Health Tips for June 4

Health Tip: Fire Safety for Seniors

People 85 and older are five times more likely than younger people to die in a fire, the FireSafety.gov Web site warns.

Here's the site's list of why seniors are at increased risk of death or injury in a fire:

• Seniors' reflexes and response times are not always as fast as those of younger people.
• Medications that many seniors take may impact reflexes and decision-making abilities.
• Seniors who live alone don't have the help they need to prevent and react to factors that cause fires, including cooking and accidents.
• Unsafe use of cigarettes and other smoking materials is a common cause of fires involving seniors.
• Improperly used or maintained heating equipment, such as wood-burning stoves or electric space heaters, are a frequent cause of fires involving older people.
• Wiring problems in older homes are another significant cause of fires.

Health Tip: Benefitting From Adult Day Care

Some seniors become lonely staying home alone all day, particularly if they can no longer drive. And for older people with memory or physical problems, staying home alone can be unsafe.

That's when adult day care may come in.

Rotary International offers this list of adult day care's potential benefits:

• It's a safe, supervised place to be.
• It includes enjoyable activities and an opportunity to learn new things.
• It may allow participants to become mentally and physically healthier.
• It promotes a feeling of staying independent.
• It affords an opportunity to socialize, make friends and get support from other seniors.
• It includes regular, healthier meals and snacks.