Ensuring the safety of our aging loved ones isn’t just important, but it’s essential for their independence and well-being. It’s not about overhauling your entire home; rather, it’s focusing on small, impactful modifications that significantly boost safety. From the living room to the bedroom, every corner of the home has the potential to be a safer space.

What’s a Home Safety Assessment?

• Scout for any potential risks or hazards.
• Review each room with a critical eye, focusing on safety.
• Check for obstacles that could lead to falls or accidents.
• Evaluate the accessibility of essential items and facilities.

Why Home Safety Evaluations Matter

Spotting the Dangers

• Check floors for loose carpets or slippery areas that could lead to falls.
• Ensuring electrical cords are neatly tucked away, not stretched across walkways.
• Verifying that all stairways are well-lit and have sturdy handrails.
• Looking for sharp corners on furniture that can cause injuries.

Sharing the Plan

• Convening a family gathering to address the forthcoming safety evaluations.
• Explain the reasons behind each change to garner support.
• Assigning specific tasks to family members, making it a team effort.
• Regular updates on progress and any new findings.

Putting the Plan into Action

• Prioritize tasks based on risk and urgency.
• Involve family members in making changes assigning roles based on ability.
• Start with simple fixes like decluttering walkways and securing rugs.
• Schedule more complex projects, such as installing grab bars or improving lighting.
• Celebrate small wins to motivate the team.

Is Your Home Ready for Golden Years?

Can the Elderly Live Safely Here?

Design for Everyone

Guides to Help You Along

Quick Safety Fixes

• Rearranging furniture to create clear pathways.
• Installing brighter bulbs.
• Removing clutter to minimize tripping hazards.

Room-by-Room Safety Guide

Bedroom Bliss

• Accessible Lighting: Install bedside lamps or light switches within easy reach of the bed to provide illumination for nighttime navigation without the need to stumble in the dark.
• Clutter-Free Floors: Keep the bedroom floor clear of any obstacles or clutter to prevent tripping hazards, ensuring smooth and safe movement, especially during nighttime visits to the bathroom.
• Secure Bedside Furniture: Ensure that bedside tables or shelves are securely anchored to the wall to prevent tipping accidents, particularly if they’re used to store essential items like medications, glasses, or phones.
• Comfortable Bed Height: Adjust the bed to a height that makes it easy to get in and out of, considering the needs and limitations of older adults or individuals with mobility issues.

Bathroom Safety

• Install Grab Bars: Place sturdy grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub to provide support when sitting down, standing up, or maneuvering in and out of the bathing area.
• Slip-Proof Mats: Utilize slip-resistant mats or decals within the bathtub or shower to mitigate the potential for slipping on wet surfaces.
• Adjustable Showerheads: Install handheld or adjustable-height showerheads to facilitate bathing while sitting or standing, accommodating individuals with varying mobility needs.
• Raised Toilet Seat: Think about installing a raised toilet seat to facilitate safe sitting and standing for individuals with mobility challenges.
• Bright Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting in the bathroom, including nightlights or motion-activated lights, to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime bathroom visits.

Living Room Comfort

• Clear Paths: Keep pathways clear of furniture, cords, and other obstacles to facilitate easy movement and reduce the risk of tripping hazards.
• Bright Lighting: Ensure ample lighting throughout the living room, including overhead lights, lamps, and task lighting, to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, especially for older adults with decreased vision.
• Secure Rugs: Use non-slip pads or secure rugs firmly to the floor to prevent them from sliding and causing trips or falls.
• Comfortable Seating: Choose furniture with appropriate support and cushioning to provide comfortable seating options, especially for individuals with mobility issues or back problems.
• Accessible Remote Controls: Keep remote controls, entertainment systems, and other frequently used items within easy reach to avoid unnecessary bending or stretching.

