6 Safety Tips For Living Independently in Your Own Home | HaloCare

As Ireland’s population continues to age, we need to reconsider how care is delivered for people on their aging journey. Nursing Home Ireland, the national representative body for the nursing home sector in Ireland reports that there are currently 440 nursing homes providing care to over 27,000 people. This is an increase in previous years, and as the population continues to age, alternative options need to be explored.  

For those who wish to remain living in the comfort of their own home, we explore 6 safety tips to help make this possible.  

1. Preventing Falls 

Falls are one of the most common risks for older adults. To reduce this risk: 

• Speak with your loved ones GP or community care team if they’ve recently fallen or have issues with balance or walking and your concerned.  
• Ask for a home safety assessment to identify any hazards. Rails and mobility aids can be installed to support safe movement.
• Gentle, regular exercise can help improve balance and mobility.
• Wear a personal alarm or have a panic button of some form in the home. 
• Encourage your loved ones to always use walking aids rather than grabbing furniture or walls for support.

How HaloCare can support  

At HaloCare we offer contactless fall sensors as part of our home safety solution. Our contactless sensors learn your loved one's home environment using motion detection, which means no intrusive cameras. 

 With built-in ‘long-lie’ detection, if there’s movement out of the ordinary detected in the client's home, our sensors will alert the Care Hub team who can then reach out and ensure the client is safe.   

Empowering our clients, while keeping them safe, is the most important thing at HaloCare. That’s why we have alternative options of our solution to best suit the individual and their preferences. Our panic buttons come in the form of pendants or panic buttons can be added to rooms throughout the home such as bathrooms or bedrooms.  

2. Creating a Safer Home Environment 

Making small changes around the home can have a big impact on safety.  

• Ensure hallways, stairs, and outdoor paths are well lit. Install brighter bulbs and install security lights if needed. 
• Keep floors clear especially in bedrooms and walkways.
• Use handrails and banisters on stairs and have grab bars installed near toilets and in showers.
• Look at appliance management solutions to help prevent environmental safety factors like fires or flooding.
• Install and regularly test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Replaced damaged electrical appliances and avoid overloading sockets.

HaloCare’s Appliance Management solutions are designed specifically for those who wish to remain at home but may need some additional support carrying out daily tasks safely.  Our Appliance Management solution includes adding small discreet sensors to appliances throughout the home such as kettles, ovens or taps. These sensors can detect if appliances have been used or have been left on.   

Appliance management systems can bring peace of mind that potential risks in the home can be identified before they escalate to a crisis level such as flooding.  

3. Medication Management 

Medication errors are another common concern, especially for those who may be living with memory conditions. To help loved ones stay on track: 

• Keep medicines in original containers or use a pill organiser. 
• Ask your pharmacist for blister packs or large-print labels.

As part of our Vital Sign Monitoring solution, HaloCare can provide medication reminders to help make medication management easier at home.  

4. Personal Safety

There’re many ways to help contribute to personal safety of loved ones living independently.  

• Encourage loved ones to keep doors and windows locked, especially if they are upstairs or out. 
• Have a conversation with loved with around staying safe from scams. Reminder them to never share personal or financial details over the phone or online and put steps in place to help prevent online scams. 
• Have emergency contacts pre-saved in your loved one’s phone or listed somewhere where they can be easily found, should they be needed.

How HaloCare can support 

HaloCare enhances personal safety through a variety of care at home solutions including 

•  HaloPad. The HaloPad an easy-to-use, secure tablet designed specifically for older adults. It helps users stay connected with family and engaged with the world through features like photo sharing, personalised content, and video calling. To support safer digital experiences, the HaloPad includes built-in scam protection and a trusted contact feature, offering peace of mind when browsing online. 

• HaloGo Watch:   The HaloGo Watch has a built-in GPS feature that allows for Geo tracking and has a S.O.S feature by holding in the button for 3 seconds. Clients can feel empowered to be active and outdoors, knowing that the Care Hub is on hand if needed and if they can be reached if the event of an emergency.  

About HaloCare 

HaloCare is a care at home solution developed support older people or anyone who required additional support to live independently. With 24/7 support from our Care Hub team, contactless technology that detects falls, appliance management and Vital Sign Monitoring, HaloCare helps individuals stay healthy, safe, and socially connected at home. 

Get in contact today if you are interested in finding out more about how HaloCare can help your loved ones.