Fall Risks in Your Parent’s Kitchen

Senior Care in Perth Amboy NJ

Fall risk is one of the most pressing dangers that affects older adults throughout the United States. Each year millions of Americans over the age of 64, a full 25 percent of the total senior population, suffers a fall. Many of these will experience a severe injury that could negatively impact their future function, quality of life, and even longevity. By acknowledging these risks and taking steps to reduce them, you can improve your caregiver efforts and help to give your loved one the lifestyle that they deserve as they age in place.

One of the most important things that you can do as your parent’s family caregiver is to acknowledge the fall risks in different areas of their home and their life so that you can take steps to manage those risks effectively. One area where this is particularly important is the kitchen.

Take these steps to help reduce fall risks in your parent’s kitchen:

• Keep the floor dry. Washing dishes, cleaning up, and even cooking can result in water and other substances ending up on the floor. This can create slippery areas that increase the chances that your parent will fall. Take steps to ensure that the floor stays dry at all times. This can include putting down mats in front of the sink and dishwasher to catch spills you can then wash away

• Remove unstable items. If your aging parent cannot reach a shelf or cupboard to get something that they need, they might look for something to climb on in order to get them up. If this object is not intended to be climbed on, this might result in them tipping over and falling. This can be especially dangerous if they fall onto the stove when it is on or fall onto sharp implements. Remove all unstable items from the kitchen and replace them with a stool or small ladder intended for climbing.

• Stack heavy items low. Older adults tend to lack the strength and the stability to handle lifting or holding large or heavy items over their head. This means that if you store large or heavy items such as large containers of flour, oil, or sugar over their head, they might lose their balance and stumble when trying to pick it up. Stack heavy items low so that your parent can access them more effectively and safely.

If you are concerned about your aging parent’s fall risk and want to take an important step toward protecting them and reducing the chances that they will suffer a serious injury, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your loved one on a personalized schedule designed to address their individual needs, challenges, and limitations in a way that is right for them. By respecting their thoughts, wishes, opinions, and goals, and encouraging them to pursue more activity and a greater level of independence, this care provider can support a higher quality of life for your aging parent as they age in place.

Source
http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Perth Amboy, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care of New Brunswick today. Call (732) 607-8870.