When advanced age makes it difficult to perform routine tasks, home modifications and extra precautions are in order. So how can you help make everyday life less risky for your elder? Read on to find out.
When there is an infant in your home, the need for baby-proofing is obvious. Babies have never experienced life on their own -- they don’t know yet that outlets can hurt them, or that a tumble down a flight of stairs causes pain – and it’s up to us to protect them. So, like dutiful caregivers, we take the utmost precautions with an arsenal of baby gates, outlet covers and safety latches. Slightly less obvious, however, is the need for “elder-proofing.” Maybe we don’t often consider this because, after all, our elders are adults with much life experience and years of caring for not only themselves, but for us! We may take care of the most apparent problems, with phones bearing easy-to-read buttons and alarm clocks with big numbers, but the challenges of independent life for seniors reach far beyond the loss of sight. When we are thrust into the role of primary caregiver to an older person, there are many considerations we must make to ensure that person’s physical safety and wellbeing.
Start from the ground
Obviously, falling down is one major threat, so a great place to start elder-proofing is the floor. Age makes a person much more susceptible to broken bones or other serious injuries, even from a soft fall. To reduce the likelihood of accidents, go through the home and search for potential danger zones. Are there wrinkles in the carpets? Thick, deep-pile or shag carpets can easily catch on shuffling feet, canes, or walkers and are more difficult to maneuver a wheelchair across, so if necessary, replace the carpet with something that’s still padded enough for comfort, but not as bulky. Any area rugs should be either completely removed or secured with sticky rubber strips. Even floors without rugs or carpeting can pose a risk. Certain cleaners and waxes can make hardwood or vinyl floors rather slippery, so spot-test these products on a small, out-of-the-way area before using them on an entire floor. And one last thing to keep in mind – the shoes that a person wears can be just as faulty in tripping them up, no matter how safe the floor is!