Carbon Monoxide Prevention in Elderly Adults
Unfortunately, there are many elderly adults who fall ill or even pass away due to carbon monoxide poisoning. As a family caregiver, there are some ways that you can help to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your elderly loved one. By doing these things, you can help to keep your loved one safe.
Installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Elderly Care Springfield, PA:Carbon Monoxide Prevention in Elderly Adults
The most important thing that you can do for your loved one in regards to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is to install carbon monoxide detectors in their home. It is most important to place these detectors near where they will be sleeping. However, they can and should be placed in other areas of their home, as well. Be sure the batteries get replaced every 6 months or before that, if needed.
If the alarm goes off, you or elderly care providers should make sure your loved one gets out of their house immediately. Yes, it could be a false alarm, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
In addition, if there ever is a buildup of carbon monoxide in their home, they should not go back home until the necessary repairs have been made. The fire department, utility company, or other professionals can let them know when it is safe to come back home.
Proper Installation of Appliances
Another tip for preventing carbon monoxide buildup in your loved one’s home is to make sure the appliances are always proper installed and working properly. There are building codes that should be followed and manufacturer instructions that should be followed when installing appliances. Be sure these are followed to help prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into your loved one’s home.
Regular Inspections
You can also help to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in your loved one’s home by having the chimneys, vents, and heating systems in your loved one’s home regular inspected. There could be a blockage that would cause carbon monoxide to leak throughout the home. The regular inspections can ensure this doesn’t happen.
No Space Heaters
While it might get a bit colder in your loved one’s home, space heaters should be avoided at all costs. This is especially true if they are fuel-burning space heaters. If these are going to be used, they should never be left unattended.
These are some of the ways you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your elderly loved one. By doing these things, you can help to ensure your loved one’s safety.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care in Springfield, PA please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/features/copoisoning/index.html
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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