Ways To Keep Your Senior Parent Safe From Household Emergencies

By Jessica Ott | December 23, 2024 |

If your mom or dad is living independently, household emergencies are likely a concern for you and other family members. Things like the furnace going out, a plumbing emergency, or a house fire can be dangerous or even deadly for a senior living alone. 24-hour home care providers can help your mom or dad stay safe in an emergency.

24-Hour Home Care York PA – Ways To Keep Your Senior Parent Safe From Household Emergencies

If there is a household emergency a care provider can call for help or call a repair person. And if there is a fire or flood in the home a care provider can help your mom or dad get to safety quickly. If your senior parent has mobility challenges having 24-hour home care is a great way to make sure that they always have help if they need it.

Some other things that you can do to help protect your mom or dad and keep them safe during a household emergency are:

1. Create an Emergency Plan

Make a simple, step-by-step plan and go over it with your mom or dad. Make sure they know what to do if something goes wrong. Write down what to do in specific emergencies, like fires or floods. Include evacuation routes and meeting points so they won’t get confused about where to go during an emergency. Keep a copy of the plan in an easy-to-see place, like the fridge or bedside table.

2. Prepare a Grab-and-Go Emergency Kit

Pack a small bag with essential items like extra bottles of your mom or dad’s medications, a copy of their medical records, and a written list of emergency contacts. Put some water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, and some non-perishable snacks in there too.

Also, put a change of clothes and a warm jacket in the bag in case your mom or dad has to run out of the house without a coat. Leave the bag by an exit door or store it something the garage so that your mom or dad can access it even if they have to leave the house.

Make sure your mom or dad’s caregiver knows where the bag is so that they can grab it if necessary.

3. Install Safety Equipment

The best way to prepare for an emergency is to prevent it from happening. Make sure that all fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Change the batteries regularly and if possible wire them into the home’s wiring. Test them once a month or so to make sure they are working. You may also want to install a flood alarm in the basement or an alarm that will let you know if the sump pump isn’t working.

A home security alarm with cameras is also a good thing to have. That way you can check the home through an app to make sure your mom or dad is ok. And you’ll get an alert if there is an emergency like a fire.

4. Ensure Clear and Safe Exits

If your mom or dad has mobility challenges and doesn’t leave the house often you may not consider keeping the exits clear. But in the event of an emergency your mom or dad may need to use an exit they normally wouldn’t use. Make sure that all the home’s exits are clear of hazards, debris, snow, and ice at all times. Put in grab bars or railings on all stairs and in all hallways to help your mom or dad get out quickly.

5. Stay Connected with Technology

Ensure your mom or dad has a cell phone or an emergency alert bracelet. Set up tracking apps that can provide you with their location, and program all emergency contacts into the phone so they can easily reach you or other family members.

**If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in York PA, please get in touch with us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-Home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.**

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.