National Safety Month – Tips for Portland Seniors

Keeping Portland Seniors Safe

Portland Seniors Stay Safe

In-home care offers senior citizens the best of both worlds: independence and customizable, personal attention. It’s no wonder then that it’s become an increasingly popular option. With this in mind and the arrival of National Safety Month this June, there’s never been a better time to assess the safety of older Portland senior adults living alone. Read on for tips to minimize common domestic hazards such as falls, burns, and poisoning, but be mindful that this isn’t a one-and-done matter. You’ll want to conduct ongoing checks to maintain safe conditions. You may even want to hire an occupational therapist or nurse to visit your home to help evaluate danger.
Keep safe throughout the home Reports show that more than 75% of accident-related injuries occur in the home, and for Portland senior citizens, the odds rise even higher. In all areas of the house, implement the following safeguards:

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor
• Clear floors of obstacles that might cause tripping, such as phone cords and loose floor mats
• Place emergency numbers near phones
• Consider a medical alert device to enable the elderly to summon quick help in the event of an accident
• Reorganize to make commonly used items more accessible
• Clean up spills right away
• Keep doors and windows locked

And take these precautions in some of the most high-risk areas:
Watch out for slick surfaces in the bathroom

• Place rubber grip mats in and outside the tub
• Install grab bars around the toilet and tub
• Keep a nightlight with a fresh bulb for nighttime bathroom trips
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below to lessen the risk of scalds

Deter falls on the stairs

• Downsize to a single-story home if possible
• Install light switches at the top and bottom of the staircase (non-glare bulbs should be used throughout the house)
• Lay down light-colored carpeting or another non-slip surface
• Hire someone to regularly salt and shovel outdoor stairs in the winter

Prevent burns and poisoning in the kitchen

• Purchase silicone heat-resistant handle covers for pots and pans
• Choose tea kettles and space heaters with automatic shut-off functions
• Consider limiting cooking only to when in-home care professionals are available
• Separate toxic cleaning supplies from food items
• Clearly label prescription medicines and keep them in a well-lit area to minimize confusion

BrightStar Home Care of West Portland proudly provides support for the elderly and children, including 24 hour skilled nursing and support in senior independent and assisted living communities. Additionally we provide Medical Staffing and In-Home Physical Therapy for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients, Companion and Personal Care for Elders with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We also provide Home Child Care, Sitter and Nanny services for Children and Support for New Mothers. We Support Veterans and Accept most Long Term Care Insurance benefits, provide Hospice care, Live-in care, CNA, Caregiver, RN, LVN, RN Supervision, Compassionate Care, and Compatibility Guarantees. Other services include safe discharge and transportation from the hospital or rehab facility, Post Op care both short and long term, Pre Operation and preparation help and assistance, and client monitoring for out of town family members. Proudly serving Gaston, Newberg, Portland, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Sherwood, Cornelius, Wilsonville, West Linn, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and Beaverton in OR.