strength, mobility and stamina. Financial assistance may also be available to seniors to help with pet costs.

The Humane Society of the United States provides a list of national and state resources to help people afford their pets.

In addition to the list, consider the following tips for responsible and accessible pet ownership:

• Veterinary care options are available for pet owners who cannot afford the full expense of veterinary care. Assistance may include pet food, supplementation, spay/neuter assistance, and medication payment relief.
• Traveling veterinarians make house calls, and mobile vet clinics are increasing in number.
• Dog walkers can be found online, or you may want to ask a friend or neighbor about their experience with a dog walker before selecting one.
• Grocery and pet stores now deliver pet supplies to the home.
• Routine and emergency pet services are available, including boarding and kennel services, and can be found online.

Talk to your veterinarian about services and options in your community. If you are receiving home health assistance, your caregivers may know of other local resources as well.

Planning to age in place? Visit Bethesda’s Senior Home Safety blog for more tips.

The post Senior Home Safety: Keeping Your Pet While You Age in Place first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Couple this with the finding that older adults with decreased physical and cognitive ability may be more susceptible to the unintended consequences of prescription medication use, including side effects, and you can begin to understand the challenge of medication safety for seniors. However, with some organization, diligence and education, seniors can avoid self-inflicted medication errors and experience the intended results of their prescriptions.

Get Organized

Gather. 

If medications are strewn about the home they can be lost, taken by mistake, or be dangerously out of date. All medications, supplements, vitamins and over-the-counter medications should be collected and reviewed regularly.

The medications should be stored in a cool, dry place (don’t store medications in the bathroom cabinet as they can be susceptible to high moisture levels and heat from running water.) They should be kept together in a clear plastic container so they are easy to see and find. The medication should be kept out of reach of children, grandchildren and pets.

Make a list of the medications you have gathered. The list should include the names of the prescription medications, number of milligrams or milliliters, general dosage instructions, who prescribed them and what they are for, as well as all vitamins, herbs, supplements and over-the-counter medications. Include how frequently prescription medications are taken and any special instructions for their use, and when refills will need to be requested.

Dispose of old medications.

This reduces the chances of taking the wrong medication accidentally. Plus, expired medications can be less effective or leave you at risk for additional side effects.

Set up a written log and tracking system.

List what medications should be taken and when. Include any special instructions (such as “take with food”) that are required.

Leave a place on the list to check off when the medications have been taken.

Make copies of this list for others who may be involved in the care needs of your senior loved one. Also, the list should be brought to all doctor appointments for reference during consultations and possible medication reviews.

Anticipate refills. 

It’s crucial to keep plenty of medications on hand. You can ask if the prescription can be filled for a 90-day period, which will require fewer renewals. Some pharmacies offer automatic renewals and home delivery services for convenience.

Use one pharmacy. 

Using one pharmacy improves the pharmacist’s ability to track a person’s medications, enabling him or her to watch for dangerous drug combinations. Using multiple pharmacies, often prescribed by different specialists, makes it more likely that a possible negative interaction may go overlooked.

Keep the physician informed. 

It is important that a senior’s primary care physician is kept up to date with all the medications, vitamins, herbs and supplements a senior is taking. During a review with the physician, it may be possible to identify medications that will be more effective or substitute medications that are just as effective but cost less. Possible side effects and interactions from the medications the senior is taking also can be discussed at this time. Specialists should also be aware of this information.

Organize the medications in advance. 

Pill boxes organized by date and time of day when a medication needs be taken can be used to avoid the confusion of sorting through bottles and trying to read labels when it is time to take medications.

There are pill boxes that provide visual or audible reminders to make medication safety for seniors easier, and automatic pill dispensers that are programmed to notify the user and release exactly the right amount of medication at the correct time. These dispensers are locked systems, and some models can send a text or other notification to the senior or caregiver if a dose is missed.

Look for signs of medication errors. 

If your senior has some memory or cognition problems, taking medications correctly without help will be more of a challenge. Look for signs that your senior is struggling with medications. These signs may include the presence of expired medications, unused pills, or medications that are missing labels and instructions.

Turn on a light. 

Another way to avoid confusion is to always set up and take medications in a well-lit room.

Share complete information. 

Errors can multiply when several people are involved in the medication process. Everyone needs to know precisely what and how medications are to be taken.

Educate Yourself

Understand signs of side effects. 

