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Independent living and your safety
As we get older, we want to live a safe and confident life as part of our communities, and also to feel safe and secure within those communities.
Safety concerns can include:
Safety in the home
Home safety and security is an important part of having peace of mind, no matter how old you are. But it’s especially relevant for older people who live on their own or are limited in mobility.Most older people want to stay in their own homes. A secure and supportive home environment that is low maintenance and designed to minimise the risk of an injury gives them the ability to do this and offers them dignity and freedom.
Read more: Safety in the home
Home design and modification
In the future, your personal needs could be different because of disability or changing circumstances – such as a temporary period of recovery from an accident or illness. You can have changes made to your home to make it easier for you to continue to live there independently as you get older.Read more: About home design and modification ideas
Falls – worth preventing!
Falls can pose a serious concern to many older people. The likelihood of a fall increases partly because of the natural changes that happen as our bodies age. Falls are often the reason people are admitted to hospital or move to a nursing home or hostel.The good news is that:
- most falls are preventable
- injury from falls can be minimised, and
- ageing does not have to mean a loss of independence.
Elder abuse prevention
Elder abuse in the community is broadly described as an act that occurs within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which when broken results in harm to an older person. Abuse can include physical, sexual, financial, psychological abuse and/or neglect.Older Australians are among the most vulnerable in our community. Whether they are being cared for in their homes or in residential aged care every person the right to be treated with respect and dignity. They are, like every Australian, entitled to the protection of the law.
Read more: Prevention of elder abuse
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