Care Tips
According to a new study commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association, elder care spending will double to $60 billion by 2031, from today’s $30 billion. This is due to baby boomers aging and needing more care. The mounting demands for elder care may strain the Canadian healthcare system, but improving home care can ease the pressure. So, using different home tools for elderly to ensures there safety.
“Aging in place” — as millions of seniors prefer to do — does not come without complications . Risk of injuries, problems with medication intake, the inability to get help when needed, and other illness-related challenges make it difficult for seniors to stay at home alone. If you want to keep your elderly loved ones safe and comfortable throughout home care, here are some tools to invest in:
4 Home Tools to Keep Elderly Loved One’s Safe At Home Are:
Anti-slip Mat
Around 684,000 fatal falls occur each year, according to the World Health Organization . Adults over the age of 60 have the highest death rates for falling; the risk level increases with the physical, sensory, and cognitive changes associated with aging. Moderate to severe injuries like bruises, hip fractures, or head trauma may also occur, so it’s important to adapt the home environment against falls.
You can easily make bathing and showering safer with a durable, anti-slip shower mat, which creates gripped surfaces to keep seniors stable as they get in and out of the shower. Look for a mat that is anti-bacterial to prevent molding, and machine-washable for easy cleaning. A lightweight shower seat made from rust-proof materials can also help keep the shower stall safe. Choose one that has a full-back and arms so they can bathe comfortably while seated.
Toilet safety frame
For the elderly, even the simple act of using a toilet can pose difficulties. A toilet safety frame raises the seat and ensures that your elderly loved ones have a railing to assist them. These are especially useful when they sit down or get up from the seat. If they aren’t comfortable with a toilet safety frame, installing grab bars beside the toilet can help. There are also strong, suction-based grab bars available in the market, which can be used when installment is not possible.
Including safety features for in-home care is essential, but it can still be dangerous if seniors slip and fall when no one is around. For an all-around support system, alternative home care sourcing platforms like uCarenet can help you find affordable local caregivers starting from $18.00 an hour. To match with a caregiver that meets your needs and budget, visit uCarenet.com today.
Ergonomic chairs
Sitting upright requires our muscles to work against gravity to hold the posture. When we grow old, however, our muscles tend to weaken and tire easily, which may lead to us leaning to one side, leaning forward, or slouching down. Poor seating positions can also lead to sliding down and falling off chairs; this sliding action can contribute towards the development of bedsores (pressure ulcers), which may become infected.
As mentioned in a Pain Free Working feature, ergonomic chairs are ideal for elderly patients, especially those who are suffering from aches and pains caused by poor posture. Ergonomic chairs can help improve bodily functions like breathing while minimizing any pain or discomfort in the back, neck, and shoulder.
Grabber Stick
Age-related changes in the human brain can affect how motor systems work. One study notes that as people grow older, they have a lower ability to control. Also low execute movements and learn new motor skills. They also have increasingly delayed reaction times for their reflexes. A grabber stick is an excellent tool that can respond to these needs.
Grabber tools allow people with limited mobility to reach high shelves and low floors, without needing stepping stools or constant bending and stretching. Grabber sticks often come in different shapes and sizes. So, it’s important for your elderly loved one to get a feel of this tool before purchasing one.
