Keeping Home Safe for Older Adults

Our goal as elder care advisors are to help seniors find appropriate housing and care. If a senior has the mental and physical capacity to be able to remain at home, their existing home can usually be modified to make it a safer environment for them. Here are some ideas that can be implemented easily or for a nominal fee:

Stairs

• Add handrails to both sides of any steps or staircases

• Mount non-slip tape on wooden steps

• Place nightlights or automatic lights to illuminate stairs

Lighting

• Increase light bulb wattage to create a brighter environment

• Install automatic lights in bathrooms, closets and hallways

• Place nightlights in hallways, staircases, and bathrooms

Flooring

• Remove area rugs or secure them with adhesive

• Consider replacing high-pile carpeting with low-pile solid-color carpeting

• Mount non-slip tape on slippery surfaces such as entryways and kitchen floors

Furnishings

• Remove unnecessary furniture to create wide open spaces

• Be sure furniture is heavy and steady enough to withstand leaning on

• Add one-inch blocks to the rear legs of chairs and sofas to make it easier for the senior to get up

General safety

• Gather up and secure electrical cords

• Place decals or colorful tape on sliding glass doors or large windows

• Be sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order

• Consider a pendant system which will alert emergency personnel if the button is pressed

• Replace door knobs with lever-style handles

• Add tennis balls or rubber tips to the feet of walkers or canes

• Make sure there is a telephone available in several areas of the house

Bathroom

• Install sturdy grab bars in the bathroom – in the shower and next to the toilet

• Install shelving to keep needed items at arm’s reach, rather than too high or too low

• Mount non-slip in bathtubs and showers

Kitchen

• Make sure fire extinguishers are within easy reach, in good working order, and the senior knows how to use them

• Keep needed items on shelves that are easily reachable