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As we grow older, our bodies change. Therefore, our homes also need to adapt to these changes. In the past, we might’ve been able to do many things freely without thinking about safety. However, as we age, something we used to do with ease may become a bit difficult.
For example, pressing a light switch on as we enter the kitchen and off as we exit probably used to be a reflex. For an elderly person, doing this might be difficult if they are limited in their ability to move, particularly if they need to stretch in order to reach it. Another example would be getting in and out of a shower. Bathrooms aren’t exactly senior-friendly. They tend to be slippery, making them a common place for falls and injuries if people aren’t careful enough.
We might not notice it, but older people living alone face a lot of difficulties and dangers. Although they have the freedom and independence to live alone, there are some things that they may struggle with and might need a bit of help dealing with. Since caretakers aren’t available all the time and some seniors prefer independence, safety isn’t always guaranteed. Thankfully, there are various gadgets older people can use to make their living situation safer and much more comfortable.
In this article, we’re going to list five essential gadgets and items every older person should have in their home for maximum comfort and most importantly, safety.
Accidents can happen when we least expect them. For an older person, an accident can be life-threatening and time-sensitive. Without any help, things can turn for the worse. So, how can elderly people stay safe in their own homes? One excellent way to protect yourself is to ensure that you always have a way to call for help in an emergency such as a fall or a medical scare. This is where personal alarms can help.
Personal alarms are highly beneficial and are extremely helpful for emergencies. Although it might seem overly protective to have one on hand, they can be lifesavers when the situation calls for it. Personal alarms are also handy, especially if the senior citizen lives relatively far from their family or friends. Nowadays, you can get personal alarms for the home and on the go, such as this GPS-enabled alarm from Lifeline24.
There are few things more dangerous than wandering around in the dark. You might trip, fall, or step on something sharp— the possibilities are endless. For older people, especially those with conditions like osteoporosis, walking around their homes in the dark can turn into a life-threatening situation.
To combat this, consider having motion-sensing lights installed in your homes. Motion-sensing lights have a lot of benefits. First, you don’t need to stumble around for the light switch since the lights automatically turn on once you enter the room. Second, it reduces the chances of accidents. Third, it conserves energy since it automatically turns off once you leave the room. There’s no risk of forgetting to switch it off and wasting electricity.
For elderly people living alone, having motion-sensing lights will reduce the chances of falls and injuries. It will also make getting around their home much more accessible.
Fires can result in permanent damage and fatal results. Hence, it’s highly important to protect any home from fires by taking preventative measures. Although a fire alarm might be good enough for younger folks, it may not be enough for elderly people living alone.
To ensure maximum protection from fires, seniors should have interlinked smoke detectors installed in their houses. Smoke detectors are handy because when fires happen, smoke travels faster than flames. Detecting smoke early on gives those inside the home extra time to escape and call for assistance. Lifeline24 offers smoke detectors that can link to your personal alarm. The Lifeline Response Team will be alerted when the detector is activated – they’ll be able to call the fire brigade on your behalf, giving you and your family more time to get to safety.
Bathrooms are quite dangerous due to their slippery surfaces. With accidents bound to happen in the bathroom, senior citizens should take extra precautions to prevent falls or injuries from occurring.
A gadget that’s perfect for keeping elders safe in the bathroom is walk-in tubs. Although installing a walk-in tub can be pricey, it’s a worthwhile investment. Other than making your bathroom a safer place, walk-in tubs have added features such as hydro-therapy, self-cleaning water lines, and an anti-scald system, just to name a few.
Stairlifts are a must-have when it comes to gadgets for keeping seniors comfortable and safe in their own homes. Mobility issues often become an issue for seniors when it comes to getting around their homes. As well as the natural effects of ageing, conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and COPD can make climbing the stairs quite a challenge.
With a stairlift in place, someone with reduced mobility can climb or descend a set of stairs with ease. A stairlift can be an expensive purchase, but in the long run, it can prevent injuries, falls and help elders get around their homes comfortably and efficiently. It can also help you continue living in your own home for longer if your mobility changes, rather than having to move into a care home.
A home should always be a comfortable and safe place, no matter how old you are. However, as we age, some activities can be pretty limiting. Throughout the years, simple, everyday tasks can become a chore. For independent older people living alone, this can be a constant struggle.
The good news is that there are several options for seniors to ensure their home is a safe and comfortable place to live in. With innovative technology and engineering, various gadgets for increasing safety and comfort for seniors are now accessible and can be installed in homes everywhere.
