Home Safety for Seniors
Did you know that 71% of senior homes have [at least] one potential safety issue ?
The statistics on seniors and home safety are startling:
- Nearly 2.2 million Canadian seniors (65+) visit the emergency room each year
- 9% of these emergency visits are due to falls.
- 53% of in home accidents can be avoided according to emergency room doctors .
Small household items can be particularly harmful. Throw rugs or loose railings may lead to falling or other injuries that keep a senior from being capable to live independently.
Greg Bechard of Home Instead Senior Care, a Mississauga home care company, says, "The home should be the safest and most comfortable place for aging seniors." And we agree! But, about 81% of seniors have yet to make any move on fixing up their homes to fit their needs, as they grow older, despite the recent home renovation tax benefits offered to seniors by the Ontario government.
"It is critical for families and seniors to invest the time in identifying and making the necessary home safety modifications to ensure [their home] stays safe," Bechard says. "An annual safety check can help seniors avoid dangers that could threaten their independence."
Home safety tools are available to seniors online and range from checklists to fixes for under $500! To request a free home safety checklist and other materials, please visit the Making Home Safer for Seniors website or the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit website to find more articles, resources and videos on home safety.
By: Julie El-Chaer
Find more safety tips for seniors on porch.com.
