Staying Safe at Home: Tips for Seniors and Caregivers

Staying safe at home can be challenging for seniors after a certain age; as we get older, the risk of falls and other accidents increases. Even if you feel safe in your house, it’s crucial for you to take steps to ensure every room in the home has the modifications or design changes that will help prevent those accidents. You can also do things to make life easier, especially if you are living with a disability or mobility problems. Keep in mind that while some of these changes can be costly, many seniors qualify for funding from the government in the form of grants or loans in order to make their homes safer and more secure for aging in place.

Start by going through your home and taking stock of what could be improved. In some cases, it might be easier — and less expensive — to downsize to a smaller home. This is often a big move, however, and is usually reserved as a last resort. Your specific needs will dictate which changes need to be made and whether they will fall under your budget.

World Wide Health Services Adult Day Care invites you to consider the following when it comes to staying safe at home as a senior.

Look at Lighting

Because 60 percent of all senior falls occur in the home, it’s important to make sure every aspect of your house provides a safe place for you to live. One relatively easy way you can make a big impact is to ensure that all the lighting around your home is consistent, especially in darker areas like hallways and stairwells. Natural light is wonderful, but you can mimic that illumination with LED light bulbs. Place these in spots that give you extra help with your vision.

Flooring

The flooring in your home can help prevent falls, too, especially in conjunction with sturdy shoes that help you keep your balance. Throw rugs can be slippery hazards, while transition strips can trip you up when walking over thresholds. Many seniors enjoy a low-pile carpet that is easy to clean and provides a soft cushion to walk on without being too thick. Also, look for rubber-soled, comfortable shoes you can wear around the house that will help you remain stable; many of these can be used as indoor-outdoor footwear.

Get in a Daily Workout

Daily exercise is critical for seniors; not only does it help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your heart and mind in shape, but it also helps to build up strength, balance, and coordination, all of which can help prevent falls and injuries. You don’t have to join an expensive gym to get the kind of workout you need; look for a yoga tutorial online, go for a swim, or take your dog for daily walks. Low-impact workouts are just as effective in helping you stay healthy as high-impact ones, and they won’t put as much strain on your joints and bones.

Other Options

If your home is too large to manage anymore despite any modifications, moving to a smaller home could be the better choice. This is a big step, and so you’ll need to plan for not only selling your home but finding a new one. Start with a value estimate to get an idea of how much your home is worth and what you can expect to make off the sale. Next, you’ll need to budget for what you can afford in a new home, and then connect with a real estate agent experienced with senior moves.

In some cases, moving to an assisted living facility can be the more cost-effective and better move, especially if you find yourself needing extra assistance with daily activities like bathing, cooking or cleaning. Ideally, you want to take the time to tour local facilities and get a feel for the different communities and what they offer. You can talk to the staff and residents, try the food and even check out the living spaces.

Staying safe at home after retirement is important because it means being able to remain independent and live on your own rather than moving into a retirement community. So, talk to your loved ones if you need help making modifications, and look online for resources and financial aid. With some careful moves, you can ensure that your home is safe and healthy and meets your needs for many years to come.

Additional Reference:

Article Written By Bob Shannon, from seniorsmeet.org

Article Photo: Pixabay

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is by our guest author Bob Shannon of seniorsmeet.org. World Wide Health Services and its affiliate company and partners hold no accountability and cannot be held liable for the information provided in this post. Information provided is at the reader's will and at the reader's risk including any hyperlink resources provided in this post.