Living Comfortably and Confidently in Your Home

It’s National Safety Month and let’s talk about staying safe in your own home. Older adults face a variety of risks from falls to fires, so taking the right safety precautions is key in keeping safe while having the freedom to continue living independently.
It’s an important reminder to review what can be done to make sure your home is well-maintained and free of hazards. This includes making sure the floors are free of clutter, carpets are tacked down, cords are tucked away, steps are free of items, no loose rugs, and the outdoor areas are well-lit. Additionally, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularly, and smoke detectors should be changed every ten years. Other safety features to consider include stair railings, grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, and handrails on both sides of the stairs.

Do you have a plan for emergency situations?  In the event of a fire, will you need extra assistance in leaving your residence? The Douglas County Access and Functional Needs Registry (AFN) is a database containing information about Douglas County residents who may require assistance in the event of a disaster.
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The Douglas County AFN Registry should be considered for all people who have special medical needs (e.g., oxygen or life support systems that are dependent upon electrical power) or have physical disabilities that would make it difficult to independently follow public safety directions, such as evacuation if the need arose. For more information about this program, email [email protected]. 

A medical alert system can provide further peace of mind, especially for those who live alone or who may have a fear of falling. These systems connect directly to a monitoring center in the event of an emergency. They typically come with a base unit that connects to a home telephone line and a wearable device, such as a pendant that can be worn around the neck or wrist. If the wearer has a medical emergency, they can press a button on the pendant and be instantly connected to a monitoring center and have help dispatched within minutes.

In a Forbes Health survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by One Poll, 54% of U.S. adults say they or the adult they care for use a medical alert system.  Of those who use a medical alert system for themselves or the adult they care for, 86% say the device has saved them (or the person they care for) from an incident. 

​Aging Resources wants everyone to feel safe in their surroundings and we recently partnered with ADT, the #1 home security provider in the U.S., to provide a discount on the ADT Medical Alert System.  For more information, go to adt.com/health and use Promo Code: ARDC1 for free shipping, free activation, and $6.00 off monthly monitoring.

Author

Lori Gloer
Program Manager