Home Safety for Elderly: 5 Common Hazards Explained 

Seniors face different physical and mental health problems. Due to reduced muscle mass, weak bones, lack of joint flexibility, and other physical issues, the elderly need measures to keep them safer in their homes. Mental health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease further exacerbate their safety challenges. To achieve home safety for elderly, several updates and aiding devices come in handy. The physical and mental challenges, the nature of the room, and the presence or absence of caregivers will determine the type and nature of updates a room requires. Read on to learn. 

Common Home Hazards for Seniors: Tips and Measures

Seniors love to stay independent. Aging in place takes away the feeling of isolation and other ageism challenges. However, the home may not be as safe as an elderly care home. Fortunately, it is possible to make the home safe with a few modifications. As you modify the home to enhance home safety for elderly citizens, check out these hazards:

• Clutter on the Floor – Aging comes with decreased balance, which increases the risk of falls. Cluttered floors are a tripping hazard for seniors. Keep pathways, halls, and stairways clear of clutter. Instead, use non-slip mats and rugs on the floors to minimize slipping. Ensure electrical cords and pet beddings are also off pathways. 
• Fires – Physical conditions such as reduced physical endurance and weak bones make it challenging for seniors to respond to fires. As such, you must ensure that malfunctioning electrical appliances and uninsulated electrical wires get repaired to prevent the risk of a fire outbreak. Keep a fire extinguisher on every floor and discourage cooking if the senior doesn’t have the energy. 
• Medications and medical equipment – Seniors might confuse their medications thanks to dementia and other mental health conditions. Organizers, reminders, and large print labels, among other measures, can help protect seniors. 
• Poorly Lit Rooms – Poor eyesight is a problem for most seniors. Keeping the rooms well-lit will ensure they safely find their way around the house. 
• Bathrooms – You cannot do away with a bathroom in a senior’s room, but you can make them safer. The floor is especially dangerous if it is slippery. The shower water may also cause burns on the sensitive skin if it is too hot. Shower and toilet seats also need modifications to make them safer. 
• Isolation – Seniors suffer from ageism, where they feel lonely and isolated – feelings that can further exacerbate their mental health issues. Isolation leads to physical health issues where older adults cannot take showers or cook for themselves. 

Fall Prevention Measures

Falls cause most fatal injuries in senior adults aged 65 years and above. A bad fall results in broken bones, concussions, and hip fractures. Even if falls are not fatal, they can leave seniors feeling fearful and less active. Home safety for elderly comes in handy thanks to their reduced balance and physical strength, poor vision, and the medications that may cause dizziness. Some chronic conditions, such as arthritis, may increase risk of falls as an older adult may lose function in some body parts. 

To enhance home safety for elderly adults, take the following steps:

• Install or Use Assistive Devices and Technologies – If falls result from general body weakness, fall-proofing the home alone will not help. Assistive devices offer stability and steadiness when seniors walk. Canes and walkers are the simplest forms of these devices for weak bones and reduced strength. When shopping, ensure that these devices are of the right size for compatibility. Physical therapists can help you decide which device is right for an older adult and how to use those devices to stay safe. 
• Fall-Proof the Home – Several simple modifications can make a home safer for older adults. For starters, ensure the home has enough lighting, especially along pathways. Light up the bottom and top of stairs and provide available lighting for older adults when to get up in the middle of the night. Next, you must ensure that you only use non-slip mats in the kitchen, bathroom, and hallways. If you have rugs at home, secure them to the floor to minimize slipping. Ensure you install grab bars near the toilet seat and shower/tub in the bathroom. 
• Address Prevailing Health Conditions – For seniors who want to age in place and live independently, addressing health conditions will keep them safe. An eye checkup, for instance, can identify if the older adult needs glasses to help them navigate the house. Opticians can advise the best glasses for seniors. If a senior suffers from poor balance and general body weakness, a physical therapist can help them exercise to improve their stamina and balance. Addressing these health issues will enhance home safety for elderly adults. 
• Check Medications – Some medications cause drowsiness and dizziness. If older adults have side effects that may increase the risk of falls, the doctor will advise them to relax after medicating. 

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Bathroom Safety Tips 

The bathroom floor is always wet, increasing the risk of falls and fatal injuries. Again, seniors find it challenging to lower into the shower or toilet seat and stand up afterward. As such, the bathroom needs a few modifications to make it safe for older adults, including those who use assistive equipment such as wheelchairs. 

