4 | Senior Living Winter 2019
SENIOR LIVING | AT HOME
Home Safety Tips
Safety is one of the
most important
focuses of many
senior advocacy
organizations —
especially when it
comes to overall
personal wellness
in the home.
Maintaining a safe environ-
ment can help you strengthen
your independence and quali-
ty of life.
Here are some of the main
home safety issues facing
seniors today, according to
Nationwide Insurance.
Personal safety issues include
muscle weakness, balance
problems, limited vision and
certain medications.
Environmental safety issues
include home hazards such as
loose rugs, poor lighting on
stairs and a lack of stair rail-
ings or grab bars in the bath-
room.
MEDICATION SAFETY
Always remember to medi-
cate safely. The improper use
and handling of medication
can create serious safety
issues. Here are a few tips for
ensuring medication safety in
your home:
• Check medication expira-
tion dates on all prescription
and over-the-counter medica-
tions.
• Always follow all medica-
tion directions closely.
• Store your medications in a
© ADOBE STOCK
safe way, in its original con-
tainer.
• If you have to take medica-
tion out of its original contain-
er, be sure to clearly label it
with the name, dosage and any
other pertinent information.
KNOW WHO TO CALL
If you ever have questions
about your medication, who
can you call? Your physician
should be able to help you
with any of these types of
inquiries, while your family
members may be able to pro-
vide quick, hands-on support
if needed.
Experts urge you to call the
National Poison Control
Hotline or another emergency
services provider in the case of
issues caused by improper
usage of medicine. These pro-
fessionals will be able to walk
you through the steps neces-
sary to minimize the damage
that can be caused by things
like expired medicines or
improper dosage.
RISK PREVENTION
Prevent unnecessary falls
and improve your safety by
making yourself aware of any
hazards in your way. Not sure
how to make your home a
safer place? Here are a few tips
from Nationwide to help with
your journey.
• Install secure handrails
and bright lights with switches
at the top and bottom of stair-
ways.
• Repair loose or uneven
steps.
• Check stairs for worn or
loose carpeting.
• Install grab bars for the toi-
let, bathtub and shower.
• Install nightlights in areas
you frequent at night.