Safety and Affordability for the Elderly at Home
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recent article in the New York Times discusses an issue that will become more prevalent as the senior population continues to grow: in-home safety. In recent years, technology has addressed this issue with products like motion censors that can alert 911 of a fall, special jewelry containing a button that, when pushed, can send for emergency personnel and clothing with built-in monitors that can detect accidents even outside of the home. But are these the only ways to ensure safety in the home? While they are helpful, not necessarily. Are these products safe? Probably. Affordable? I'm not so sure.
According to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), in 2007, 3.6 million Americans aged 65 and older had family incomes below the poverty level. Coupled with about 7,000 elderly people dying in home-related accidents each year, seniors who choose to stay in their homes must have an affordable means of addressing safety issues. Luckily, there is hope in the form of some great resources for seniors, their families and caregivers, including an interactive home safety checklist created with the National Association of Homebuilders on the AARP's Web site. You can also visit the Home Safety Council's site, MySafeHome.net, and take the house tour, which points out possible dangers room by room.
Do you know of other helpful home safety resources? Share them here!