Gravity is one of the particular things that as we become older, becomes less and less of a friend. Seniors experience a natural loss of mobility and are more prone to falling. They exhaust muscle strength and become increasingly less able bodied. All of the particular changes make it more probable for seniors to endure severe injuries, even death. It has been stated that over fifty percent of accidents involving seniors happen within the four walls of their home.
A fall can have unfavorable impact on a senior’s ability to blossom in an self-sufficient circumstance. Even healthy seniors who fall may suffer from debilitating injuries, such as a damaged hip or an injury to the head leaving them in need of consistent care within a long-term supervision facility or long-term hospitalization. This alone can alter a senior’s life and remove the senior of being able to care for themselves.
Preventing accidents from happening in the first place is the key in assisting the seniors we love to stay secure while at home. This takes a few straightforward changes to modify the home climate. Seniors acquire a deep desire to age in place. Making minimum changes to an individual’s home can enable them to stay living at home longer which has been proven to keep them living a healthy, independent life. Easy age in place improvement can leave seniors in their homes for up to ten years longer than if home protective modifications are not done.
Here is a list of manageable changes that can be made to your aging loved ones home to improve their security while choosing to live alone.
De-clutter the house. This decreases the likelihood of tripping. Look for items placed about the house such as plants, scatter rugs, stacks of papers or magazines that could be jumbling the walk ways making it hazardous to move about. Cords to may be a hazard so tuck them in and use clips to attach them to the baseboards.
The floors are another concern in the home to think about. Carpets should not be shaggy as this can make movement using a walker complicated. Tile and vinyl can be slippery especially in the washroom. Make sure to use a slip resistant bathmat for drying off.
If stairs are still used by loved ones think about the installation of hand rails on both sides of the stairway.
The illumination in and out of the home should be bright and frequent throughout the home.
Doorknobs and kitchen cabinets should be adapted out with levers and pulls to make them simplier for seniors to grip hold of.
The bathroom is a room within the home that needs to be handled with great care.
Grab bars should be installed throughout the house around the tub, shower and toilet area.
Toilet seats that are taller than normal should be established or a raised bathroom safety seat. This helps with maturing knees and weak arms that don’t always want to cooperate bending.
If it is possible a bathroom remodel can really develop a bathroom safe for seniors. Consider installing a walk-in shower or tub with seating.
The surface of the shower and tub areas should be covered with slip resistant mats.
The water temperature should be lowered to prevent scalding and knobs should be easy to turn for frail hands without a great deal of strength.
The kitchen is another place that creates an atmosphere not conducive to becoming older.
Everything that is used on a regular basis should be well within reach.
Phone numbers should be programmed into a telephone that is able to be carried and used throughout the home.
Medication should be in packaging that has large writing and clear directions with easy to unscrew lids that make getting medication more convenient for your loved one.
It is important to keep our aging community safe while they choose to age in place. Remodeling a home is a minor step we can take as caregivers to ensure their safety and happiness. Allowing them to age at home by creating a secure, workable, independent home environment is a gift any senior would treasure.
Glen Miller The Home Doctor completes a variety of construction projects from the home. If you interested in home safety modifications, handicap construction and general home remodeling and renovations check Glen’s work out online today where you will find useful information and solutions on a variety of general contracting issues.