Check out the following tips to enhance home safety for elderly adults:

• Use Non-Skid Rubber Mats – The slippery bathroom floor can be made safer using non-skid rubber mats. Such a mat has traction and gives older adults the confidence they need to take showers. You also need a non-slip mat just outside the shower. When you step out of the shower, and your feet are wet, you risk slipping and falling. Placing a mat by the door keeps you safe. 
• Grab Bars – Grab bars offer stability when getting on or off the toilet or shower seat. Older adults can hold on to the bars for an added layer of security and more balance. You can have the bars on wall studs to replace towel racks, which may not be strong enough. 
• Shower Chair/Bench – Older adults cannot stand for a few minutes. A shower bench with non-slip tips can help them take showers comfortably and confidently. 
• Hand-held Shower Wand – Enhance home safety for elderly adults with a hand-held shower. These wands make bathing easier, especially when the senior can regulate water pressure. 
• Bathtub Transfer Bench – With reduced balance, older adults may find climbing in and out of a bathtub challenging. The slippery floor and weak bones increase their risk of falling. A transfer bench makes the transition easy. Alternatively, you can install a walk-in tub or stand-up shower with a non-slip mat on the floor. 
• Keep the Floor Clutter-Free – The clutter-free rule applies to all areas in your home. When the floor is clear, the risk of falling reduces significantly. Organize the bathroom in a way that products are easy to access. Use cabinets and organizers for towels, soaps, and other items. 
• Keep Bathroom Well-Lit – Older adults may need to use the bathroom at night. As such, you must install sufficient lighting in and around the bathroom to reduce the risk of falling. To enhance home safety for elderly adults, ensure the hallways are lit to ensure seniors do not go from a lit place into the darkness. 
• Raise Toilet Seat – The traditional toilet is too low for older adults to lower onto. An elevated toilet seat with grab bars is the best option for seniors. These seats make it easier to transfer on and off the toilet seat.

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Bedroom Safety and Comfort 

Getting in and out of bed can be challenging for someone with limited mobility. Home safety for elderly adults should start in the bedroom, where they will likely spend the most time. Here are a few ways to enhance safety:

• Use Bed Rails – Bed rails offer stability and support when your loved one gets on or off the bed. They can also use the rail to pull up to a seated position. Position the side of the bed without a rail against a wall. 
• Use a Bed Transfer Device – Personal transfer devices make independent living possible. These tools, such as a leg lifter and a transfer board, allow seniors on wheelchairs to slide in and out of the bed. If there is a caretaker for your loved one, ensure you bring in transfer aids such as transfer belts, handles, discs, and lift slings. 
• Adjustable Bed or Frame – A bed that can adjust at the touch of a button allows older adults to sit up easily. There are several options for orthopedic beds for older adults, from simple adjustable beds to massage beds and beds with motorized frames. 
• Walking Aids – If an older adult uses walking aids such as walkers, these aids should be placed near the bed. The aids enable older adults to walk around the bedroom safely. Ensure the bedroom has adequate space for walkers and wheelchairs and the area around the bed is clutter-free. 
• Non-Slip Socks – Non-slip socks offer the traction needed to minimize falls. You can also use slippers with enough tread to improve home safety for elderly adults, but these can be tripping hazards. 
• Remove Fall Hazards – Assess the bedroom to eliminate fall hazards such as bed skirts, pet beds, oversized comforters, electrical cords, decorative throw pillows, and throw rugs. If you have mats and rugs in the bedroom, ensure they are non-skid or secured to the floor. 

Besides enhancing home safety for elderly adults, you must keep them comfortable. Replace their old mattresses with new orthopedic options to keep their spine protected. If they have trouble with incontinence, get them a bedside commode or ensure the path to the bathroom is clear. You must also keep the bedroom well-lit, preferably with smart lights when someone enters the room.

Kitchen Safety for Seniors 

The kitchen is a wet area, which increases the risk of falls. Enhance home safety for elderly adults by protecting them from fires, food poisoning, and falls. Here are tips to protect your loved ones:

Prevent Falls

More than 25% of seniors above 65 years are involved in fatal falls yearly. Most of the falls occur in the kitchen and bathroom. Although seniors need extra care in the kitchen, some improvements and modifications can improve home safety for elderly adults. These include

• Keep the kitchen well-lit 
• Use non-slip mats 
• Remove clutter in the kitchen, especially along walking areas 
• Keep pans, pots, and other utensils within easy reach 
• Keep the bathroom floor dry and repair potholes 
• Use non-slip slippers in the kitchen if you have tiled floors 
• Use motion-sensor lights 
• Use plastic dinnerware or any other material that cannot break 

Prevent Food Poisoning 

Foodborne illnesses are common among elderly adults. As the body ages, the immune system weakens, increasing illness risks. To prevent food poisoning, you can use organizers that show when items were bought and when the senior is supposed to consume them. 

