Medical alert systems and other simple steps for keeping senior parents safe

When you were a baby, your mom stood a few steps away ready to catch you as you toddled your first steps. Your dad ran beside your bike, holding onto the seat as you took your first ride without training wheels.

Throughout your life, your parents did everything they could to ensure your safety. Now, as part of the sandwich generation, you may find it challenging to know how to help keep your aging parents safe in their own home. Experts agree: Helping prevent falls is one of the most important ways you can protect your senior parents.

This year, more than a third of people 65 and older will fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among that age group, and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma, the CDC reports.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take, from simple home improvements to using medical alert systems, to help prevent falls, even when you're not present, while preserving your parents' independence at the same time.

Start with preventative measures in problem areas such as bathrooms, stairways and the kitchen. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends:

* Keeping floors cleared of loose carpets, cords and other items that could trip someone. Rugs, mats and floor surfaces should be non-skid and slip resistant.

* Install grab bars in showers and near toilets. Stairs should have sturdy handrails.

* Ensure ample lighting is available, especially in key rooms like the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Aging eyes require more light to see well. Indirect lighting or frosted bulbs can help reduce glare.

Despite your best efforts, your parents might take a spill. When that happens, it is vital to get them help immediately. Consider placing phones throughout the home, including in the bathroom, and position them low on walls. The CPSC recommends seniors wear a medical alert necklace or similar device for times when a telephone may not be within reach.

"Ninety-two percent of seniors who receive help within an hour of falling will survive," says Geoff Gross, President of Medical Guardian, a medical alert system provider. "The longer a senior goes without assistance, the greater the risk of death or debilitating injury."

According to a recent report by AARP, medical alert systems can help seniors remain independently in their homes for longer. The systems also offer reassurance to adult children concerned about their parents' safety, and can help elders feel more confident so that they don't restrict their physical activity, the AARP report points out.

"A study done by the AARP on medical alert systems has shown that seniors who purchase a medic alert system stay living independently at home five to six years longer than a senior who does not wear the med alert button," Gross says. "The hour after a medical emergency takes place is known as the 'golden hour,' a window of time where it is vital to get help quickly to avoid long-term health issues. Having a personal emergency response system enables a life free from fear and increases quality of life."

As much as a third (33 percent) of American women ages 45 to 56 are caring for elderly parents while raising their own families, according to research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Taking precautions to improve accessibility, lighting and safety, and equipping senior parents with medical alert systems, can help elders stay in their homes longer-and more safely. To learn more about medical alert systems, visit www.medicalguardian.com.