Tag Archives: nj senior safety

20 Safety Tips for NJ Senior Citizens, Elderly

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New Jersey Elderly Safety Tips

One’s entire house can be an accident waiting to happen, particularly for seniors who may have unsteady balance or less than perfect vision.  Here are some modifications that can be made to minimize accidents and some things to keep in mind:

OUTDOORS

• Paint porches with grit to prevent slips
• Railings need regular inspections for sturdiness on porches and steps

LIVING ROOMS

• Remove extension cords, throw rugs and other tripping hazards
• Use light sensitive night lights in unlit stairwells and hallways.
• Place light switches at doors to prevent walking in the dark.
• Install smoke alarms in every room and test the batteries regularly.

KITCHENS

• Use heating elements that shut off electric burners on the stove.
• Keep fire extinguishers handy.
• Only use sturdy step stools with handles and use poles for reaching.
• Keep vents clean of grease.

BATHROOMS

• Modify baths with tub cutaways.
• Install grab bars.
• Install higher toilets to assist in standing and sitting.
• Apply non-slip strips to bathtubs.
• Use shower seats with back and portable shower heads.
• Paint with contrasting colors.

CRIME PREVENTION

• Keep doors and windows locked. Use peep holes. Never open your door automatically.
• Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip.
• Never leave notes on your front door.
• Be suspicious of offers from unknown contractors to do home repairs. Only work with reputable businesses.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

NJ Seniors – How to Identify and Stop Elderly Abuse

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NJ Senior Safety

The victim of senior abuse is typically female, 70 years of age or older, and physically or mentally impaired. She usually lives with and is physically and emotionally dependent upon the abuser. Most studies indicate the abuser to be the daughter or son of the victim.

It is a far ranging problem that affects millions of elderly people.  Elder abuse is not something that most elders would ever talk about comfortably. Usually they are very dependent on the person doing the abusing, which creates an even more complicated situation that may be difficult for them to talk about.

Elder abuse does not tend to occur by bad people. There is a connection between adult children who care for elders and alcoholism or mental illness. But a lot of what occurs in elder abuse is done by caregivers who are very stressed by their role and don’t know where to turn for help.

Here are risk factors in a caregiver that can lead to abuse:

  • Inability to cope with stress.
  • Depression
  • Lack of support or isolation
  • Substance abuse and mental illness
  • History of violent interactions

Here is a closer look at some questions and answers concerning senior abuse:

What is senior abuse?
Elder abuse is when a caregiver harms an elderly person. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional or verbal, including financial exploitation and neglect.

How can you spot abuse?
If it’s physical abuse, you’re looking for changes in established patterns, which could be changes in the behavior or personality of the elder if they seem more fearful or afraid.

Are there continuous unexplained injuries?
Yes, but often the abuse is emotional, which is more difficult to spot.  In this case, look for threatening kinds of behavior, which tends to be a little harder to identify, but over time becomes evident.  In neglect, you will see a senior who is left alone in unsanitary living conditions. They might have a physical problem like bedsores or may have lost weight.  Financial exploitation usually results in checks being written out that shouldn’t, unexplained withdrawals from the account, lots of unpaid bills, or the elder telling you that someone came by and took money.

What can families do if they think an elder is at risk?
Find help, whether it’s from other family members or formal providers. Not being alone, not being isolated, talking to helpers, going to support groups, all of that will diminish their feelings of isolation.

When do you know it’s time to step in and intervene?
If you see something you don’t like, think about it, talk about it, report it, do whatever you have to, just don’t ignore it.

Are there organizations or social services that can step in?
States differ on who is required to report abuse and they differ on the definition of abuse and neglect, so you have to look at your own state.  To simplify this process, AARP has put together this State-by-State Elder Abuse Resource List.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ seniors, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have elder care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Senior Care Safety & Emergency Checklist

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NJ Senior Safety

Are you prepared to deal with any emergencies that may arise with your elderly loved one?

Below is a list that you, as a caregiver, should keep in an easy-to-reach place should an emergency occur.  The list should be filled out and kept on a refrigerator and/or nightstand.  In times of panic and confusion, you or your senior may forget the most basic information.  Timing is critical and seconds can make a difference.

Fill out this list, review it with your senior citizen and keep multiple copies:

Children’s or Next of Kin’s Full Names, Addresses and phone numbers:

Name__________________  Address ____________________  Phone Number_____________

Name__________________  Address ____________________  Phone Number_____________

Name__________________  Address ____________________  Phone Number_____________

Special Health Concerns:

Medications Taken_____________________________________

Pre-Existing Conditions________________________________

Emergency Contact Information:

Doctor’s Name______________Address_____________Phone Number______________

Nearest Hospital              Address____________ Phone Number______________

Insurance Carrier___________________________Account Number_________________

Police Station Phone Number___________________________

Additional Instructions:

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ seniors, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have elder care related questions or need assistance for a loved one.

NJ Senior Safety: Kitchen Safety Checklist

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NJ Senior Safety

The kitchen can be a dangerous place for an elderly, frail person if certain steps are not followed.  Here are some things to remember:

  • Keep towels, curtains, and other things that might catch fire located away from the range and oven. If necessary, shorten or remove curtains which could brush against heat sources.
  • Make sure your elderly loved one wears clothing with short-fitting sleeves while cooking.   Seventy percent of all people who die from clothing fires are over 65 years of age. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire than short sleeves. Long sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans and causing scalds.  If one needs to wear long, loose sleeves, fasten them with pins or elastic bands while cooking.
  • Kitchen ventilation systems and range exhausts should be checked to make sure they are in use while cooking. Indoor air pollutants may accumulate to unhealthful levels in a kitchen where gas or kerosene-fire appliances are in use. Open windows to clear air of vapors and smoke when cooking.
  • Extension cords and appliance should be kept away from the sink and range areas. Appliances should be as close to wall outlets as possible so extension cords won’t be needed.  If extension cords must be used, install wiring guides so that cords will not hang near sink, range, or working areas.  Don’t hesitate to add new outlets for convenience and safety with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electric shock.
  • There should be good, even lighting over the stove, sink, and countertop work areas, particularly where food is sliced or cut.  Low lighting and glare can contribute to burns or cuts. Lighting can easily be improved by opening curtains and blinds (unless this causes too much glare), using the maximum wattage bulb allowed by the fixture; reducing glare with frosted bulbs; using indirect lighting, shades or globes on light fixtures; or partially closing the blinds or curtains.
  • The kitchen should have a stable step stool with a handrail.  Standing on a chair is a bad idea.  Screws and braces should be tightened and a broken step stool should never be used.
  • Always check for outdated foods in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry.  Outdated foods can cause food poisoning and sometimes even requiring hospitalization in the elderly.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ seniors, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have elder care related questions or need assistance for a loved one.