Over the course of the last year, we've spent much time in our homes. Staying home has been critical in stopping the spread of COVID-19, but there is inherently a higher risk of household-related injuries with more time spent at home. It is now more important than ever to remain safe while staying in your own home.
Continue a Healthy Lifestyle
As you age, taking care of your health becomes an even bigger focus. Your health can also play a huge role in preventing home-related injuries. Managing your health is a valuable step in manage a happy, healthy lifestyle. Touch base with your doctor frequently to know how best to help with any medical concerns you may have and make recommendations to keep you healthy. Regular visits can determine you're getting an adequate amount of sleep and nutrition for your well-being. Have your hearing and eyesight checked annually to prevent hazards caused by a lack of awareness. Get your prescriptions refilled on time and take medication per doctors' orders to avoid health changes that can lead to injury. When you age, your body can lose muscle, bone density, and joint movement, which can cause accidents. While a normal part of aging, you can take action to slow or even prevent these changes. Stretching exercises can help you maintain joint flexibility. Non-weight-bearing activities in water can have a significant impact on bone density and muscle mass. Try walking or weight training to preserve bone mass.
Evaluate Your Home
Create an evaluation checklist with a friend or family member for your home and what can be fixed to make your home safer. Make sure they double-check hard-to-reach locations like smoke and CO2 detectors to ensure they're operational. Consider the dangers of slipping and falling. To prevent slipping, placemats beneath floor runners and grab bars in bathrooms. Stairlifts, for example, are helpful add-ons that can reduce the risk of fall injuries. Add-ons such as pullout drawers and stairlifts can help reduce the risk of back and fall injuries. With your own stairlift, you can avoid common stair trip hazards both inside and outside your house. Installation is usually quick and straightforward. Stairlifts can be extremely useful for moving from floor to floor and have specific safety mechanisms, such as seatbelts, to prevent injury while using the stairs.
Create an Emergency Plan
Sadly, we won't be able to avoid all threats at present. Accidents will happen to even the most cautious individuals. Look ahead and make plans. Speak with a close family member or friend about a protocol to follow in the event of an emergency. Maintain open communication with them, so they know to check up on you regularly. Create a list of emergency numbers to carry with you or place on your fridge, just in case. If you have a cellphone, have it on or near you at all times, especially when moving between floors in your home. Drop detection can help smartwatches with other features like temperature, activity monitoring, and messaging. Fall-assistive systems are a perfect way to keep yourself safe at home.