Living alone feels so simple as a senior, but it turns out some of your everyday habits could be seriously increasing the risk of a fall or major emergency.
The quick reach
Telling yourself, ‘I’ll just grab that quickly’ is a big mistake. It doesn’t matter that it might be a lightbulb or a cereal box on the top shelf. Chances are, you’ll drag a chair over and go up. There’s no spotter there to make sure you’re safe.
There’s nobody home. That’s why climbing furniture as a senior is such a big mistake, since nobody’s within reach to rescue you. You really don’t know what could happen. Don’t risk it.
The locked-door issue
Why would you bother giving a spare key to someone? There’s no reason to. At least, that’s what you tell yourself. But then you fall, and you can’t reach the front door. Your loved ones come to help. Yet they can’t come in because the door’s locked, so they’ve got to wait.
It’s one of those situations where every second counts. You really don’t want that to happen to you. Instead, you’re best off leaving a spare key with a loved one or neighbor you trust. Definitely don’t leave it under a flowerpot. That’s where everyone checks first.
The small thing underfoot
You start off telling yourself that you’ll fix that rug later. It stays there. The truth is, rugs don’t stay flat forever because they shift and curl. They bunch up. It happens a lot on hardwood and tile, which is why they’re a leading cause of falls.
You know, the kind of falls that send older adults to the emergency room. Don’t let that happen to you. Get a strip of tape and some rubber backing to keep it tied down. Better yet, completely get rid of the rug. It’ll take away one of the biggest trip hazards in your home.
The cozy shortcut
It’s totally normal to walk around in socks. Your floors won’t forgive you for that mistake. Smooth fabric on tile and wood has no grip, after all, so you’ll be sent flying. Slippers are also a problem when they’re stretched out or backless.
Improper footwear is a major fall risk. You should stick to shoes with a firm sole and back. Why? Because it’ll keep your heels in place during those times that it counts, like when you’re walking downstairs or on a wet bathroom floor.
The missing hello
You can tell yourself skipping a check-in is just privacy. But you’d be wrong because nobody will know something’s wrong. You should set up a simple regular call with your loved ones each day. Nothing major, just a quick check-up on your day.
Make it part of your routine. That way, should there be silence, they’ll know something’s up. Consistency keeps you safe.
The polite pause
Someone knocks, and they look official. It’s instinct to be polite and open the door, but that’s exactly what scammers are hoping for. You could be falling for a doorstep scam. These involve fake workers and salespeople trying to get inside. They prey on seniors.
Older generations are more likely to think it’s rude to keep people waiting, after all. However, don’t let that happen to you. A real utility worker will be fine while you check their ID. Close the door until you’re completely sure they’re legit.
The job put off
So many problems pop up at home when you’re by yourself. It could be a loose stair rail or a smoke alarm that won’t be quiet. They’re so easy to ignore because you’ll get around to it later, right? But then later comes. It’s not done. Then the problems start.
The smallest home repair issues can easily escalate into something worse. You really shouldn’t leave them to get worse. No, you should get them fixed immediately. You don’t have to do it yourself, of course, but make sure you don’t wait around.
The slow pileup
Clutter doesn’t arrive all at once. It starts with shoes by the wall and a laundry basket that stays there ‘for now.’ Then the walking paths start shrinking more than they should. Eventually, you’re living somewhere with clutter everywhere and nowhere to move.
Clutter’s one of the major causes of falls for older adults. Honestly, that tracks. You’re probably going to notice something obviously dangerous. You’re probably going to trip over the box you stopped noticing three weeks ago.
The dark search
Here’s the truth. Power cuts never happen when it’s convenient. They happen at the worst moments, like at 2 AM when you can’t remember where the flashlight is. Is it in the kitchen drawer or the coat closet? Maybe the garage? Perhaps you should go find it. Big mistake.
The chances of falling over are much higher when it’s dark. They’re through the roof when you’re a senior. But you can reduce the risk by keeping a flashlight within arm’s reach of your bedroom. It’ll help you cross while your eyes are still adjusting.Â
The extra warmth
You’re living at home alone, so you probably want to feel comfortable. That includes feeling warm. During the winter, space heaters become a little too common. You might have one beside the recliner and one by the bed. But they’re a huge fire risk, bigger than you might expect.
Portable heaters are actually responsible for around 1,600 fires each year. Those figures include 70 deaths and 150 injuries, on average. It’s a big issue for seniors living alone because there’s only one set of eyes around. Don’t sacrifice your life for comfort.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
