Home Care Philadelphia: Senior Safety Tips for the Holidays

During the holiday season, families have a unique opportunity to spend quality time with the seniors they love. And, it’s the perfect time to ensure that the holidays are as safe as they are celebratory. Whether an older loved one is enjoying the season in his or her own home or yours, follow these senior safety guidelines to help make sure that everyone's holiday is as merry and bright as possible provided by one of the top Philadelphia home care agencies.

Decorating tips:

In the home:

• Make use of simple decorations, those which will not add clutter, making sure there is always plenty of room to walk.
• Move all extension cords away from walking paths to avoid the risk of a fall.
• Rather than lighting candles, choose bright centerpieces of flowers or fruit, or utilize battery-powered candles.

Lighting tips:

Although bright holiday lights are beautiful, bear these suggestions in mind when senior loved ones are nearby:

• Be sure that all rooms and hallways in the home are sufficiently lit. Dimmed holiday lighting can hide fall hazards and make it more difficult to ambulate around furnishings in the home.
• Install nightlights in both the bathroom and bedroom the senior will be using and ensure light switches are easily accessible to the senior.

Flooring tips:

Take a walk through the home to verify that:

• Floors and outside walkways are clear and free of clutter.
• Furniture is arranged so it’s easy to move around it.
• Non-slip pads are secured underneath rugs – or ideally, that rugs are removed altogether.
• Pets are kept from roughhousing while the senior is in the home.
• A special out-of-the-way room is designated for children to play with their new toys in while the senior is visiting.

It's crucial to pay attention to the care needs of seniors during the holiday season to ensure their home, and/or visits to yours, will be completely safe and enjoyable. For additional information on simple home modifications that will help make the holidays safer for seniors, or to learn more about one of the top Philadelphia home care agencies, contact Effraim Home Care, the home care Philadelphia-area families trust, by calling (215) 826-7422.