HOME SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS

Practice makes perfect.

Long before you move to a senior housing community in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, you lived independently in your own home for many years. The same safety tips that you follow in your own home also apply to your new home at an assisted living facility. Let’s review home safety tips for seniors that you should follow as well at your new home at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho.

Be Prepared

The last thing you want to do during an emergency is scramble to find the emergency phone numbers that allow you to call for immediate assistance. Write down every emergency contact phone number in large print and place the list next to a landline phone. If you have mastered operating a Smartphone, add emergency phone numbers in the phone by accessing the Contacts feature. Some of the emergency phone numbers to store include 911, poison control, and your healthcare provider, as well as friends and family members.

Prevent Falls

Falls represent one of the most common reasons why seniors visit hospital emergency rooms. You can prevent falls by implementing several strategies. Install handrails in the bathroom to provide you with stability if you start to slip and fall. Handrails also represent helpful additions in your home along stairways. Make sure to pick up all objects sitting in high-traffic areas of your home to prevent you from tripping and falling. Ask your healthcare provider to perform a risk assessment concerning your balance and coordination.

Make Security a Priority

Seniors are prime targets for criminals, which means you should implement several security tips to prevent criminals from taking advantage of you. Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even when you plan to stay home for the rest of the day. Never allow a stranger to enter your home if you are alone. Install a digitally advanced security system that includes a feature that allows you to quickly contact the nearest law enforcement agency if you feel threatened by an intruder. Avoid financial scams by talking over every proposed deal with a trusted friend or family member.

Make Your Home Fire Resistant

A fire can start at any time, without giving you any warning to react promptly by putting it out. Install a fire detector in every room and make sure to replace each battery twice a year. Never leave the kitchen if you are cooking a meal. Do not overload a socket or extension cord with multiple electrical cords and wires. Follow the rule of one cord, one socket. You should not leave a room with burning candles, as well as replace small appliances that attach to frayed or damaged electrical cords. For a large appliance, contact the nearest dealer to have a technician replace the damaged cord.

Stay Safe at MorningStar-Rio Rancho

At our senior housing community in Rio Rancho, NM, our caregivers receive comprehensive training on how to implement safety tips for our residents. We ensure residents receive the correct medications in the proper dosages. Our caregivers also educate residents on how to avoid bathroom hazards, as well as prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The caregivers at our assisted living facility also conduct regularly scheduled safety inspections to keep residents safe and secure 24 hours a day. Learn more about how we keep residents safe and secure at our senior housing community in Rio Rancho by scheduling a tour.