According to a study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), more than three-quarters of adults age 50 and older in the U.S. prefer to live in their own homes as long as possible. However, a study by the U.S. Census Bureau found that less than 10 percent of homes are “aging-ready,” and present considerable health and safety risks for older adults.
Whether you need to help make an elderly parent’s home safer or your home for a parent moving in, here are some important tips and senior safety devices to help keep your parent as safe and independent as possible.
The first step – preparing for change
Change is hard at any age, and it can often be more challenging as we get older. Change can represent loss of control and this, in turn, can feel like losing independence. So, before you start making any home modification plans, it’s important to talk things over with your parent. Keeping your parent involved in the decision-making process helps things go more smoothly by eliminating the negative reactions that typically arise when people feel like they’ve been deliberately kept out of the loop.
Also, don’t bring up everything that needs to change all at once. It’s best to start the conversation with any small changes that need to be made and take care of those first, and then gradually introduce larger issues. Involving your parent’s doctor in the discussion may also make things easier as your parent may be more willing to accept advice from a trusted professional.
Reducing falls at home
In the U.S., falls are the leading cause of injury and death for older adults. In fact, about 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year, resulting in more than 32,000 fatalities. There are many factors that can make one more prone to falling, such as:
- Decreased visual acuity
- Declining motor skills
- Decreased cognitive abilities
- Certain medications
- Medical history of stroke or Parkinson’s disease
The good news is many falls are preventable. Here are some ways you can help your parent reduce the risk of falling:
- Stay active – Being physically fit goes a long way to prevent falls. Have your parent focus on activities and movements that strengthen the legs and improve balance, like tai chi – consult your parent’s doctor for activities that are best suited if they have mobility issues
- Assistive devices – If your parent requires better support and balance, consider walking aids such as walking stick, tripod, walking frame or rollator – and make sure the rooms in which it is used provide needed clearance and are free of clutter. Reaching aids that help your parent to obtain an item safely, without stretching or over-balancing, can also prevent falls.
- Remove trip hazards – Replace all throw rugs and mats with non-slip versions. Rugs should be changed throughout the house, but make the kitchen, bedroom and any bathrooms a first priority. Secure or reroute any exposed electrical cords and remove all low-profile furniture and any floor-level clutter that may pose a risk.
- House pets – This can be a delicate subject, but cats and dogs can pose a significant fall risk. If a pet is highly energetic, erratic in behavior or prone to sudden bursts of running around inside the house, consider securing an area of the house with pet gates (like the kitchen or laundry room) so the pet still has plenty of room but isn’t a constant tripping threat. Also, be mindful that pet toys scattered on the floor are also tripping hazards – store them in a basket or box when not in play.
- Thresholds – Changes from tile to wood or carpet can contribute to falls. Applying a strip of bright orange tape on thresholds can help your parent identify a change in the floor surface. Raised flooring between rooms can also be an issue – ask a safety expert about flattening thresholds or adding small ramps or handrails. If the floor itself is too slippery, consider applying non-slip strips or replacing with non-slip flooring.
- Floor lighting – It always helps to see where one’s going, so install plug-in or battery-powered lights along well-traveled paths, such as bed to bathroom and around the kitchen. Motion sensor lights are an option that are perfect for the bathroom and hallways. While shedding light on the situation can help avoid falls, be sure any conventional floor lamps are secured to the ground and that both the lamps and their cords are tucked away behind furniture and not placed in walking paths.
- Stepping up safety – If the home has multiple levels, make every effort to move all essential activities to the first floor. If this is not possible, consider installing a personal elevator or stair lift chair. If mobility is not a concern, then make sure all stairways have firm handrails. Consider replacing exterior steps with ramps where possible or installing handrails and non-slip strips to existing steps.
- Grab bars – Grab bars are quite common in bathrooms, but consider installing them throughout the house where a steady hand could prevent a fall, such as the kitchen, bedroom or by a recliner.
- Clothing and footwear – Ensure your parent has clothing that is neither too constrictive nor too loose, as long, loose pant legs could trip them up. Check to make sure they are wearing non-skid shoes/slippers in the home and avoid laces on shoes if they can’t be securely tied.
Make the home furniture-friendly
Whether it’s a favorite recliner or cherished antique table handed down through the generations, home furnishings can have strong emotional attachments. Creating a safer environment for your parent may be as simple as rearranging existing furniture for easier accessibility, but some items – no matter how beloved – may need to be carefully reconsidered for their potential safety risks. Here are ways to make furnishings safer throughout the home:
- Make space – Arrange furniture so there are clear walking paths, making sure that there’s a good three feet of clearance for safer mobility and to minimize fall hazards. This may require moving some furnishings to other parts of the house or possibly passing along to other family members, selling or donating. Again, calmly discuss this with your parent before making any changes, let them know why you are suggesting these changes and, if they need to be removed, let them help decide where such furnishings should go.
