Aging in Place Safely

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Aging in Place Safely

Senior Home Safety Specialist Certification

As Canada’s population ages, new trends can be seen among the older population who, unlike generations before them, are making long-term plans that involve staying right where they are. Today’s seniors know what they want, and it’s fair to say that many of them are making the choice to age in place. That is, to stay in their own homes for the foreseeable future, moulding it to their changing needs so that they can continue to be a part of their communities and neighbourhoods for years to come.

an elderly grandmother in wheelchair with an adult

The Dangers of Ageing in Place

Though maintaining independence and staying within a community is important, aging in place also comes with some dangers, the most prevalent of which is falls. Here are some stats:

  • Accounting for 85% of seniors’ hospitalizations, falls are the leading cause of injury-related admissions for seniors.
  • Not only that, but the average Canadian senior also stays in hospital 10 days longer for falls than for any other cause.
  • Over 1/3 of admissions to long-term care facilities are registered as following release from hospital after a fall.
  • Approximately one-third of adults aged 65 years or older fall in their homes each year.

 A fall can be heartbreaking for seniors, resulting in injury, long-term disability, and premature loss of independence, resulting, ultimately, in a lower quality of life. 

Avoiding Falls

To avoid falls and their disastrous consequences, there are many things seniors and their family members can do, starting with a risk assessment to pinpoint hazardous areas. To carry out a risk assessment, walk around an entire home making a note of hazards, taking particular notice of potential slip and trip areas including:

  • Loose rugs or carpets
  • Cables and wires
  • Raised thresholds and doorsills
  • Dark corridors and stairways
  • Bathrooms 

 

Once you’ve pinpointed the problems, solutions can be put in place to minimize the risks posed, including:

  • Re-fitting carpets or removing rugs
  • Ensuring cables and wires are neatly out of the way
  • Levelling flooring throughout a home
  • Adding lights
  • Adding grab bars in specific locations
  • Bathroom modifications
  • Ramps, stairlifts or a homelift

 

In addition to a basic needs assessment, caregivers may also want to learn more about what they can do to keep their elderly loved ones safe. As such, and in an effort to help reduce and prevent falls, Age Safe® Canada has put together a course:

The Senior Home Safety Specialist™ course.

senior safety specialist canadaV2

Age Safe Canada brings the Senior Home Safety Specialist™ certificate, geared towards professionals that interact with seniors as part of their daily practice. The Senior Home Safety Specialist™ course empowers professionals with actionable ways to better help educate clients, older adults and their family members on the serious issues of home safety, fall prevention, financial exploitation and personal safety. A comprehensive 5 1/2 hour self-paced audio/video course, it provides the only certificate of its kind to individuals within the senior services industry, consisting of a 17-module program with a quiz after each section that participants must pass in order to continue. Upon successfully completing the entire course, participants receive their certificate.

Our goal is to provide a holistic curriculum and a fresh look at many issues affecting seniors endeavouring to age safe at home.” Jim Closs, National Director, Age Safe Canada

How we’re doing our bit

The sales consultants at Cambridge Elevating recognize the importance of an overall approach to Aging in Place planning and are SHSS certified. Though you hire us to plan, design and install your Homelift, each of our consultants will also be looking out for your overall safety needs while they’re with you, doing their bit to keep you as safe as possible in your home.

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