Even a small accident can have a major impact on an older adult’s quality of life—and many such accidents occur in the home. You can help prevent home injuries for yourself or aging family members by taking a few simple steps, outlined below. These precautionary measures are easy to implement yet might make a huge difference in avoiding the serious medical and financial consequences of a home injury.
The first step to home safety for elders is understanding why it matters. Around one in three people aged sixty-five and older fall every year, with the total cost to the American healthcare system coming in at around $50 billion. An individual patient may face a long list of expenses related to ambulatory services, an inpatient stay at the hospital, physical rehabilitation, and alternative mobility aids such as a walker or wheelchair. While Medicare Part B covers some mobility device costs, patients may need to pay a deductible and co-payment.
Because falls account for a large percentage of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, it’s imperative to eliminate tripping hazards from your home. This pay entail removing rugs, securing electrical cords, and keeping pathways clear at all times. Pets can be another tripping hazard, so it could be a smart idea to designate one specific “pet area” in the house. Buying a pair of slip-resistant slippers to wear around the house can also help to reduce the risk of falls.
Better lighting plays a fundamental role in accident-proofing your home. Brighter rooms lead to improved visibility, to help older adults identify potential hazards and avoid them. Good lighting also enhances our depth perception, to reduce balance issues and ensure everyone can accurately judge distances, the height of steps, or uneven surfaces. If you or a family member is already grappling with a vision issue such as cataracts, using brighter bulbs or motion sensors is even more important.
Bathrooms—slippery, confined and filled with hard surfaces—are a serious hazard zone. While adding non-slip bathmats and a shower chair is a good place to start, it’s also a smart idea to consider more serious modifications. Installing grab bars for the toilet and shower, replacing a tub with a walk-in shower, and updating lighting fixtures will all help to make the bathroom safer. Various financial assistance programs are available to help eligible households pay for some of these home modifications.
Organization makes all the difference when it comes to kitchen safety for aging adults. Put frequently used items in easy reach and avoid storing anything in the upper shelves of cabinets. Step-stools—while convenient for increasing storage space—can lead to falls. As many house fires start in the kitchen, make sure there’s a smoke detector in the room. Finally, a kitchen timer is a cheap but potentially life-saving device, which can be set as a reminder that food is on the stove.
Going up and down the stairs can be a difficult task for people with reduced mobility, potentially leading to trips and falls. This is why many elder adults prefer to live in a one-story residence. If moving to a single-story home isn’t possible, ensure sturdy handrails and non-slip treads on each step. Installing a stair lift is another option. While the up-front cost isn’t cheap (running around $3000 and up), preventing a serious fall may very well be worth the investment.
Making small changes in how your furniture is arranged can have a big impact on living room safety. Emphasize a clutter free furniture layout with plenty of space to between the sofa, coffee table and any end tables. Keep knickknacks off the floor and make sure there aren’t any trip hazards, such as cords, small magazine racks, or table legs. If you’ve got the funds to purchase new furniture, consider pieces that are firm enough and high enough so that older people can stand up easily.
Aging adults sometimes find themselves in need of home modifications, such as a ramp to the front porch or widened doorways, to accommodate changes in mobility. Making home modifications can be costly, but there are various loan options specifically designed for seniors. The Boston Home Center offers zero-percent interest deferred loans for older homeowners, while Rebuilding Together renovates houses for people who can’t afford repair work which is necessary to their health and safety.