Perhaps one of the most documented but least acknowledged problems for seniors is Household accidents.
And this is primarily due to the fact that Seniors refuse to admit to the basic fact that they are aging, consequentially, not capable of effecting the mundane chores with the same dispatch and or alacrity, they were capable of, when they were younger.
Consequentially, they ignore the realities of their current reality, harking back to that place in their mind’s eye, when they were young and spritely. and capable. Sadly, ignoring the march of time and the ravages of the ages, plodding merrily along, without pause as to how the years have impacted our reflexes.
Here’s the reality, the old saying: ‘You are as Old as you Feel”, is bullshit! You are actually as old as you are. And as the body ages, irrespective of how you feel,the impact of aging, might not be instantaneously obvious, mentally and physiologically, but the body, registers the aging process; and as a result, takes its own precautionary measures, and manifests warning signals to prevent us from making the mistake of adhering to the popular culture, that says, ‘we are old, but not cold’.
Truth is we will never be cold until we are six-feet under, or on the slab in the morgue. But we cannot reverse the aging process, no matter how many serums, vitamins, and cosmetic surgeries, we use/undertake, to forestall the aging process.
Yes, we can employ procedures that can make us look younger; even act younger, (to a certain Degree). But the abject reality is: as we age we lose dynamism, we lose some cognitive resonance, and we most certainly lose some of the natural agility, we had when we were younger.
So, instead of acting the “Mother-Young-Gay”; or the Spritely Older gentleman, who can dance the young men into the ground, it’s best to heed the passage of time and live in the lane of moderation.
So its recommended no unnecessary exertion; to stress the body, particularly the heart; so instead of acting the night owl, keep moderate hours. Make the necessary adjustments, to accommodate your new age, as you age, instead of seeking to defy the march of time, the gravitational pull on the body and its parts; or worse, live in total denial of your functional reality!
No one is asking you to stop living or give up anything, especially the things you love. We are simply saying be cognizant of the new you and the requirements of the new you.
There are Specific Zones in and about the home we recommend you revisit and develop workable protocols for a healthy accident-free life, as we age.
Revisit The Home and Living Conditions
If you still live in the “Family-home” that was designed to house the Children and grandchildren, and you occupy the top floor, as Lord/Lady of the manor, move to the ground floor if you don’t have a lift, or install a lift to avoid nasty, bone-breaking falls. Avoid glassware and porcelain where necessary, to restrict the chances of self-harm should you slip and or inadvertently knock them over.
Caftans and or other flowing garbs might be fashionable or your preferred style, but they pose a direct threat of entanglement for your shoes with the added risk of tripping.
Stilettos and Platform shoes might have given you the edge, back in the day. But your new reality sees them representing a clear and present danger to your health and well-being, so avoid them for more comfortable flip-flops and or espadrilles.
Try not to drink, if home alone. And Smoking is a no-no. Especially when alone and or in bed.
The Bathroom
The bathroom accounts for a significant amount of accidents, in the home especially when one is alone. So it is
important to manage your bathroom visits and usage. This includes how you undress for a shower or bath, how you use the potty; and how you put on or take off footwear To facilitate the Ease of undressing and the removal of footwear, a comfy stool or chair might be a good addition to the bathroom.
Retrofit your bathroom to avoid unpleasant falls; If you cannot afford retrofitting, take simple steps such as placing a mat in the old bathtub you still use as a shower stall. A Handlebar, or a few Strategically placed, should help.
Keep electric razors, dryers, and other equipment, away from electrical outlets near the shower or sink. And never use them when in the shower or with a full sink. Layer your bathroom floor with towels, and or mats, to help prevent accidental falls; and moderate the Hot water faucets to avoid nasty burns and or scalds.
The Kitchin
Sharpened knives, should be placed in storage and not kept out in the open, where they can become weapons of opportunity for adversaries; and or cause unintentional self-harm.
Avoid daily use of glassware, porcelain, and or any utensil/item that can become weapons, when we lose control of the situation for which they were initially deployed.
Gardening
When attending to the Garden or vegetable beds around the house, Make sure your Pitchforks, Hoes, Shovels, Rakes Watering Hoses, and Machetes, are always stored properly after use and are not easily accessed. Proper storage reduces the risk of accidents such as tripping over the hose or on the hoe, rake, etc., and or them being used as weapons of opportunity.
We may never be able to create an accident-free zone, in and around the home as we age, but we should try to minimize the risks, associated with our aging, rather than ignoring them, at our own peril. And the best way to start is by acknowledging the fact that we do age, and in so doing, lose some of our cognitive skills, and or ability to function ‘Like we used to’. So Strip yourself of your ego, and anti-aging biases, and learn how to enjoy this new phase of your life.
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