Senior adults are living longer these days. And for those who can’t or don’t want to live in a nursing home, the most popular option is to stay at home. But how do you know if your parent’s house is safe? Plenty of things makes a house unsafe for seniors- from stairs and uneven floors to windows and doors that are difficult to open. Here are some tips for making sure your parent’s house is safe and senior-friendly:
Hire someone to take care of them
If you can’t be there to take care of your parent yourself, hire someone who can. This could be a home health aide, nurse, or a friend or family member. The important thing is that there is someone who can help with things like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and keeping an eye on your parent’s overall health and safety.
Choosing a suitable right home care provider is essential to support the needs of senior adults. The provider should have licensed professionals who can assist senior adults with their needs.
Install handrails on staircases and in bathrooms
As people age, they can become more susceptible to falls. Handrails are a crucial safety feature for senior adults, as they can help prevent falls and injuries. By installing handrails on staircases and in bathrooms, you can ensure that your parent is safe while navigating these areas of the house.
Handrails can also be helpful for those who are unsteady on their feet or have difficulty walking. In addition, senior adults should wear sensible shoes with low heels and good treads to help prevent slips and falls.
Make sure the home is well-lit
There are a few things that you can do to ensure the safety of your senior loved ones at home. One of the most important is making sure that the home is well-lit. This means ensuring plenty of lights in all the common areas and that any dark areas or corners are well-lit. You can also install motion sensor lights around the perimeter of the home.
One of the benefits of ensuring the home is well-lit is that it can help keep seniors safe. By having plenty of light in common areas, such as the living room and kitchen, seniors can more easily see what they’re doing and avoid potential hazards, such as trips and falls.
Additionally, well-lit homes are less inviting to burglars and other criminals, so seniors can feel more secure in their own homes. Finally, good lighting can improve seniors’ moods and overall sense of well-being, especially during the dark winter months.
Remove cords and cables from walking paths
One of the best ways to help prevent falls and other accidents around the home is to make sure that cords and cables are not running across walking paths. This includes removing them from hallways, stairwells, and any other areas where someone might be walking. If you have cords that you can’t remove, make sure they are taped down or otherwise secured so that they can’t be tripped over.
In addition to cords and cables, there are other potential trip hazards around the home that you should be aware of. These include loose rugs, small objects on the floor, and anything else that someone might trip over. If possible, try to remove these hazards or at least make them more visible so that people can avoid them.
Make sure window and door locks are working properly.
Window and door locks are important for ensuring the safety of senior adults at home. It’s important to make sure these locks are working properly so that intruders can’t easily get into the home. Seniors can also use these locks to keep themselves safe by keeping doors and windows locked when they’re home alone.
There are a few things to keep in mind when checking window and door locks. First, make sure that the locks are tight and secure. If they’re loose, an intruder could easily force them open.
Secondly, check to see if the locks are unlocked. If they are, it’s important to lock them before leaving the home. Finally, make sure the keys to the locks are stored in a safe place so that an intruder can’t easily find them.
Consider installing a security system
Another way to help ensure the safety of senior adults at home is to install a security system. This can help deter intruders and also provide a way to quickly call for help in an emergency. There are a variety of different security systems available, so it’s important to find one that meets the specific needs of your loved one.
A security system can be a great way to help ensure the safety of senior adults at home. It can deter intruders and provide a way to quickly call for help in an emergency. There are a variety of different security systems available, so it’s important to find one that meets the specific needs of your loved one.
Senior adults face several unique safety concerns when they’re at home. By addressing these concerns, you can help keep your loved ones safe and secure.
