The holidays present a special opportunity for family members to spend some extra time with their senior loved ones that they may not have the opportunity to see throughout the rest of the year. It's a great time to make sure that their holiday is safe as well as festive. Whether the senior is enjoying the season in your home or his or her own, following these safety tips can ensure that everyone's holiday is happy and bright.

Decorating:
In the senior's home, or yours if he or she will be spending time there:

• Use simple decorations that don't cause clutter. Always ensure that there is plenty of room to walk.
• Keep extension cords out of the way to avoid tripping.
• Replace candles with bright centerpieces of fruit or flowers, or consider using battery powered candles.

Lighting:
While we often like to enjoy the colorful holiday lighting on its own, keep these things in mind when seniors are around:

• Make sure that all locations are properly lit. Dim holiday lights can hide tripping hazards and make it difficult to see around furniture.
• Add a nightlight in the guest bedroom and bathroom and make sure light switches are easily accessible.

Floor Safety:
With all the decorations, tripping hazards can become an issue for seniors during the holidays, so remember to:

• Keep floors clutter-free.
• Keep outdoor walkways clear.
• Arrange furniture so people can easily move around it.
• Add non-slip pads under rugs.
• Keep rambunctious pets from running around while the senior is walking through the house.
• Designate a special out-of-the-way area for children to play with their new toys while the senior is visiting.

It's important to recognize the special care needs of seniors during the holiday season in order to make their home, or visits to your home, safe and fun. If you'd like more information on home modifications to help make your holidays safer or any in-home senior care needs, contact Freedom Home Care in Dothan, Alabama at 334-803-8078 or Opelika, Alabama at 334-745-7308.  Freedom Home Care also has offices in Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama.