It is estimated that 27% of the senior living community prefer living alone in the US. Well, it is not a bad idea for seniors to live alone nor independently, but all essentials need to be examined to ensure that they live independently but safely. Just like toddlers’ safety, senior safety needs to be made a priority in every home. Here is a definitive list of how you can enforce senior safety in their homes:
1. Get Rid of Any Tripping Hazards
Any senior’s health deteriorates as the years go by. More so, their mobility and eyesight are not as excellent as they used to be. It is a regular occurrence and more reason why they need more care.
Any kind of trip can be detrimental to a senior; therefore, you should take this seriously. You don’t have to do a complete home remodel, but you can do these things:
Use non-slip rugs
Declutter the house to ensure free movement
Ensure the floor is in good condition
Avoid Loose Clothing
Emphasize shoe-wearing or wear non-slip shoes
Get rid of loose kept extension cords
2. Ensure Smooth Mobility
As stated earlier, mobility is a significant struggle for seniors. Therefore, you should make the process as seamless as possible. More so, their balance is no longer the same; thus, they need some form of support to help them move freely around the house. If the home has stairs, it is essential to have guard rails along the stairs and the bedside. Also, grab bars will be effective in the bathroom and toilet to help them move around safely.
3. Take Care of The Lighting
With age, seniors don’t need flashy or disturbing lighting in their homes, but eye-friendly kind of lighting. First, you can set up some dim LED lighting across the stairs, dark corners, or underlit areas where seniors move in.
Also, if possible, get more methods to improve natural lighting into the house, especially during the day. For example, you can use reflective mirrors in the room or replace windows with internal blinds. Alternatively, you can use lampshades that have a minimal glare which is also eye-friendly. That way, they will still be able to enjoy fresh air from the comfort of their homes.
4. Make Time for Regular Check-ins
In the everyday rush, it is most likely that most of you are living away from your senior relatives. Isolation makes them more susceptible to cases of depression due to loneliness. As much as they need their space, it’s essential to have someone check up on them severally.
You can ask friends living close to pop in once in a while or enroll them in a senior living community. Here they will have caregivers check in once in a while to ensure they are okay and to notify you of any emergencies or needs that they may have.
5. Setup Emergency Response Systems
With seniors, anything can happen at any time. It can be a fire, a medical alert, or a security threat. Since most of them suffer from dementia, it is easy to forget to do things the usual way as they should.
Setting up an overhaul emergency system can be expensive, but you can do this step by step. Take care of the basics as you implement the more complicated emergency measures as required. Here are things you can do:
Have a speed dial contact number
Setup a home alarm system
Set up indoor and outdoor security cameras
Set up smoke detectors
Buy a GPS enabled medical alert call system
6. Teach Them Basic Security Measures
Besides relying on automated security measures, seniors can also protect themselves with simple security measures. Here are some basic things that they can do:
Not to open the door to strangers
Not to share their whereabouts or financial information with people easily
Keeping all entryways locked
This to-do list may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do them all at once. If you ensure your seniors are safe back at home, you will also have peace of mind wherever you are. Senior safety is a priority, and you should not underestimate its essence.
About the Author
Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, home designer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
