Caring for the Elderly in the Community

1. Installation of grab bars and rails

   A simple, yet affordable, option to minimize the risk of falls in the bathroom and around your home is to install grab bars and handrails. For instance, suction grab rails have indicators to inform you that the rail is securely attached to the surface, which makes it perfect for those who travel or stay with families and friends.

2. Reduce the risk of falls with bathroom tiles with a non-slip surface

   When the elderly enter a bathroom, it is essential not to rush to prevent slippery accidents. However, the bathroom wet surface is a hazardous environment for individuals at risk of falling. The elderly shouldn’t compromise but cover the floor with non-slip bath mats, although they should be cautious about choosing one with high-grade rubber material and anti-skid backing. To best eliminate the chances of slips and falls when you have just cleaned or took a bath, use non-slip spray, non-skid tape, and shower mats.

3. Opt for a toilet seat suitable for the elderly occupant

   For those of elderly who become unsteady on their feet when using a toilet, we recommend the installation of a higher toilet seat to allow comfortable use of the toilet. 20’ tall toilet bowls alleviate the inconvenience for those having difficulties to sit down or stand up from the toilet and also eliminates the disadvantages of using a toilet raiser (for example, the inability to use the toilet lid).

4. Install walk-in shower for safe aging

   To ensure showering without any risk of tripping over, opt for a walk-in shower or tub. To reduce the risk of slipping or falling while you are already in the tub, grab bars and non-slippery rags are great safety bathroom furnishing. A good idea is to equip the bathroom with a shower stool or chair as it can be easily moved and cleaned while providing extra comfort during a bath.

5. Ensure easy access to the bathroom all the times

   Thresholds and saddles on the elderly’s way pose risks for the older people who use the bathroom midnight. The best you can do is remove the obstacles. When it’s not possible, fit an anti-slip threshold ramp or wheelchair ramp to the sill of the bathroom door to facilitate a smooth transition through the doorway.

6. Change the faucet to lever style

   Older people most often have arthritis and may feel difficulty using the faucet. To encourage good personal hygiene care for the elderly, change the faucet with a lever-style handle. That’s how you can improve the elderly’s independence and comfort. The installation is comparatively inexpensive and allows your parents to quickly grasp and turn on/off the water spout with one touch only.

One essential aspect of elderly safety is fall risk reduction. In this population, falls often cause debilitating and even life-threatening injuries, so not falling is vital to health. Work with elders to appreciate the value of taking time to transition between lying down to sitting up to standing. When moving from a supine (laying) position to sitting, or sitting to standing, blood flow and blood pressure have to adjust. With age, this takes a bit longer. Pausing can make all the difference. Taking time in the transition can help to prevent dizziness, fainting, and falls.If you or someone you know is physically doing less or showing changes, see a medical provider and share what you noticed. Critical health issues such as blood pressure that is either too high or too low, eye and ear disorders, ongoing dizziness or vertigo, joint pain, numbness in feet and legs, and medication side effects can cause problems in safe movement or reduce interest in being active. Careful management can reduce the risk of disuse and fall risk.

The number 1 safety hazard for the elderly is Fall Related Injury. In 2013 it was reported that the direct cost of complications for older adults due to falls was $34 Billion. According to the National Council on Aging, every 11 seconds, an older person is treated for a fall in the ER, and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall. Some of the things we look for in a home and ask our caregivers to be vigilant about include, but are not limited to electrical cords, throw rugs, lighting, and bathtubs.There are several other safety issues to consider, but for me, Fall Prevention is number 1!

Fall-related injuries are the most common causes that the elderly end up needing senior care, relocation to a nursing home, and in severe cases, they can also be the cause of death. If we take the proper measures, we can help prevent these injuries from happening or provide a way to ensure they are able to reach out when they need help. As our loved one gets older, we must take note of where they can be more accident-prone. In my personal experience, the most fatal have occurred when they are reaching up for something on a shelf while standing on a potentially unstable surface (stool or ladder). Either the object(s) comes crashing down on them or they lose balance causing them to fall and fracture their hip/head.

