Home Safety Tips for Seniors

10 Jan Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Getting older can be a challenge in various ways. The ability to live at home safely is a challenge that many seniors fear they may not be able to continue to meet.  Understandably, this is why home safety is an key component in aging at home.  Here are a few tips to help keep your aging loved one safe at home before an accident occurs.

1. Fall Prevention

Falls happen at home, and they can cause serious injuries to seniors. This is why fall prevention is crucial to an older person’s safety. If you have fallen before or have a loved one who has, consider wearing a medical alert device either as a necklace or as a bracelet. These accessories have one-touch buttons connected to emergency services that you can call if you ever do fall. 

Also, wearing well fit non-skid socks and/or footwear along with the use of a cane or a walker if needed, may assist in keeping  your loved one safe at home as well.

2. Assess Your Home for Safety Risks

To help keep the house safe, consider doing an assessment of your home, room by room to find potential safety hazards before they become a problem. Things to look for include:

• Furniture or other things blocking pathways in the house
• Loose cords and wires from telephones, internet modems, supplemental oxygen, and other devices
• Broken, uneven, or loose steps inside or outside the home
• Handrails that or loose or not present on both sides of the stairs.
• Dark areas that could use more light inside or outside the home
• Lack of grab bars or non-slip strips in the bathroom for the shower, tub, and toilet

The outside of the house can be slightly more treacherous during the winter. In areas that experience snow, make sure that the stairs and walkways are shoveled and iced regularly to prevent any accidents. 

Don’t forget to also check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house. The batteries don’t last forever, and they should be changed in the event of a fire or if carbon monoxide is released into the home.

These are just a few home safety tips to keep in mind for seniors as they age. If you have concerns about home safety or other aging-in-place issues, contact Happily Ever After Senior Living. We offer consultations as well as care management services for seniors and families in need.