Plastic furniture and other Senior and Elderly Home Safety Dangers

Let me explain…

An aide was assisting a client with bathing. The family was using a plastic chair “with armrests” in the shower. They were convinced it was safe when lo and behold a front leg buckled under. The 220 pound man fell, hit his head, causing a gash. The 911 call was made, off to the hospital for treatment and a scan as he is on Cumadin, a blood thinner. Thankfully he was sent home a few hours later.

A woman living alone in her seventies, undergoing cancer treatments was using a plastic folding table to lean on. It fell over and she followed. Fortunately she was only bruised. Her daughter got rid of the table and increased the number of home care hours for her mother.

These are two examples of using unsteady furniture around the house which ended in falls. Remember, 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 falls. Many of these falls are in their own homes.  A fall can result in a bone fracture; think HIP which can potentially change the person’s life.

A sturdy bath chair or bench can be purchased at any medical supply store and several department stores.

Other Common Elderly Home Care Dangers are:

Using towel racks or bars as a safety bar or grab bar – It is meant to hold a towel, not a person’s weight. Real grab bars installed into the shower and around the commode are relatively inexpensive.

Kitchen chairs on wheel – Great when you are sitting, a real danger if you go to lean on them or use them to prop yourself up…the wheels make the chair roll away, taking you with it which could result in a fall.

Throw Rugs and Runners – Those cute little throw rugs or runners, also a danger for getting your foot caught, causing you to trip and fall. Get rid of them or tape them down, especially the corners.

Wires on the floor – With all the electrical equipment used in the home today, one, a few or a bundle of wires, electrical cords and extension cords can easily cause an elderly person to trip and possibly fall.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

Stairs can be tricky. Are there guard rails?

Are there liners on the stairs which can cause an accident?

Is there a light switch at the top and bottom of the staircase?

Are walkways clear?

Are hallways well lit?

Is the path from the bedroom to the bathroom  uncluttered, wide enough and have proper lighting, overhead, lamps or nightlights.

Senior Home Safety Matters

There is no place like a SAFE home for your senior and elderly loved ones. Good judgment is needed to keep the home and your aging parents safe. An old or insufficient piece of furniture is truly a hazard and should be replaced with a new and proper one.  ‘Pennywise and pound foolish’ costs a great deal in pain, recovery time and care when an “accident” could have actually been rather easily prevented.

Boca Home Services can provide referrals to Home Safety specialists and you can find safety tips on our website.

Related posts:

1. Home Safety Tips For Aging Parents With Alzheimer’s & Dementia
2. Shower and Bath Safety for Seniors
3. Senior Safety & Fall Prevention