Five Floor Hazards for Seniors

Home Care Services Skokie IL - Five Floor Hazards for Seniors

When you’re working to make sure that your senior is as safe as possible, you need to pay close attention to flooring issues that could cause your senior to trip.  Home care services providers can help by implementing these changes.

Poor Lighting 

You might wonder what lighting has to do with floor hazards, but if your senior can’t see what’s happening on the floor, she might just experience a fall. Motion-sensing night lights could be a good option overnight, and brighter LED bulbs could help in existing lighting fixtures. Finding out what your senior can and can’t see is important. 

Runners and Throw Rugs with Tall Edges 

Throw rugs and runners can be hazards for a lot of reasons, such as rolling up or slipping on the flooring underneath. But there’s another possible issue, too. If the edges of the runner or rug are tall, your senior may be more likely to stumble or have difficulty with things like using a walker in that area. Swapping out the rug for one with a lower profile or removing it completely may be a better idea. 

Wet Floors and Spills 

Wet flooring of all sorts tends to be more slippery when it’s wet. This is true especially in bathrooms and kitchens, but it can happen anywhere in the house. Cleaning up spills as soon as they happen is really crucial so that your senior doesn’t walk through it and slip. In the bathroom, take steps to make the floor less slippery by using anti-slip rugs or mats and by adding handrails wherever possible. 

Wires and Cords 

Wiring and cords can hide in plain sight, especially if your elderly family member has vision issues. Make sure to keep cords and wires out of the path of traffic. Tuck them behind furniture and do what you can to keep them as contained as possible. 

Clutter or Narrow Passages 

Having narrow pathways, especially in areas your senior uses often, or having a lot of clutter on the floor can make it difficult for your senior to maneuver safely. You may need to consider helping her to rearrange furniture. It’s also important to find new storage areas for items that are taking up space that is better used for safe walking. 

Getting Help from Home Care Services Providers

Something else that can help you to find all of the flooring hazards that are affecting your senior’s safety is to hire home care services providers. They can help you to stay on top of what is causing potential problems for your elderly family member. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Skokie IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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