Common Sense Safety for Seniors

Old people are stubborn. Take for instance - my grandmother. She doesn't yet realize she's 90 years old. She has a habit of jumping up, from a chair or from bed, and racing around when she's forgotten to do something, or needs to use the restroom.

While she's as spry and healthy as a 60 year old (according to her doctor) her inner ears are not in agreement. They feel their age, and while they try to keep up with the kindly Mrs. Afterburners, they sometimes fail to give her brain good signals - making my grandmother dizzy - causing a few (very scary) falls lately.

We've added some grab-rails to places, secured some rugs in others, I'd lower her bed a few inches - but she needs that room for hoarding junk mail. It's complicated.

The most important thing we've done, along with the help of her doctor who she obeys with an unusual discipline, is to convince her to "s-l-o-w -- d-o-w-n". And we reminder her kindly from time to time.

It's one of those easy things that can make a world of difference, don't cost a dime, and show her how much we love and care for her.

What are some of your best common sense safety ideas for the seniors in your life?