A home provides one with the feeling of comfort, security, and privacy that we all desire and It is almost always better to stay at home rather than have to move into some type of adult care community.
As your loved ones age, there are a few changes that you might need to make to their home so that they can continue to live there safely and happily. Depending on their age and needs, a safe home can enable an additional 5 – 10 years of independence of your elderly loved one.
So, what changes should you make? We have taken it upon ourselves to give you ten tips that can help any non-professional carer make a safe home for their loved one.
1. Get rid of accidental trip hazards
Falling is one of the main hazards amongst the elderly and a bad fall can lead to a long recovery or permanent disability. As always, prevention is the best cure.
Get rid of or pin down rugs and any kind of cable that can be a tripping hazard. Consider the placement of low tables and If there is a child in the home at any time, ensure that toys are kept in a dedicated place.
If there are any single steps inside or outside the house, consider having a ramp installed. Most residential builders will have experience doing this.
Creating a trip-free environment can go a long way in ensuring that your elderly loved one remains independent for longer.
2. Ensure the bathroom is safe
Wet tiles and floors can make the bathroom a really dangerous place. To ensure that they are safe at all times, here are some changes that you should make to their bathroom:
- Install grab bars in the bathroom and beside the toilet to help with their movement.
- For the toilet, consider replacing the normal toilet seat with one that has a high profile. This allows them to use the toilet with limited assistance.
- Put rubber mats in the bathtub to eliminate the risk of slipping.
- Consider a shower bench to help while washing
- When it comes to the shower, it would be best to install a removable shower head that makes it easier for them to clean the hard-to-reach places.
3. Ensure the bedroom is safe.
At this point, you might be thinking that the bedroom is the safest place your loved one can be. However, there can be some potential hazards here also. Consider fitting a bed rail to help them as they get in and out of bed. Make sure their mattress is firm and supportive to avoid developing or exacerbating posture issues. Make sure the bed is high enough for them to easily get onto and, if necessary, consider a bed-lift to help them when sitting up in bed.
4. Assess lighting
As we age, eyesight declines and it is harder to see as clearly as we once did. For this reason, it can be challenging to move around the house at night or in dim hallways.
You should ensure that their home is well-lit so that they can continue to live there safely.
Make sure that hallways and staircases are lit properly and consider installing countertop lights in the kitchen to help avoid any injuries while cooking. It is also recommended that light switches be made accessible and should be placed in a position that they are easily reachable, you could consider the use of smart bulbs so your loved one can use their voice to manage lighting.
5. Remove fire hazards
Fire hazards can be prevented by getting rid of all damaged electrical cords in the house and limiting the number of electrical cords plugged in an extension cord. If your loved one suffers from dementia, you should remove all the candles from their home. You do not want them to leave the candle burning, especially while sleeping.
Make sure there are several smoke detectors throughout the house can also go a long way in preventing fires. Smart fire detectors can inform indicated people if there is a fire or carbon monoxide warning in the home. Amazon Alexa has a superb feature which can detect beeping of any kind and send someone an alert. When paired with traditional fire, CM and security systems this can be a much more affordable alternative to smart fire detection systems.
6. Make the stairs safe
If possible, stairs should be avoided. Consider moving everything they need downstairs or installing a stairlift. If this is not possible, you should ensure that their movement up and down is as safe as possible. As previously indicated, lighting the staircase is one of the ways in which you can avoid stair-related falls. Make sure the railing on the stairs is secure and practical, you can also introduce grip to their footing by adding non-slip tread mats to the stairs. Finally, consider painting or carpeting the stair tops in different colours, making it easier for the senior family member to differentiate one step from another.
7. Make sure their outdoor space is safe.
Home safety for the elderly does not only revolve around ensuring that they are safe indoors. It is essential that any outside areas are safe too. Many older people enjoy maintaining or sitting the the garden and there are a few ways you can make this a safer and easier experience for them.
- Ensure the driveways and pavements are not wet or do not have rocks that can make them trip.
- Consider installing raised beds for any flowers, this makes them easier to maintain for those with a limited range of mobility.
- Make sure the lawn is level and there are no hidden bumps or rocks they could trip over
- If you can’t do it yourself, try to establish a relationship with someone who can trip the hedges and mow the lawn.
8. Check-in with them frequently
Regular check-ins will help you assess changes in your loved one’s needs. Each time you visit, take a moment to look around the house, observe your loved one, and ask if they’ve found anything more challenging recently. Striking a balance between ‘wrapping them in bubble wrap’ and being too casual can be difficult, but the more information you have, the better.
9. Make sure important information is available and visible
You should make sure they always have quick access to numbers that they can call in the case of an emergency. Emergency numbers should be written in large print and be placed where they can be seen easily. Some of the numbers you should list include:
- Emergency services
- Your contact.
- A nearby neighbour, friend or family member
Make sure the phone itself is easy to use. Check out our recommended 5 Best landline phones and 6 best mobile phones.
10. Consider a monitoring or emergency response solution
There are a range of superb solutions that can be used to monitor your loved ones and raise the alarm if there is an emergency and they can not use a traditional phone. Check out our care technology solution article to see what is available.
