You’ve spent time and energy making the inside of your mom’s house safer. You’ve installed grab bars and safety rails. You’ve improved the lighting in the hallways and on the stairs. Have you considered the outside? Outside entries, patios, decks, and lawn areas have plenty of hazards. You need to make sure the yard is safe before your mom spends any time outside.
Inspect the Deck
A deck may be a great place to spend time outside, but there are potential hazards that can make it hazardous. Deck stairs can get slippery in rain or snow. Make sure there are sturdy handrails going from the final step to the landing. Non-slip traction strips are also important when it comes to preventing falls. Algae can be very slippery after a heavy dew or rain showers. If there is any algae present, use an algaecide to remove it.
Level Uneven Pavement
If you’ve noticed your mom’s sidewalk has cracks, you’ll need to address that issue. Crack fillers will help fill large gaps, but you may need the help of a professional if the sidewalk sections are no longer the same height. A backyard patio is another area of concern. If any of the paving bricks have lifted, your mom might trip on them when she’s walking around. The raised bricks need to be removed, leveled, and replaced.
Scan the Ground for Obstacles
After storms, walk around your mom’s yard to look for fallen branches and other obstacles. You need to remove them. If your mom lives near a river, high water levels may deposit rocks in her yard. Not only could she trip on them, but if someone is mowing the lawn and doesn’t notice a rock or branch, the mower may throw it at the house or people who are outside.
Search for Nests
Keep an eye out for hornet and wasp nests. These insects typically look for dry areas like under the stairs, behind a trellis, in foundation cracks, or under the eaves of a house. It’s best to remove their nests before they’ve had a chance to fully develop the full hive. If the nest is very large, you may need to call in an exterminator. You don’t want your mom attacked by these stinging insects as she tries to walk around outside.
You’ve taken care of the outside of your mom’s home. There’s one more thing that keeps her safe. Call a senior care agency to arrange regular visits from a caregiver. A senior care professional can be available as often as you need to help your mom with daily chores, transportation, and so much more.
If you or an aging family member are considering senior care in Dunwoody, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954 .
We provide quality non-medical services to our clients in their homes or in a facility if that’s where they live. Our staff is available for care plans for extensive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or as little as 4 hours per visit. Reach out to us, and one of our outstanding administrative staff will meet with potential clients to assist them and their families in designing an effective, personal plan of care.