- Beware of glass and sharp corners – That coffee table may have hosted many family game nights, but if it has sharp corners or a glass top, it would be best to replace it with a round table and forgo any breakable glass adornments.
- Secure shelving – If your parent were to trip, it’s only natural for them to grab onto whatever is nearby to prevent their fall. If what they grab onto happens to be an unsecured shelving unit, they could sustain more injuries than had they simply fallen to the ground. Make sure all shelving or storage units are secured to the wall so they can’t inadvertently topple on top of them.
- Chairs – Avoid rocking chairs and chairs on wheels that will move when someone attempts to sit. If your parent could use a little help standing up, consider a chair lift recliner, the cost of which may be covered under Medicare.
- In the bedroom – Most bed frames position the mattress 20 to 23 inches off the floor, but your parent may find it easier if the bed is positioned higher or lower. If they use a wheelchair, then the mattress should be as level as possible with the seat of the wheelchair. If your parent has experienced any falls from bed, then consider safety bed rails for seniors, wedge pillows, or a frame that positions the mattress lower to the ground or has adjustable height, making it easier to get in and out. If changing the placement of their bed, make sure it is positioned so your parent can get out of bed on the side they are accustomed to.
- In the bathroom – Install night lights to illuminate the path to the bathroom. To minimize your parent’s risk of falling while in the bathroom, consider grab bars near the toilet and in the shower, as well as a raised toilet seat, shower chair and transfer bench. If they are at high risk for falling and frequently use the bathroom in the middle of the night, gently suggest that a bedside commode may be the safest option.
Safety alarms
No matter how risk-free you make the home, there is always a chance an accident will occur. There are a host of emergency-alert wearable devices and services to choose from, many of which can be self-installed. Explore the various options and choose the ones that best suit your parent’s needs and give you peace of mind.
You should also check existing house alarms to make sure they have fresh batteries and are in good working order. Here’s a list of things you should consider:
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Stove alarms
- Gas stove safety knobs
Make the home easier to manage
Removing potential fall and safety hazards is important, but also consider small things that can be done to makes everyday activities easier, too.
- Remove all the clutter – Clear out those old stacks of newspapers and magazines, create a box for mail, put any dirty laundry on the floor into a hamper and move any favored knick-knacks to a central location – or, better yet, ask if they can be stored away. Such items pose tripping hazards and free up space that may be used for more crucial items.
- Make everyday items more accessible – Once you’ve decluttered the floor and countertops, consider using some of that space for everyday essentials like eyeglass cleaner, moisturizer and tissues. If possible, put bathroom necessities within easy reach, like their toothbrush, toothpaste, liquid soap and eye drops. Minimize items in the shower with an organizer that holds just a few essentials, and make sure the shower floor has non-slip strips.
- Organize the refrigerator and pantry – Make nutritious food choices easy by cleaning out the fridge and making sure desirable items are placed front and center. This goes for any food stored in the pantry as well. Remove any opened bags of snacks that may have gone stale and double-check those expiration dates – that bottle of spaghetti sauce or can of condensed milk may have gone bad months ago.
Home safety tips for older adults with dementia
Here are some additional safety precautions to help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s home safety risks. These would apply for older adults whose cognitive impairment can be managed at home – those with more significant memory loss may need around-the-clock supervision, which should be determined by an appropriate medical professional.
- Use appliances with auto-shutoff features – Install hidden gas valves and circuit breakers so that ovens, fireplaces and stoves aren’t left on.
- Put finger guards on garbage disposals – In lieu of finger guards, you can cover on/off switches with safety locks.
- Lock up harmful items – Put locks on any drawers or cabinets containing knives, cleaning supplies or medication. Secure garages or basements that may contain harmful chemicals or machinery.
- Remove bedroom and bathroom locks – This will prevent accidental lock-ins, which could create a panic.
- Use technology – If wandering outside the home is a concern, GPS tracking through your parent’s smartphone can keep you updated on their location. A tracking device, such as an AirTag®, placed in their wallet or insole of their shoes can also help.
- Create clear paths and open areas – This encourages independence and social interaction, which according to Alzheimer’s Association®, are two important needs for people with dementia.
Don’t wait to be safe
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to gradually introduce any changes that need to be made, but don’t wait to get started. It’s better to prepare the home before an emergency or life-changing event takes place. The changes you make can help avoid accidents, reduce fall risks and make it easier for your parent to age at home.
We’re always here to help
As a leader in the industry, Atria Senior Living is happy to share our expertise and offer any support we can – even if the support you need is from someone other than us. We can call on our trusted relationships with other senior living organizations and resources to put you in touch with the best solution for you and your family. Reach out to your local Atria community today and they’ll be happy to help.
