Aging Parents: How to Create a Safe Home Environment
Seeing your parents age suddenly pushes you into an unexpected parental role. Keeping them safe becomes a source of great worry and a responsibility. The aging process brings many challenges, including those brought on by cognitive decline and mobility concerns. Creating a safe home environment requires a concerted effort and attention to detail. Taking the time to create a safe home environment ensures seniors can continue to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
Assess the Home for Potential Dangers
When creating a safe environment for aging parents, surveying the home for potential dangers that could cause accidents and other risks is essential. Before contacting an independent living community, conduct a thorough walkthrough. Common home hazards include the following:
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered floors
- Slippery floors
- Bathtubs
- Sharp edges and corners
- Unstable furniture
- Inaccessible storage
- Staircases
Start With the Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in senior homes. The combination of wet surfaces and a lack of space can lead to slips, falls, and serious injuries. You can do a few things to improve the safety of your senior loved one’s bathroom.
- Install heavy-duty grab bars near the toilet, shower, and tub. Place them in the correct position to ensure the senior can use them for added stability for standing, sitting, or walking.
- Purchase no-slip mats for inside and outside the shower and bath. Keep these mats clean to protect your senior loved one from falls.
- Consider installing a walk-in tub or shower for safer use. Stepping into a high-walled tub can cause injuries and can be impossible for some seniors with mobility concerns.
- Raise the toilet seat for more accessible seating. Raised toilet seats help seniors ease into place without experiencing so much discomfort or risking a fall.
These steps can help seniors stay safer in their homes so loved ones do not have to worry. Safety in the bathroom is paramount for senior care.
Safe Mobility Throughout the Home
As age increases, mobility often decreases. Obstacles in the home can cause seniors to fall and suffer injuries. Creating a mobile-friendly home will keep your loved one safe.
- Remove tripping hazards, including clutter, debris, loose rugs, and worn flooring.
- Install handrails and ramps wherever possible.
- Rearrange or reduce the furniture in each room for more wide open spaces.
Install Emergency Systems and Devices
Emergency systems and devices help protect your senior loved one when you cannot be there. Knowing your loved one will have access to emergency services will give you peace of mind.
- Purchase a medical alert system, including a wearable one, so seniors can call for help if they suffer an accident or medical emergency.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home, especially in the kitchen and bedrooms. Test them frequently and ensure proper function.
- Increase the lighting throughout the home and install automatic nightlights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Keep Seniors’ Homes Safe to Prevent Injuries
Promoting a safe and comfortable living space will keep your loved one safe. Careful consideration should be given to making safety improvements that can prevent home injuries. It would help to reassess the home periodically as your loved one’s needs change. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure safety stays a top priority. When seniors can no longer live alone safely, there are live-in communities that provide a safe place.
Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.Author