Seniors are most at risk when they are at home, despite the dangers of the outside world. To combat the risks many elderly people face every day, there are some relatively simple remedies. From automated medication dispensing to weather preparation, here are some suggestions.
Disclosure: This is a contributed post.
A Nighttime Fall Incident
One of the most common risks for elderly people is falling, especially at night. During the night, light is limited, and there may not be anyone around to help. So what can you do? A personal medical alarm for seniors is a major help and can be the lifeline. After falling, all you need to do is press the button to alert the person or service assigned to the system. Acting fast with a device like this dramatically reduced the risk of further complications after a fall.
Improper Medication Management
Medication management is paramount when you get older, as one misstep can be hazardous. For example, missing a dosage or double-dosing can play havoc with your health and even cause serious illness or death. However, a simple medication reminder from your phone can help keep up with your pills. But what about double-dosing? Automatic pill dispensers are excellent for ensuring you only receive the medication you need and keeping it on time.
Some Seniors are Most at Risk in the Kitchen
In the US alone, around 3 million seniors are admitted to the hospital each year with injuries, and a substantial amount are related to kitchen accidents. Of course, ethical elder care requires you to keep your distance and provide as much independence as possible. So what can you do to make a kitchen safer for elderly adults? Non-slip mats are excellent for preventing a fall with something like a hot pan, electric ovens reduce fire hazards, and they help to stay organized.
The Risks of Hot or Cold Weather
We are all susceptible to the dangers of hot or cold weather at any age, but elderly people can’t regulate body temperature as well as they could when they were younger. For example, seniors are more susceptible to dehydration during heat waves and hypothermia when it’s very cold. Aside from struggling to heat or cool the home, what about actually turning the HVAC on? Today, modern HVAC systems can be smart-enabled for voice-activated climate control.
Combating Elder Abuse
Not all elder risk is medical, and there are people who target society’s most vulnerable, including seniors. Seniors who live alone are at the most risk, as even people such as bad sales reps can take advantage of diminished mental capacity and pressure the elderly into buying. It is helpful to educate the elderly about the dangers of strangers. Yet something as simple as a video doorbell allows seniors to stay away from the door, and smart locks can be activated remotely.
Summary: How to Reduce the Risks of Elders
A fall during the night is one of the times when seniors are most at risk of a medical issue. However, there are also many hazards in the kitchen, and there are people who are actively out looking for seniors to scam and abuse, and smart tech can help protect the most vulnerable.
Featured photo source: CC0 licenced courtesy of Freepik
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