The biggest concern that family members have about a parent living alone as they get older is safety. And both family members and seniors should be concerned about safety. Seniors can experience accidents, falls, and emergencies at home that can be dangerous.
Home care can help keep your parent safer at home and give you the peace of mind of knowing that your parent isn’t alone all the time. When you can’t be there for your parent, a home care provider can be there.
A home care provider can assist your parent with daily tasks, make sure the house is in good shape, and take steps to minimize the risk of falls and accidents.
What Does A Home Care Provider Do?
When your senior parent has home care, a provider will visit them in their home on a set schedule, usually every day. A home care provider that your parent knows and trusts will spend time with doing chores and tasks for your parent. They can also do things to help make your parent safer at home like:
Keeping Walkways Clear
One of the easiest ways to prevent falls is to keep floors clear. A home care provider can tidy hallways, living rooms, and bedroom paths so your parent can move without tripping. This includes picking up shoes, boxes, clothes, cords, or anything that might be on the floor.
They can also make sure that rugs lie flat and do not curl at the edges. A clean walkway gives your parent space to walk with confidence. It also helps them avoid sudden slips that happen when something is left in the wrong place.
Making Sure There Is Good Working Lighting Throughout The House
Poor lighting can cause seniors to bump into furniture or miss steps. A home care provider can check all lamps and ceiling lights each day. They can replace old bulbs, turn on lights before dark, and open blinds to let in natural light.
A home care provider can also place night lights in key areas like the hallway, bathroom, and bedroom. Bright, steady lighting makes it easier for your parent to see where they are going.
Make Daily Items Easily Accessible
Many accidents happen when seniors stretch, bend, or climb to reach things. A home care provider can organize high use items so they stay at a safe height. This includes placing dishes on lower shelves, keeping clothes in easy to reach drawers, and placing toiletries at the front of the bathroom counter.
They can also check that phones, remotes, medications, and water bottles are within arm’s reach. When your parent does not have to climb or strain, they are safer at home.
Help With Bathroom Safety
Bathrooms are one of the highest risk areas for falls. A home care provider can wipe up water spills, place non slip mats in the shower, and check that grab bars are steady. They can also help your parent move slowly when entering or exiting the shower.
They can set out towels beforehand so your parent does not have to reach for them with wet hands. Keeping the bathroom neat and dry reduces the chance of slipping.
Housekeeping
Small chores go a long way in preventing accidents. A home care provider can take out the trash, sweep floors, do light laundry, and keep surfaces clear. They can move heavy items so your parent never has to lift them.
Home care providers can do tasks like changing sheets, folding laundry, washing pots and pans, and other chores that may be dangerous for your parent to do on their own.
