At Homestead, being a well-known provider of senior care management services, we recognize that our bodies experience certain changes as we age. The risk of falls and accidents increases in seniors due to decreasing mobility, flexibility, and overall physical abilities. This requires them to enhance their safety and security measures at home by making some adjustments. Doing so is necessary for them to stay safe from the risk of falls and injuries, which can have serious consequences for their well-being if ignored. Here, we are sharing some home safety tips that seniors can follow to avoid the risk of experiencing falls and accidents.

Home Modifications

At times, your loved one will be moving through different areas of the house. They may go to the kitchen to cook their meals or might use the bathroom. Unknowingly, they can trip over a loose rug or fall while taking a bath. To prevent all this, here’s what you need to do.

Bathrooms

To enhance safety in the bathroom area for older adults, install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower, and use non-slip mats or strips in the tub/shower and on the floor to prevent slips and falls. Keep all essentials within easy reach. If needed, you can also provide the senior with a shower chair.

Stairs

Due to reduced mobility, seniors can easily fall on stairs and experience an injury that could be life-threatening as well. To prevent it from happening, install handrails on both sides of the interior and exterior stairs. Ensure they have an oval or round grip for easy holding.

Floors

To ensure your senior loved one doesn’t experience a rug-related tripping hazard, secure it using a non-slip rug pad, double-sided rug tape, rug grippers, or velcro strips. If not needed, you can even remove the small throw rugs from areas that seniors use most often.

Lighting

For active seniors starting to experience mobility challenges, it’s recommended to check the entire home for adequate lighting. For bedrooms and hallways, consider installing nightlights to enhance safety and visibility.

Kitchen

Don’t let the senior use any sharp objects or electric appliances on their own, as they may inadvertently hurt themselves. Keep commonly used food items and other storage essentials in easy-to-reach cabinets. Never encourage using stools or chairs.

Personal Safety & Mobility

Not everything can be done on the home’s physical level; you also need to prepare the senior loved one to practice specific safety and security measures for their well-being. Besides doing some light exercises regularly, here are some steps you can take to ensure they live safely in their home.

Footwear

Even inside the home, seniors need to wear non-slip rubber soles, having a secure, non-slipping fit with adjustable closures. They should be sturdy and flat, and must have a supportive arch and cushioning. The footwear should be lightweight and have a design with a low, wide heel.

Assistive Devices

Despite making efforts to make the home safe and comfortable, seniors may still need to use some assistive devices. This includes mobility devices like canes, walkers, mobility scooters, and reaching aids; personal safety devices like medical alert systems; and smart home technology measures to enhance lighting and accessibility.

Clutter

Kids playing can create clutter at home. They may throw their toys around spaces, creating additional tripping hazards that can cause a senior to fall or experience an accident. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to keep the floors, stairs, and hallways clear of any obstacles. Organize the furniture, create clear pathways, and ensure adequate lighting throughout the home.

Reaching

To prevent falls, never let your loved one reach out too high or bend over too far when reaching for things. Place commonly used items within easy reach and provide them with handles or grabbers that allow access to far-away items. Never let them use unstable furniture, such as chairs or tools, when reaching for particular items.

Regular Health & Safety Checks

Seniors can easily prevent many accidents and falls by maintaining good health. This involves working on both their mental and physical well-being, allowing them to live comfortably. Think of it like keeping your car in good condition rather than blaming the road for an accident. Here’s what you can do for this.

Vision & Hearing

Vision and hearing issues associated with aging can start to affect a senior’s safety. To work towards this, it’s advised to conduct regular eye and hearing exams for seniors so that potential issues can be identified at the earliest stages. Additionally, you can add further safety measures, such as high-contrast tape on stairs or hearing amplifiers, to help your loved one safely navigate through the house.

Medications

If the senior loved one is taking medications, be aware that some of them may cause dizziness or confusion, which can increase the risk of falls. Keep track of the prescriptions and review them with the doctor to know if any of the medications can cause such an issue.

Emergency Preparedness

Ensure the senior is aware of what to do in case of an emergency. Always keep a flashlight, a phone, and a medical alert system nearby and teach them what to do in case help is needed.

Homestead Home Health Care—The Home Healthcare Specialist You Can Trust

At Homestead Home Health Care, we understand the severe effects that a fall or accident can have on a senior. As they enter their later years, seniors often begin to require more assistance with everyday tasks due to deteriorating mobility and a decline in overall health. The key to ensuring they live safely at their place without facing health hazards is introducing some simple yet effective changes to the living environment.

By following the measures mentioned above, you can effectively create a safe setting at your home, where the risk of falls becomes negligible. Additionally, living in their home environment will also allow them to maintain their independence and autonomy.

For those seeking senior care management services, contact us at Homestead Home Health Care. We will ensure that your senior loved one has a safe and comfortable living environment. With over 25 years of experience, we can help you get the help you need to ensure your loved one’s well-being.