Whether you are someone with restricted mobility or looking after an older adult who lives independently at home you have landed at the right place to learn all about how you can make a home as safe and accessible as possible.

This article will explore some essential home safety measures that can help out seniors living at home and keep them safe from falls, burns, and other injuries. 

Why Are Home Safety Measures Important?

As time progresses, the number of older adults living at home is increasing, especially in Canada. Many seniors prefer to live in their own homes rather than senior nursing care facilities.

There are many reasons for this, the biggest one being “there is just no place like home!”.

We all are well aware that with age, our bodies slow down and undergo significant changes. For some seniors with limited mobility, burns, falls, and accidents are just some of the risks involved with conducting daily tasks. 

As such, it is vital to ensure a safe space where seniors can move freely and maintain their independence without any problems or threats to their health.

With careful strategic planning, a few modifications, and smart precautionary measures a home can be made safe for seniors of all ages and even those with limited mobility. 

Rearranging the furniture, removing the tripping hazards, or installing grab bars are all possible solutions. However, there are plenty of other things you can do to ensure a senior’s home is as safe as possible.

Home Safety Measures: Creating a Safe Haven for Our Loved Ones!

Your home is your sanctuary where you should always feel safe. 

For seniors living independently, many safety measures can be considered to ensure utmost safety and comfort. Let’s explore a few of these.

Installing Adequate Lighting

Good lighting within the house and on the exterior not only helps enhance the infrastructure of the house and fills it with warmth, but it also helps prevent serious accidents.

Good lighting is vital for seniors with restricted mobility, as poor vision can result in severe accidents. Adequate lighting can aid the seniors in comfortably going around the house and avoiding any sort of tripping hazards that they may not have seen if the room was not well-lit. 

Therefore, it is crucial to increase the lighting throughout the entire house. 

Last but not least, good lighting should be positioned in several crucial locations, including:

• Shower areas
• Over the kitchen sink
• Over the chopping area
• Bedroom
• The corridor leading toward the washroom or hallway
• Inside the closets/cabinets

Reducing The Chances Of Serious Injury From Falls 

Even though falls can happen to anyone, older people are more likely to sustain serious injuries. Therefore, one of the top-most priorities should be to eliminate all potential risks of falling hazards that may be present around the house. 

You can do this by carrying out a fall risk assessment and identifying the locations where falls are most likely to occur. 

To eliminate the risks, what you can do is:

• Use slip-resistant footwear.
• If a senior has a poor balance, they must keep their walker with themselves.
• Additionally, you can rearrange the furniture and take out any potential obstructions that may be nearby. If the senior uses a wheelchair, arrange the furniture in such a manner that allows larger space.
• Discard the ottomans and coffee tables. They can be a hindrance. 
• Discard the rugs as well or if they are a necessity, tape them to the ground or keep a non-slippery mat underneath to keep it in place. 
• Declutter the wires and cords to avoid tripping accidents.

Removal of Bathroom, Bedroom, and Kitchen Hazards

Regardless of any safety measures, there is still a presence of potential risks. However, certain steps can be taken to prevent them, like:

• Raised toilet seats with grab bars to hold onto can facilitate them in standing up and sitting.
• Install chairs in the shower areas to prevent falling.
• Spread rubber mats that are non-slippery and absorb water.
• Adjustable bed height in bedrooms to help seniors get in and out of bed.
• Bedside railings for safety.
• A side table with essential pills, a phone, and a flashlight. 
• Portable toilet seat for late-night nature’s call.
• Make sure the senior stays seated in the kitchen.
• Invest in a reacher to reach for items on the upper shelves of the kitchen or hallways. 
• Invest in a caregiver who can make sure the floors are dry at all times and can provide 24-hour support. 

Technological Solutions

Advancements in technology have allowed homeowners to include a ton of automation and convenience in homes to aid with safety and mobility concerns.

Smart Lights:

Smart Lights can be very beneficial for you and your beloved senior living independently. You can program these lights to switch on and off automatically at specific intervals. 

And you know what is even cooler? They can also be placed with motion sensors that immediately turn on the lights upon movement and ensure that there are no falling risks in the dark, making it easier for users to make impromptu trips to hallways or restrooms.

Voice-Activated Devices:

Alexa and other voice-activated devices go beyond just simple music players. From monitoring their health and communicating with their loved ones regarding their health information to operating lights - they can facilitate the seniors in many ways.

Emergency Alert Sensors: 

In many ways, emergency alert systems contribute to the safety of individuals and the home. Seniors can wear several devices that alert their caretakers to any incidents. Smart appliances, on the other hand, can aid in the prevention of fire as they automatically turn off if temperature overrides. 

Smart Phones and Cameras: 

Seniors may easily reach emergency numbers at their fingertips with a single touch. They can also use their phones to monitor home security cameras and keep an eye out for any threatening situation.

The Role of Caregivers in Ensuring Senior Safety

Caregivers play a vital role in ensuring the safety of seniors. They actively assist the seniors with their everyday activities, keep them involved, prevent them from falling to serious injuries and carefully monitor their health. Caregivers create a comfortable and warm environment for seniors in which they can age in peace.

Home Safety Made Easy With Northwood Intouch!

Caregivers have an important responsibility to ensure the safety and security of seniors living at home. 

By implementing the above safety measures, seniors with limited mobility can be provided with a safer and more supportive environment. At the same time, seniors can also maintain their independence and keep their bodies and minds engaged. 

If you have a senior loved one living independently and are concerned about their home’s safety or care, our range of Intouch Products can help with managing plenty of home safety concerns such as kitchen fires, fall detection, and medication management. 

Curious to learn more about us? Call us at +1 (902) 492-3346 or email us at intouch@nwood.ns.ca