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Creating a Safe Space for your Aging Parent

Elderly Care in Cooper City FL: One of the greatest risks to an aging parent living at home is falling. Falls are the leading cause of injuries among the elderly.

Elderly Care in Cooper City FL

One of the greatest risks to an aging parent living at home is falling. Falls are the leading cause of injuries among the elderly. It is estimated that every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room due to a fall. After a fall, fear may lead to less movement, which in turn leads to a decrease in muscle strength and balance, and a vicious cycle erupts. In addition, this fear then results in diminished social engagement, a leading cause of depression in the elderly.

 

Keeping your Loved One Safe

Creating a safe home environment is the first step in ensuring your parent’s safety. These steps include:

  • Making sure lighting is good in all areas, including the front entrance. Installing sensor lights is a good idea to keep them from having to feel around for light switches.
  • Remove all throw rugs and make sure floors are not waxed in order to prevent slipping.
  • Make sure all wires are not crossing commonly used pathways. Check furniture for obstructions that could be a tripping hazard. Remove clutter and obstacles. Take an assessment of pathways and observe the best way for your parent to maneuver throughout the home.
  • Install grab bars in important places such as the shower and by the toilet. Consider a raised toilet seat if your parent has an issue with sitting down.
  • If balance is an issue, it may be time to suggest a walker.
  • If stairs are an issue, consider a stairwell lift.

 

There are several gadgets that can be helpful to your parent and decrease the chances of a fall. These include reachers—devices used to grab lightweight objects from hard-to-reach areas of the house.

If a fall does occur, knowing your loved one has a medical device that alerts you and the appropriate medical center helps ease any concerns. These are usually worn as bracelets or pendants.

 

Support

An elderly care provider can help keep your loved one safe by offering support whey you or other family members and friends can’t be there. They can assist with transferring your loved one from bed to chair to bath or shower. They can help with the daily activities of living such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, grocery shopping and light housekeeping that includes laundry. They can provide transportation and, most importantly, the companionship so important to your parent at this stage of their life.

 

If you or a family member are in need of elderly care in Cooper City, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.

Stephen Sternbach

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