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Tips to Make the Home Safer for a Senior
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The goal of most seniors – 87 % according to one study – is to spend the rest of their lives living in a home of their own . One difficulty that comes with this plan is that most houses , especially those in Pittsburgh , simply aren ’ t built to be safe for aging seniors . If you or your parent plans to stay in the home you may have to take some precautions . Below are some tips to help make a home safer for a senior .
Re-arrange the furniture
You want every room to have clear walking paths , without the risk of running into or tripping over anything . That will probably mean having to re-arrange the furniture , moving items against the wall , and perhaps getting rid of items that don ’ t really need to be there . Those paths may also need to be larger If your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair to get around . Remember , if it makes the home safer and reduces the likelihood of a fall – the loss will be worth it .
Get rid of rugs
Rugs present a danger to seniors . No matter how much you enjoy the visual appeal they bring to a room , it ’ s not worth risking a serious fall . Get them out of the home and out of the way so they won ’ t trip you . Examine current flooring and repair any rips , tears or raised surfaces that may cause a fall .
Add more lighting
The better you can see what ’ s around you , the more you reduce the risk of running into things or tripping over something . Add lighting everywhere in the home where there ’ s a step or something you could risk tripping over . You can buy inexpensive stick-on tap lights for spaces that need more light , install timers , and switch to brighter light bulbs . Just try to avoid adding lights that require cords and extension cords that might trip you . Consider installing smart lights or The Clapper , so you never have to walk into a dark room again .
Re-organize your cabinets for better accessibility
Move items that are currently out of reach to somewhere lower that you can easily reach . Tackle all the cabinets in your kitchen , bathroom , and anywhere else in your house . You may need to buy some new organizational products to store the items , and your counters may look a little more cluttered , but the convenience and increased safety of keeping the items you ’ ll need readily accessible is well worth it .
Make the bathroom safer
Bathrooms are the most dangerous rooms in the home . You can make a big difference by simply installing grab bars strategically around the room and toilet seats with handles . You also may want to consider the various options available to make getting in / out of
the bath safer . You can find a number of affordable and practical alternatives for your bathtub at your local home or medical supply store . The right tools can make the fraught process of taking a bath or shower each day much safer .
Many seniors make the decision to age in place in their home because it seems like the option that will provide the greatest quality of life in their remaining years . However due to medical care needs and mobility issues , even with these safeguards , staying in the home is not always the smartest choice . Be open to taking a look at some of the senior living options available in your area , and carefully consider if aging in place in the home is really the best option for you .
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107 Fall Run Road Pittsburgh , PA 15221
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