As per the recent study, approximately 90% of retired couples like to spend their whole day in their home. This is because they feel safe, secure and feel like resting for a while after a long working life. But is their home safe? Is it fall-proof? Well, if as a child of retired parents you know that your house is not that safer for them, then make it protected. Now you must be thinking how? We have shared few safety tips to reduce the fall risk and make your home safe for the elderly.
1. Remove trip hazards.
Risks that are associated with the elderly are area rugs, low tables, ottomans, and electric chords. It has been noticed that older adults primarily fall because of these things at home. So make sure you have adjusted all this furniture in the corner and secured the walking area for them. The next thing to do is cover all the chords for them and the wires as well to reduce the risk of falling.
2. Install bathroom grab bars.
As per the studies, the bathroom is the place where most in-house falls occur. So install grab bars for them so that they can walk safely by holding them. You can get them quickly from any hardware shop and install them by yourself.Â
3. Offer easy seating
To make your home senior-friendly, you can add accessible seatings like benches near doors and a chair near the shoe rack so that they can sit while wearing them. It becomes easy for them to sit and then work when performing daily activities. Ensure that you place stools in the kitchen and shower as well.Â
4. Don’t forget outdoor spaces.
Walk through the outdoor space and make sure that there is a clear road to the mailbox and no rocks or cracked paths. Â
5. Medical alert devices
These sorts of devices have proved to be very beneficial for the elderly as they can directly contact the medical emergency, which can be connected with cellular service.Â
6. Smart home devices
A smart home can make the life of the elderly easy and convenient. Devices like smart LED bulbs, medication reminders, audiobooks, and even an electric fireplace can be very useful. Smart LED lights get operated through mobile phones, which is again convenient, and electric fireplaces are secure and safe, but when you get one, make sure that the question: are vents needed for led electric fireplaces is clear in your head. Otherwise, you will be having doubt when adding it to your home.Â
7. GPS tracking devices
Seniors of the home who are fighting with disorders like dementia or memory loss can be safe wherever they go through GPS tracking devices. They can carry the device with them, and you can track their movements without feeling unsafe.Â
Final Words
Like they kept us safe when we were kids, similarly now it’s our responsibility to safeguard them when they need us. The tips and the devices mentioned above will help you in the process and will make your home safe for the elderly.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels.
