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A recent study showed that the elderly driver was second to the young driver when it came to accidents on the road caused by driving. This is often due to many facts, the elderly person simply might not have the fast reactions they once did, they suffer from aching joints which move slower and their concentration isn’t what it used to be at one time. However all is not lost for the elderly driver and there are certain things that they can do to ensure that they remain safe whilst driving and so lessen the risk of being the cause of an accident.

When it comes to staying firmly in the driving seat then the elderly should look at what they are capable of and are not and then work on the strengths and developing their weaknesses. There are many things that should be taken into account and these include

• Give some thought as to how much you can see after the sun goes down, for instance if you have trouble seeing to walk in the dark then you are going to have many problems when it comes to driving. If this is the case then avoid driving at night, this also includes driving very early in the morning for example before sunset
• Take into account any medication that you are taking, if you drive then always mention this to your Doctor as some medication can cause problems with eyesight and ca make you feel drowsy
• If you have poor eyesight and wear spectacles then it is essential that you never forget to wear them while driving. It is also essential that you have regular eye checks and replace your spectacles as necessary to ensure your vision is as near perfect as possible
• If you plan on going somewhere you are unsure of then plan the route out beforehand, this can prevent an awful lot of stress and aggravation which are sometimes the main causes of road accidents through lack of concentration
• Always give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going, never, ever rush this is another leading cause of accidents
• Always remember that if the worst comes to the worst and you have to give up your driving licence it isn’t the end, there are other means of getting from A to B and staying safe and alive is much more important Ensure you have the right type of car

It is essential that you also have the right type of car; this can go a long way to helping you stay in the driving seat. Along with this you should keep as fit and active as possible, have check ups on a regular basis and take advice from your Doctor. Important points to consider when it comes to your choice of car include

• Ensure you can see the panels clearly in the car and can read the indicators clearly
• If you have problems with your eyes then tinted windows can reduce the glare
• Power steering can make handling the car much easier
• Installing a navigation system can help when it comes to directions and travelling in places you are not used too
• Installing special seating in the can help if you have trouble with joints and in particular the back and legs

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Every year we hear stories of seniors falling, ending up in hospitals and never fully recovering. Unfortunately, these falls often result in death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths for seniors age 65 and older. Every year, approximately 35% to 40% of seniors over 65 years of age fall at least one time. The following are five ways to help reduce the risk of you or a loved one from falling:

1. Keep Indoor Pathways Safe- Remove throw rugs or use double sided tape to prevent rugs from becoming loose. Keep telephone and electrical cords out of walkways as well as items such as shoes, blankets and books. Move furniture out of walkways to ensure the path is clear. Always keep stairways free from clutter.

2. Review Medications- Visit with your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you or a loved one is taking. Some prescriptions and over the counter drugs can cause one to become drowsy, dizzy or unsteady. In addition, make sure to get your vision checked once a year to reduce the risk of falling due to poor vision.

3. Exercise Regularly- It is important to improve your muscle flexibility and strength to reduce the risk of falling. Balance and coordination are also important to help prevent falling, and these can be accomplished through regular exercise.

4. Add Safety Features to Bathroom and Bedroom- Install mats or suction cups in the bathtub. Place grab bars near the toilet, shower, and tub area, as well as bench or a stool in the shower. Consider using an elevated toilet seat to help reduce the risk of falling. In the bedroom, keep a lamp or light switch that can be easily reached without getting out of bed. Use night lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways.

5. Improve Outdoor Walkways- Paint the edges of outdoor steps, especially steps that are narrow or are higher or lower than other steps. Paint outside stairs with a mixture of sand and paint to help with traction. Keep walkways well lit and clear from debris, snow and ice.

In addition to keeping the home safe from hazards, always try to maintain good health and exercise habits. It is important to wear rubber soled shoes that fully support your feet. Furthermore, limit the consumption of alcohol, and use walking devices such as a cane or a walker if extra support is needed. By reducing the risk of falling, one is increasing the chances of living a happy and safe life.