Since we aren’t able to be there for them all the time, be aware of the items they need or use most that might be out of reach and help reorganize the items to a lower shelf or cabinet. Additionally, if they fall and are still conscious, it’s best to prepare them with a medical alert device to call first responders. In life-threatening situations where they are unable to call for help, a monitoring system can at the very least give you a visual of what’s happening in your home so you can catch the accident before it’s too late.

• Involve all family members in revising/updating your fire escape plan.
• Walk through your home and note any possible exits - including windows.
• Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two ways to escape from each room.
• Consider whether older adults should sleep in a room on the ground floor to make escape easier.
• Make sure that doors and windows leading to the outside can be opened easily by everyone.
• If an older adult uses a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure they can fit through doorways.
• Ensure doorways, hallways, and stairs are clear of furniture and clutter that could become an obstruction or tripping hazard during a fire emergency.
• Utilize battery-powered lights to illuminate paths of exit, or have flashlights readily available and accessible.
• When possible, a responsible family member (and a backup person) should be assigned to assist the elderly or persons with mobility issues who will need assistance to escape.
• Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line and explain your special needs for fire escape planning, asking them to keep your special needs information on file.
• Check to make sure your house number is easy to see from the street so emergency personnel will be able to find you quickly.
• Practice your fire escape plan at least twice per year.
• Review and revise your fire escape plan as necessary to accommodate new health or mobility concerns.​

Our number one priority is to keep all of the seniors we work with safe! We do this by establishing a clear care plan based on our in-home assessment that really details the client’s current situation and areas of recommendation on how to keep them safe in the home. We start by doing a thorough home evaluation and recommending areas that can be key to avoiding a potential fall (e.g., removal of throw rugs, electrical cords, etc). We also recommend safety equipment (grab bars, raise toilet set, 3-1 commode, etc.) that would not only keep our clients safe but improve their quality of life by providing them a sense of independence and safety.

The most crucial part of ensuring senior citizens' safety and security is to provide them a comfortable environment. Make sure they eat well and are safe. Also, elderly people, tend to get bored easily and often feel lonely which is why companionship is extremely important. They must be surrounded by family and friends and not feel abandoned. Lastly, they should feel loved without feeling as if someone is obliging them for taking care of them.

Homeproof the house. We can call it elder-proofing. What needs to be done is detailed in the best-selling Mark Warner book The Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s-proofing Your Home. Wandering is one of our top worries, as well as keeping them safe in all rooms of their home with door alerts and motion detectors. In the kitchen and bathrooms, there need to be refrigerator and cabinet locks. Part of being safe is lowering the frustration level, and that can be done with simple-to-use products like TV remote and picture phones.

Having managed home care services for seniors for the last 20 years, I would make the following suggestions to improve senior safety. The first would be to ensure seniors stay in good physical condition, through simple exercises like daily walks, swimming, or dancing. Second, I would take a look at modifying living environments so they’re more senior-friendly. Tops on this list would be to add grab bars by every toilet and shower in the household. Thirdly, I would add a monitored medical alert system with automatic fall detection so it can call for help, even if the senior can’t. Lastly, I would recommend an appropriate pill organizer, medication reminder, or medication dispenser, depending on the level of assistance required.

The only way we can reduce accidents in the elderly is to design products and spaces which cater to our senior citizens. Be it inside or outside the house it becomes the duty of the design community to create a safe environment for the elderly. Adding small details like motion sensor operated night lights, soft close hinges and drawer stays, use of natural materials and finishes to avoid chemical emissions, use of ramps, ergonomically designed furniture, etc make homes friendlier.

Simple design choices can allow seniors to safely live independently for longer.

Install self-locking mechanisms. Anxiety often overwhelms the elderly’s mind when leaving their home. “Did I lock the door?”, this thought often crosses my parents’ mind. Uncertainty is well-placed as somebody can enter your home if left unattended and unlocked. To prevent such concerns, your best bet is to install a self-locking mechanism. From keyless entry locks to doorknobs and paddle-type door handle, the elderly can enjoy secure closing and automatic locking.

