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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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