If you’re still wondering what you can do to make your home or a loved one’s home a safer place, these gadgets might make all the difference. Although they might seem expensive, they come with plenty of benefits, peace of mind, and freedom.
Today’s article comes from guest blogger Diana, from basementguides.com
Living alone can be both a good thing and a bad thing. You get total privacy and space to yourself, but on the other hand, if something terrible happens, it could be difficult to get help. For elderly people, living alone can be dangerous due to the increased chances of falls and injuries. People with disabilities or long-term medical conditions can also face risks. So, how can the elderly stay safe while living alone?
Although the occasional accident is inevitable, you can protect yourself by taking precautions and doing your best to prevent injuries. One of the many ways we can keep the elderly safe while living alone is by utilising personal alarms.
Personal alarms are very helpful in case of an emergency. The idea of having one might seem alarming to some, but they can be a lifesaver when needed. They come in handy, especially if the person in question lives far away from you.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the biggest benefits of having a personal alarm.
Personal alarms offer so many benefits to the user and their loved ones, we couldn’t possibly fit them all into one blog post. So, here are our top 3 benefits of having a personal alarm.
Of all the benefits of having a personal alarm, the most important is the ability to get help efficiently and quickly. Thanks to technology and its rapid development, alarms make finding help seamless and easy.
These days, alarm systems are modern and come in two parts— a base unit and a pendant button. The base unit is usually plugged into the main power and telephone socket. The user then wears the pendant. Alarm users usually wear their pendants as a watch, a necklace, or even clip it onto their belts. When an emergency occurs, the user can press the help button on their pendant or the base unit.
Pressing the buttons makes an instant alarm call to the Response Centre, and the Response Team will dial through to the base unit in seconds to speak with the user. Then, help will be on its way in just a few minutes. The Response Team will then call the user’s emergency contacts, such as family members, friends, or neighbours. They’ll also call the emergency services if the alarm user needs medical attention.
Most service providers are available 24/7. So, there’s no need to worry about operational hours, since help is available day and night. The Lifeline24 Response Team operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
Other than quick access to help, another of the benefits of having a personal alarm is that elderly people can remain independent in their own homes.
Having a personal alarm system can be an alternative to having to move into a care home. Instead of moving out of their home and into sheltered accommodation or residential care, alarm users can remain in their homes or wherever they feel most comfortable.
Although most alarms provide 24/7 protection, they are largely unintrusive in the home. The alarm users would only need to speak with the provider during the initial setup, routine test calls, and emergencies.
Having a personal alarm means having independence while still living at home. Nothing will need to change, and users can carry on with their normal day-to-day life with family and friends.
Lastly, having a personal alarm will help alleviate any concerns or anxiety about an elderly person’s safety. Most of the time, family members will recommend a personal alarm to their loved ones because they’re worried about their parents’ or grandparents’ safety or health.
It’s completely understandable because they’re not around all the time to help their elderly loved ones. So, in this case, a personal alarm would be a big help.
Friends and family don’t need to worry about not being there and not helping their parents or grandparents if they’re in trouble. Having a personal alarm will ensure that help is always available and only a button away.
Alarm users will also be content, knowing that they will be safer in their homes because of their alarms.
There are so many benefits of having a personal alarm. They are essential for the elderly who live alone. Besides the quick response and access to help, personal alarms help elderly people retain their independence in their own homes while maintaining their wellbeing. It also brings peace of mind for both the alarm user and their family or friends.
Of course, you should take other precautions too to ensure that falls or accidents don’t happen and ensure the alarm users’ homes are safe to live in.
To find out more, read our guide to the Lifeline personal alarm service here.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call 0800 999 0400 or contact us online today – our Customer Service team is open 24/7 to assist you. You can also order a Lifeline personal alarm online today. We offer free next-day delivery on all our alarms, so you could be up and running within just 24 hours of ordering.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 7th September 2021 to reflect the latest information.
Today’s article comes from guest blogger Diana of basementguides.com
A home is a place we can return to after a tiring day. It’s a place of comfort and where we’ve all spent most of our time lately. As we age and grow wiser, a home will need to adapt as well. We get tired faster than usual, and those stairs might be a bit harder to climb. Home adaptations have been on the rise for years now. These are changes you make to your home to make it safer for you or your loved ones to move around and do everyday tasks. Common home adaptations for elderly people include ramps, widening doors, shallow steps, or even improving heating and lighting controls in a home to name just a few.
We know home adaptations for the elderly can seem complicated. You might be confused about what home adaptations you need what steps to take. The reality is that it takes a lot of planning and observation. However, it’s not an impossible task and if it helps you live comfortably in your home, it’s definitely worthwhile.