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Home Safety is crucial if you are caring for your loved one in your home. It is especially important if your loved one is left alone for any amount of time. This article will be focusing on some things you can do to make your home safe. In addtion to my tips, I have included several links to various sites that have more ideas on how you can safety proof your home.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

1. Oven and Stove
The oven and stove are a major cause of accidental fires, especially if you are not there. If you cannot unhook it, please remove the dials. By removing the dials, you are making it more difficult for your loved one to turn the the oven and stove on. If your loved one prepares their own meals, you can have them use the microwave and preset the dial for them.

2. Fire Alarms
Are your fire alarms working? I suggest checking them at least once a month to make sure they are working. Fire alarms are very helpful especially if you are in the house with your loved one. Depending on the fire alarm, it may be able to detect burnt toast.

3. Locks on the Doors
Locks on front and back doors will be very helpful if your loved one wanders throughout the night. Wandering is common in persons with dementia. If you are in a house, you may want to consider putting in extra locks that you need a key to open. Place these locks at the top of the door- out of reach for your loved one. If you are in an apartment, please speak to your landlord before adding additional locks. Most buildings will allow you to add extra safety precautions.

4. Balconies and Sliding Doors
If you live in am apartment/condo or if you live in a more than one story house, this is extremely important. There are safety devices that you can attach to your sliding doors. You want to eliminate the possible cause of an accident in the middle of the night if your loved one wanders.

5. Stairs
If you have stairs in your home, are there railings? Railings are necessary, so that your loved one can have something to hold on to. Also, if you have winding stairs, you may want to consider moving your loved one’s room downstairs if your loved one is having problems with the stairs. In the evening, place a night light at the foot of the stairs, so that your loved one can where to take the first step.

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Safety in the home and around it should be of the utmost importance to everyone but when it comes to the elderly it is imperative that safety steps are taken in all aspects and areas of the home to ensure their safety at all times. The elderly are prone to complications after suffering a fall or injury and a broken bone in an elderly person may take several months to mend if it mends properly at all, along with this the elderly are prone to suffering pneumonia after a fall which can be deadly or at the very least require a long hospital stay.

A recent study into elderly and safety showed that in the USA almost one million people who are over the age of 65 are treated every year in emergency rooms across the State for injuries they have received in their home from everyday objects. The death rate from injuries occurring from accidents within the home is three times greater than with younger people with slips and falls being the main reason for trips to the emergency room.

However there are many steps which can be taken to ensure that these figures are reduced each year and in the majority of cases it only takes a little careful thought and consideration.

When it comes to decorating and furnishing then a little thought should be given here, always ensure that there is a good contrast between the walls and the floor, for example if you are going to have dark flooring then paint the walls a light color. However lighter flooring and darker walls are preferable as this makes steps e.t.c easier to see. When it comes to flooring try to keep the same throughout the house, for example if using a thin pile carpet then stick with this and don’t suddenly go to plush pile, or the other way around. Care should be taken if using wooden flooring that this isn’t slippery, polished wooden flooring can quickly turn into a skating ring for those unsteady on their feet. When it comes to carpeting on the stairs then be sure to contrast the first and last stair, this ensures there is no mistaking where the stairs begin and end for those with poor eyesight.

When it comes to the safety of the elderly there are many more factors that have to be taken into account other than the surroundings. Other important factors include food safety and medication safety and items can be bought to make everyday living easier.

The majority of elderly have to rely on medication as a part of their day to day living and of course medication can be confusing to the majority of people let alone those elderly who have trouble with their eye sight and memory, not to mention hands. If the elderly person has problems with arthritis then this can make getting the medication out of the packet or bottle a horrendous ordeal. There are aids available which makes opening the medication bottle easier and for those who suffer from memory problems there are tablet boxes that can be filled each week with a week’s supply of medication. Each day the person has to then just lift the flap for that particular day and take out the tablet for that day, leaving the flap open will ensure that the person knows whether hey have taken that’s day tablet. There are also boxes available that have a timer on which can be set at the same time each day to remind the person to take their tablet.

Food safety is also something which should be kept a check of, the elderly can forget to eat and as such can also forget to check for out of date food items. This is another popular reason why elderly are admitted to the hospital with stomach problems due to eating out of date food, it is a good idea to date all food that is put into the refrigerator in packaging and label it in clear bold writing. This way the elderly person only has to glance at the package to know if the food is safe to eat and so avoids sickness.