Watching a parent or other loved one navigate the aging process can be difficult. You’re accustomed to things being a certain way and change is something few of us welcome easily. Yet, home safety for older adults is an important issue. The sooner you accept the reality of aging, the smarter you can be about making decisions that help your senior live a safe, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Home Safety for Older Adults: A Checklist to Guide You
Many seniors are quite firm in their desire to remain at home for as long as possible, and it’s easy to understand. Your loved one might still be doing okay living on their own, but what about their living environment?
Accidents can happen to anyone, but it’s a reality that some injuries are more common among older adults. Falls cause millions of injuries and 32,000 deaths each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention. In fact, falls are the number one cause of injury among adults over 65 and they are a major concern when it comes to home safety for older adults. Taking steps to create a safe living space is vital for maintaining health and mobility.
It’s a good idea for you, or another person in your family if you live out of town, to visit the home and check whether it complies with the factors that are so important for home safety for older adults—or is it time to consider a move to senior living?
Stairs
- Home safety for older adults often concerns clutter that can pose a hazard. Are papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?
- Are some steps broken, uneven or is the carpet loose?
- Is there adequate lighting over the stairway?
- Are there light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs?
- Is there a sturdy handrail on both sides of the stairs?
Kitchens
- Are the things your parent regularly uses often on high shelves?
- Do they have a sturdy step stool with a bar to hold on to or a reach stick for high items?
- Is there a fire extinguisher for the kitchen?
Bedrooms
- Is there a light close to the bed?
- Is the path from the bed to the bathroom dark?
- Does your loved one have a telephone next to their bed?
Bathrooms
Another item high on the checklist of home safety for older adults is bathroom safety.
- Is there a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower?
- Are there grab bars to assist your loved one in getting in/out of the tub or up from the toilet?
Living Areas
- Are electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths?
- Are areas where your senior walks free of clutter?
- Are carpets and large area rugs firmly affixed to the floor?
- Have all the throw rugs been removed?
- Is furniture arranged so it does not block the walkway?
- Are sofas and chairs the right height to easily get in and out of them?
Going through this list targeting home safety for older adults carefully can give you important insight. If you spot a few areas of concern, it’s possible some changes can be made that will take care of the situation. Clearing clutter, disposing of throw rugs and improving lighting can be done quickly, as can moving commonly used items to lower shelves, and adding a non-slip mat to the floor of a tub or shower.
However, if it proves overwhelming, or too costly to make the necessary enhancements, it could provide an opening to discuss the many advantages of senior living, particularly those relating to safety, wellness and other aspects of healthy aging—all of which can be enjoyed in a community such as Peregrine Senior Living.
At Peregrine, your loved one will benefit from an environment designed solely to enrich their lives, encouraging spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth. Every aspect is dedicated to resident safety and health, offering precious peace of mind to residents and their families. Enhanced lighting, ramps instead of stairs, smartly designed bathrooms with important safety features, wide hallways and other details are built in. Not to mention the benefit of safely socializing with others and having access to delicious and nutritious dining, inspiring activities and events, fun outings, continuous monitoring of health and much more.
Home Safety for Older Adults: We’re Here to Help You
At Peregrine, we put together this checklist to help you and our loved one make safe choices. We invite you to learn more about our unique take on senior living.
At Peregrine, you will feel empowered to embrace all that is possible. Contact ustoday to learn more, and please download the free guide, The Complete Guide to Choosing Between Senior Living Options. We are here to help you!
