Some changes could make living in your home easier and safer and help you continue to live independently. Install a ramp with handrails at the front door. Remove carpets from the area and secure all carpets securely to the floor. Make sure there is good lighting, especially at the top and bottom of stairs.
Danger zones can be areas such as the garage, hobby room, workshop, computer room, kitchen, and game room. In addition, the office, laundry room, sewing room, storage closet, basement, cellar, pool area, attic, and stairs are potentially dangerous. Rest areas should be reserved for the caregiver and are generally prohibited for older adults. The rest area should be a private place where the caregiver can relax and not to be disturbed.
Of course, every individual is different and you can decide if it's necessary or not. Creating a home environment that is safe and suitable for older people requires careful modifications that take into account the unique needs of older adults. A slip or momentary loss of balance can be much less damaging when your loved one can grab something to help them avoid a fall. Consider placing handrails on any step inside or outside the house.
You can also install handrails anywhere your loved one could use a little help standing firm. Records of fall-related emergency room visits among older adults show that the three most common places where traumatic falls occur are the bedroom, stairs, and bathroom. The bathroom is an area where handrails or support bars are essential. Install them in the shower or bathtub and near the toilet so that your loved one can maintain balance and move safely between standing and sitting positions.
You can also help prevent slipping with anti-slip pads in the bath or shower. If your loved one finds it difficult to get in and out of the tub, talk to them about installing a walk-in shower or a walk-in tub. Maintaining social connections and participating in community life are essential for successful aging at home. Livable communities that promote older people's participation and social interaction can significantly improve the quality of life of older adults.
Initiatives such as the National Institute on Aging's guide to creating environments suitable for older people and the Place Council's efforts to develop community support systems play a vital role in promoting healthy aging. These communities not only provide social and recreational opportunities, but also access to essential services and health care, contributing to the overall well-being of older people. One of the best things you can do to make it easier for you and your loved ones is to eliminate clutter. Clutter can be a safety hazard, especially if you're trying to walk around your house or move furniture.
It's also harder to clean, which means more work for everyone involved. Creating a safe environment for older people at home involves several important steps. First of all, it's crucial to ensure good lighting throughout the house. Bright lighting, especially on stairs and in high-traffic areas, can significantly improve visibility and prevent accidents, making it easier for older people with vision problems to navigate.
This approach emphasizes the comfort and emotional well-being that family environments provide to older people. Regular evaluations can help identify and mitigate potential hazards within the home, reinforcing the safety and comfort of the living environment. In addition, video doorbells have become a crucial function for the safety of older people, since they allow them to visually confirm visitors and communicate with them without having to go to the door. Addressing these concerns involves reacting to potential hazards and proactively keeping older people safe.
Home modifications and repairs make homes easier and safer to carry out everyday activities, such as bathing, cooking and moving around the house. Unsafe stairs pose a threat when older adults must go out (for example, to attend a doctor's appointment) and they also prevent leaving the house for “optional” activities, such as volunteering, socializing with friends and family, or participating in religious services. Creating a safe and comfortable environment for your elderly loved ones involves a combination of practical home modifications, the careful integration of assistive technologies and the compassionate provision of professional care services. When trying to ensure the security of a home, it's important to remember that other people may also live in the house, so you should try to balance the needs of everyone.
In addition, practice poisoning prevention by safely storing household chemicals and avoiding mixing cleaning agents. Ongoing research in gerontology shows innovative strategies and solutions that significantly improve the living conditions of older adults, making the goal of a safe and supportive environment an increasingly attainable reality. Low-income older adults face even greater challenges in achieving independence, as they have more comorbidities 3, as a result, they experience more functional limitations,4, 5 and, by definition, they have fewer resources to modify the environment of their homes. However, even with these efforts, you may want to consider working with your loved one to make some modifications that improve safety and comfort of your space.
Incredibly, these devices can detect unusual movements or falls and automatically send alerts to family members or emergency services, providing an essential safety net for older people living alone.
