At some point, most adults will grow old and reach a stage where their physical bodies require constant care and attention to prevent injury or other risks. When we talk about creating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, it’s equally important for us to take precautions and measures to constantly show the care that our ageing family members require from a humanitarian perspective so that they don’t end up with any complications affecting their regular day-to-day lifestyle, irrespective of their health condition. Ageing is inevitable; with ageing, the constant degeneration of the body’s bones and muscles is also inevitable, which may put individuals at risk of injury from the slightest fall due to body imbalance & weakness that come with ageing in most cases. This blog effort is to share small tips we can use at home to avoid injuries that may occur to elderly people at home while providing the best possible support for their day-to-day activities, without pressuring them about their body movements within our houses.
Walking from one place to another place within house, using washrooms, and using restrooms in the night seems very small activities but these mere daily activities needs small fixes that can avoid lots of possibles injuries for the elderly people when they are self reliant enough to handle their own tasks including use of washroom, walking up to kitchen from their room to fetch some water to drink, or to main hall to read some newspaper or to watch television whenever they wish. These fixes are discussed in this article. Proper lighting, keeping all the essential medicines & necessary items reachable, avoiding slipping surfaces, a well-lit washroom for night use, keeping cellphones and medicines available always & handy, fixing the emergency alarms in their living spaces, ensuring dry surfaces, all these small fixes can make a lot of differences for elderly people, ensuring they aren’t posed to the risk of falls anytime of the day. Let’s categorise these fixes into two and see in detail how best the small fixes can make our elders’ lives feel free.
Using the washroom, which is usually wet, is risky for elders; hence, one needs to ensure a constantly dry floor or wipe down washroom surfaces. One must also ensure proper lighting in the washroom, including dim lighting that can remain on at night for visibility. Also, the wet, slippery mats in front of the bathroom must be avoided. Nowadays, anti-slip mattresses can be used indoors and outdoors, wherever there are slippery or wet areas; using these will help avoid slippery issues. Properly fixing washroom bars near the toilet and shower areas is strongly recommended.
Living room:
Ergonomically supportive and comforting seaters & sofas in the living room, halls, and areas our elders use more frequently for resting, reading, or other seated activities must have proper lighting and grab bars, with proper seating and handles for getting up, sitting, or sleeping. Proper lighting improves visibility, and appropriate handles around seating and resting areas will support their sitting and standing activities with minimal to no extra struggle for their ageing bodies. Also, proper placement of regularly used materials such as medicines, phones, and other medical supportive devices, or any items within their reach, where they can easily access them from their seats, will be an added advantage and can make them self-reliant without guilt. Also, ensuring proper flooring that reduces the risk of slipping and an anti-skid mattress wherever needed are recommended.
With these small fixes, we can not only ensure their safety but also show how much we actually care for our elders, which will give them comfort and confidence in their lives. With these fixes, they can feel self-reliant for small tasks, without guilt about being dependent on anyone. So, this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, while thinking about the protection and care for elders, let’s consider the bare minimum we can do to reduce the fear of falls among the elderly, so their lives can be smooth and comfortable as well. Let’s remember that the value & the life we have to live, which they have bestowed upon us, are respected by treating these small updates in our homes as a return gift for their safety. As the elders age, proper attention to their comfort becomes not just necessary but mandatory from a humanitarian point of view. So, let’s support them with this sort of care and show them that we do really care about their well-being. Because caring for our elders isn’t just about adding years to life—it’s about adding safety, dignity, and confidence to every step they take.
