Many seniors wish to retire in their current homes for as long as possible. You might be worried about your parent living alone, and you are rightfully worried. Did you know that there are steps to take in making sure your parent’s home is safe for their age? Adapting their home is incredibly important to reduce the risks of accidents occurring. Continue reading to learn some tips for ensuring a safe home for seniors.
The Dangers of Falls
Falls result in millions of injuries every year. There are many inexpensive ways to reduce the risks of falling within your own home. The entryway should be free from blockages. This includes changing floor surfaces from tile to carpet or wood to make the floor less slippery. You should also put nonskid treads on steps or install a stairlift.
Clearing Hazards
There are many fall hazards in a typical home. Throw rugs can be a huge tripping risk, especially for people who use walkers. Cords and any other miscellaneous items along walkways can also pose a big risk. Make sure to clean up all clutter from the floor, including books, newspapers, clothes, and shoes.
Bathroom Safety
Bathrooms are where a large percentage of home-related injuries occur. How do you make bathrooms safer for your loved ones? There are many low-cost safety tips you can keep in mind. For example, you can improve accessibility by installing a shower seat or grab bar. Non-slip mats or strips are also a great addition to have in the bathroom. You can also replace the existing toilet with a raised or high-profile toilet to make sitting down and getting up much easier.
Adequate Lighting
Retired adults can have difficulty seeing well with low light, especially if they suffer from vision-related conditions. Lack of light and visibility cause your loved one to bump into or trip over things, resulting in injuries. All light switches should be within reach. Alternatively, plug-in sensor lights can help to provide better lighting.
Smart-Home
If you’re able to afford it, smart-home devices and equipment can be a great help in making homes much safer for your loved ones. For example, this includes a doorbell camera to reduce the risks of scams. A voice-activated assistant can also help your loved one to navigate their home much more easily by turning on lights for them. You can also consider installing an emergency response system so your loved one is able to get immediate medical assistance if they suffer an accident.
Fire Hazards
You should also ensure that your loved one’s home is safe from fire hazards. You should check all the appliances and replace any frayed or damaged cords and limit the number of cords connected to a power strip to not overload it. In addition, you should remove candles as candles have a risk of starting fires if they are left unattended. You can change the batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors regularly.
A Safe Living Environment at Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is a senior living community specially designed with the welfare and safety of the residents in mind. In addition, we are also equipped with a team of experienced care professionals who provide around-the-clock assistance and care. To learn more about our senior living options, call 706.309.5621 today!
