Aging is a natural part of life, and, with it, may come struggles with everyday living. Seniors might not have the mobility, agility, or vision they once had. This can make seemingly simple tasks like bathing and cooking more difficult and unsafe compared to earlier years of their life. It can even cause seniors to suffer from falls and injure themselves.

While some elderly individuals may choose to live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, many seniors increasingly prefer to remain at home and age in place. Having worked hard their entire lives to acquire and maintain their homes, these spaces become comfortable, familiar sanctuaries. It is entirely understandable that seniors would wish to stay in their own homes rather than move to an unfamiliar facility. However, it is important for seniors who choose to age in place to be safe and comfortable in their homes.

Below are some simple tips our experienced caregivers recommend avoiding falls and ensure your senior loved one’s safety and comfort at home.

1. Organize and Clean Up the Home

When a place is messy and cluttered, it becomes unsafe for everyone. Items that are out in the open and in the way become tripping hazards. Just one misstep could cause anyone to fall and injure themselves no matter how young or old. Knowing this, an easy way to create a safer home environment is to simply clean the home.

Remove unnecessary items from the floor and walkways and place them in their proper spot. If these contents do not have somewhere to go, find a place for them so they are not just out in the open. For example, if there are books and newspapers scattered, place books on a shelf, and recycle the newspapers. If there are clothes laying around, place them away in a laundry hamper with other dirty items. Instead of having shoes out in the open, organize them on a shoe rack in the closet.

Reorganizing furniture can also be helpful to open pathways, making it easier for people to get around the home. Keeping areas like countertops, coffee tables, closets, and cabinets free of clutter and unnecessary items makes it easier and safer for seniors to find items they are looking for. Important items that are used often, such as coats and medications, should be placed near the front of closets and cabinets.

2. Eliminate Tripping Hazards and Enhance Safety

In addition to tidying up the home, eliminate potential tripping hazards. While area rugs and throw rugs can enhance a room’s appearance, they also pose a significant risk for tripping. Prioritize safety over aesthetics by considering their removal. If an elderly loved one insists on keeping these rugs, ensure they are firmly secured with tape or grips.

The following tips will help eliminate tripping hazards and enhance the safety of the home:

• Electrical cords should not be left exposed where they can cause trips. Tuck them behind furniture or keep them along the walls to minimize the risk.
• Make sure there are grab bars in the shower, by the toilet and near stairs.
• Use non-slip flooring and mats in areas like bathrooms and kitchens where moisture can make the floor slippery.
• Switch the doorknobs to lever-style doorknobs which are easier to grab and turn.
• Change the height of cabinets and countertops to make them more accessible without bending or stretching.

3. Add Ample Lighting

Providing ample lighting is important for navigating any space safely, especially in the home of a senior who has vision problems. Improving or increasing the lighting can make a significant difference. Consider replacing existing bulbs with higher-wattage options for greater visibility. Nightlights are particularly beneficial for nighttime trips to the bathroom, providing gentle lighting that reduces the risk of accidents. Taking these steps will create a safer and more navigable environment for elderly individuals.

4. Provide Necessary Traction

Some surfaces are naturally more slippery than others, making it easier for people to fall. This can be the case with hardwood flooring and especially tile flooring that becomes wet. For these areas, including the bathtub, consider adding non-slip matting so that your elderly loved one has traction to combat slippery surfaces.

5. Install Assistive Devices

Adding assistive devices like ramps, handrails, and grab bars can provide seniors with a necessary sense of security and safety in their home.

For seniors with limited mobility, ramps can be of great help in entryways to the home, eliminating the need to step up onto stairs or a porch to enter their home. In multi-level homes, having a handrail provides elderly individuals with something to hold on to as they make their way up and down the stairs. Similarly, grab bars, which are often installed in the bathroom beside a toilet and/or in a tub/shower, give seniors something stable to help them get up and out from these places.

Making the following changes can also help make the home more convenient for your senior loved ones:

• Switch to a walk-in shower that is easier to enter and/or use a shower bench.
• Install a hand-held showerhead that makes it easier and safer to shower, especially for those who must sit while showering.
• Consider installing kitchen countertops of adjustable height and pull-out drawers for easier access.
• Light switches and electrical outlets should be at an easily accessible height.
• Install smart home technology that allows your loved ones to control functions in their home through voice-activated assistants.

6. Ensure Comfort

Prioritizing safety is important, but the home should also be comfortable. Work with your senior loved ones to create a living environment that enhances their comfort and allows them to feel safe and relaxed at home. Ensuring their comfort helps promote their physical and emotional well-being.

You can help enhance the comfort of your loved one’s home by taking the following steps:

• Replace old furniture with ergonomic furniture that provides better cushioning and back support. You can also consider automatic recliners and lift chairs.
• You can create a more relaxing atmosphere with soft, non-reflective lighting.
• Switch to window dressing that allows in natural lighting while still providing privacy.
• Make sure your loved ones can easily adjust their heating and cooling system to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Professional Senior Home Care Services from Assisting Hands Home Care

Home care services are of great benefit to seniors aging at home. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we provide professional senior home care services to help seniors in BallenIsles,  Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, and the neighboring areas in Palm Beach County, who have chosen to age at home.

Our skilled caregivers deliver the home care elderly individuals need to lead safe and healthy lives. We ensure a secure environment for seniors, offering support with a range of tasks such as personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation services. With our dedicated home care services, you can rest assured that your senior loved one has the necessary care and assistance to remain safe and comfortable in their home. Call us at (561) 566-5989 to learn more.