Older adults need to eat fresh food from the market or farm if possible. A caretaker or family member can shop for groceries daily to reduce the risk of eating expired or spoiled food items. If there is a refrigerator in the kitchen, ensure it is set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit to enhance home safety for elderly adults. 

Prevent Fires 

Burns and scalds are potential hazards that lead to common injuries. Boost home safety for elderly adults with the tips below:

• Keep the stovetop clutter-free. Potholders, plastic utensils, and other items that can catch fire should be away from the cooking area. 
• Remind older adults not to wear loose clothing that can catch fire. They should have short-sleeved shirts or sweaters or roll up their sleeves to stay safe. 
• Install a functional smoke alarm in the kitchen. Regularly test the alarm and ensure it is loud enough for older adults with hearing problems. 
• Have a senior-friendly fire extinguisher in the kitchen in an accessible location. Inspect the extinguisher regularly to ensure it is in good condition. 
• Only use senior-friendly appliances in the kitchen. For instance, ovens with built-in alarm systems go off when there is a leakage. 
• Go over basic kitchen fire safety together with your loved one. 
• Encourage seniors to use timers when cooking on the stove. 
• Use automatic shut-off devices in the kitchen, such as stoves and other appliances. 
• Keep power outlets and wiring well insulated. 

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If your loved one has chronic health illnesses that make it challenging to make meals at home or observe kitchen safety measures, find an alternative to cooking such as enrolling them in a food service. 

Managing Medications and Health Care

Taking medication is a daunting task for seniors. Some pills look alike, and their names might be difficult to read and remember. Again, the doctors may change dosage and frequency often, and their special instructions may confuse seniors. With mental health conditions such as dementia, you need to enhance home safety for elderly adults with a few improvements. 

Older adults dislike taking many pills as they may have unpleasant side effects or may make them feel full. If they fail to see results from their medication, they may feel discouraged to take the pills. Follow the tips below to enhance home safety for elderly adults:

• Use pill organizers and medication boxes to enable seniors to take the right medicine at the right time.
• Set alarms and reminders to keep seniors on schedule with every medication they take
• Maintain a clear list of all medications your loved one should take, the dosage, and frequency. Update the list after every doctor’s appointment. 
• Dedicate a kitchen counter for medication and have a journal where seniors can check off their medication. 
• Monitor medication side effects and note them in their journal for the next doctor’s appointment.
• Ask your loved ones about their healthcare goals and work towards what matters to them.

Home Safety for Elderly: (FAQs) 

• How can I make my home safer for an elderly family member with mobility issues? 

Enhance home safety for elderly adults with mobility aid devices such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. You also need grab bars and rails to support them when they walk around the house. Older adults also need to minimize tasks that require walking. 

• Are there specialized safety products designed for elderly individuals? 

Devices such as medical alert systems, personal alarms, and ovens with alarm systems improve home safety for elderly adults. Seniors can use technological devices like pill dispensers, medication reminders, and telehealth systems. 

• What are some simple modifications to prevent falls at home? 

Install grab bars along walls near pathways in the bathroom and kitchen to improve home safety for elderly adults. You can also install a walk-in or standing shower that minimizes the fall risk when a loved one gets into a shower. 

• How can I improve accessibility in my home for a senior with disabilities? 

Start by reducing tasks that require seniors to climb up the stairs. Create wide kitchen and bathroom doors without a staircase, allowing wheelchairs to roll in easily. The shower and toilet seats should be compatible with a wheelchair to allow easy transfer into the bathroom for improved home safety for elderly adults.  

• Are there bathroom aids that can assist with senior bathing and showering? 

A shower seat is ideal for seniors who cannot stand for extended periods. Seniors can also use a bathtub transfer seat to get into the tub easily. Ensure there are non-slip mats in the bathroom. 

Final Verdict

Although several modifications enhance home safety for elderly adults, you may still need to bring in a caregiver. If the physical and mental condition of the seniors makes them more prone to accidents, they may need someone close to them. Aging in place and living independently becomes daunting with conditions such as dementia. Enlist the services of a caregiver when the modifications and devices you install are no longer effective.