6 Ways to Enhance Home Safety for a Senior

 

The aging process in human beings is unique. However, there are common changes that most seniors experience, like losing strength and balance. These circumstances raise the risk of falls and the impossibility of seniors living independently in their homes. It gets even more complicated if the homes they live in are not modified accordingly to enable them to live comfortably and independently. 

However, if this matter is taken seriously, it’s possible to add some home adjustments that enhance independent senior living for a prolonged period. Let’s discuss ways in which you can modify your home to promote senior safety:

1. Remove the Clutter

Clutter is the simplest way of encouraging accidents to happen. Therefore, before any other modification is done, it would be ideal to refresh your home's fresh look by clearing any unnecessary stuff to get some extra space that you never imagined was in your home before. 

Furthermore, the extra space improves your mood and ensures that you move around your home freely without the fear of tripping. You don’t have to go through the stress of decluttering your space alone, as many reputable companies can help you with that. 

2. Take Care of The Stairs

We will advise any person building a home in their old age to avoid stair additions for the simple reason of when they became older. However, if you built your home in your younger years, you most likely have a staircase. 

It’s also almost inevitable to avoid the stairs since the bedroom and bathroom are mostly upstairs. If you’re among those living in a home with a beautiful staircase, worry not. Despite how hard it is to get rid of them, there are some simple modifications that you can consider: 

• Install a stairlift

• Add handrails

• Add non-grip tread mats

• Add more lighting along the staircase

3. Do Some Lighting Modifications

In most cases, seniors’ eyesight worsens over time, thus the need for better lighting. If the home is well lit, it will ensure that seniors can move around the house with ease without tripping over furniture. To add some spice of uniqueness and make it easier for them, installing motion sensor lights will be ideal since they don’t need to be switched on and off. 

4. Get Easy-To-Use Appliances

One thing that is often forgotten in senior homes is the appliances they use. Senior-friendly devices help seniors live an independent life in their homes and protect seniors from unnecessary hazards. The best appliances would be easy for seniors to operate and, more so, those with automatic mechanisms to shut off on their own if one forgets to turn them off. 

5. Install a Personal Alarm

An alarm system is essential in any home. In a senior’s case, though, as we discussed above, the gadgets should be easy to use in case of an emergency. The simplest type of alarm to use should be as easy as a large and visible button that automatically dials the 911 emergency line and eventually alerts any family member linked to your home. Besides that, there are some additional measures that you need to put in place like: 

• Don’t share your personal information or whereabouts on the phone

• Never open the door to strangers

6. Make Bathroom Changes

The bathroom is one of the primary rooms of any residence. However, it has been known to cause some of the most severe falls amongst the old. However, with slight modifications, seniors can continue living independently without the fear of getting hurt. Here are a few improvements you can make to your bathroom:

Install grab bars in the shower

• Put a non-skid shower floor

• Put non-slip mats on the shower floor

• Have a shower chair

• Put a bench to give support while getting in and out of the tab

Making a home senior-friendly can be pretty challenging, especially if the interiors don’t meet senior safety standards. However, making this adjustment can help seniors live comfortably and independently for a longer time. The adjustments may seem a lot to make, but the safety benefits are enormous.

 

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.