Editor’s Note: The following column was previously published Dec. 4, 2021.

Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them.

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The holiday season is a good time to be sure that older loved ones living at home are safe and the home is free from common safety hazards.

Many people who live far away from aging family members find that when they visit for the holidays, they see a much different living environment than what they might have imagined when talking to their relatives on the phone. Not only do they find that the loved one’s physical or mental abilities have deteriorated more than they expected, but these changes may also have led to any number of safety hazards in the home, as well.

Falls are among the leading causes of serious injury and accidental death for seniors. One in three people falls each year, and one of the main hazards leading to falls is loose flooring. Slip guards on rugs and carpets can prevent them from sliding out from under the feet of an older adult who may already be experiencing mobility issues. Slip guards also prevent loose area rugs from sliding around and bunching up, which can trip up someone walking over them.

Clutter presents another fall risk in the homes of seniors, especially those who may be physically or cognitively impaired and not able to clean up the clutter. Keeping the high-traffic areas of the home free from trash, debris and other objects can help prevent serious falls. Items stacked too high on tables and counters also pose a risk since they have the potential to slide off those surfaces and block access to the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or other parts of the house.

People visiting relatives for the holidays may also find that the cords their loved ones are using to light Christmas trees and other decorations present yet another fall hazard. However, this danger is not limited to the holiday season. The cords used to power common household electronics and appliances pose a threat when they are stretched across or along commonly traveled paths through the home, and these cords and power strips could potentially lead to a power outage or fire if they are overloaded or are frayed and worn.

Similarly, medical tubes such as those used for oxygen and IVs present a fall risk when stretched out across a floor.

Household appliances which are not kept in good working order are another cause for concern. A malfunctioning refrigerator could lead to food spoilage and the potential health treats that result from eating spoiled food. A stove which isn’t well maintained and operating properly could lead to a house fire, and a furnace which isn’t kept in good working order could lead to a house that’s too warm or dangerously too cold.

Pets can be another safety risk for seniors. While many studies cite the positive effects that caring for a dog or cat can have on a senior’s health and well-being, many people visiting older friends and relatives find that they may not be able to properly care for their animal or that the number of animals they have living in the home exceeds their abilities to care for them. Animal waste left on the floor is a health hazard, and pets which aren’t properly vaccinated can become sick. Unfortunately, the price of food and veterinary services can be more than some older adults can afford, especially those on fixed incomes. Pets which are often underfoot are yet another fall hazard.

Perhaps the most alarming thing people find during their holiday visits is that their older loved ones are not able to care for their own basic needs. They may find that bathing and personal hygiene are being neglected because their loved one is not physically or cognitively capable of performing those tasks, or they may find that their loved one is not eating properly.

A nutritious diet is an important part of keeping seniors healthy, but too often older adults are not able to prepare healthy meals for themselves. As a result, they eat foods which are less healthy, such as fast food or frozen dinners, or they simply do not eat enough, leading to malnutrition.

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Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels non-medical homecare services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines in familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a no-obligation in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.