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Bedroom safety is an often overlooked issue for elderly care.
However, it is one of the most important things to remember when caring for an aging loved one.
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of bedroom safety and provide tips on making your loved one's bedroom much safer and more secure.
Let's get started.
Bedroom safety for the elderly is vital as falls are the leading cause of their injuries.
And bedroom-related falls make up a significant percentage of these accidents, causing severe injuries to the elderly.
Most of these cases come from the medical conditions of the elderly.
Like orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure can make seniors feel lightheaded as they stand up from sitting or lying down.
Orthostatic hypotension is common in at least 30% of older adults.
Most times, it can feel like lightheadedness or dizziness, which the individual often disregards. However, it should be looked for in assessments, especially for those seniors with dementia or a history of falls.
Visual impairments and challenges are also common as people age.
More than one in four older adults with worsening eyesight had recurrent falls due to low-light areas and difficulty gauging distance from the edge of the bed.
Sundowner's syndrome is also a frequent condition in seniors. It refers to a state of confusion in seniors, often occurring in the late afternoon and into the evening.
Sundowning can cause different behaviors continuing in the night. It can appear as confusion, anxiety, or aggressive behaviors, especially towards caregivers.
Sometimes it can also cause the seniors to wander off and get lost.
20% of the elderly population experience sundowning, leading to more serious accidents for seniors in the bedroom.
These are among the most common causes of falls in the bedroom. Because of this, caregivers should pay more attention to keeping the bedroom safe for their loved ones.
Several safety hazards in the bedroom for the elderly pose significant threats.
As with all falls, a bed-related fall can be a minor situation or a serious concern.
So, caregivers and family members should be aware of the conditions which may increase a senior's risk of falls and consider implementing safety measures.
Urinary incontinence is one reason we should consider how we design a senior's bedroom.
Many factors affect bladder control in the elderly. And it can affect their routines, especially with sleep.
Accidental leaks can cause wet spots and slips during the wee hours of the morning, even with the healthiest seniors.
So it's best to think of adding sensors for nightlights to help them see better during the night. If the bathrooms are too far, have a bedside commode near by to reduce distance traveled to urinate at night.
REM sleep behavior disorders can also cause unpredictable behaviors in seniors as they sleep.
People who experience this act out vivid dreams through the sudden, violent arm and leg movements or vocal sounds.
The symptoms experienced with it may indicate neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, or stroke.
Uncontrollable jerks or body movements can also cause harm to them and their partners.
The more rested our loved ones are, the better it will be for everyone.
Read more about helpful tips for better sleep in the elderly here.
Are you looking for the best bedroom safety tools to have in 2022?
Here's a list of must-haves and good-to-haves for your seniors aging in place.
Bed pads and alarms are excellent for keeping your senior loved ones safe.
Its features include a sensing device that lets you know if the patient is no longer in bed. In addition, it comes with a pressure sensor pad or an infrared signal.
You can choose between a wireless or a corded alarm system.
Wireless systems usually work within 100 to 300 feet of the bed. Corded systems often cost less and are connected directly to the sensing device near the patient.
You can get a bed alarm on Amazon here.
Bed rails can add a sense of safety for older adults, especially those with mobility issues.
Many options offer features for added convenience, such as foam for better grip, height adjustability, and storage compartments.
They're also used to prevent rolling out of bed or falling, especially when shifting positions or getting into and out of bed.
Bed wedges or pillows help seniors from falling out of bed.
They're good options for supporting the body and are usually triangle-shaped. Plus, they're great alternatives to bed rails.
Some seniors with recurring back pain would also need lumbar support pillows. The right mattress can also prevent pressure ulcers from forming or worsening.
Check out tips on how to prevent bedsores in the elderly here.
While falls are the leading cause of injury and death for seniors, there are other dangers that we must be aware of in the bedroom.
As caregivers, we must mitigate these risks and keep our loved ones safe.
In the next blog post, we'll share more tips on keeping our elder's bedrooms safe.
Feel free to share any tips we might have missed below.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>