Don't be afraid to apply creativity hacks to deter thieves. If a home security system is something that the elderly can’t afford, fake security signs can make a burglar think twice. To trick the burglars’ mind, consider fitting a timer to light, make some noise with TV simulators, or put up a board “Dog in Premises”, even if you don’t have a dog.

Everyone ages differently, so the most essential part of elder safety and care is creating a care routine that fits the individual. For example, not everyone experiences memory loss or falls into a sedentary lifestyle as they age. The best way to ensure the safety of older adults is to tailor products and routines to fit their needs.

This could mean purchasing a smartwatch with reminders for medications, appointments, or social engagements for busy seniors. GPS tracking devices show caregivers where their loved one is if they experience regular confusion or wandering. And medical alert devices make living independently easier with single SOS buttons that call for help instantly.

And while there are tons of safety products for aging adults, it’s hard to replace real human contact. Whether visitors are family, medical professionals, or neighbors, regular human contact fights isolation, keeps spirits up, and serves as a regular check-in to make aging at home easier.

Pay attention to the cues that you get from them. If you pay attention, you will start to see that certain actions are caused by certain problems. You have to become a detective and learn to read those cues. You have to step out of your world and walk into theirs.

Elderly safety depends not only on physical health but also on personal and mental flourishing. One major challenge facing the elderly is loneliness, which carries a number of risks both mentally and physically. Elderly people with limited interpersonal contact are more likely to make mistakes in managing their medication, and they’re also more likely to have accidents. They also tend to have a lower quality of life — loneliness can cause depression, feelings of isolation, and a decreased sense of personal fulfillment. Quality time with loved ones can help overcome all of these issues. However, elderly caregiving is often overwhelming, especially if the burden falls primarily on one individual. In many cases, hiring an in-home caregiver helps meet all your loved one’s needs. To ensure elderly safety, providing companionship is essential.

The best way to avoid at-home injuries is to understand both your house and yourself. It’s important to make note of all potential risk factors and plan for any potentially risky activities. That means being honest and objective about your physical well being and ability to get around the house. No one likes to admit that they’re not as independent as they used to be, but being honest about this fact makes it simpler to proactively address risk factors.

My father is getting on in age, and I'm fairly certain my father has the early signs of dementia (after repeatedly telling him to consult with a doctor, he refuses). Over the years I've helped them try to be secure online (simple things - making sure their wifi has a password, teaching them how to identify scams, etc). However, as they get older I'm finding they remember less about what I taught them, are less able to learn how to protect themselves, and as a result are becoming more susceptible to scams (phishing and phone scams), which is only getting worse as the level of sophistication for scammers increases. Recently my father answered the phone and said: ""Oh it's Microsoft, they need something from my computer.."" This classic scam was something he would have hung up on just a few years ago, but now it seems he's beginning to take it at face value.

• Install remote admin tools on their computer so I can make sure everything is up to date and provide support
• Ensure good AV is installed on their PC's
• Set up their Windows accounts as non-admin accounts
• Install a pi-hole on their home network an subscribe to several malware lists
• Protect their email better from phishing and scams with U2F 2-factor authentication
• Protect their phone to prevent phone scams by setting a whitelist of phone numbers that can join them and reject all unknown (if doable) and same for email.

The internet can be a scary place, and many elderly individuals are not well-versed in technology, making it even harder for them to benefit from using the internet. Difficulties aside, it is still important to most of us, that our parents/grandparents remain safe, and there are ways of keeping them that way even though they aren’t technologically savvy. One example that springs to mind when I consider the safety of the elderly is the Apple Watch. With technology that can detect a fall and contact you, you can respond accordingly and potentially save the life of the person wearing it. Similarly, there is a range of apps that can be used as a panic button to alert the right people/emergency services of an incident. These are simple to use and can be easily located, all you have to do is set it up for the person. Using the internet for safety is a great idea. With everyone being connected almost all the time, the possibilities are endless.

