Making a home safe for your aging parent requires consideration and detail. Many people focus more on the beauty of their homes that they forget about whether it can accommodate different members of the family or not. For instance, as parents grow old, they become unstable, weak, and their bodies end up being unable to manage the day-to-day functions. Such as lacking the strength and grip to tread on particular floors or climb a flight of stairs. That is because they develop sarcopenia, which is an age-related weakness.
It is thus your duty to notice these problems and try to fix them in the best way possible. Without initiating timely solutions, seniors end up having detrimental falls and other challenges that lessen the quality of their lives. That is why you need the below safe home safety ideas if you want to make your home a safe haven for an aging parent.
1. Do away with slippery floors
According to research, one in every four American seniors falls every year. That translates to a total of 2.8 million fall injuries among seniors annually. It is why the first thing you need to do is to replace any slippery floor you have in your home. Some floor types that are unsafe for seniors include tile floors, polished marble, and granite floors. To be on the safe side, consider non-slip vinyl and cork floors. You can also opt for linoleum floor coverings, which are by far the healthiest form of flooring for seniors. With such options, you don’t have to worry about spending too much money treating frequent fall injuries.
2. Secure a shower bench
The bathroom can be a dangerous place for seniors. That is because everything tends to be slippery, thus maximizing the chances of seniors slipping and injuring themselves. This is why you need to secure a shower bench. Most people tend to go for shower benches that stand on their own in the bathroom. You should, however, opt for a transfer bench if you want to make the place much safer for seniors. Unlike a standalone shower bench, a transfer bench aids the seniors as they enter the bathroom. It maximizes their independence and reduces the chances of bath related falls significantly. You can also opt for hand-held showers if you want to give them absolute comfort.
3. Light up your home properly
More than 3% of Americans aged 40 years and above have partial or worse vision impairment. That’s according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. This is why you need to ensure that your home has adequate light at all times. If that is not the case, invest in high quality LED night lights and place them at different locations in your home. You should also make sure that you put them on every entryway for seniors to see. Other areas you need to have adequate lighting include on the staircase, in the bathroom, and also in the kitchen. By doing so, you are going to keep seniors from accidentally running into walls.
4. Make the entry ways accessible
If the seniors in your home are using wheelchairs, you need to make sure that every entryway is accessible. You can do so by either investing in wheelchair lifts or by building a ramp. The surface of the ramp needs to be a bit rough for easy movement of the wheelchair. For every 12 inches, make sure it rises by 1 inch. That is how you make it comfortable for seniors. With accessible entryways, an aging parent can easily take a stroll around the yard without asking for help. It also gives them the independence they need to enjoy life. It is one thing that you should deal with as soon as you realize there is a senior in the house.
5. Install grab bars for an aging parent
Older seniors are definitely going to have problems standing upright and walking around the house. In places where wheelchairs are inaccessible, you should consider installing grab bars for their comfort. In toilets, the grab bar should be at least 33 inches high from the ground. When it comes to the shower, it should be at most 6 inches in the horizontal direction. You can also include them along the staircase and the hallway. Keep in mind that there are so many types of grab bars. You should, however, pay more attention to those that are not slippery as well as the adjustable ones. Such grab bars are easy to use, and you can adjust them to fit the needs of the seniors.
6. Do away with floor rugs
It’s possible that you are using rags to either hide dents on the floor or to enhance the beauty of your home. Either way, for the sake of the seniors, you need to do away with rugs. That is because they are among the leading causes of falls among seniors. Every year, US hospitals treat more than 37,000 citizens aged 65years and above due to rug-related fall injuries. Instead, to ensure a safe home, leave the floor bare and let them enjoy the luxury of moving around in harmony.
The only rug you can consider leaving in place is a runner. That is because, in case of a fall, it can protect the seniors from acute injuries.
7. Get anti-slip bath mats
Remove the bathroom doormats and, instead, get the anti-slip bath mats. These mats come in different designs and shapes. Their main aim is to prevent seniors from falling due to the slippery bathroom floors that result from water and soap. The combination of anti-slip bath mats with grab bars can ensure your aging parents live in a safe home. It is also one of the best ways to minimize bathroom falls significantly. Remember, these types of falls are prevalent among aging parents. But with anti-slip bath mats and grab bars, consider seniors to be safe.
The Bottom Line
All of the above methods are significant in ensuring your aging parent lives in a safe home environment. They are also affordable and easy to implement. Each idea plays a unique role. By including some or all in your home it will make it a haven for any senior. Don’t forget to focus more on the bathroom and toilet ideas. You should also focus more on ensuring there is adequate lighting so that your aging parents can see clearly.
About the author:
Jessica Smith is a blogger who enjoys sharing helpful tips on health. She been writing for a few years now and loves cooking, traveling and dancing.
Article References:
National Council on Aging; Fall Prevention Statistics: https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basic_information/vision_loss_burden.htm
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