There are many things to consider when you need to make your home safe for seniors. Studies have shown that aging in place is the best way for an older adult to live, but that isn’t always feasible. Sometimes that requires hiring the best Professional Senior Care Providers to keep your senior healthy and happy.
That might also mean making the home more senior friendly. How to go about doing that requires a careful eye for detail as to the risks or threats that might threaten the health and safety of your senior and make it tougher for him or her to remain in the home.
The biggest concern is an injury being sustained in the home due to a slip and fall incident that could yield potentially tragic results. Some of the most common reasons behind such unfortunate occurrences are poor visibility and obstructed pathways. Eliminating these issues outright will go a long way towards turning a house into a senior-friendly home.
Poor Lighting
When night falls, the home can be very dangerous unless it is well-lit. Many seniors already have poor visibility and when there is not enough light in the home to illuminate walkways, stairwells, and common rooms, that can lead to serious problems. A senior who can’t see where he or she is walking a lot more likely to take a bad fall.
To solve this problem, walk around the house to diagnose whether or not the lighting is bright enough in those areas where it is most critical. Keep an eye out for light bulbs that may have also burned out or the lighting just isn’t bright enough.
Remove Obstructions
There are a myriad of potential pitfalls that exist in the home and you may not even realize it. Anything that can hinder the natural movement of a senior can be a possible threat for a slip and fall incident.
Check all walkways, rooms, and stairwells that are most often used around the house where something could get in the way of a senior’s ability to maneuver. Look for loose corners on rugs and carpeting, these could trip someone very easily. Secure all wires and cords located on the floor, these are also potential hazards that must be removed.
Consider the placement of furniture throughout the home. Is there anything in the way that forces a senior to make sudden or extended movements to navigate past? If so, move it out of the way so there is plenty of space to get by.
Slick Surfaces
The bedroom and bathroom are two of the most common rooms where slip and fall incidents occur. For many seniors, the flooring is too slick and they can easily lose their footing. Find any areas where this might be evident in your home and remove it.
The kitchen can also be a potential threat in this regard. Many homes have linoleum or tile in the kitchen, both of which can be slippery especially if something has been spilled on the floor. Placing rubber mats for better traction in all of these rooms can go a long way to preventing tragedy.