Home Safety Tips for Seniors
 As we age, we all wish to maintain our independence and self dignity.
There are two primary issues facing the elderly and their caregivers when making a plan to stay in their homes. They are the design of their homes and the support they receive no longer meets their needs.
Making home safety modifications for the ease of access is easier than ever before. Today, aging adults can enjoy living safely in their own home as long as possible.
Home safety for seniors is a very important as an unsafe environment can often result in serious injury or death.
10 Simple Steps for a Safer Home
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help yourself or an aging loved one to be safer in their home. The simplest projects often offer some of the biggest benefits. These steps enhance your quality of life by enabling you to enjoy the full use of your home and maintain your personal independence. Click on the blue highlighted areas for more information.
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Remove Home Hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways. Arrange furniture so that it creates open space and clear passage. Place your bed and telephone where they are easily accessible. It is also important to keep your Home Brightly Lit to avoid tripping.
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Add bathroom safety features, such as installing showers and bathtubs with non-slip surfaces and installing grab bars. See more information at Accessible-Bathrooms.
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Improve Mobility Into and throughout Your Home. This includes safety of outdoor walkways, entrances, doorways and stairs. Assistive Devices such as a cane or walker can also help your balance and mobility. Porch lifts, threshold ramps and proper clearances allow wheelchair users to move freely into and through your home.
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Most homes don't have the features and conveniences to make them appropriate and safe for seniors . By planning ahead you can make more economical decisions on how and when to make changes in your home. Improvements in remodeling technologies have resulted in many new home accessibility products, one example can be found at Accessible Kitchens.
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If you choose to remodel to increase the convenience and comfort of your home, how you select, Hire and Manage a Contractor often defines a successful project.
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For seniors living alone, a Personal Medical Alert System allows you to call for help, if necessary.
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Exercise regularly to increase body strength, flexibility and improve balance. Regular exercise can also help prevent depression in seniors.
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Review all medicines with the doctor or pharmacist (both prescription and over-the-counter) to reduce side effects and interactions. Have vision checked. Be prepared for visits and be aware of the different types of health care professionals available. We also recommend a geriatric home safety assessment be performed by a professional such as an occupational therapist. Be aware of elderly medical products that assist in independent living.
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Consider home health care to assist seniors in higher risk activities, such as bathing. Many levels of personal and domestic care are available including live-in health care.
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Don't overlook the family caregivers. Caregiver burnout is a huge and growing problem, see articles Eldercare - Caring For an Aging Parent, Caring for the Caregiver and Mothering Our Mother.
The Accessibility Professionals Team has helped many people and organizations transform their homes, workplaces and public facilities making them easier to use.
Accessibility is all about helping people of all abilities to live safety, comfortably and independently.
The information provided by Accessibility Professionals is not and should not be taken as advice or treatment from a doctor or health care professional. Never disregard professional, medical or health care advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
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