Kitchen Caution

• Secure Cabinets: Use childproof locks or latches to secure cabinets containing cleaning products, sharp utensils, or other hazardous items, keeping them out of reach of children or pets.
• Proper Storage: Store knives, scissors, and other sharp objects in designated slots or blocks to prevent accidental cuts or injuries.
• Keep Floors Clear: Avoid cluttering kitchen floors with items such as rugs or extension cords, which can pose tripping hazards, especially in high-traffic areas.
• Safe Appliance Use: Follow manufacturer instructions for the safe use of kitchen appliances, including stovetops, ovens, and microwaves, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent fire hazards.
• Childproof Appliances: Use stove knob covers and oven locks to prevent young children from accidentally turning on appliances.

Dining Room Safety

• Clear Pathways: Arrange dining furniture to allow for easy navigation and ensure clear pathways between the table, chairs, and other furnishings to prevent tripping hazards.
• Stable Seating: Choose stable and sturdy chairs for dining, ensuring they are in good condition with no wobbling or instability to prevent falls while seated.
• Adequate Lighting: Install bright lighting fixtures or lamps to illuminate the dining area, enhancing visibility and reducing the risk of spills or accidents, especially during evening meals.
• Secure Furniture: Secure tall furniture, like cabinets or shelving units, to the wall to avoid tipping accidents, especially in households with children or pets.

Basement Basics

• Ample Lighting: Install bright overhead lights and additional lighting fixtures as needed to illuminate the entire basement area, including staircases and storage areas, enhancing visibility and reducing the risk of accidents.
• Clear Exits: Keep basement exits and pathways clear of clutter and obstructions to ensure easy and unobstructed access to escape routes in case of emergencies, such as fires or flooding.
• Secure Staircases: Ensure that staircases leading to the basement are sturdy, with secure handrails and non-slip surfaces to prevent falls and accidents, especially in homes with older adults or young children.
• Waterproofing: Implement measures to waterproof the basement to avoid moisture accumulation, which may result in mold growth and structural deterioration, posing health and safety hazards to occupants.

Compassionate Home Care

• Open Communication: Foster open and honest communication with the elderly individual(s) living in the home. Encourage them to express their concerns, preferences, and any challenges they may be facing in navigating their living environment.
• Respect and Dignity: Treat elderly family members or residents with the utmost respect and dignity. Involve them in decision-making processes regarding safety modifications and adjustments to their living space, ensuring their autonomy and agency are upheld.
• Personalized Approach: Recognize that each individual’s needs and abilities may vary. Tailor safety measures and home modifications to accommodate their specific requirements, whether it’s related to mobility, vision, hearing, or cognitive function.
• Comfort and Familiarity: Create a comfortable and familiar environment that feels like home to the elderly person. Incorporate personal touches, such as cherished photographs, favorite decorations, or familiar furniture arrangements, to evoke feelings of security and belonging.
• Empathy and Patience: Practice empathy and patience when assisting elderly individuals with daily tasks or navigating safety concerns. Understand that adjustments may take time to adapt to and may require ongoing support and encouragement.
• Regular Assessments: Conduct regular assessments of the home environment to identify potential safety hazards or areas for improvement. This may involve reviewing the layout, lighting, accessibility features, and emergency preparedness measures.
• Mobility Assistance: Assist with mobility as needed, whether it’s installing grab bars in bathrooms, handrails on staircases, or ramps for wheelchair access. Ensure that pathways are clear and free of obstacles to facilitate safe movement throughout the home.
• Medication Management: Establish a system for managing medications safely and effectively, including organizing pill dispensers, maintaining a medication schedule, and monitoring for any adverse reactions or interactions.
• Emotional Support: Offer emotional support and companionship to combat feelings of loneliness or isolation that elderly individuals may experience. Engage in meaningful conversations, activities, and social interactions to promote mental and emotional well-being.
• Community Resources: Familiarize yourself with local community resources and support services available to assist elderly individuals with various needs, such as transportation, home healthcare, meal delivery, and social programs.