As a caregiver, you know how important it is to keep seniors in your care safe at all times. However, the risk of poisoning can be particularly difficult to manage for seniors with vision impairment living in homes throughout Birdsboro, Mohnton, Morgantown, Newmanstown, Reading, Reinholds, Robesonia, and Wernersville.
That's why Senior Helpers Reading, an in-home senior care company, has put together this helpful guide to understanding the risks of poisonous household items and providing strategies for keeping them out of reach. Read on to learn more and keep your senior loved ones safe and healthy.
Understanding the Risks of Poisonous Household Items
Getting rid of potentially poisonous household items is important for all seniors, but seniors with vision impairments face added risks. Poor eyesight can lead to accidental ingestion of medication or the misuse of cleaning products. In some cases, seniors may have difficulty recognizing common warning signs of dangers in the home, such as the smell of gasoline or the appearance of chemicals.
Examples of Poisonous Household Items
Here are just a few examples of common household items that may be hazardous to look out for.
Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are some of the most common poisonous household items. Many of them contain harsh, potentially caustic chemicals that can be dangerous if ingested or used incorrectly. Particularly hazardous cleaning products include oven cleaners, drain openers, and bleach-based products. Whenever possible, buy these products in childproof containers and store them on a high shelf away from seniors with vision impairment.
Pesticides
Pesticides, such as rat poison and bug spray, are also a risk for seniors with vision impairment. Ensure these chemicals are stored in labeled containers and placed in areas of the home that are not easily accessible to seniors. If you do have to use a pesticide, always keep a close eye on your senior loved one to ensure they don't come into contact with the chemical.
Medications
Many seniors rely on medications to manage a variety of health conditions. However, these medications can be dangerous if ingested in the wrong amounts. This is especially true for seniors with vision impairment. Be sure to organize medications into labeled containers, and use a pill organizer if necessary.
Household Chemicals
Household chemicals, such as nail polish removers, disinfectants, and paint thinners, are also potentially poisonous. Store these chemicals in their original containers, and in a location that is out of reach of seniors with vision impairments.
Strategies for Storing Hazardous Household Items
To keep seniors with vision impairment safe in your care, use these strategies for storing hazardous household items:
- Make sure chemicals are labeled and stored in childproof containers.
- Put dangerous items on high shelves, in locked cabinets, or in closets.
- Put warning signs on potentially hazardous areas of the home.
- Consider using a medication management system to store and remind seniors when to take medications.
Keep Your Senior Safe with the Help of Senior Helpers
The safety of seniors with vision impairment in the home should always be the top priority. By following these simple strategies and enlisting the help of Senior Helpers Reading, the risk of accidental poisoning in the home can be greatly reduced. Contact Senior Helpers Reading today to find out more about how we can help make your senior loved one's home a safer place.