Keeping our older friends and family safe

A big issue when an elderly parent or grandparent lives alone is safety. People who are older tend to have more medical problems than the younger generations and this can lead to problems like falling.
Certain medications may make someone dizzy or light-headed or if a sleeping pill is taken and they have to get up in the middle of the night, they may get disoriented. Sadly, once an elderly person breaks a bone, it may not be easy for him or her to recover fully. This article brings to light the importance of accident prevention: Risk Of Falling Is Overlooked As The Major Cause Of Fractures In The Elderly.

Accidents will always happen; many are not avoidable, however, many are. In order to stay safe, here are some safety tips:

- Get rid of all scatter rugs. They can slip and cause a fall.
- Ensure that all edges of carpets and rugs are flat or taped down.
- Keep stairways free of clutter that can be tripped over or stepped on.
- Make sure stairways are well lit at night.
- Install handrails in the bathroom for both the toilet and the shower.
- Ensure all electrical cords are tucked well away so they don't become tripping hazards.
- Be sure that there are as many telephones as is reasonable so that one may be reached in case of emergency.
- Consider registering for one of the one-button safety programs so help is within reach.

If you have any to add, I would love to hear them.

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Risk Of Falling Is Overlooked As The Major Cause Of Fractures In The Elderly