Today's seniors aren't satisfied merely to live longer than their parents.
They insist on leading active, independent lives. Blessed with considerable savings, investments and pension, many maintain their own homes or apartments instead of moving to smaller quarters - they age in place.
But frequently, some concessions must be made to compensate for the frailty and diminished physical abilities that come with advancing age.
For caregivers looking after their independent-minded parents, this means taking steps to ensure that home is not only comfortable but also safe and secure. Proper planning, along with minor home modifications, can significantly reduce the chance of in-home accidents.
These adjustments can translate into extra years of independent living for Mom and Dad. For the caregiver, they mean greater peace of mind and a chance to maintain your own lifestyle.
Falls account for the most injuries of all in-home accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, they are the leading cause of injury or death for Americans 65 and older.
Each year, about 35% to 40% of Americans 65 and older fall at least once. In 2001, more than 1.6 million seniors were treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, and nearly 388,000 were hospitalized. About 20% to 30% of these fall victims suffered moderate to severe injuries -- such as hip fractures or head traumas -- resulting in reduced mobility and independence and increased the risk of premature death.
Even simple changes in home design and lighting can lead to a marked reduction in falls and other in-home injuries.
As your parents grow older, their muscle fibers shrink in number and size. Their bodies also become less responsive to messages from their central nervous system. Both factors can cause a significant decrease in strength, balance and coordination, making them more prone to slipping, tripping and falling.
Two ways to enhance strength, balance and coordination are:
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Engaging in regular physical activity to increase lower body strength and improve balance.
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Assessing medications. A doctor or pharmacist can review prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. It may be possible to reduce the number of medications or change them to eliminate the ones with harmful side effects or interactions.
But how do you know when it's time to modify or retrofit your parents' home? Here's a simple test to help you decide.
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Do your parents have difficulty walking or moving around the house? (Y,N)
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Can your parents bend or sit down comfortably? (Y,N)
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Can your parents walk up and downstairs easily? (Y,N)
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Do your parents ever feel dizzy, light-headed or confused? (Y,N)
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Do your parents have trouble with their vision or hearing? (Y,N)
If you answered "yes," to three or more of these questions, it may be time to consider making some changes to insure your parents' safety.
Don't let them slip or trip!
Using this checklist can help you begin minimizing household accidents.
To avoid tripping:
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Break steep or long steps into thinner, shorter ones at any doors to the outside, such as the front and garage doors.
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Add railing to front door stoop.
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Bank any surfaces that are too graded or sloped, such as the driveway.
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Remove small furniture items in rooms where your parents frequently walk.
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Place a chairlift on the staircase, if your parents cannot move into a room on the ground floor. Chairlift companies can schedule consultation and installation appointments.
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Tack down any loose rugs or runners with carpet tape or non-skid backing.
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Make sure all rooms can be lit before entering the room.
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Ensure good lighting around the house, especially near the stairs, bathroom or where there is a change from carpet to flooring.
To avoid slipping:
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Install a grab rail next to the toilet and a raised toilet seat, to help them get up and down.
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Put slip-proof decals or strips, grab bars and a shower/tub chair inside the shower stall.
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If polished floors need to be waxed, use non-skid wax.
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Make sure the shoes or slippers are rubber-soled, low-heeled, fit well and have good traction (treads).
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Do not walk around in socks or stockings.
General health and safety:
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Make sure the water heater temperature is set no higher than 120 F degrees.
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Add anti-scald devices on sinks, tubs and showers, to ensure water does not come out too hot from faucet.
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Use cool instead of warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers, to prevent accidental burning.
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Use only space heaters with a three-pronged plug in a three-hole outlet or with a properly attached adapter.
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Clean furnace and air conditioning air filters once a month, or as directed, to maintain indoor air quality. Add a HEPA unit in the room where your parents sit most often.
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Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarm
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Keep an easily accessible fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
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Purchase a cane (lighted or with three-footed base) or a walker, if your parents need assistance walking around the house.
The National Alliance to Prevent Falls As We Age, founded by the National Safety Council, is a coalition of over 20 organizations dedicated to reducing falls among Older Americans through educational outreach. To learn more on measures to prevent injuries, visit the National Safety Council . For comprehensive household safety information, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.