Medication side effects could include:

• Dizziness and falls
• Weight gain or loss
• Changes in memory and cognitive ability

Some side effects could mimic other conditions, including dementia. A sudden change in physical or cognitive status with the addition of a new medication could result as well.

Medications can be affected by food and beverages and other supplements, altering the medication’s absorption capability. For example, grapefruit juice can change the effects of certain drugs. Smoking, drinking, dietary changes or viral infections can also affect how the body handles a medication.

It is important to take medications exactly as prescribed, and to consult frequently with a pharmacist and/or physician if there are any questions or concerns.

Also, read the data sheet that comes with the prescription to learn more about possible side effects, and look at the drug facts labels on over-the-counter drugs to be aware of any potential problems.

Actively managing your loved one’s health and safety can be difficult. Find more tips for caregivers on our blog.

The post Medication Safety for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

1. Different Lights Can Help Declining Sight

Many seniors don’t have sharp vision like they did when they were younger, and home lighting can make all the difference. Consider the following:

• Replace old, incandescent light bulbs in dark areas around the house (like under cabinets) with brighter, fluorescent ones.
• Use colored nightlights in strategic locations like hallways and bathrooms (warm, contrasting colors, like red, are seen much easier than colder colors, like blue).

2. Reduced Touch Can Lead to Injuries

Changes in a senior’s sense of touch are often caused by decreased blood flow, resulting in an inability to detect changes in temperature or pain. As a result, it may take longer for your loved one to notice when they injure themselves from burns or frostbite.

To avoid your loved one getting burned or injuring themselves in the shower, lower their hot water temperature to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, check for signs of frostbite or hypothermia if they have been outside.

3. Hearing Loss Emerges Slowly

Hearing loss occurs when the structures inside the ear begin to change. It’s a slow degeneration, so seniors may not know that they are losing their hearing. The signs of hearing loss include:

• Volume on speakers turned up high
• Having difficulty following conversations
• Asking to repeat words

If your loved one is hard of hearing, activate the closed captioning option on their TV and, if their air conditioning is too loud, hire a professional to soundproof the unit. If your loved one is tech-savvy, consider wireless headphones that block out ambient noise. Doing so will allow your loved one to hear better. Also, turn the ringer volume up on their phone to avoid missed calls.

4. Loss of Smell Increases Fire Accidents

Diminished sense of smell may mean your loved one won’t notice the smell of smoke. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so your loved one can be alerted if something is amiss. Make sure you change the batteries and test the system regularly.

5. Taste Affects Eating Habits

Taste and smell go hand-in-hand. The inability to smell food diminishes its flavor and therefore may not taste as good. Because of this decline, seniors may not enjoy eating as much as they used to and therefore consume less. There is also the danger that they will not be able to detect spoiled foods.

Check the food in the refrigerator and cabinets for any signs of spoilage and promptly throw spoiled food away. Doing so will prevent your loved one from accidentally eating spoiled food and getting sick. Make sure your loved one is eating enough and consider adding new spices to foods to enhance the flavor.

For additional senior home safety tips, check out the Senior Home Safety section of our blog.

The post The 5 Senses of Senior Home Safety first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Choosing the Right Technology

The field of smart home technology is rapidly growing, which makes it challenging to find the devices appropriate for your loved one.

Some seniors are quite knowledgeable on the subject of smart technology and smart devices. For those who are, they should be consulted on which devices to place in their home and their purpose. No technology, however smart, is worth anything if it is unnecessary, unused, or disliked by the senior.

Tips on Setup

Most smart devices have a companion app that allows setup and the ability to manage the device remotely. These require a Wi-Fi connection, and the senior’s home should have sufficient bandwidth if multiple devices or devices that stream video are being used.

If you do plan on several devices working together, be sure they support the same smart-home software platforms. Most smart devices are simple to set up (using a smartphone), able to send notifications and, in many cases, provide remote access control.

Security Systems

There are do-it-yourself home security systems with several capabilities and options:

• Sensors that detect when a door or window has been left open
• Cameras
• Smoke detectors
• Motion sensors
• Water sensors
• Glass break sensors

One example of a do-it-yourself system is the Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit. The Ring Premium Home Plan is an example of a professional monitoring plan, which offers access to a live person at a call center 24/7, who will react to needs and emergencies. (An ideal option when family members cannot cover every hour of the day and night.)

