It’s no secret that our needs and abilities change as we age. Many times, the shift is so gradual that we barely notice it. However, for some, a sudden change in health, a new diagnosis, a trip or a fall, or another type of accident can lead to immediate changes in their day-to-day life. No matter the circumstances, there comes a time when it is advantageous to either proactively or reactively make necessary changes to your home to adapt it to your specific needs. Here are a few tips to ensure that you’re as comfortable, independent, and safe as you can be in your dwelling place.
Assess Your Home
Begin by walking throughout your home and accessing the needs. Make notes of potential hazards such as slippery floors, hard to reach spaces, tripping hazards, poor lighting, loose rugs, and more. Once you’ve identified the areas of concern, you can then address the needs one at a time.
Improving Accessibility
Being able to navigate into and throughout your own home without worrying about tripping and falling is of the utmost importance. Starting with the entrance to your home, consider if any modifications are needed. If you rely on the assistance of a walker, wheelchair, or motorized chair, you will need a ramp or threshold ramp at all exterior doorways. The doorways will also need to be wide enough to allow easy entrance.
Living Area Safety
Once inside of your home, evaluate the pathways and hallways throughout the entirety of your home. Is there clutter preventing you from easily accessing any of the spaces in your home? Are there any obstacles creating unsafe situations? Moving or eliminating furniture, floor lamps, area rugs, or other items may help to create spaces that are easy to navigate. Additionally, installing handrails for additional support may be beneficial to your comfort and safety.
Small accent tables and chairs that may tip over or fall should either be removed or replaced with sturdier pieces. Loose rugs should be secured with non-slip pads. When possible, low-pile rugs or smooth, non-slip flooring should be used. Loose electrical cords, such as those leading to lamps, should be removed or tucked away behind furniture.
Bathroom Safety Enhancements
Once the main living spaces are navigable, take a closer look at individual areas, beginning with the bathroom(s). Grab bars and non-slip rugs are easy solutions to help ensure shower safety. More involved modifications, such as a roll-in or walk-in shower, may be necessary if you’re no longer able to climb in and out of a bathtub. A raised toilet seat and grab bar can allow you to independently access the toilet area in your bathroom. The simple reorganization of your vanity area to ensure easy-to-reach storage and access can provide ease to your day-to-day routine.
Bedroom Improvements
Adjusting your bed height for easy access is a simple way to reduce the risk of injury while climbing in and out of the bed. A bed rail is also a beneficial tool to assist with entry into and out of the bed.
Kitchen Modifications
Frequently used appliances should be housed in easy-to-reach locations. All heavy appliances should be stored at waist height. Pantry items, such as non-perishable foods and spices, can be placed on pull out shelves or lazy Susans for easy access; the same principles apply for items in the refrigerator. Consider replacing or removing hard-to-use kitchen gadgets to prevent injury. Automatic shut-off cooktops and ovens, with heat sensor indicators are recommended. The kitchen should be thoroughly checked for leaky faucets, water lines, and pipes to avoid slippery situations. Furthermore, a knob-style kitchen faucet should be traded out for a lever-style faucet for ease of use. Installing under cabinet lighting, or replacing dim, overhead lighting for brighter lights can be helpful.
General Lighting Improvements
Well-lit spaces are critical for ensuring fall prevention and overall safety. Brighter bulbs throughout the home help to eliminate dark areas within the home. There are several “after-market” options that allow you to affordably add lighting to your house without the need for an electrician to come and add wiring. Motion sensored lights, reading lamps, touch lamps, night lights, clip lights, and LED strip lights are all easy options for safety illuminating your space. For nighttime trips to the bathroom, consider keeping a touch light on your bedside table, a nightlight in your bathroom, and a clip-on LED light in your toilet bowl. These extra options well help keep the pathway well-lit, especially when you’re half asleep!
Medical Alert System
Whether you opt for a simple device worn around your neck or on your wrist or a more high-tech, voice-controlled home monitoring system, it is advisable to have something in place, especially if you’re living alone. Being able to push a button or give a verbal command during an emergency situation can be life-saving!