Every year in the United States, 3 million seniors citizens visit the emergency room for fall-related injuries. One in five falls results in a broken bone or head injury. Such accidents can seriously affect an elderly person’s quality of life. To protect your loved one, here are useful tips to make your home safe for seniors.
Minimize Clutter to Make Your Home Safe for Seniors
Loose wires, stacks of magazines, and bulky furniture present hazards to seniors and younger people alike. You may trip over items on the floor or struggle to navigate a cluttered room. To make your home safer, get rid of unnecessary items and clear pathways. Decluttering isn’t only good for older family members. A clutter-free home helps reduce stress and it’s easier to clean. You can find compact furniture for your home at stores like Ideal Furniture Galleries.
Put Items Within Reach
You may be able to safely use a step stool to reach a high shelf or squat down to access a low cupboard, but such tasks are more difficult for an older person. A senior can easily hyperextend or twist a muscle and fall. To make your home safer, make items easily accessible for elderly family members.
Make Your Home Safe for Seniors by Installing Bright Lighting
As people age, they often experience a gradual decline in vision. If rooms in the home are not well-lit, older family members may struggle to find a clear pathway. Bright bulbs and an abundance of lamps will better illuminate the house to make it easier for seniors to see and function throughout the home.
Install Proper Railings
Handrails decrease the likelihood of a fall. Seniors may stumble on the stairs, when stepping in and out of the shower, and when getting out of bed. Durable rails should be installed in these places to make sure your loved one can go about their daily routine without the risk of falling. You may check out sites like https://heritagewoodsseniorliving.com/ and see how senior living communities do this.
Choose the Rugs
It’s better choose good rugs like these cheap vintage rugs that have several different designs and shapes as long as the colors work perfectly together. Additionally, most vintage carpets are handwoven, making them more detailed and of high quality. With that, they should last for a lifetime. Dan Dan The Carpet Man knows just how to clean your carpet without damaging it.
Rugs can slip on hardwood floors and cause a fall. Anybody could get their foot caught and trip on the edge. Younger people may be able to catch themselves before a serious fall, but an older family member won’t have such quick reflexes. Use non-slip rug grips under rugs or remove them from your home entirely.
Non-Slip Floors and Stairs Help Make a Home Safe for Seniors
Floors and stairs can be slippery on their own, especially if they’re hardwood or laminate. To lessen the hazard, wax floors with non-slip polish. Install stair treads on all indoor and outdoor stairs. If replacing the flooring in the budget, shop for safer flooring materials. The use of acoustic flooring is also very important in a lot of buildings (as residents need that level of acoustic insulation) and we found a supplier of amazing acoustic flooring recently so check those out if you need that.
Cork is durable, insulating, and a great option in a home with elderly family members. You can use this link to get an idea. And if you have a dairy brick flooring, remember that having a dairy brick repair every now and then with the help of a dairy brick repair contractor will help ensure your floors last for years.
Lastly, you need to have a solid estate planning. Make sure to check this reference if you have questions regarding estate planning.