The internet is a very good tool to keep in touch with loved ones, especially during the pandemic.

With its growing influence on individual consumers and large economies alike, the internet has become a crucial part of our day-to-day lives. Staying safe online can be difficult cause scammers changing their tactics daily, and with many elderly internet users having memory problems, it can be that much more of a challenge. In addition, many cybercriminals have created scams specifically targeting lonely seniors who are less informed about the internet. As such, it is important for elders to take some protective measures in order to stay safe while they are online!

Seniors need to keep these cybersecurity tips in mind:

Be on the lookout for phishing scams - Use email lookup tools to understand if the email from the person you don't know is from a scammer. Don't click on links in the emails. Be aware of scammy websites that are asking personal information. Use multi-factor authentication if it is possible. If you have been a victim of a scam report it immediately

Senior online safety requires a whole different approach, because we’re less concerned with adult content, cyberbullying and sexual predators, and more concerned about scams, phishing, and catfishing. There’s been a major surge in scams targeting the elderly, because they’re so vulnerable and usually, not as online-literate as younger generations. People take advantage of that. The most frequent cases I see are seniors getting targeted for financial scams - messages on Facebook telling them there’s been an accident involving their kids, and they need to transfer money NOW to help them. What I can say is that those with elderly relatives should be helping protect them - block sites that are known to be malicious, regularly check their emails, and adjust spam filters. Look at their bank statements and phone bills - anything unusual? Are they racking up bills talking to unknown numbers? In different countries? That’s a red flag. The most important part, and that people don’t want to do is just to keep in touch with your elderly loved ones. Talk frequently, check on them and ask about their life. That alone cuts down on their vulnerability because they don’t feel as lonely and disconnected. Of course, you can teach them about online safety: If they ever receive emails that sound fishy, they should forward them to a trusted person for vetting. Never click random online pop-ups. Shouldn’t trust strangers online, do not offer them private information. Strengthen their passwords. Most of it is common sense for us, but if you haven’t grown up with all these things drilled into you, it’s not second nature.

As far as online safety for seniors goes, I recommend getting them a password manager to store all of their passwords. They can create unique, long, and complicated passwords for each account without having to remember them. Otherwise, they’ll probably make up a variation of the same password for each account, which makes it much easier to get hacked. Password managers will also generate strong passwords for them, and they can use them on both their computers and smartphones.

I can speak to this from both a professional and personal perspective. My husband and I have both had to intervene in situations where our parents and grandparents were being taken advantage of online.

In regards to social media, never accept “friend requests” from people you don’t know. Additionally, watch out for new requests from people that are already on your “friend” list. These are typically fake accounts used to trick you into sending them money by sending you personalized messages. Another common scam to look out for on social media are romance tricksters. The scammer’s goal is to foster a trusting relationship (which can go on for months or longer) with their target before asking for money for things like flights or visas. Older adults are especially vulnerable to these types of scams due to loneliness and perhaps less experience with online relationships.

Make sure your passwords are secure and strong and don’t use the same password more than once. If you have a hard time remembering your passwords, keep a separate log in a secure place, or utilize an online password vault.

Lastly, while email scams have been around for quite some time, they are still prevalent and evolving. One of the more alarming email scams is sextortion which is a type of online blackmail. In an email to the victim, the scammer will threaten to send intimate images of the victim watching pornography or information about their browsing history to family, friends, or work associates if a ransom is not paid. Do not respond to these emails and remember to never click on links within suspicious emails.

We all have family members that are way past 60. And since we’re in a digital age, they’ve also learned to adapt and change whether its using smartphones, tablets, or laptops. We even taught them how to create a social media account and instant messaging. But the problem we are facing is that scammers and hackers are trying to take advantage of their susceptibility.