If a complete security system is not needed, you can pick and choose from several options:

Lights and thermostat controls

Thermostats can be run on personalized, automated systems. They can also be voice- or remotely controlled and monitored from a distance.

Smart smoke detectors

When smoke or carbon monoxide is detected, these devices sound a loud voice alert that lets occupants know what room the threat is in. The detectors also send smartphone alerts to family, friends or neighbors. An example would be the Google Nest.

Emergency contact systems 

These systems have become more sophisticated over the years. Some can detect falls and certain types of cardiac arrest, and can call for help automatically.

Communication devices

The Amazon Echo Dot allows anyone to control it by making verbal commands. Though it does not connect to 911, it can connect to family, friends and caregivers. The Echo Show is a smart speaker with a built-in screen and camera. Alexa on the Echo Show can be used to schedule reminders about appointments and medication doses.

Medication managers 

Other devices can be programmed to let seniors know when it is time to take medications, and provide notifications about physician checkups and appointments.

Digital pill dispensers such as MedMinder dispense medications to seniors. A caregiver fills the medicine tray and can remotely schedule when medications are to be taken. The device unlocks according to the schedule to make the medications available, and beeps if they have not been taken. The family caregiver is notified as well.

“Reminder Rosie” is a talking clock that can be programmed to remind seniors to take their medication via a prerecorded voice message from a caregiver. Personal messages can also be recorded with other reminders, such as “it’s time to exercise.”

Telemedicine Services

Telemedicine enables health care providers to remotely deliver clinical health services and information to patients via interactive and video telecommunications through devices like smartphones, tablets, home computers or laptops. The connection between patients and care providers is through a program, app or website with video and audio capabilities.

Leak detection sensors

Smart sensors that detect water leaks can be placed in areas where they are likely: hot water heater, tub, sinks, etc. When water is detected, a loud alarm sounds and smartphone alerts are sent.

Video doorbells

These devices allow video screening of anyone who comes to your loved one’s door. The notification will be delivered to the senior and to a family member via smartphone.

Smart plugs

A smart plug is controlled by an app and lets a person turn on and off any appliance that plugs into a standard wall socket. This can help if you wonder whether or not your loved one has turned off an appliance, or has forgotten to leave a lamp on to guide them during the night. They can also be activated by voice command so that seniors can control them without leaving a chair or bed. Smart plugs can be put on a schedule to come on at certain times or be paired with a motion sensor to light up a dark hallway.

Smart refrigerators

Some models provide alerts if the refrigerator door has been left open. Along with this alert, family member’s smartphones can also receive temperature change notifications. The family member can send and receive notes and make calendar entries that appear on the fridge’s screen. Here is a review of some models.

Smart stoves

With the iGuardStove, a monitor detects motion (or lack thereof) in the kitchen and can identify if the stove is on or not. If no movement is detected in the kitchen for a set period of time, the stove is shut off.

Discover more senior home safety tips on Bethesda’s blog.

The post Senior Home Safety: Smart Home Tips first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Or are they?

Not according to Dr. Samir K. Sinha, a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto. He says vulnerable older adults are disproportionately likely to suffer in natural disasters, in large part because they are more likely to face sensory, cognitive or mobility disabilities, social isolation and financial challenges.

Dr. Sinha is a co-chair of the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults project, an initiative by the American Red Cross and the American Academy of Nursing. The goal of the project is to help reduce the impact of disaster on older Americans. In 2020, the group working on the project published a report including 25 evidence-based recommendations targeting an audience ranging from health care professionals to policymakers to caregivers.

Four Steps to Prepare Seniors for Severe Weather

1. Know the Risks.

The first step is to know what risks your loved ones could face, says Jim Judge, former Emergency Management Director for the Department of Public Protection and a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. “The more you understand about the hazards that can affect your area, the more you can plan and prepare,” he says. “One of the best ways to find out what your vulnerabilities are is to reach out to your local emergency manager.”

And when risk becomes reality, you need to stay informed. Experts recommend having a weather radio that receives National Weather Service alerts. The best of these use Specific Area Message Encoding, which lets you program your county, parish, city or marine area into the radio to receive localized notifications. Some weather radios also have integrated strobe lights and bed shakers for people with hearing impairments.

