If you’re thinking about having your aging parent move in with you and your family, you might have to modify your house first. Here are some tips on how to make your home safer.
Remove Tripping Hazards
For a senior citizen who has trouble walking, loose area rugs, electrical cords on the floor, and clutter can be incredibly dangerous. Tack or tape area rugs to the floor or remove them. Secure electrical cords or, if necessary, move devices to other locations and plug them into different outlets.
A pet is a tripping hazard that many people overlook. A senior citizen with poor vision, difficulty walking, and slow reflexes can trip and fall over an animal that’s running around the house or lying in a walkway. You might need to close doors or use gates to keep your pet in certain areas and prevent an accident.
Make the Bathroom Safer
A grab bar next to the toilet can reduce the risk of a fall. You can install grab bars, a non-slip mat, and a seat to prevent a slip-and-fall accident in the shower or bathtub. If your parent can’t safely climb over the edge of the bathtub, you might need to replace it with a walk-in shower.
Create Alternatives to Stairs
Both indoor and outdoor stairs can be dangerous for seniors. If your house doesn’t have a living area and bedroom on the first floor, your elderly parent might have no choice but to go upstairs sometimes. Installing a stair lift can make that safer and easier. A stair lift can be folded up when it’s not being used so other family members can walk up and down the staircase.
Outdoor steps can be particularly hazardous, especially in the winter. If it’s not currently possible to enter your house without climbing stairs, you can have a contractor install a ramp. That will let your parent avoid using the stairs and make the house accessible to a family member who uses a wheelchair or walker.
Improve Lighting
As people get older, their vision tends to deteriorate. That increases the risk of accidents. You might need to install additional lighting to help your parent get around the house safely. This is particularly important on staircases and in hallways. With motion-activated lights, your parent won’t have to worry about fumbling for a light switch.
Get Professional Help
A local social service agency can provide a home safety evaluation, identify hazards, and give you advice on how to address them. Your state or local government or a non-profit organization might offer financial assistance that can help cover the cost of safety upgrades. Under some circumstances, insurance will pay for home modifications that a doctor deems medically necessary.
