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!
Clear a path and de-clutter
Tables, benches, and other pieces of furniture may have sharp edges that could be extremely unsafe if fallen on; move these out of high-traffic areas if possible. Make sure that all electrical cords, phone cords, and curtain pulls are not where they could be snagged, tripped on, or tangled in. Perhaps the most simple and obvious, but equally important, solution: clear all areas of unnecessary clutter.
Light the way
Checking your lighting options could help prevent a fall as well. Bright lighting and flat, illuminated switches that are placed at the entrance to a room make it unnecessary for an elder to stumble through the darkness. Lighting along stairways is absolutely crucial (if there are stairs in the home, make sure that they are equipped with a sturdy banister or hand rail – or better yet, find an alternate route or switch around furniture to minimize the use of stairs altogether). Make sure that each step is clearly defined, but see that the light doesn’t cast deceiving shadows or create a glare. Indirect lighting is best for stairways.
Give the bathroom a makeover
Bathrooms are a hazardous area, but can easily be made “elder-friendly” with a few minor adjustments. Installing hand rails and grab bars is a must in order to prevent slipping and to give the elder support while getting up and down. They are a lifesaver in the shower and by the toilet, and in other areas where an elder may need a helping hand. Step-in showers are safer than tubs for bathing, but if a bathtub is your only option, make sure the hand rails are within easy reach.
Once the elder is safely in the shower or bath, seats with nonskid grips on all four legs (or even seats built right into the edge of the tub) can make the task easier and reduce the risk of a fall. Traction on the bottom of the tub can be improved with rubber mats or grips, but be sure that those aren’t tripping hazards themselves. If using a rubber mat, be sure that it fits securely, reaching all the way to the edges of the tub. To avoid having to reach up or lean over, elders can benefit from suction-cup baskets placed low on shower walls and equipped with all the necessary soap, shampoo, and toiletry items.
Another option is an automatic dispenser that will pump out shampoo and liquid soap with the simple touch of a button, eliminating the need to fumble with hard-to-open caps. Upon getting out of the shower or tub, a nonskid bath mat should be provided, and towels and a robe or clothing should be within easy reach. Seniors can be vulnerable to colds and pneumonia, so a timed heat lamp with an automatic shutoff, installed in the ceiling above the shower or bath, is helpful in warding off the chill. A single-handled faucet in both shower and sink can reduce the risk of scalding. Replace knobs and faucets with lever handles to make operation by arthritic hands easier (this holds true with all household knobs and faucets, not just the bathroom!)
Consider the kitchen
The kitchen is a frequently used area, whether or not your elder still prepares meals, and there are several safety issues to be addressed here. Fire hazards are one of the biggest concerns. Appliances with built-in automatic shutoff features are a blessing to those who worry that their elder will forget to turn off the stove, iron, coffee pot, or other electrical appliances. Remove all flammable materials from areas close to heat sources. Have a fire extinguisher installed in an easy-to-reach area and make sure that everyone in the home is aware of how to operate it. Step-by-step instructions, written in large print on bright paper, laminated, and mounted next to the extinguisher, may be a good idea. Go over what to do in case of fire on a regular basis with your elder, making sure that he or she knows which escape route is quickest and most accessible, and ensure that all fire escape routes are clear of obstructions. If your elder tends to be forgetful, rehash the plan with them on a daily basis if necessary.
Solutions to other concerns in the kitchen are simple. Purchase unbreakable dishes and cups, and put them within easy reach. Make use of labels for everything: cabinets, drawers, spices, making sure that they are big, bright, and easy to read. If such things such as pesticides and cleaners have traditionally been stored somewhere in the kitchen, see that they are not only clearly labeled, but well separated from food items. Or simply remove them from the home completely and see that someone else is in charge of all cleaning and gardening tasks!
Not all of these modifications may be necessary at once, but as the old adage goes, “better safe than sorry.” Judge according to your elder’s abilities and make modifications as needed. Please don’t forget to thoroughly discuss and get approval for any changes to the home; this is his or her home, after all, and probably has remained more or less unchanged for years until this point. Make sure that he or she is shown how to work the new appliances, switches, and other alterations and don’t leave the house until you’re sure that your elder can safely and effectively operate everything. Some of these alterations can be costly, but assistance to cover the costs of home modification is available to low- and middle-income seniors through local, state, and federal programs. Check the guidelines in your area to see what your family qualifies for.
External Links:
Eldercare Team - Features a helpful checklist for elder-proofing