To make it a bit easier, we’ve listed five things we think are essential to make a home comfortable for you or your loved one in their elder years.
Getting to the front door can be a bit troublesome and dangerous if you don’t know who’s on the other side. To make answering the door a bit safer, consider installing a system that allows you to see and speak to your visitors to help you manage who you let in your home. A system like this will also mean there’s no need to rush to answer the door – helping to prevent falls in the home too.
There are various systems to help you achieve this, such as a door-entry intercom, a wireless doorbell with an entry phone to keep near your chair or a video entry phone and a button that lets you open the door wherever you are in your home. Another option is a secure keysafe where you can keep spare keys. Keysafes are metal boxes which you can attach to an exterior wall and secure with a combination lock. The only people who can open your keysafe are those with whom you’ve shared the combination.
Walking around your home in the dark can be dangerous and nerve-wracking. A well-lit home is critical when getting around your house. However, your light switches might be a bit far, and reaching for them can be troublesome.
You can make it safer and easier to move around your home by installing motion sensors that automatically switch on the lights when you walk into a room and switch them off when you leave. Poor lighting can lead to falls as it makes you less able to spot trip hazards around your home.
Smart thermostats are another thing to consider if you’re looking to make your home a comfortable place to live. Depending on the weather, sometimes you want your home to be slightly cooler or warmer. These days, thermostats don’t require remote controls thanks to smartphones— meaning you don’t need to worry about adjusting the thermostat on the wall or trying to remember where you left the remote control. Smart thermostats can also save you a considerable amount on your heating bill.
Your bathroom is a crucial part of your home. Bathrooms are often the site of falls in the home thanks to slippery floors. So, it’s vital to think about making your bathroom as safe as possible.
These changes should include getting a hands-free toilet, anti-slip mats, and bath lifts to support your weight as you get in and out of the tub. Hands-free toilets are great because they have automatic functions that can be operated while you’re seated. One of the simplest, easiest, and most affordable home adaptations for elderly people is installing grab rails. These should be attached securely to the wall by the toilet and shower/bath. They’ll give you something to hold onto and help you keep your balance.
If you’re worried about overflowing your sink or bath, a special safety plug is an excellent addition to your bathroom. A special safety plug or a flood detector can alert a monitoring centre can be helpful if you forget to turn off the sink or bath.
Telecare devices are incredibly useful for any elderly people living at home alone. They help elderly and disabled people to live safely and securely, knowing that help is available with just the touch of a button. Telecare devices include personal alarms, fall detectors, bed sensors, and alarm-linked smoke detectors.
You might think that a telecare device would feel intrusive, but most are extremely discreet. You can easily integrate telecare devices into your day-to-day life. They come in different shapes and sizes and often come in pendants or bracelets for easy access.
If you or a loved one is living alone, telecare is an essential. An emergency can happen anytime, and the outcome can change in a matter of seconds. Having telecare access in your home is crucial so that you can call for help whenever you need it. The best thing about it is that you can access support in a matter of seconds.
Fires can be devastating, and the dangers of a house fire are infinite. Many house fires are preventable. However, if a fire were to occur because of an accident, early detection is the best way to minimise danger and damage.
For elderly and disabled people, fires can be especially deadly, making home safety highly important. Early detection and preparedness are essential when it comes to dealing with a house fire. One of the most important things is to have a fire alarm or a smoke detector in your home. This will help detect fires early on and give you time to escape.
If you are making changes to your home, consider having at least one smoke detector installed on every floor of your home and one outside of the area that you or your loved one sleeps in. Certain smoke detectors can be linked to your telecare devices, giving you even more peace of mind.
For those who have trouble hearing, light-emitting alarms or vibration alarms can be another option. Remember to check the batteries of your alarms every month.
A home should be a safe and comfortable place for you or your loved ones. Thanks to technology, we have many options to choose from when it comes to home adaptations for elderly people.
The journey of adapting your home, either for yourself or for an elderly loved one, might be challenging, but we hope these tips will help you get started. Click here for more information about staying safe at home.
Lifeline24 offers a range of telecare devices, like the ones mentioned above. From personal alarms to fall detectors to smoke alarms and more, we can help you live safely and independently in your home. To find out more about the personal alarm service, read this quick guide or call our Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400.
Besides our range of personal alarms, we offer several useful telecare accessories. Click here to see our range of additional equipment.
Don’t forget to use exclusive discount code BLOG2021 to get £10 off your Lifeline alarm!
