Simple First Aid Tips to Improve Safety for Seniors

By Andy Niska | January 6, 2017 |

Caregiver in Colville WA

Improving safety for seniors at home is often an ongoing process. There’s no one simple solution that’s going to make a home extremely safe, especially as people get older.

As seniors age, they will deal with increasing physical challenges. That’s because they will lose muscle mass each year and, eventually, that will affect their balance, their ability to perform some basic tasks, and to stay safe.

Below are some simple first aid tips that help to improve safety for seniors. When we refer to ‘first aid,’ we’re not referring to bandages, compression, ice packs, or anything else; we are referring to steps that can be taken to improve safety.

Tip #1: Sharpen knives to avoid cuts in the first place.

Before having to pull out the first aid kit, all knives in the kitchen should be sharp. This goes counter to common thinking. Many people assume a sharp knife is far more dangerous than a dull one, but that’s not the case.

If a knife is relatively dull, it requires more force to cut through meat and vegetables and other food items. If it slips and hits a person’s hand, it’s going to cut through skin, probably to the bone, and that’s why sharper knives are safer.

It also requires less force, less strength, to cut through various food items with a sharper knife.

Tip #2: Any fall could result in injuries, so call for help.

If a person has slipped and fallen, for whatever reason, they should immediately call for help, if they are capable. Even if they don’t believe they’ve been injured, they should be checked out. Torn or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints may be sore, but if there is serious damage, they may never heal properly.

Tip #3: Simple burns can be painful and distracting.

Deal with any burns immediately. It could be a quick burn while cooking on the stove or trying to pick up something hot, not realizing it was hot. Instead of simply applying cold water, butter, or other home remedies, those burns should be dealt with by a trained medical professional.

Pain from burns can be distracting and can cause the senior to lose focus, which can cause other incidences and potential injuries.

Tip #4: Proper lighting should be in place.

Make sure the home is well lit. Every room should have proper lighting and an easy way for the senior to turn on and off those lights. Proper lighting can help seniors avoid accidental falls, tripping over things he didn’t see, or forgetting there is a change in elevation or angle of the floor, walkway outside, or anywhere else on the property.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home caregiver services in Colville, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.