Safety is always a concern for seniors and for the families that love them. If your senior parent wants to stay in their home as they age, some things can be done to make the house as safe as possible for them. There’s no way to eliminate the risk of falling, but when you take steps to make your senior parent’s home as safe as possible, you can significantly lower the risk of them falling at home. One of the best ways to protect your senior parent at home is to get them in-home care services.
If your senior parent has in-home care, a care provider will be in the home with them to help them with tasks that might be hard for them. An in-home care aide can help your senior parent move safely around the house.
Some of the other things that you can do to make your senior parents’ home safer for them as they get older are:
Remove Tripping Hazards
Look around the house and check for anything that could cause a fall. Loose rugs, uneven flooring, and clutter can all be dangerous. Make sure walkways are clear, especially in places your parent walks often, like hallways, the kitchen, and the bedroom. Get rid of throw rugs or use non-slip mats. Also, move cords and wires out of walking paths. The fewer obstacles there are, the safer the home will be.
Improve Lighting
Good lighting helps your parent see where they’re going, especially at night. Add bright lights in hallways, stairways, and bathrooms. Use nightlights in the bedroom and hallway so they can find their way safely in the dark. You can also add motion-sensor lights, which turn on when someone walks into a room. This way, your parent doesn’t have to fumble for a light switch in the dark.
Install Grab Bars and Handrails
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for falls. Installing grab bars in the shower, bathtub, and near the toilet can help your parent stay steady when moving around. Make sure there are sturdy handrails on both sides of stairways. If your parent has trouble getting in and out of bed or up from a chair, you might also consider furniture with built-in support handles.
Make Sure Floors Are Non-Slip
Smooth floors like tile or hardwood can be slippery, especially if they get wet. Use non-slip mats or rugs with rubber backing in key areas, like the bathroom or kitchen. Avoid using wax on floors, as it can make them more slippery. Also, clean up spills right away to prevent accidents. If your parent wears socks around the house, consider ones with rubber grips on the bottom.
Keep Important Items Within Easy Reach
Store daily items like dishes, clothing, or medicine in places that are easy to reach. Your parent shouldn’t have to climb, bend, or stretch too far to get what they need. Keep often-used items at waist or shoulder height. This lowers the chance of them losing balance or pulling something heavy down by accident.
You should also portion out liquids when you’re putting groceries away so that your senior parent won’t hurt themselves reaching for a gallon of milk or trying to lift a pitcher of water. Put water, juice, milk, and other liquids in smaller containers so that they are easy for your senior parent to lift.
If you or an aging loved one is considering In-Home Care Services in Waltham, MA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc. today at (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc. provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn, MA, and surrounding areas.
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