Some seniors would rather stay in the comfort of their own home instead of relocating to an assisted living facility. You can respect their wishes and still ensure home safety for elderly loved ones.
Make Your Elderly Loved One Feel Safe and Secure at Home
Cultivating home safety for elderly loved ones means the environment is designed for comfort and protection. Older adults who’d like to maintain their independence for as long as possible deserve to feel at ease within their own homes. If they live with you, you can keep a watchful eye and ear out for them when you’re home together. However, elderly loved ones who live alone are at a greater risk of injuries with long-term effects, so their living quarters must be tailored to their needs and abilities.
From the hallways to the bathrooms, everywhere should be easily accessible, slip-and-fall resistant, and well-lit. Think about their surroundings; eliminate any obstacles and keep all their belongings within arm’s reach.
Regardless of why your family member wants to age in place, creating home safety for elderly loved ones shows them you care. Take proactive steps to ensure everyone’s contentment and peace of mind.
What Should You Be Mindful of Around the Home for Elderly Who Lives Alone?
To create a safe home for seniors, you should analyze every aspect of the building. In 2021, 14.7 million older adults in the U.S. lived alone, and 90% of them expressed a desire to maintain their independence. But with older age comes slower reflexes, weakened muscles, and reduced bone density after years of natural wear and tear on our bodies. Therefore, it’s wise to promote home safety for elderly loved ones.
Even if you receive pushback from them and they think your precautions are overprotective, standing firm on your safety measures is for their own good. You may not have a checklist for elderly living alone, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. Although the home may seem harmless as it is, you should take the initiative to inspect the entire house and pinpoint areas of improvement.
Prevent Falls
Kids can run around, fall, and jump back up to continue playing. This isn’t the case for seniors—falling can cause injury or disability in severe instances. It’s wise to remove all slip-and-fall hazards to prevent them from falling and getting hurt.
Does the home have safe stairs for seniors? Are there any throw rugs that can cause tripping and falling? Make moving around their house much safer and more convenient by ensuring rugs are taped down to the floor and applying anti-slip carpet stair covers, if possible.
Keep the Environment Clean, Comfortable, and Clutter-Free
If elderly loved ones live alone, they may not be able to clean as often or as thoroughly as they used to. Meanwhile, germs, grime, and dust mites accumulate around the house, which can increase the risk of sickness. Our immune systems become weaker as we age, so it’s crucial to maintain healthy, clean surroundings.
If you don’t have the time or resources to do so yourself, consider hiring a residential cleaning company to make routine visits. Have professionals clean, disinfect, and sanitize the entire home. This is the perfect time to become more organized, as well. Remove any objects blocking the walkway. Eliminating these hazards ensures that no one can trip or hurt themselves trying to make their way around clutter. Clear out a designated area for relaxing or watching TV to create comfortable living room safety for seniors.
Give Them User-Friendly Technology
Many phones, tablets, medical tools, and smart devices make communication and other tasks easier for seniors. Some modern devices have small buttons, hard-to-read screens, and confusing prompts or pop-ups. Research some of the latest senior-friendly technology that boosts their independence and keeps them in touch.
Prioritize Adequate Lighting
Home safety for elderly loved ones includes proper lighting. Make sure light switches are functional and easy to reach in every room. Hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms require adequate lighting especially. Another good idea is to make sure window shades are slightly open to let in natural light during the day. As the sunshine spills in, it not only illuminates the house but also boosts their mood.
Invest In Senior-Friendly Furniture and Home Improvements
Update furniture around the home to promote home safety for elderly loved ones. Get rid of any broken furniture or chairs with wheels, and replace them with something strong, steady, and reliable.
Additionally, minor accessibility upgrades make a big difference, such as stair railings, in-shower seating, and walk-in bathtubs that open up on the side for easier access. Depending on your budget, building capabilities, and your loved one’s mobility, you may also want to consider motorized furniture to get up and down the stairs and in and out of the house.
Consider Hiring In-Home Help If They Qualify for Veterans Aid and Attendance
Home safety for elderly Veterans can be a lot easier with the help of professional caregivers. If your senior family member served in the U.S. military, they might be eligible for a monthly benefit called Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A). Suppose they retired or received an honorable discharge. In that case, they may be eligible for government payments to put toward anything they need, including but not limited to medical bills, groceries, and in-home caregiving.
Once Veteran seniors file their case with The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), their caseworker will confirm whether they qualify for the A&A benefit. If so, Veterans are assigned to a caregiver who arrives at their home daily and helps with everything from house chores to running errands. Caregivers provide the best of both worlds, providing home safety for your elderly loved ones while helping them remain independent.
AVCC Gives Senior Veterans a Sense of Security
American Veterans Care Connection provides top-level care and guidance for aging retired servicemembers and their families. Dealing with the VA alone can be frustrating and take months with little to no communication. AVCC prides itself on taking you through the process step by step and following through to get the answers you need. We help with filling out paperwork, screening, uncovering your benefits, and pairing you with a high-quality caregiver.
Don’t wait any longer. We’re happy to help in every way we can. Take a few minutes to fill out the form online, and give us a call if you have any questions.
