Making the Home Safer for Seniors: 3 Ideas

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Safety is always at the forefront of your mind when thinking about your aging parent or other older person. If they live at home alone and have physical mobility problems, lowering the risks in their surroundings becomes increasingly important. To help you create a safer environment for them, consider these three ideas as a good starting point.

1. Install Items for Extra Support

Grab bars in the shower area and handrails for the staircase are two modifications that can make a real difference to your loved one. These supports are there for them to hold onto when they feel off-balance or want to make sure they get securely around that area of the home.

Another item offering support is a medical alert system. With two-way voice communication and the ability to detect when they fall, a wearable device from Canada’s best medical alert system that hooks up to the residential system can be life-saving. Getting help quickly can make a big difference, and you can’t always be there with them to make the emergency call. There is great peace of mind that comes from having an active at-home medical alert system.

2. Improve Lighting Around the Home

Installing better lighting around the house can make moving around easier and reduce the risk of falling for older adults. That is especially true if their sense of sight is deteriorating, which it commonly does with aging, and if they also have mobility issues. Improved lighting can involve increasing the wattage, as well as adding more light fixtures.

If they get forgetful, motion sensor lights are an easy way to illuminate the hallway, bedroom, and other areas they might go to during the night if they have to use the bathroom or are restless. Nightlights are also simple ways to brighten an otherwise dark room.

3. Move Dangerous Items

You might not realize it, but rugs can be dangerous for your aging parent or other loved one. The corners can get raised, causing them to trip on it, or the carpet may move, and they slide with it and fall. The risk of injury can be high for something so many people have at home, so consider removing rugs in areas they frequent to lower the chances of an accident that could send them to the emergency room.

Also dangerous is clutter, which they may also trip on, especially if they have poor balance. Taking time to help pick up items from the floor can be a more important activity than you realize. Some common items to clear away are shoes, cords, and books.

Conclusion: An Eye on Safety

Helping the retired adult in your life enjoy a safer home can bring them a lot of peace as they may have fears of falling. You can rest easier at night, too, knowing that supports are in place in their home to help them. Plus, these ideas are reasonably priced and straightforward to do.

Thinking ahead and taking action now can prevent an accident later, so this activity is well worth it.