If you live with a senior family member you enjoy their stories, counsel, and love. However, as a family caregiver, you probably have safety concerns about the home environment of your aging relative.
That’s why we have compiled a list of senior safety tips to make your home safer for any elderly adults who live there.
Home Safety Tips
1. Senior Safety in the Bathroom
A quick fact: Bathrooms are the riskiest rooms for seniors. Seniors easily slip and fall here, which can cause serious injury. So what can you do? Here is a bathroom home safety checklist:
- Secure handrails beside toilet and in the shower.
- Install a walk-in bathtub or place a bathing chair in the shower or tub.
- Install a handheld shower head.
- Put non-slip mats in the shower or tub.
- Set the water heater not to exceed 120 F. It will reduce chances of accidental burns.
- Install a raised toilet seat for easier sitting and standing.
- Remove bathroom mirrors for seniors with signs of dementia.
- Install bathroom night lights.
2. Keep Emergency Phone Numbers Handy
Some senior dear ones have difficulty using phones, especially smartphones with complicated features. You might want to consider a more basic model of phone because other options are costly, confusing, and sometimes unnecessary. A good senior phone features:
- A large keypad for easy seeing and pressing.
- Increased font-size.
- A note on the back of the phone with emergency contacts.
- Easily accessible emergency services numbers, including 911, friends and family members’ contact information, their health provider contact information, poison control.
3. Fall Prevention in the House
Fall risks are catastrophic for older adults, especially those with balance issues. Do the following to help prevent falling:
- Replace high-risk flooring like hardwood floors, tile floors, and high-pile carpets.
- Consider laminating your flooring in the high-traffic home areas like the senior’s bedroom.
- Eliminate pattern fall hazards – change patterned area rugs and carpets to solid colors, especially for seniors with poor eyesight.
- Have them wear non-slip footwear.
- Install grab bars around the house.
- Replace burnt-out light bulbs to ensure adequate lighting.
- Be sure to pick up any clutter that could be trip hazards.
4. Alert Systems
Alert systems like a smoke detector or alarm, a carbon monoxide detector, and a medical alert alarm are essential for a senior’s home.
Make sure to reduce the chances of fire hazards and have a fire extinguisher handy. Smoke alarms provide additional comfort for senior citizens.
Also, consider the advanced alert systems which the senior can access from a smartphone.
Choose Two Hearts Homes for Seniors for Your Senior’s Care
If your elderly loved one is no longer fit for independent living and you are unable to care for them in your own home, consider moving them to an assisted living community.
Two Hearts Homes offers seniors personalized assisted living services that go above and beyond to make your aging parents or relatives feel like a part of our family. We are available 24/7 to assist your senior in daily tasks like personal care, cooking, and medication management. Our facility has been designed with senior safety in mind with wide hallways, handlebars, non-slip floors, and more.
You can call Two Hearts Homes for Seniors for more information at 219-600-2200 or contact us online.