Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Did you know that at least 90% of homeowners who are approaching retirement prefer to stay in their homes as they grow older? With this growing number of seniors living independently, it has become increasingly crucial for families to know the best home safety tips for the elderly. By knowing these best practices, it’ll ensure their loved one’s security and safety in their homes.

If you want to keep your elders safe, there are a number of things you can do. From preventing injuries to reducing fall risks, you can ensure their independence without having to worry. So, if you’re a senior living on your own or you’re someone who cares for seniors living alone, these are things you can do to help them stay safe.

How Can We Keep the Elderly Safe at Home?

There are several senior safety protocols you should be aware of. But to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the most important tips:

• Make Sure to Remove Fall Hazards
  Injuries that seniors experience are most commonly caused by falls. If you want to reduce fall risks and encourage seniors’ safety, you should remove any fall hazards. You have throw rugs, for instance. These are decorative, but most lack a rubberized backing. Thus, it could result in a senior slipping because of the rug’s lack of better grip on the floor. Aside from that, you should clean up any clutter such as newspapers and littered clothes. Your loved ones should also wear non-slip footwear. Next, you should consider any stairs around the home. You can look into stairlifts if necessary, but at minimum make sure all stair railings are secure. Lastly, create a more open environment with doorways that are at least 32″ across. This provides better maneuverability, especially for walkers & wheelchairs.

• Have Emergency Numbers on Hand
  Always make sure that your loved ones can contact you or the authorities if needed. That’s why one of the best safety tips for the elderly you should follow is to keep emergency numbers on-hand. It would be best if you also made sure that the cell phones or telephones they are using are easy to operate. Try out more basic models and see which works best for them. This is because excessive options can be very confusing for seniors. In addition to that, seniors won’t easily remember emergency information. So, make it easy for your loved ones to call for help. For example, you can post a note in large font on the back of their phones. These should include 911, emergency contacts, their professional caregiving service, and their healthcare providers. 

• Protect Them Against Fire Hazards
  Another safety tip for the elderly at home is removing all fire hazards. You can start making a habit to regularly replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You should also check the electric cords of all appliances and lamps. Make sure to change frayed or damaged cords. Another must is to remove candles from the home because it can start a fire if left unattended – you can swap out real candles with electric candle decor. Also, give seniors tips and a safety plan for what to do when exiting a home during a fire. One tip is to stay low when exiting because it reduces the chance of smoke inhalation. Another thing is the “stop, drop, and roll” tactic if their clothes were to catch on fire.

• Ensure Bathroom Safety
  Bathrooms can be one of the riskiest places in an elderly’s home. Usually, falls and scalding happen there. That’s why you need to make it a safe place for them. You can install grab bars beside the toilet and in the shower. Also, you should set the thermostat no higher than 120° F on the water heater. This can prevent accidental burns. Another precaution is to place rubber mats in the bathtub or place a special bathing chair in the tub. Lastly, you can install highlights and remove mirrors. For the latter, there are those seniors who show early signs of dementia. If they see an unfamiliar face looking back at them, it might cause them distress. 

• Check the Bedroom and Lighting
  Home safety for the elderly requires you to check the bedroom and lighting. For the bedroom, there are many potential risks. For instance, you don’t want to trap a resting senior, so you should replace sagging mattresses with firmer ones. Besides that, you should also place a telescoping grab bar extending from the floor and ceiling. This will make it easier for the seniors to maneuver around. And instead of a bedroom doorknob, a single-lever is more convenient. They’ll just have to push the lever down to open the door. For the lighting, don’t forget to install new light fixtures and regularly check in to replace burnt-out bulbs. 

• Revisit the Kitchen
  Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, you need to check out the place if it’s safe for your loved ones. For storing items or goods, place them in reachable heights. Or, you can provide a step tool to make it easier for the senior. In addition to that, you should also have rubberized water faucet covers for the sink. This is so that it’s easier to grip and turn. But, if you want to make it more convenient, you can replace the faucet handles with single-lever handles. Also, you can check out the refrigerator. Make sure that it’s clean and remove any stored foods that are past their expiration date.

• Install A Security System
  Unfortunately, seniors are the ones most at risk when it comes to home burglaries. That’s why you need to have safety measures in place so that their homes remain protected. You can make use of a home security camera system so that you won’t have to worry about trespassers. With Deep Sentinel’s state-of-the-art system, you’ll have 24/7 live-monitored security cameras that’ll help you check in on your loved one’s home from time to time. Our systems can also alert you or the authorities in case a break-in or any other suspicious activity. Aside from that, you can also self-monitor your elder’s home.

   

  If you are looking for the best home surveillance on the market, you should check out Deep Sentinel security system company. We can guarantee the safety of your loved ones. With our 24/7 surveillance and real human guards, you can rest assured that your loved ones will be in safe hands. We provide an immediate response in case of emergency situations. We’ll always have your back, and we’ll ensure your elder’s protection.