If you are a remote caregiver or your loved one lives in another community, you can still receive alerts. The Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer free iOS and Android apps that let you sign up for alerts from anywhere in the country. The apps also offer preparedness information and, in FEMA’s case, shelter locations.

2. Build a Kit.

Pull together the food, water and other supplies — such as flashlights and a first aid kit — you and/or your loved one would need in an emergency. The goal is to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. You can find a list of important items at the Ready.gov website.

For your older loved one, pay particular attention to health-related items, including glasses or contacts (along with contact solution), a three-day supply of medicine, and other necessities, such as a walker, oxygen tank or spare hearing-aid batteries. If your loved one is diabetic or has other special dietary needs, be sure to take those into account. An emergency shelter may not have appropriate food available.

Dr. Sinha says many emergency preparedness guides omit important information for people with disabilities. “There are a lot of unmet needs and unrecognized issues that don’t make it into standard texts,” he says. “The standard guide works well for the majority of Americans, but it doesn’t really work well for those who are particularly vulnerable, such as seniors.”

3. Create a Plan.

Draw up a list of contacts and designate someone to check on your loved one during an emergency. Make a plan for where he or she should go if severe weather strikes and what to do if evacuation is necessary. Also, find out about local emergency agencies and other groups that could provide help, if needed. Make sure your loved one has this information readily available.

Create a care plan that details your loved one’s health conditions, medications, advanced directives, and other wishes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a handy care plan template on its website, or you may be considering the help of a Care Manager, such as those under Bethesda’s Care Management Program, for a professional and personal approach.

The CDC also recommends having this kind of documentation along with the care plan:

• Contact information for family members, doctors, pharmacies and/or caregivers
• List of allergies to food or medicines
• Copies of medical insurance cards
• Copies of a photo ID
• Durable power of attorney and/or medical power of attorney documents, as appropriate

You and your loved one should both have a copy of the care plan, and it’s a good idea to keep one in the emergency kit, ideally in something waterproof.

4. Get Registered.

Many communities maintain voluntary registries of residents who have special needs, functional challenges or who lack transportation. In the event of a disaster, local officials can check on those people and move them to designated special-needs shelters if necessary. (There’s no guarantee, however, so people should still be prepared to shelter in place.)

Dr. Sinha says Toronto’s home-care registry paid off several years ago during an ice storm. “We were able to use our data systems to quickly pinpoint who were the ones we needed to call and visit first,” he says. “We didn’t have a single death because of that.”

Of course, if your loved one lives in a senior-living facility like Bethesda’s communities across the St. Louis, MO area, much of the planning is out of your hands. These communities are required to have emergency procedures and emergency power plans. If you have concerns, Judge recommends asking the staff to show you their plans. “They will know right away that they have an educated consumer, and it’ll keep them on their toes,” he says.

To keep your senior loved one safe all year, find more senior home safety tips on our blog, and contact a Bethesda community near you to learn more about our emergency procedures.

© Next Avenue – 2025. All rights reserved.

Originally published on April 8, 2019 by Mark Ray for Next Avenue.

The post How to Prepare Senior Loved Ones for Severe Weather and Emergencies first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

But for our senior loved ones, outdoor summer parties can turn stressful and even dangerous if we’re not careful. It’s important to think ahead before we take Mom or Dad to an outdoor event to ensure that a good time can be had by all.

Things to consider before taking a senior loved one to a summer barbecue:

Are they up for a party?

Ask yourself if your Mom or Dad are both physically and mentally fit to attend a crowded outdoor gathering. Seniors are more susceptible to heat exhaustion in the warm summer weather and, while it’s important they have a chance to socialize and have some fun, some seniors find large, noisy crowds to be upsetting. Are they genuinely excited about going or are they going because you want them to? If the stress isn’t worth it to them, maybe they’d be better off doing something else instead while you enjoy the party. It might be be a good time to seek out respite care so you can take a well-deserved break from your caregiving responsibilities knowing they are in good hands.

Is the party up for them?

Seniors have a variety of needs younger folks might take for granted. Is the site of the party accessible for older people with mobility issues? Is the host prepared to make accommodations for senior loved ones, or are they more likely to be engrossed in the party themselves? Will there be other older people there, or will your senior loved one feel out of place and without someone to visit with? Are the restrooms easy to get to? It’s a good idea to ask these questions before you go.

