As a parent you have no doubt gone through baby-proofing your home. As your own parents age, remember that the same home modifications need to be made for them. If you yourself are an independent living senior, ensuring a safe home is important.
How do you begin to create a safe home for seniors? There are 2 focus areas for this issue. First you need to maintain your home properly in order to make sure that it does not begin to progress into major disrepair. Next, modify the home with shower seats, ramps and other accoutrements. You will also need lift bars to accommodate the possible physical limitations of the senior eventually.
There are a few things you can do to keep your seniors safe at home. Homes are basic protection from intruders and the elements. For seniors, it is especially important to have homes that are safe. These serve as a major location for family interaction and are a storehouse for memories.
Home Safety
To make your home safer for seniors, you can make sure handrails are securely fastened and sturdy. Keep the telephone and a lamp/flashlight within easy reach of the bed. Make sure the smoke alarm is in good working condition. A good way to do this is to change them every time you celebrate a birthday. Set the water heater thermostat at one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent scalding accidents. Make sure there are strong dead bolt locks at the back doors and at the front doors.
Home Modification
Before you go about randomly fixing the house, it is a good idea to stop for a moment and reflect on a home free of barriers. Basically what you want is a home with no prohibitive barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from navigating through the home. For instance, people in wheelchairs will need door openings increased, which need to be changed from the usual 30 inches to between 36 and 42 inches. Carpeting needs to be changed to the kind similar to what you would find at banks and offices and these types are called commercial-contract carpets. Traditional carpets are just too thick for people who are unable to take huge steps and those in wheelchairs.
Lighting
Older persons need three times more light than younger people. This means sufficient lighting is necessary in your home. Too much glaring light can be irritating and distracting, however, so keep this in mind as well.
Furniture
Arrange furniture for easy navigation. For instance, remove large lamps, chairs or coffee tables as well as heavy throws that can become hazardous for people walking around.
Bathroom
Install fold down shower seats and grab bars. Use tiles that are slip-resistant and non-slip mats on the floor. Brittle elderly bones are prone to breakage and falling on tiles due to slippery mats is dangerous.
Find Organizations
There are a few organizations such as the Adopt-A-Grandparent program that will help make home repairs for the elderly. Regular scheduled maintenance can also be arranged to assure a safe home for your seniors.
This article was written by Artchee Mendoza exclusively for this site. Artchee also writes for www.signatureseniorcare.com, a Jacksonville Nursing Home Care.
How To Keep Your Seniors Safe At Home
