If you have an elderly friend or family member who is living at home, there are ways you can help make the house safer. Make a home safe for senior citizens by eliminating tripping hazards, adding lights, installing grab bars, and making essential items accessible.
Eliminate Tripping Hazards to Make a Home Safe for Senior Citizens
Clear the hallways in the house so that there is no risk for stumbling over objects that are in the way. Fasten rugs down to the floor so they are not curling up at the edges, causing a tripping hazard. Look at electrical cords running across the floor and tape them down or route them away from any pathway. By eliminating tripping hazards, you help make a home safe for seniors and prevent falls.
Provide Plenty of Lighting
Additional lighting is helpful for elderly people whose eyesight has declined. It is important that any lamps you add to the space are easy to turn on. Mount lights inside closets that can be pushed on to illuminate a dark space. Add extra lighting to the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and bedroom. Installing motion-sensor exterior lighting will bolster home security.
Grab Bars in Various Areas
Grab bars are essential to make a home safe for senior citizens. There is a good reason why they are required by law in commercial bathrooms. They serve as a safety net for anyone who occasionally loses balance, which is common for the elderly. Install grab bars near the toilet, bathtub and shower, bed, desk, and frequently used seating areas.
A Home Safe for Senior Citizens has Essential Items in Accessible Places
It isn’t practical or safe to keep frequently used items on a high shelf or in a floor-level cabinet. Rearrange essential household items so that they are easily accessible. Seniors shouldn’t have to climb on top of something or bend down low to reach an item they need, especially if it is a safety essential.
Gulf Sand Home Inspection provides inspection services to houses in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. Contact us to request an inspection.