Tips for Seniors and Care Givers: Fall Prevention

May 12

Written By

In honor of Older Americans Month, and the theme Safe Today, Happy Tomorrow, the National Coalition on Aging is providing tips to make sure that seniors stay safe.

Did you know that one in three older Americans falls every year? And that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65 and over? Steps to prevent falls can be taken by both seniors and caregivers to ensure safety.

NCOA Steps for caretakers include:

Have a discussion. Talk to your older loved ones to see if they’re concerned about falling. Let them know that they have your support if anything happens.
Ask. Ask the older adults in your life about their last eye appointment, the medication that they are taking, and any health concerns that they have. Encourage them to discuss their concerns with their doctor and pharmacist.
Take Notice. Take a look at the space your older loved one lives in. Make sure the lighting is adequate for them, that stairs have secure guard rails, and that grab bars are installed near tub/shower and near the toilet.

These simple steps will not only keep our older loved ones safe, they will also help them maintain their independence.

At H.O.M.E. our three Home Repair Specialists work tirelessly to ensure that our clients enjoy healthy and safe living conditions in their own homes. The Home Repair Specialists and a volunteer assistant perform plumbing, carpentry and electrical repairs inside the home.

This past year alone our Upkeep and Repair Programcompleted 232 Repairs.

These repairs included:

180 basic plumbing repairs
30 furnace repairs
14 water heater repairs
8 gas line repairs

Of these repairs, 66% were emergency repairs. These kinds of services are crucial for ensuring the safety of our seniors. All of the seniors that H.O.M.E. serves are live on low incomes and would otherwise have to either pay full price for the expensive repairs or go without. In fact, in 2013, 35% of our Home Upkeep and Repair clients reported that they would have gone without the repairs if our services had not been available.

H.O.M.E. provides essential services to underserved seniors in Chicago. In addition to our Home Upkeep and Repair program, we also provide a shopping bus, affordable intergenerational housing, and a moving assistance program. We focus on each senior, not just the problems he or she faces. We listen to the needs of each client, accompany our residents to doctor’s appointments as needed, and provide resources to clients who need services that we cannot provide. This person-centered approach maximizes the impact we have on the lives of Chicago seniors whose needs remain unmet.

To support H.O.M.E.’s programs and honor the older Americans in your life, click on the button below. Every donation will support H.O.M.E.’s activities to help low-income seniors in Chicago remain safe, healthy, and independent.

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We are celebrating older Americans Month with some of H.O.M.E.’s residents in a very special way this evening!
One of our residents and her friend, Olga and Marat, will be giving a concert on this evening at 7:30 for our residents and some of our supporters in honor of Older Americans Month at the Nathalie Salmon House!

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