Safety Risks Seniors Face in the United States enjoy welfare benefits including a higher insurance premium, exemption from tax, and even discounts on flights, food, and other commodities. However, at the age of 65 and older, seniors, whose cognitive and physical strengths have diminished, could not exactly find pleasure in these things anymore. They’d rather talk with their peers at the assisted living facility all day.
However, that’s not always the case for most seniors. Healthcare insurances still require a huge deductible to take advantage of elderly care services; most times, these services aren’t even covered. Because of this, seniors and their guardians are left with no choice but to nurse them at home, exposing them to greater security risks.
The Toll of Living at Home: Safety Risks Seniors Face
Most of the security risks seniors face happen at home and usually when they are left unattended. Hence, it is important to identify the common in-home issues so you can provide a safer shelter for elderly people.
Here are the most common risks seniors face while at home.
Slips and falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, falls are the leading cause of injuries and deaths among senior Americans. Fortunately, though, falls are preventable in many ways such as maintaining proper house lighting and making sure they’re not wearing loose clothes.
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Medication management
For maximum effect, it is essential that seniors take the right dosage of their medicines on time. But this can be a difficult task for the elderly, especially when there’s no one to remind them. For this reason, medication management becomes one of the risks seniors face in-home. Overdosing on medicine is also a scary possibility.
Therefore, make sure to set alarms for your seniors, legibly label the prescription drugs, and check on them from time to time.
Crime
Crime is one of the major security risks senior face, especially when they are left unattended at home. They are defenseless against thieves, fraudsters, and other criminals, which is why homes for the aged are required to have strong security locks in place. You can also inform your neighbor to check in on your elderly parents and call you immediately in the event that an emergency arises while you’re away.
Fire accidents
Persons with frail health conditions and aged 65 and older are vulnerable to fire-related accidents. From 2009 to 2013 alone, the study of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reveals that 32% (approximately 877) of fire-related deaths involved seniors.
To reduce the risks, the institution urges every homeowner to install smoke detectors, keep fire extinguishers nearby, and check electronic appliances regularly. They also suggest storing oxygen tanks inaccessible areas for older adults to use.
Mental illness
Mental illness is also one of the risks seniors face. As they get older, they are more likely to develop cognitive impairment, anxiety, and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. Moreover, the United States Alzheimer’s Association reveals that late-life mental diseases mostly progress to severe dementia, which is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Currently, approximately 5.5 million seniors suffer from the condition, but there are still no treatments available. That’s why neurologists always remind people to encourage your senior family members to do a mental exercise to mitigate the development of the disease. Also, medical experts have suggested attaching a wearable GPS tracking device to seniors for real-time monitoring.
One of the most economical yet effective GPS trackers in the market is Trackimo®. The device is lightweight, small, and barely noticeable, and it also has an ergonomic design, which makes it easy to use, even for elders.
Trackimo® elderly GPS trackers can be used for 24/7 worldwide tracking. These devices are also built for emergency situations such as fire accidents, assault, or in the event of slips and falls. Each device has a panic button that instantly sends an email or a text message alert when triggered. You can also set geofences to establish where the elderly is only allowed to be. Once set, the device will send you an alert the second the senior exits the predefined area.
GPS trackers from Trackimo® are not just for seniors’ security, they’re also made for you—to give the peace of mind you deserve by knowing they’re safe at all times.
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