What should we do to help our seniors be aware of these scammers and hackers? We immediately should talk to our seniors about these scams and teach them how to avoid it. We tell them not to click on anything they don’t know or understand or not to talk to people they don’t know or met.

Ask them to approach us immediately if somebody on the internet is asking for their personal information and passwords. As for me, I always tell my grandpa never to give out his passwords and his Social Security number over the internet.

Every year, seniors are scammed out of tens of billions of dollars, money they’ve spent their entire lives saving only to have it stolen. The elderly have always been a prime target for Internet scams because of a perceived vulnerability, and now because Internet use among seniors is on the rise. A Pew Research Center survey showed that 67% of seniors are now regular Internet users.

Amidst the panic, it is important to remember that our elderly counterparts need us at this time. As the usage of the internet has suddenly increased, it is our duty to educate older people about its usage and online safety. Due to the pandemic, many scammers are taking advantage of these people. These scammers in the name of fake insurance policies are asking personal information like address, bank account details, or even PIN number. Massive discounts on masks or subscriptions are being offered to online entertainment services from unknown third parties. Several fake donation requests to support COVID‑19 relief from non-profits, hospitals, or other organizations, has also been in the notice. Several people have been conned by the lure of fake medical kits, cures, test kits, hand sanitizer, and face masks. So, beware your elders ask them not to make any transactions at this point in time.

The Internet can be a very dangerous place for someone who is naïve, especially with spammers. An elderly person could easily be taken advantage of online by scam emails asking for a bank account, Social Security number, or even to verify debit card accounts. Seniors need to be wary, just like they are of telemarketers on the phone. The Internet can be a dangerous place if an elderly person is asked to donate money to a cause, to send cash or anything of that nature. If you’re a senior, always browse the Internet with a young adult next to you to help you identify scams.

Many elders are victims of financial exploitation because they are vulnerable to online scammers who may initially contact them via telephone but end up controlling their computer. The best way to ensure your loved one's computer safety is by staying in touch and having the ability to review their finances through a valid power of attorney. Its important to constantly monitor accounts as the scammers move quickly, once they gets access to drain the accounts.

I am amazed at how we could communicate with anyone anywhere in the world online nowadays. However, there is no shortage of people who are taking advantage of this trend. The seniors and the elderly are more vulnerable to these kinds of scams. Unfortunately, we cannot ask them to put an end to their only way of socializing at these trying times so let me just share some ways to keep our seniors and elderly safe:

• Make sure they are using strong passwords. Explain to them the importance of having strong passwords and why this should not be shared with anyone else.
• Help them manage their privacy settings. As much as possible, review their privacy settings so that their posts are not available to the public.

Report any suspicious emails. There are a lot of different email scams, from personal emergencies to computer virus scams. You should let our elderly know that they should consult someone first before responding to these emails and report it to the alithority once proven to prevent them from getting more victims.

• Protect their devices. Make sure that their devices are password-protected, if possible, fingerprint lock their mobiles so no one can take any information from them if there would be an accidental loss.

When in a worldwide crisis like a pandemic or large-scale natural disasters, your passwords could mean the difference between spending your time re-learning how to recoup finances and private data that’s been hacked.

Steps you can take to protect your passwords:

• Review your current passwords and inform your family to create stronger, more complex ones that can’t be easily guessed. Every 90 days minium to change your passwords more often is better.
• Use a password manager software to store all your passwords in one place. Don’t store them in your web browser just because it’s convenient. It’s also easy to hack.

1.) Eat and Exercise Well

Making sure you get adequate nutrition as you age can be difficult, especially if you live alone and don't feel like preparing meals. Do your best to eat balanced meals with real whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and dairy to give your mind and body what you need to stay healthy and maintain good brain function and to keep bones strong.

Exercise is the key to keeping your muscles strong so you don't fall. Seniors who walk daily, and do squats and other exercises build up thigh muscles that help them prevent tripping and falls, which can lead to devastating consequences. Walking is also an excellent way to strengthen your heart and prevent heart attack and stroke.

