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Top 10 Home Safety Tips Every Senior And Caregiver Should Know
Prevent Falls in Your Home
Are you planning to remain in your own home as you grow older? Are you finding it more difficult to man-age some daily tasks in your home? Do you or your family and friends have safety concerns about you living alone?
As abilities diminish as part of the normal aging process, assistance or changes might be needed to maintain your in-dependence and age safely at home. An occupational therapist will work with you to ensure that recommendations to increase independence and safety are specific to your wants and needs, skills, environment, budget, and other criteria. The following tips come from occupational therapy practitioners who work with older adults to help them stay in their homes.
Think honestly about those things your are having trouble with, and ask for assistance when possible. You may be able to do a "swap" with neighbors (e.g., offer to sign for packages if they work during the day in exchange for help changing light bulbs in hard-to-reach places). Hire professionals for regular cleaning and lawn care, arrange for Meals on Wheels, etc.
Provide an evaluation in your home to assess your skills, abilities, and safety, and make recommendations that meet your needs and reassure your family members.
If you're concerned about your driving skills, consider asking a friend or neighbor to provide a ride whenever possible; offering gas money or a service in return can make this easier. If you haven't taken public transportation in the past, you may be surprised at the number of options available. Many communities offer a free bus or van to shopping centers or even medical appointments. If you are still driving, attend a CarFit event in your community to be sure your vehicle's adjustments are best for you (www.car-fit.org). Avoid driving during rush hour, at night, on busy roads, or in inclement weather.
Consider all the options to help you get around in the community. These may include conducting a driving evaluation with the goal of addressing problem areas so you can drive safely, providing non-driving options for you to get around the community, helping you become comfortable with the public transportation system, etc.
Remove unnecessary throw rugs to reduce the risk of falling; decrease clutter; repair furniture that isn't sturdy; reduce electrical cords, keep them away from walking paths, and be sure all outlets are grounded; and purchase "universal design" products to improve their ease of use.
Share your schedule with friends and neighbors, and/or set up a regular social event so others will be alerted if something has happened to you.
Provide an evaluation in your home to assess your skills, abilities, and safety, and make recommendations that meet your needs and reassure your family members.
Explore community-based groups, such as Rebuilding Together, whose volunteers help repair and modify homes for those who can't afford to do so.
Suggest low-cost equipment and other changes, such as increasing wattage for better lighting, using a reacher to avoid bending over or standing on a stool, using the microwave and not the stove to reduce fire hazards, etc. An occupational therapist will also provide training on adaptive equipment to be sure the recommendations are right for you and will be used.