Seniors who want to live in their own homes as they get older should make sure they are prepared for emergencies. Medical emergencies, weather emergencies, power outages, and emergencies like fires and floods can all happen quickly, and seniors need to be ready.
Fires are particularly dangerous for seniors, because seniors have a slow reaction time. If your mom or dad has mobility challenges it also may be difficult for them to get out of the house safely and quickly.
It’s a good idea for your mom or dad to have in-home care services in case of emergencies. If there is an emergency, an in-home care provider can get help. And they can help your senior parent get out of the house if necessary.
If you want to make sure that your mom or dad is prepared in case of an emergency like a house fire, use these tips:
Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms
Having working smoke alarms is absolutely essential for seniors. Make sure the batteries are changed regularly, or install smoke alarms that are wired into the house so they are always active. If your mom or dad is hard of hearing, install alarms that flash lights and make a sound. That way, if there is a fire, your mom or dad will see the lights even if they don’t hear the alarm.
Create a Fire Escape Plan
Make sure that your mom or dad knows at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure that the exits are accessible and not hidden by furniture. If possible, have an in-home care provider run fire drills with your mom or dad occasionally so that your mom or dad knows exactly what to do if there is a fire.
Establish a meeting place outside the house so that your senior parent knows where you will go to look for them. A neighbor’s house is a great meeting place if your senior parent is friendly with their neighbors.
Install Fire Safety Devices
Put fire extinguishers in common areas like the kitchen and living room. Make sure your senior parent and their in-home care provider know how to use them. Check them periodically to make sure they are still in good working order.
If your mom or dad’s house has two stories, put emergency ladders in easy-to-access places. But make sure the ladders are sturdy enough that your senior parent who may have mobility challenges can use them safely.
Ensure Clear Paths Outdoors
If there is a fire and your mom or dad is rushing to get out, you don’t want them to trip and fall. Make sure that walkways and paths outdoors are clear and that outdoor exits like sliding glass doors aren’t blocked by furniture. Keep plants and bushes trimmed so that they don’t block exit paths. In-home care providers can help with routine household tasks as well.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Prepare an emergency kit with copies of important documents, your mom or dad’s medications, and other essentials that they may need immediately if there is a fire. Stash it at a neighbor’s house or keep it at your house.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Pompton Plains, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Applause Home Care today. Call (201) 326-8051
Applause Home Care provides independent, non-franchised quality Home Care for elders and families in and around Fort Lee, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Paramus, Glen Rock, Pompton Plains, Franklin Lakes, Westwood, Montvale, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
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