Have a seat

It’s also a great idea to check ahead with the host to make sure that your senior loved one has a place, preferably indoors and in air conditioning, where they can take a break. Older people often can’t stay on their feet as long as their younger family members, so it’s important they have a chance to sit down. It’s worth having a conversation with the party host.

What’s on the menu?

Does your Mom or Dad have a special diet? If so, you should check ahead to make sure that there’s something being served that they can eat or if food needs to be brought for them. Also, common party drinks like soda, alcoholic beverages, and iced tea contain things like sugar and caffeine that many seniors can’t tolerate well. Make sure they have plenty of their drink of choice and something tasty that they can eat so they don’t feel left out of the party. If they require extra assistance with their food, like cutting their meat or removing their corn from the cob so they can eat it more easily, you probably want to do that discreetly in the kitchen. It can sometimes be embarrassing in the mind of our senior loved ones to have people see you cut their food at the table for them.

Safety first

There are plenty of hazards at a summer barbecue, including a hot grill, coolers and tote bags strewn across the ground posing tripping hazards, plus the possibility of heat stroke, sunburn and other risks. Make sure you keep yourself available to your senior loved one and that you have the things they need close at hand. Also, try to be strategic when settling them in for a fun day. Wherever they choose to hang out should be away from potential hazards like running children and the smoky and scorching barbecue pit, and in a place that’s cool and shady.

Planning Ahead

It can take plenty of preparation to make sure Mom or Dad is comfortable at a barbecue, especially if they have memory care needs, anxiety or other conditions to navigate.

If your senior loved one would enjoy some tasty grilled fare with friends in the backyard, maybe consider planning a party yourself that will be perfect for them to celebrate the warm summer days. Invite some of their friends and family members so they’ll have lots of people to visit with, consult with them about the menu so you know their favorites will be included, pick a time or a date when the temperature is likely to be cooler and a place where they’re familiar with the facilities, then throw the perfect party they’re sure to enjoy!

For more summer safety tips, visit Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.

The post Keeping Summer Barbecues Safe and Enjoyable for Seniors first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Fortunately, much can be done to prevent dangerous falls and their consequences, including broken bones, damaged joints and head injuries.

Statistically, most falls happen within a senior’s own home, where they naturally spend most of their time. While eliminating trip hazards such as throw rugs, exposed cords and other clutter can help to a certain degree, other steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood that our elderly loved ones are injured in a fall.

Helpful Fall Prevention Devices

1. Alarms and Monitors

Seniors most commonly fall when they get up from their bed or chair without assistance — often despite advice from their healthcare provider and family. While it’s impossible to be with them every second of the day, you can do the next best thing in the form of an electronic monitor. Other options include wearable fall prevention devices and fitness watches that come equipped with fall and impact detectors, which can be configured to automatically call for help when a fall happens.

2. Reaching Devices

Another way seniors find themselves taking an unfortunate tumble is losing their balance while reaching for something on the floor or just beyond their grasp. For only a few dollars, they can buy a handy reaching device that is essentially a lightweight pole with a set of pincers on the end that can grasp and lift items that weight up to a pound.

3. Bedside Rails

These handy devices not only help to prevent seniors from falling out of bed while they sleep, but can help them get in and out of bed while they’re awake. Easy to install and adjust to the proper height, the rails are excellent for people who have weakness on one side of their body or in their hands or arms, as well as for those who experience dizziness when they initially stand up.

4. Grab Bars

One of the best investments we can make in a senior’s home is to install grab bars in the home. While some are anchored to the wall, others are held in place by strong suction cups that make them easy to place in a senior’s shower.

5. Fall Mats

While not specifically a fall prevention device, if a fall does happen, a helpful way to protect senior loved ones from hurting themselves falling out of bed is to cushion their landing. Fall mats are portable and can be placed next to a senior’s bed to lessen the impact of potential roll offs.

6. Gait Belts

Just like grab rails prevent falls by giving a senior something to steady themselves with, gait belts keep seniors steady by giving their caregivers a way to hang onto them while they transfer from bed or a chair, work to improve their stamina or balance by walking, or perform other tasks. The belts fit around a person’s waist and can come equipped with handles that ensure the person providing added support doesn’t lose his or her grip.

Keeping Safety in Mind

While these fall prevention devices can improve the ability of elderly people to live in their home for longer, sometimes they require more care than we can provide by ourselves. If your senior loved one is a fall risk and is unable to safely live in their home, Bethesda offers services at both the assisted living and skilled nursing level of care to ensure their safety.

