Since older adults may spend most of their time at home, it’s important to make sure the house provides a safe and secure living space for them. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the number one injury among older adults is falls, and majority of them takes place at the comfort of their own home. As such, it’s telling that most homes are not safety-proof enough for our elderly folks. Considering that the bedroom is one of the most used rooms in the house and is where your loved ones rest after a long day, you should take a proactive approach in ensuring that the bedroom does not pose any hazards. In this article, we look into the various ways you can instill bedroom safety for loved ones.
Install a Bed Rail
A bed rail is arguably the most important thing you can invest for your loved ones. Not only are they relatively inexpensive, but they are also easily installable and can be attached to most bed sides. Depending on what bed rails you get your hands on, there may be different instructions and methods to install them. However, it’s generally simple as all you have to do is place the bed rails in between the mattress and bedding. For something so quick and fuss-free to install, bed rails provide tremendous help and support for your elderly folks as they can grab them whenever they get in or out of bed. Therefore, if any older adults have a hard time in exiting the bed, try installing bed rails for that much needed leverage.
Invest in Adjustable Beds
If your loved ones have limited physical mobility, it would be good to invest in an adjustable bed. As the name suggests, adjustable beds allow the user to adjust the beds to their preference. While the most basic function is lifting the head with a simple touch of a button, more advanced adjustable beds have features like massages, lifting the feet, and even changing the firmness of the mattress. Of course, the more technological features the bed has, the more expensive it would be. However, regardless of which you choose, there’s no doubt your loved ones will find themselves more comfortable and secure sleeping in an adjustable bed.
Place Walking Aids Next to the Bed
At the end of the day, you’re not trying to prevent your loved ones from moving around as much, even if they’re prone to falling. As it’s impossible for them to stay in bed all day and they have to go about their day, placing walking aids beside their bed provides them quick access to their mobility devices. Whether your elderly folks are using canes, wheelchairs or walkers, do designate a special spot to store them well. At the same time, you should also encourage older adults to wear non-slip socks, especially if the floor tiles are slippery.
Install Emergency Alert Systems
Regardless if your loved ones are physically mobile or not, installing emergency alert systems is highly recommended as it ensures that they’re able to contact medical assistance whenever necessary. Since they may not be with their caregivers at all time, it’s important that they have the adequate resources to seek help immediately if they encounter a problem or have gotten injured.
