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Making Your Home A Safer Place For Seniors

For those of us who are caregivers to our elderly loved ones, we know that we have incredibly important tasks to handle on a daily basis. As a caregiver to a senior, one must be aware that safety is a top priority. As a result, you don’t just have such jobs as preparing their meals, getting them dressed and making their beds on your to-do lists each day. You also must be focused on making sure that each room of the house is free of hazards.

For seniors, hazards are everywhere. Caregivers need to be mindful of carpeting that may create slips and falls, dim lighting that may impact visibility and even kitchen utensils and appliances which may prove dangerous to unstable hands. And while non-slip mats, bright lights and even locked drawers and cabinets may be necessary to keep our elderly loved ones safe, there is particular attention that needs to be placed on specific areas of the house.

How can you make the bathroom a safer place for seniors?

It’s probably no secret to you that the bathroom is considered the most dangerous room in the house for an elderly person. Especially when he/she is enduring a mobility issue, the chances of getting hurt increase significantly. Preventing falls is of paramount importance. Because bathrooms are known for their slick, and often slippery floors, it’s wise to equip them with home accessibility renovations. They include bath chairs, bath lifts, transfer benches and grab bars both in and out of the shower area.

“Grab bars help with stability, and can prevent slips and falls,” explains Karen Frazier on LoveToKnow.com, “Likewise, a grab bar installed near the entrance to a tub or shower will give the senior something to hold onto when stepping over the edge of the tub. Install grab bars at arm height, as well as one at about waist height. You can also install a grab bar next to the toilet so seniors can pull themselves up and safely lower themselves.”

How can you make the bedroom a safer place for seniors?

Believe it or not, once a senior goes to sleep, his/her vulnerability to danger isn’t absent. Naturally, at night, when the lights are out, it is harder to see. Therefore, a senior’s bedside table should be equipped with an easy-to-reach lamp. That way, when he/she gets up in the middle of the night perhaps, to use the bathroom he/she will be able to safely see his/her route there. As well, a senior’s bed height should make it easy for him/her to get out of bed.

“Adjust bed height so it is not too difficult to get in or out of,” advises Frazier, “Medical professionals suggest a safe bed height is at knee level or lower. An adjustable bed can also increase safety, making it safer for seniors to get in and out of bed.” As well, it should be mentioned that falls still do occur during sleep. And, as a result, it’s wise to install bed rails. They not only prevent falls but help for seniors to lift themselves in and out of bed.

How can you make the staircase a safer place for seniors?

It likely doesn’t need mentioning that the staircase is a dangerous portion of the home for seniors who aren’t all that stable on their feet. It’s wise to not only keep stairs free of any tripping hazards, but to place treads on each step to help to improve traction. Of course, when climbing up and down the stairs is really difficult for your elderly loved ones, it’s best to install a stair lift.

As we’ve highlighted on our blog over the past few weeks, stair lifts are ideal accessibility solutions for seniors who need to reach various levels of their homes. Frazier agrees that caregivers should “consider a stair lift for adults with decreased mobility.” And, at Advantage Home Health Solutions, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of stair lifts that have been proven to keep seniors safe in their homes.

Of course, we also offer grab bars, super poles, bed rails, M-rails and many other solutions that will improve the safety of your bathrooms and bedrooms. If you have any questions about the solutions that Advantage Home Health Solutions has to offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact Page!

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