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PAGE 8 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2018
Home&Lifestyle

GARDEN•REAL ESTATE•RECIPIES•DECOR•ANTIQUES

Five Tips for Safer Senior Living

house has one. It is possible for a senior to nice, but it is not worth it. Rugs can lead to
BY ALYSSA WINBERG have a home with a basement and never step feet getting caught, creating a loss of balance
foot in it. It is encouraged to call a loved one or and an increased risk of falling. Remove all
It’s no surprise that falls are more com- neighbor when needing to retrieve something rugs that pose this hazard. The only “rugs”
mon among the elderly. However, senior from the basement. that should be in the home of a senior are
falls due to unfit living environments are bath mats that stick to the ground, to prevent
unnecessary and avoidable. slipping on wet surfaces.
Did you know that one in four Americans
over the age of 65 suffers at least one fall NO ELECTRIC CORDS
each year? Or that every 19 minutes, a Today, the typical household has an abun-
senior dies from a fall? Falls are the leading dance of electrical appliances with cords
cause of fatal injury and the most common running through different areas of the home.
cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital Loose electrical cords can cause people of
admissions among older adults, according all ages to trip and fall, but they are more
to the Centers for Disease Control and © AT Studio, BIGSTOCK.COM dangerous for those who don’t recover from
Prevention. falls so easily. All loose electric cords and
We can’t change the fact that seniors are KEEP THE HOME WELL LIT extension cords should be wrapped up and
more susceptible to falls, but we can help edu- Poor eyesight is a leading cause of acciden- tucked behind furnishings, out of sight.
cate seniors and their loved ones on creating tal falls among the senior community. Keeping
safer home environments. the home well-lit can help seniors see things GRAB BARS
they might otherwise trip over in dim lighting. Grab bars are an incredible resource for
NO STAIRS Add brighter bulbs and lamps in the home, so seniors needing some extra help with their
For seniors living in a house, it is highly everything is visible. It is also recommended balance. Adding grab bars to showers, bath-
encouraged they live in a single-level home to have night-lights on in the home at night. tubs, toilet areas, and even in the bedroom
that doesn’t have any steps. It’s important A senior susceptible to falls should never be near the bed is a worthwhile investment. Grab
to pay attention to the front porch as well as in a completely dark home, unless they are on bars can aid balance when moving around,
the garage and interior of the house, to make vacation and out of the home. stepping in and out of the bath tub or shower,
sure there are no stairs to fall down or trip helping to use the toilet, and getting in and
over. If possible, seniors should stay away REMOVE ALL THROW RUGS FROM THE HOME out of bed. Grab bars can also be used to catch
from homes that have basements; however, Any rug that can easily be moved or crin- a fall or maintain balance. MSN
avoiding the basement is also an option if a kled is dangerous for a senior. They may look

Montana Single Level Living

2627 Sheffield Missoula 5147 Filly Lane Missoula

• Low maintenance • High Ceilings
• 3 Bedroom • Large Windows

• 2 Bath • 1,120 ft 2
• Attached Garage $310,000 • Stainless $289,900

• 1372 ft 2 MLS #21805705 Appliances MLS #21808385
• Updated wood floors • Private Master Suite

• New Windows

Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES)

Move2Missoula.com • 2800 S. Reserve Street, Missoula • 406.360.7654 Diane Beck