2.) Mental Wellness

Maintain connections with friends, loved ones, and groups to prevent isolating. Being alone is bad for your health. Look for ways to stay engaged by attending church or support groups. If you live in a senior community, take advantage of the activities, play cards, and join in. People who are socially connected live longer than those who don't have a close group in their life.

We have a mission statement, "Quality of life for everyone." The reason we chose this mission statement is to ensure that all aspects of a senior's life are considered when providing services to them, one of which is safety. Safety for seniors is a very complicated subject because the leading cause of the vulnerability is isolation and the absence of connectivity. It is, in fact, 50% of the health and wellness equation. We believe that connecting communities, enabling communication, and providing a crowdsourced simple alarm response mechanism for seniors and their caregivers is the best way to improve safety for seniors.

As a senior living designer as well as living in my own multigenerational home with a husband and two teenagers and my parents in their late 70’s and my 92-year-old grandmother with Alzheimer’s I gained a deeper appreciation of senior safety. Proper lighting is key, a senior needs 70% more light to see than a 20-year-old. Lighting should be dimmable, on sensors and color corrective. Clutter is typically the culprit when it comes to falls, cords on the floor, magazines, and pets. Clearing spaces, taking rugs down, creating contrast at handrails, and top and bottom steps are key to senior safety.

If we are in these times of COVID, isolating and handwashing are the topmost essential parts to do to ensure elderly safety.

Typically, in my professional and personal experience, I would say that you must have all your paperwork together first such as trust, wills, POLST, and advance directives and that you are NOT isolating and alone. Engagement and socialization are key not just to survive but also to thrive.

Our family is living with my grandmother right now. We were worried about her because of the pandemic, so we've put some safety measures in place to make sure she's comfortable and safe. Here are my tips based on our family's personal experience:

Put a night light in the bathroom to make repeated night trips safer.

Install a grab bar in the bedroom and bathroom to make it easy for them to get up and to avoid slips.

Place things in easy-to-reach areas so she wouldn't need to grab a chair or ladder to reach them.

Inform them about online scams. Seniors are extra vulnerable to online scams, so it's important to inform them of any classic modus you know such as the I-got-into-an-accident scam, your-computer-has-a-virus scam, and any email or site that asks for credit card information.

Remind them to be respectful online. It's easy for others to throw negative comments as if they're meaningless. So to keep grandma or grandpa in a safe environment, remind them to always think before posting anything and to be calm and tactful at all times.

Remind them to limit sharing personal information. It's easier for strangers to get your personal information through your social media profiles. Remind grandma or grandpa to limit posting photos and other content that should stay within the family.

My experience as an Occupational Therapist working in geriatrics taught me that the number one issue address when it comes to safety for seniors is the modification of the immediate environment of the elderly person. It's true that as we all age, most of us could do more to build our body's strength and improve our balance, our health, etc. But, the matter of fact is that our physical and cognitive health will change, will slow down and deteriorate to some extent.

So, the best solution to improve safety is to change the things that can be changed, which is our environment. Making the environment you are living in safer and easier to live in can not only lengthen your life but it can improve the quality of your life as well.

There are simple steps we can take to help prevent falls at home. Install good lighting throughout your home, making sure floors are clear from clutter, keeping walkways clear. Wear non-slip footwear especially if you have wood or tile flooring. Ensure mats at your doorways are secured, placing non-slip material underneath. If you are unable to find a safe way to secure the mat, remove it, safety first. Keep stairways clear of clutter, including those items waiting to be “taken upstairs” also removing children’s or pet's toys from the floor, they are tripping hazards. Beware of pets both small and large, several of my clients have experienced injuries due to a family member’s pet either tripping or knocking them over.

If you are often on your own consider purchasing a fall alert alarm to ensure you get the help you need as soon as possible.

Emergency numbers: Write in large letters and kept handy with each phone. This should include important contacts like the police department, fire department, poison control, doctor’s office, and friends or relatives.