Safety Checks for Aging in Place

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to aging in place is generally safety. Families are concerned that their loved ones’ homes are not conducive to their needs as they get older and will pose a threat to their wellbeing. Tripping and falling are often prominent concerns. There are many small home modifications that you can make to increase safety and allow seniors to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Handrails and grab bars: Ensure that there are handrails along every set of stairs and that they are securely fastened to the wall. In areas such as the bathroom, install grab bars near the shower and toilet to help with transitions such as standing, sitting, or stepping over the side of the bathtub.

Lighting: Add nightlights, motion sensors, or higher wattage bulbs to increase available lighting. This is especially important in hallways and interior rooms that do not get natural light and for when seniors are up at night and it is dark.

Secure cords and carpets: Make sure that cords for lights, electronics, and other devices are safely tucked away. You can use cable ties to bundle long cords together or affix them off to the side. Also secure the edges of carpets or rugs so that they do not roll up or shift out of position. These strategies can reduce the risk of tripping and falling.

Remove clutter: If your senior has a lot of knickknacks or belongings, make sure there is room for everything to be safely stored. Remove any objects blocking walkways or stairs, or that may topple and cause injury if bumped into.

Service appliances and heating/cooling systems: In an older home, there may be outdated or malfunctioning appliances. Check all cords and wires for signs of fraying or wear. Make sure that the refrigerator, stove, and water heater are maintaining proper temperatures. Have the heating and cooling system inspected to ensure they are in proper working order and do not pose any health risks. Malfunctioning systems can emit carbon monoxide. Regularly check the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Improve ease of access to common areas: This could include rearranging furniture to widen walkways, replacing doorknobs with handles, installing ramps, or making other modifications. Regularly evaluate your senior’s ability to open and close drawers and doors, work the buttons on appliances, and simply complete daily tasks. Look for ways to make these tasks easier and safer.

Planning ahead can help you to integrate modifications that support aging in place ahead of time. Stay alert to your senior’s changing needs, mobility, and function. This will allow you to continue making adjustments as necessary. In-home care can also support aging in place by assisting with daily tasks and promoting safety and wellbeing. Being proactive when it comes to home safety can reduce the risk of trips, falls, and other injuries.

Bathroom Safety Tips for Seniors

Ensuring that the home is a safe place is important for seniors as they age. Family members want to feel secure in knowing that their loved one is able to move around safely and the risk for falls or other injuries is minimized. One room that can pose numerous concerns is the bathroom. However, there are many ways to help improve safety while allowing seniors to maintain some independence.

• Lay down non-skid mats. Rugs and towels can slide easily across the floor. Non-skid mats have a rubber gripping on the back that helps to keep them in place while also keeping water off of the floor. Place mats in front of the bathtub, shower, sink, or toilet. It can also be helpful to put a skid-proof shower mat inside the shower. The bathtub or shower floor can become slippery with water and soap, but a shower mat can improve stability.
• Place supplies within easy reach. Readjust where shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, towels, and other toiletries are located to reduce stretching and reaching. Having them within arm’s reach can allow seniors to better keep their balance.
• Install grab bars. If your loved one has some mobility or balance issues, consider installing grab bars near the shower and toilet. Towel racks and other fixtures are not meant to bear excess weight, but a grab bar is intended for just this purpose. The person can hold on while climbing in and out of the shower or getting on or off of the toilet, allowing them to steady themselves and reducing fall risk.
• Use a raised toilet seat. This reduces the distance between standing and sitting and can make it easier to transfer between the two positions.
• Install a transfer seat or place a shower chair in the shower or tub. A transfer seat allows your loved one to sit down and gently slide their legs over the side of the tub so that they do not have to try to step over to get in. In addition, a shower chair gives them the option of sitting so that they do not slip and fall while showering. This is beneficial for those who may have balance or mobility issues or tire easily.
• Plug in nightlights. Many seniors wake during the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Ensure that the path between their bedroom and the bathroom is well lit and that the bathroom has adequate lighting as well. Being able to see where they are going and what they are doing can reduce the risk of falling or having other injuries.

Taking the time to implement these simple fixes can improve the safety of your senior’s bathroom. It may also be necessary to provide assistance during certain activities to further ensure their safety and well-being. Periodically evaluating your loved one’s abilities can help guide additional steps for care and assistance.