Whether your loved one lives with you or is in an adult living facilty, keeping them safe should be a priority. Senior family members may have medical conditions, physical limitations or mental confusion that could cause them to be hurt or harmed.

Although an assisted living facility will take care of many of these safety issues, it is best to double check to make sure your senior loved one has what they need. Here are some actions you can take to keep senior family members safe throughout the holidays and beyond.
senior living facility

Precautions for Senior Family Members

  1. Secure Rugs: It is very easy for the most able-bodied of us to trip over the edge of an area rug which is not properly secured. Most adult living facilities will ensure that there are no such hazards in the home, but it is important to be aware when you are decorating your loved one’s individual apartment. If they live at home with you, consider taking up all area rugs, even in bathrooms. Not only can someone trip over them, but it may be difficult to maneuver a walker over them.
  2. Install Grab Bars and Handrails: Grab bars in bathrooms are a necessity, both near the toilet and in the shower. Depending on your loved one’s specific situation, you may also wish to install a grab bar by the sink so that they can hold on when brushing teeth or washing their face. Another area where grab bars can be very useful is by the bed, next to a closet, and down long hallways (as a senior family member may get tired while walking.) Any stairwells should have railings on both side.
  3. Medical Alert Pendants and Bracelets: Whether at home alone or out in public, medical pendants and bracelets can literally save a life. Your loved one can summon help to their side, and a paramedic can know at a glance any medical challenges and health conditions. No matter where your loved one lives, both of these items are a smart investment.
  4. Properly Manage Medications: If your loved one lives in an assisted living facility, the likelihood is high that their medication is being managed by professionals. However, if they live at home, you will want to make sure that all medication is clearly marked. It is also essential that the schedule for taking each medication is clear. A large print calendar may be helpful, and alarms to remind the patient to take their medication will be as well. It is important to point out that these tools are great to assist and remind someone who clearly understands how to take their medication. If you suspect any confusion or inability to properly take their medication, assign the responsibility to someone else.
  5. Consider Renovations as Necessary: If the decision is made to keep an elderly loved one at home, either their own home or yours, consider if any renovations are necessary. Beyond grab bars or non-slip mats, there are other steps to take. These may include wider doorways, ramps, a step-in tub, a master bedroom on the lower level, or a stairlift.

Although a senior family member may have changing needs, you can help them to still enjoy a safe and happy life. If the best solution for you is to find the best Venice assisted living facility, we invite you to tour our community. At A Banyan Residence, we are dedicated to not only your loved one’s health and safety, but their fulfillment and happiness.