Is Your Home Senior-proof?
As people age, they often begin to need more assistance with everyday tasks. This includes activities such as navigating their homes or making sure that the home is a safe environment for them to reside in. As a family member or close friend of a senior, it’s important to consider if your loved one’s home is elder-friendly and well-equipped for them to navigate safely and comfortably. In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s so essential to have a senior-proofed home and some tips on how you can go about ensuring yours is ready for an elderly person living in it.
When evaluating the safety of a home, it’s important to consider how well-equipped the home is for senior living. This includes things like making sure that the flooring isn’t slippery and doesn’t have any loose rugs or carpets that could lead to an accidental fall. Additionally, you’ll want to check if there are handrails installed in areas such as staircases, walkways and showers so that seniors can easily stabilize themselves while moving around. It also helps to lower any shelves or objects they may need access to in order to avoid having them strained during daily activities.
Another factor when senior-proofing a home is making sure that it’s outfitted with the necessary technology and amenities that will make life easier for an elderly person. This can include items such as motion-sensor lights, voice-activated systems and remote-controlled curtains if they’re unable to physically operate them. Motion sensors can detect movement throughout the house and alert caregivers or family members if an elderly person has fallen or needs help. Voice activation systems allow seniors to access certain features such as lights and climate control through spoken commands. Additionally, you’ll want to check that the home has up-to-date medical equipment in case of a medical emergency and ensure that all appliances are safe to use.
Finally, it’s important to remember that senior living also means having some extra comfort around the home. You can achieve this by adding soft lighting or providing comfortable furniture for them to relax on. Placing grab bars near toilets or bathrooms is also essential so seniors have something secure to hold onto when getting in and out of the bathtub or shower. With these simple additions, an elderly person living in your home will be able to move around the house more safely and comfortably.
Senior-proofing a home is an important step toward keeping seniors safe and healthy. By making sure their home offers a safe and comfortable environment, you can ensure they’ll have many more years to enjoy life with you. With that said, if you take the time to make sure your loved one’s residence is well-equipped for senior living, you can rest assured that they’ll be safer and happier in their own home. If you’re looking for help making sure everything is taken into account when implementing changes for a more safe home environment for your elderly family member, don’t hesitate to contact us today at All in All Home Health so we can draw up a plan tailored especially to them.