Our assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities offer physical and occupational therapy services, and a medical professional is either on-site or accessible 24 hours a day. Personal care assistive services are available for what are referred to as “activities of daily living.” The services include help with personal hygiene and grooming, dressing and movement assistance, helping our loved ones to gain or maintain strength and balance as much as possible to allow them to safely navigate their day.

Visit Bethesda’s Senior Home Safety blog for more tips on keeping your loved ones safe.

The post 6 Types of Elderly Fall Prevention Devices first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

People contending with dementia may have trouble remembering key safety steps while doing things they’ve done all their life such as cooking, cleaning, or even navigating their own home. We can help make their home safer by surveying it with a careful eye, searching for potential dangers and eliminating them before they can do any harm.

What to look for to reduce risks in your senior loved one’s home:

Clean out the chemicals

Under the counters, in the garages and in the basements of most homes, any number of toxic chemicals can be found. Paint, cleaning supplies, and pesticides are real dangers to people who do not use them properly and safely. In the laundry room, hazards including laundry pods, bleach and other cleaning products can be found. These toxins should be removed from the home or kept in an inaccessible place.

Don’t stand the heat

The kitchen is an important area to concentrate on when it comes to home safety for seniors experiencing memory difficulties. A hot stove can be a source of danger, so invest in knob covers to prevent the appliance from being turned on without supervision. Turn off the gas to the stove, if possible, when it’s not being used. Disconnect the garbage disposal. And while we’re on the subject of temperature, turn down the water heater so your senior loved one isn’t scalded when they turn on the tap at the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, or in the shower or tub.

Controlling your substances

Identify prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines that could be dangerous if taken in the wrong quantities. Keep medication in a locked container and ration it out in daily doses for your elderly loved one. A simple plastic organizer is a great tool for those caring for an elderly parent at home. It can help you keep track of what medication needs to be taken. Drawer locks are another tool that can keep drawers with dangerous contents secure.

Slippery when wet

One of the most dangerous places for seniors in their own home is the bathroom – especially the shower or tub, where surfaces get slippery, and can result in falling onto hard, unforgiving floors. Grab handles are a simple and effective solution for shower slips and for getting in and out of the tub. If you have a choice when selecting a place to live for your senior loved one, choose a bathroom with a walk-in shower over a residence with a traditional tub that requires you to step over the side of it to enter. If moving to a senior-friendly space isn’t an option, consider replacing the tub with an accessible shower – or at least put textured, non-slip mats on the floor of the tub or shower to reduce fall risks.

Safe and Secure

When caring for an elderly parent at home, it’s a good idea to secure heavy furniture to walls to ensure that your elderly parent doesn’t fall if she or he leans against it for support or pulls on it for leverage. Chairs with arm rests are preferable over ones without, as the arms give seniors something to use for support when they get up or sit down. Sometimes people living with dementia are prone to wandering, so to avoid a dangerous situation, consider putting a latch that’s out of sight or out of reach on exterior doors.

In the Bedroom

Is their bed too high or too low to safely get in and out of? If so, add furniture that is easier to access so they don’t take an unnecessary fall. For example, place a chair by the bed or maybe a bench at the end of it to give your senior loved one a place to sit while they dress and put on their shoes. In addition, bedroom items like electric blankets and heating pads can be dangerous for those suffering from dementia because of the risk of burns or even electrocution. If your loved one insists upon having them, their use should be carefully monitored.

Declutter your domain

Being able to get around in our house is something we took for granted when we were younger. But when you are experiencing mobility and memory issues, it’s not as easy. Avoid falls by removing trip hazards like throw rugs, extension cords, and other clutter in walkways.

Lighten Up

Make sure there is plenty of light so your senior loved one can see where they’re going when they walk through the house. Brightly colored tape can be used to highlight trip hazards, like the edge of stairs, to ensure your senior sees them.

It’s on the List

To avoid panic and confusion, create labels and lists that help your senior loved one get through their life. Put stickers on doors to rooms like the bathroom, laundry room and bedroom to give your elderly parent a reassuring reminder of where they are. Helpful notes can remind them to shut off the water when they’re finished at the tap. Create a list of important phone numbers. Include emergency responders like the fire department, poison control and police, as well as family members and other important contacts like doctors and social workers.

