Whether your elder loved one is getting ready to move into your home or you’re trying to make a home safer for someone already living there, there are many hazards that you may not be thinking of that are crucial in senior proofing your home.
What are the steps to make your home safe for seniors?
Step 1: Remove and Avoid Safety Hazards
The first step is to remove and avoid all safety hazards. Ensure that your loved one can get around with ease. Walkways should be clear of items to trip on and furniture should be spread out to create plenty of room to get around. Test out all your lights and make sure light switches or lamps are easily accessible. You can never be too safe, and remember that the goal is to prevent as many slips and struggles as possible.
Step 2: Keep Everyday Items within Reach
This step is to store everyday items within easy reach. This will prevent loved ones from losing their balance on a stool, or straining their back trying to bend down to get something. Reorganize the accessibility of items based on how often they will need them. Storing your Storing food, dishes, and the like on easily accessible shelves is an easy but effective way to prevent falls.
Step 3: Provide Easy to Cook Meals
Cooking becomes increasingly difficult as we age. Simple tasks become tedious and many seniors give up cooking altogether. Because of this, many seniors are not getting all of the nutrition they need to be healthy. If you have the time, prepare some healthy meals and store them in the refrigerator so that your loved one can heat them up. Otherwise, stock the fridge and pantry with easy to make dishes such as soups, sandwiches, and already prepared meals.
Step 4: Keep the house tidy and free of clutter
Do a thorough search of the house to make sure you haven’t left items around that seniors can trip over. Although this step may seem like common sense, it is one of the most common causes of falls. Many people overlook things, so be sure to pick up everything. Clutter, rugs, electrical or phone cords, and other small things create a dangerous environment.
Step 5: Help keep your loved one safe
The firth step is to do the less obvious. This step will require some serious thinking and will be different for each person. Ask yourself how else you can help keep your loved one safe. If you know they struggle with their memory, keep a calendar handy with important dates. You can also keep a list of important numbers and reminders. If your loved one is required to take medicine, brainstorm ways to help them remember.
Start Making Your Home Safe Now
There are plenty of apps that you can set up to remind seniors what pills to take, how many, and at what time. Not taking the correct dosage is a serious danger. If you’ve noticed your loved one has limited mobility, consider installing handrails and ramps so that they can get around with ease. It is always important to pay close attention to your senior’s needs so you know more ways to help keep them safe and healthy.
