How to Improve Home Safety for Seniors

How to Improve Home Safety for Seniors

You require a plan.

1. Call in a pro.

There are many healthcare professionals that can help you and offer recommendations like the ones at “A Caring Hand for Mom” who will help you.

2. Modify. Adapted homes could be trendy, comfortable and safe for all ages. You may need:

• Zero-threshold entryways
• wide doorways and halls
• counter door hinges to make room for a wheelchair, walker or two people walking side by side
• controllers and switches that are reachable from a bed or wheelchair
• a waterproof seat in the shower
• a stair-climber
• a raised toilet seat
• a shower seat
• a frameless walk-in shower with a sloped floor instead of a step-over threshold
• put textured no-slip strips from the tub and shower to lessen the chance of a slip and fall

3. Make easy fixes. Each year, 1 in 4 adults over age 65 have a fall. To lessen the chances:

• Eliminate throw rugs.
• Use rubber-backed bathmats.
• Move laundry centers into the primary floor.
• Remove wheels on seats.
• Put nonskid treads on steps.
• Apply nonslip wax to flooring.
• If wandering is a worry, add monitors and detector alarms or install a raised locking hinge.
• Repair loose carpets or raised areas of floors.
• Move little and very low furniture to avoid tripping.
• Clear electric cords and clutter. 
• Add a hall railing.
• Switch out regular doorknobs for lever handles.
• Add a raised toilet and grab bars.
• Remove locks from bathroom and bedroom doors so you can get in quickly, if your loved one fall.
• Put a railing on the hallway wall.
• Swap out your recliner for one which raises as an example a “lift Chair” will raise the person to a near standing position-- to make getting up easier.

4. If you hire someone. You need to:

• Obtain references
• Get several bids
• Check references
• Monitor their job.

5. Stay out of hot water. You may want to:

Lower the temperature at the hot water heater or have your local plumber do it for you or invest in readily installed sink, tub and shower anti-scalding apparatus that will stop the water when it is too hot.. Cost:about $40.

6. Light the way. As we get older, we need more light. Install:

• Bright lights in halls, closets, stairwells
• additional lamps -- consider models that turn on and off with a touch or go on automatically when you enter the room

7. Alter the kitchen. Put frequently used things on an easy-to-reach refrigerator shelf. Also:

• Consider using automatic apparatus to turn off the stove and oven or installing an induction cooktop -- which turns off when a kettle is taken out of the burner.
• Use an automatic shut off coffee maker, single cup maker or one that uses a thermal type of coffee pot that doesn't stay on once the coffee is brewed

8. Stay connected. If you’re loved one is home alone:

• Check in using an iphone, Skype or any other video-chat app.
• Mount a motion-activated safety camera at the home -- with your loved one's permission.
• Consider a life alert type of emergency response system with pendants that can be worn around there neck or clipped on their clothing and is waterproof and can be worn in the shower.

The professionals at A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) can help you sort through options to stay at home safely as well as help you plan for the future by giving you information on assisted living options in your area or areas such as assisted living facilities in Peoria AZ or other Assisted Living facilities throughout Arizona as they have a full listing of facilities and prices throughout the state.  They specialize in helping families find safe independent and assisted living communities and group homes throughout Arizona so call them today for immediate assistance at 800-881-7706.