Find What Works for You

With some thought and effort, we can make our senior loved one’s home a safe and comfortable place for them to continue to live. Try to observe them as much as possible throughout their day to learn their routine and identify potential danger before accidents happen.

If it ever becomes too dangerous for your senior loved one to live in their home alone, in-home assistance like Bethesda’s Senior Support Solutions could help alleviate your worries. If you need full-time assistance caring for your loved one, discover what Bethesda’s memory support communities could do for you.

Learn more about how to keep your loved one safe on Bethesda’s Alzheimer’s & Dementia blog.

The post Adapting A Home for a Senior with Dementia first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Like with so many other things in our lives, we must work smarter instead of harder as we get older, relying on our organization skills and ability to plan instead of counting on muscle power to get the job done.

It’s also important to know when to ask for help to avoid an injury that could ultimately cost us the independence we treasure so much. It’s necessary to prioritize our tasks, not take on more than we can manage at one time and to find someone to help us with the big things that put our health and safety at risk.

While doing things on our own gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment, it’s important to realize we all have limitations. Always ask yourself before you start a new project if it’s safe for you to undertake or if you’d be better off hiring someone to do it while you focus on something else.

Home Safety for Older Adults — Top Home Maintenance Priorities

• Safety First: The most important thing you can do to keep your home safe is one of the easiest – keep the clutter picked up. The number one cause of senior hospitalization is injuries from broken bones or head trauma caused by home falls. Being certain your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working condition with fresh batteries is a must. If you feel unstable on a ladder, ask someone to help you test your alarms. Local fire departments often offer detector checks and will gladly come to help you free of charge if you ask. If you check your detectors yourself, use a broomstick to press the test button instead of climbing a ladder, keeping your feet safely on the floor.
• Take care of the basics: Little problems can become big and expensive ones if you ignore them. So, it’s important to take care of leaks, creaks, and cracks as soon as possible. Want to make sure you can trust the contractor you hire to perform these tasks? The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging offers a Senior Minor Home Repair and Chore Program that helps local residents tackle smaller household issues including basic plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and heating issues for people 60 years old or above. Its volunteers can also help with safety modifications to your home like the installation of grab bars, handrails, and ramps.
• Don’t be left vulnerable: It’s a great idea to check your doors and windows periodically to ensure the locks are in good repair and that they’re secure. Also, if you have a home security system, check that the sensors have fresh batteries, that the settings are appropriate and that it’s programmed to call the police department, fire department or an ambulance when you can’t.

Make Tasks Manageable

To make the most of your time, it’s important to stay on top of the details. A terrific way to do that is to create a chore calendar dedicating a certain time each week to do things like picking up clutter, watering the plants and taking care of the laundry. Keeping things organized throughout the week helps to keep small tasks from becoming overwhelming later.

Spreading out your activities on a calendar also helps seniors stay healthy and active by giving them a reasonable amount of daily exercise. Keeping active is good for maintaining flexibility, muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness.

For tasks you don’t feel comfortable tackling yourself, hire a service to take care of the tougher jobs, including yard work and deep cleaning. Check with trusted neighbors or consult your local senior center for a list of trustworthy contractors. While it’s appealing to find the best deal, it’s worth the money to find highly recommended service workers who have plenty of experience, proper equipment, and insurance to do work for you. Building relationships with dependable contractors who value home safety for older adults will help in the long run because you’ll be less likely to have to look for a replacement every season and more likely to get an honest bill from someone who values your business and wants to keep it.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead for household tasks will allow seniors to live safely in their residence for years to come, enjoying their time instead of worrying about who is going to fix the leaky faucet, when they’ll find time to mow the lawn, and what to tackle first when it comes to cleaning up around the house. Life shouldn’t feel like never ending work, especially for seniors who have earned their retirement!

Get more tips on home safety for older adults on our Senior Home Safety blog!

The post Home Safety Tips for Older Adults first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.

Preventing Senior Falls

Icy steps and walkways can be a hazard for anyone but especially for seniors, who may suffer broken bones or even more serious injuries if they were to fall. Be sure that all outdoor stairs and walkways are salted before a winter storm to help keep anyone from slipping.

Salting beforehand can also make shoveling snow much easier for seniors who are able to shovel. However, keep in mind that shoveling snow can also put a strain on the heart, endangering people with heart disease and circulatory problems. It is also hazardous for those who have balance issues.

