As they get older, adults need to be aware that the homes they may have lived in comfortably and safely for many years may need some adjustments to remain safe.
The everyday clutter and objects people are used to stepping over or avoiding can become tripping hazards and lead to falls for seniors and to serious injuries and health problems.
There are many things people — whether the seniors themselves, or their adult children and/or care-givers — can do to prevent such accidents and falls and make homes safer for older adults.
The Colorado State University Extension Office offers a fact sheet about this issue, and businesses that deal in senior care, like Home Instead Senior Care of Northern Colorado, offer resources, as well.
“The 65-plus population will be radically transformed as the baby-boom generation ages,” the CSU Extension Fact Sheet stated. “No segment of the population will change as much as mature Americans. There are currently 40 million people (13 percent of Americans) aged 65 or older. By 2050 this will increase to 88 million. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the housing needs of the elderly.”
Accidents in the home can cause many injuries and even death for seniors, according to CSU Extension.
“The elderly are especially vulnerable to serious injuries from home accidents,” the fact sheet stated. “Older bones are often less dense, more brittle and break more easily. A simple fall can become a serious, disabling injury that limits independence.”
Home Instead recently did a survey of 100 emergency room doctors and found that nearly a third of the injuries in the homes that sent their senior patients to the ER could have been prevented, according to a press release.
Tripping hazards at homes can include throw rugs, loose railings, strewn out electric cords and pulled up metal strips in doorways between flooring types.
When falls lead to injuries, this can affect the senior’s ability to continue to live independently.
Preparation and simple changes are key in preventing such accidents and injuries, according to both CSU Extension and Home Instead Senior Care.
“The home should be the safest and most comfortable place for aging seniors,” stated Mike Maguire, of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Northern Colorado. “It is critical for families and seniors to invest the time in identifying the necessary home safety modifications to ensure it stays that way.”
To that end, Home Instead is offering free home safety checks for seniors in June as time is available, according to the press release.
“Senior home safety experts recommend that adult children of seniors take at least one day each year to perform a thorough safety check of their parents’ home,” the Home Instead press release stated.
Some of the things that can make homes more safe for seniors include:
• Installing strong dead bolt locks on entrances from outdoors;
• Posting emergency numbers and home address by each telephone and adding that information to cell phones;
• Setting water heater thermostats to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental scalding;
• Keeping a lamp or flashlight within reach of the bed;
• Making sure door handles are easy to operate;
• Placing electrical cords out of the traffic flow and not underneath rugs and furniture.
• Checking to be sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and in working order.
• Assistive listening devices are used for small room amplification, personal listening and TV listening.
Bathrooms frequently have readily fixable issues that could lead to accidents and falls.
While there are more expensive things that can be done to modify bathrooms for seniors’ changing needs, such as installing walk-in bathtubs, simpler fixes may suffice, like adding grab bars on the wall and more easily accessible storage solutions.
Other ideas: add nonskid mats or strips to showers; ensure towel bars and in-shower soap dishes are firmly installed; ensure bathroom flooring is not easy to slip on.
Some of the things that can help prevent accidents and problems in kitchens include: ensuring stepladders are sturdy; getting extension grabbing tools for reaching items on shelves; and unplugging small appliances when not in use.
In the stairways and halls, making sure railings are secure, rugs are not loose and clutter is minimized are important. Removing or replacing raised door thresholds also helps.
In the living room, make sure electric cords are placed along walls; chairs and couches are sturdy and secure and able to be used for sitting or getting up; and there is adequate lighting.
Outdoor areas also can have many hazards for older adults.
Things to check include: whether steps and walkways are in good condition and have secure handrails; there is adequate lighting in doorways, steps and porches; and gates, fences and railing prevent are in place to prevent falls off ledges, balconies and porches.
“An annual safety check can help seniors avoid dangers that could threaten their independence,” Maguire stated. “When we go into homes, we see a lot of red flags that are easily overlooked by those who are familiar with the home. Most of the time, these are relatively easy and affordable fixes — and they could be the difference between a trip to the emergency room and staying safe at home.”
Home Instead safety checks for seniors are part of the company’s “Making Home Safer for Seniors” program. To request a free home safety check in June or the home safety checklist, call the area Home Instead Senior Care office at 970-494-0289.