If you have a loved one who’s getting older, it might be time to think about how their care needs to change as their age increases. One of the changes you should consider is how their living situation might need to be adjusted in order for them to be safe in the environment where they live. It is important to keep in mind that this can help them initially, but as time goes on, they may find that living at home gets harder which might require them to move to Ashland Farm at North Andover, or somewhere similar, so they can get the targeted support they need. But for now, alterations to the home is essential. 

To help you in making these all-important changes, here are three tips for making a home safe for the elderly. 

Make The Home Fall-Proof

Falls are one of the biggest dangers for the elderly. With limited mobility, declining balance, and unclear vision, it’s very easy for seniors to slip, trip, or fall on things that might not be an issue for younger people. You can achieve peace of mind by providing your loved one with a medical alert system. These devices can be worn around the neck to provide a life alert canada (and elsewhere) so the wearer can contact a trained professional if they find themselves in an emergency. As falls are one of the biggest dangers for the elderly, it can be reassuring to know that your loved one can retain a level of independence as they can contact help wherever they are if they are wearing an alert system.

To make sure your loved one is safe from falls in their living space, Dana Larsen, a contributor to APlaceForMom.com, recommends doing things like making sure walking paths are clear, rugs are rolled up, floors are never left wet, handrails are installed at dangerous locations, and more. By doing these things, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring that the home is as fall-proof as possible. 

Widen Your Doors

As your loved one’s mobility requires them to use things like a walker, cane, or wheelchair, you might soon find that the doors of their home aren’t as wide enough for them to comfortably maneuver their way from room to room.

To combat this, Sharon Jayson, a contributor to AARP, advises that you do what you can to widen the doors of your home if they’re too small. This will be especially important if the home is older, as those doorways might be even smaller than in more modern homes.

While the cost for doing this can be a few thousand dollars, this is something that could be well worth it if your loved one is intent on aging in place and the home they’re living in just can’t currently accommodate these mobility needs. 

Think About Lighting Needs

To make moving around the house safe as well as allowing your loved one the freedom to get things on their own, the lighting in the home needs to be adequate for their aging eyes.

According to Kristen Hicks, a contributor to SeniorAdvisor.com, new or additional lighting should be added to places like stairs and kitchen cabinets. Additionally, if light switches are hard to get to, you might want to either install some sort of clapper system for turning lights on and off or use software that allows your loved one to control the lights from their smartphone or tablet. 

In conjunction with the above tips, you can use air purifiers to reduce the occurrence of allergens that often cause serious infections. These devices often work to filter the contaminants from the air, thereby improving the air quality. Additionally, taking adequate pest control measures can reduce the risk of infestations and minimise the likelihood of damage to human health and environment. Further, keeping gutters clean by taking the help of professional services like South Atlantic Gutters can decrease the chances of water pooling. This can prevent harmful mould from growing and save from various respiratory disorders.

If your elderly loved one is living in a home where their physical needs aren’t currently being met, consider using the tips mentioned above to make alterations so that their home will be safe for them as they continue to age. By investing your time and resources in the above modifications, you can enhance their quality of living and dignity.