Safety should always be a priority when living with a senior. If you’re planning on moving an elderly loved one to live with you, just having them in your home isn’t always enough – you need to really consider the comfort and safety of older adults to make them feel at home. Keep these tips in mind when preparing your home to move in an older adult:

1. Install a lower peephole – particularly for seniors that live alone, a peephole is an important security measure. Osteoporosis can cause seniors to lose height, and causing them to strain to see out of a peephole is a danger

2. Reduce glare in the home – for the comfort of seniors, install blinds on the windows that can be adjusted depending upon the amount of light or glare coming into the home

3. Prevent falls with safety measures – put railings on stairs and in the bathroom, and to avoid slips remove area rugs

4. Control water temperatures of the faucets – seniors can scald themselves if they find it challenging to control water

5. Change door handles – seniors with arthritis often have trouble manipulating doorknobs; accommodate them by installing level handles or other assistive devices

6. Try to control clutter – whether a senior is moving in, or you’re trying to make their home a little safer, finding storage for all the extra items that are not regularly used is important to reduce clutter and increase safety

Via: Guide for  Boomers and Seniors who Live with Them

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston South Central serving seniors in Meyerland, Bellaire, Missouri City, Sugar Land, & Stafford - call 713-774-2215.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Home Instead Senior Care Webster - Baytown - League City - Pearland - Pasadena

Caring for Seniors at Home - Call us today 281-484-0200

Did you know that according to a June 2006 report by CNN.com and the Mayo Clinic, more than half of all seniors cared for at home are malnourished or undernourished? And this next piece of information may surprise you even more.  As reported in the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), a recent study at UCLA showed that nearly one-third of the nursing home residents who participated in this research were dehydrated. 

Why are these problems occurring? Well, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) Web site (FOR POWERPOINT: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/296_old.html) explains there are various barriers to seniors achieving proper nutrition.  These include financial constraints on food purchases; adverse reactions to medications (for instance, affecting appetite); or medical problems that limit shopping or cooking abilities, or interfere with the enjoyment of food.

Another problem is social isolation.  The FDA’s online Growing Older, Eating Better brochure indicates that seniors who live on their own may be too lonely or unmotivated to cook nutritious meals for themselves.  Others may not know how to cook – especially widowed men whose wives traditionally handled food preparation in the household.

Thus, isolation may result in seniors trying to meet dietary needs by snacking – perhaps on unhealthy foods – or just skipping meals totally.  These poor nutritional habits can result in diminished quality of life; longer times of recovery from illnesses and injuries; and increases in the cost and frequency of admittance to hospitals or other care facilities.

Let Home Instead Senior Care Houston Bay Area show you how our CAREGivers ensure your elder or senior loved one’s health. Making Seniors Happy at Home - Call us today 281-484-0200