Tips for living safely at home

Many older Australians are increasingly choosing to stay living independently at home for as long as possible. There are some simple changes that can be made to help seniors to stay safe at home.

Simple tips to help older people live safely at home

There are a number of steps and actions you can take as a first step to helping an older person live safely in their own home. These include:

1. Eliminating trip hazards around the home such as uneven surfaces, clutter and poor lighting, and keeping regularly used items such as phones in easy reach, can help prevent falls, which can be very concerning and unsettling for older people and their loved ones.
2. Wearing shoes that fit well and are non-slip, making sure you take the right medication at the right time, and using your mobility aids will all help to ensure senior safety at home.
3. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings and take steps to ensure your personal safety. Make sure that your doors are locked and your windows are secured, and be mindful of online safety and privacy, and when answering the door or speaking on the phone to someone you don’t know.
4. Another important step is to have an emergency plan in place with emergency contact information and an ‘emergency essentials’ kit with your medication and important things you would need in the case of an emergency. Ensure that smoke alarms are in working order and tested regularly, electrical sockets are not overloaded and that your appliances or electrical cords are not damaged.

What home support options are available?

Remember that help is available for older people who want to stay living at home independently. There are a number of options on the types of care and support services, from short-term support and home modifications, to ongoing and regular home care.

A Home Care Package can provide assistance such as help around the home and transport assistance, and even daily calls with reminders to do the things you need to do such as attend medical appointments or to help you remember to check that your doors are locked. If you’re not ready for ongoing services or just need a little assistance, private community care services are a good way to test what’s right for you.

Staying connected to the people around you is also important, not just for social reasons, it’s also a great way to share any concerns you may have such as if your door won’t lock or the fridge isn’t working.

Find out more

If you’d like to know more about staying safe at home, or are thinking about a Home Care Package, Whiddon can help you understand the different types of care available and help you navigate aged care, every step of your journey.