Seniors can avoid the dangers of shoveling snow by using alternative products. Chemicals can help melt ice as well; just be aware that surfaces can refreeze. Consumer Reports has some information about which ice-melting products are the safest and most effective, as well as how to use them.

If seniors have to go out, they should wear non-skid soles and make sure that the rubber tips on their canes have been replaced if they have worn smooth.

If there is any doubt about walking conditions, seniors should remain inside if at all possible.

For more safety tips for older adults year-round, read Bethesda’s Fall Prevention tips for seniors.

Stay Warm

As the body ages, it is less resistant to the effects of the cold. It also becomes more difficult for seniors to tell when they are dangerously cold. Shivering is not a reliable warning because older adults tend to shiver less or not at all when their body temperature drops.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature becomes very low. Most people associate it with the bitter cold of the outdoors, but a cold house or apartment can also result in hypothermia. Seniors and older adults should keep the house temperature at a minimum of 68 degrees to prevent hypothermia.

Senior home safety is twice as important during the winter. If a senior has a fireplace in their home, make sure it has been properly ventilated and cleaned. Chimneys and flues should be checked annually. The home should have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Winter safety tips for seniors include:

• Dressing warmly on cold days, even indoors.
• Dressing in layers when going out. A few thin layers are better than one heavy one.
• Wearing a good coat, a hat that covers your ears, gloves, boots and a scarf to cover your mouth and nose are essentials to maintaining a healthy body temperature.
• Stretching, moving about the house or exercising every hour or so will keep your circulation moving.
• Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, particularly the wind chill. For example, when it is 35 degrees with 5 mph winds the temperature actually feels like 31 degrees. With 10 mph winds at the same temperature, it feels like 27. Consider this when dressing to go out.
• Watching what you put inside your body is just as important. Drink alcohol moderately, as it can cause a loss of body heat. Eat enough food during to stay energized and insulated with little body fat.

Defeat Wintertime Depression

During the winter, many seniors have less contact with others, which can trigger feelings of loneliness and isolation. Family members and caregivers should visit and check on their senior loved ones frequently during the winter. It’s also a good idea to arrange a check-in system with neighbors and friends if family isn’t close by. Even a simple phone call can make a big difference.

With winter’s decreased sunlight, some seniors may suffer from “seasonal affective disorder,” or SAD. Strategies to cope with SAD include opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light and using full-spectrum light bulbs in the home that mimic sunlight.

Learn the signs of seasonal depression in seniors and tips to stay healthy and happy this winter on Bethesda’s blog.

Seniors living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia sometimes suffer from Sundowners Syndrome, which is marked by increased agitation, anger, confusion and memory loss during low-light conditions. Maintaining a consistent schedule has proven to lessen the impact of the loss of light. If a senior’s confusion or depression persists or deepens, consult a physician.

Prepare for Power Outages

Along with ice and snow, winter also produces more than its share of power outages. Seniors should keep a flashlight nearby with fresh batteries and a battery-powered radio – and know how to use them.

To stay safe and prepared this winter, older adults can:

• Be sure their home is adequately insulated
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulations
• Store spare containers of water, particularly if your home is on a well-pump system
• Know how to shut off water valves to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting
• Keep non-perishable food on hand in case of emergency

Seniors and Winter Driving

Seniors should avoid driving on icy roads if at all possible. If you must drive, check the weather and road condition reports before deciding to drive. The state department of transportation provides online updates of road conditions. Before leaving the house, older adults should let someone know where they are going, the route they are taking and when they expect to return.

When driving in winter, be extra cautious on bridges and overpasses, as they are the first to freeze. Remember that major roads are usually cleared before secondary roads and side streets.

Before the bad weather arrives, a senior can make sure their car is winterized. This will include checking antifreeze levels, tire pressure, windshield wipers and windshield wiper fluid.

The car should be stocked with emergency supplies including the following:

• First aid kit
• Blankets
• Warm clothes
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Rock salt, sand or cat litter for tire traction
• Drinking water
• Dried food
• Flashlight
• Booster cables
• Map

Stay safe this winter! Read more of Bethesda’s winter safety tips for seniors to stay out of harm’s way this season. 

The post Snowy Season Wellness: Senior Home Safety first appeared on Bethesda Health Group.