Ann Arbor Home Healthcare Company Celebrates National Safety Month with Senior Safety Tips

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - June 6, 2015 - PRLog -- June is “National Safety Month,” an opportunity to educate and empower friends and family to take action and increase awareness of what it takes to stay safe. The aging population can continue to live safely and independently in their homes by implementing fall prevention and fire safety habits.

“No one wants to think about being injured at home as it is a safe haven for many of us,” said Charles Williams, President and General Manager of Right at Home Ann Arbor, a senior care company in Ann Arbor MI. “Thankfully, there are many simple actions you can take to help save lives and prevent injuries. Right at Home Ann Arbor, for instance, is available to help older adults and their loved ones identify and correct household hazards that can lead to slips, falls and other dangers.”

For many older adults, falls can be a life-changing event leading to less mobility, independence and even death. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 30,000 people died from falls in 2013, the majority of them being age 65 and older. Right at Home Ann Arbor offers free in-home assessments that include a safety check walk-through of a senior’s home to identify potential fall hazards and other safety ideas. For more information on these assessments, visit http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw/. The National Safety Council also offers the following tips for fall prevention:

·         Install handrails on both sides of the stairs and ensure they go from the top to the bottom.

·         Tape small rugs to the floor or do not use them at all as they can be a tripping hazard.

·         Have plenty of lights at the top and bottom of the stairs and be sure to keep them clear of debris.

·         Place night lights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom.

·         Lay a mat or non-slip strips in the tub and shower and have grab bars installed.

Older adults and their families are also encouraged to prepare for fire emergencies. The National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Fa...) also offers the following tips for fire safety:

·         Make sure there is a least one working fire alarm on each level of the home, located inside or near sleeping areas.

·         Create a home escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. Move the bedroom to the first floor to escape outside quickly in case of a fire.

·         Keep escape routes clear and make sure doors and windows open easily.

·         Keep a phone in the bedroom to call for help if necessary.

·         Always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove and avoid loose clothing while cooking.

·         Smokers should use large, deep ashtrays on a sturdy table and stay alert while smoking.

·         Plug only one cord into each electrical outlet and unplug appliances when not in use.

“Taking many of these simple safety steps can help to keep older adults living safely and independently in their own homes,” Williams said. “We know that living independently has many benefits and we are privileged to help older adults maintain their independence and enjoy a full life.”

About Right at Home

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers home healthcare, senior care, and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices located in 42 states nationwide and throughout the world.

About Right at Home of Ann Arbor

The Ann Arbor Michigan office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, Inc., proudly offering senior care in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Belleville, Plymouth, Chelsea, Dearborn, Canton, Dexter, and beyond. For more information, contact Right at Home of Ann Arbor at http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw or by phone at (734) 971-5000.