Safer Homes for Seniors

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As a person grows older, they become more susceptible to injury. Not only do their bones become more brittle and their muscles become weaker, but they also tend to have trouble with balance and stability. As such, their homes demand much more than the typical residence. 

Wondering how to create a safe home for elderly individuals? Then read on. Here are the keys to safe living for older people. 

Install Walk in Showers and Tubs

When it comes to the risk of injury for elderly individuals, few areas are as concerning as the bathtub. Because bathtubs involve slippery water and because bathtubs must be stepped over in order to be entered, they tend to test the balance of those who are using them. Elderly individuals, who already struggle with balance, are more prone to failing this test, and thereby incurring injuries. 

This is why, instead of using standard showers and bathtubs, elderly individuals are advised to utilize walk-in showers and bathtubs. Walk-in tubs contain a door that latches and unlatches as necessary. This is important, as it prevents elderly users from having to lift their legs high as a means of entering the tub. 

As a result, users of the tub are able to maintain more balance from start to finish. This greatly reduces the risk of injury, thus helping to keep elderly individuals safe. 

These tubs are particularly important for elderly individuals living alone, as they don't have anyone to help them step up and over a traditional tub. In certain circumstances, human beings have actually been badly hurt from slipping in the tub; this is certainly not something that you want to risk. Install a walk-in tub and help keep yourself on your feet. 

Get Rid of Rugs

It's not just bathtubs that are a hazard to elderly people. Something as small as a rug can be a tripping hazard as well. Therefore, if you're trying to make a home safe for an elderly individual, we advise getting rid of all of the rugs in their home. 

See, elderly individuals have a harder time picking up their feet when walking. As such, it's not uncommon for them to get their feet stuck on rugs and other slightly raised entities. Only by removing these entities can you remove the hazard entirely. 

Put Up Grab Bars

Again, when creating a safe home for the elderly, stability is vital. Another way to improve stability for the elderly person in your life is to put up grab bars within their home. 

A grab bar is essentially just a metal bar mounted to a wall. It serves as something that a person can grab to help them get up from a seated position. 

The most common areas to install grab bars include next to toilets and above bathtubs. However, you could conceivably install them all over the home. For instance, they might also be useful next to recliners and dining room chairs as well. 

Widen the Walkways

The last thing an elderly person needs is to have to squeeze themselves through a tight space. This forces them to turn their feet and shoulders while walking, thus reducing their potentially already-poor balance. 

So, wherever possible, make sure to widen the walkways. Try to leave at least 4 feet of space between various items throughout the house. 

This is also a good time to reduce clutter. The less cluttered the individual's home is, the less their body will have to contend with, and the easier they'll be able to stay on their feet. 

Store Items Between Knee and Shoulder Level

When you have balance issues, the simple act of reaching down can be enough to throw you to the ground. So, too, can reaching up too high. 

So, to help keep your elderly loved ones on their feet, you're advised to store their items between knee and shoulder level. This way, everything they need will be easily accessible with only minimal body movement. 

Whether it's clothing, dishes, food, or otherwise, keep it between the knees and the shoulders. Shelves will enable you to do this best. 

Go Overboard on Lighting

It's not just the balance that goes as a person gets older; eyesight starts to go downhill as well. This can pose problems, as it can lead elderly individuals to trip over and bump into miscellaneous items scattered throughout their houses. 

The fix? Install more lighting and tons of it. Go overboard with lighting to the point that it seems extreme. 

Put lamps in at least 2 corners of each room; hang string lights from the perimeters of each room; install a floodlight on the porch and the patio; do whatever is necessary to ensure optimal illumination. 

That extra light could be the difference between a safe experience and an injury. So, while it might seem like overkill to you, it's likely beneficial to the elderly individual in your life. 

Set Up a Smart Speaker

Our last piece of advice is to set up a smart speaker, such as an Amazon Echo or a Google Home. How would this improve safety in an elderly person's home? By allowing them to make no-contact calls for help in the event that they fall or suffer some other debilitating injury.

See, these devices enable their users to make phone calls simply with the sound of their voice. So, if the user couldn't make it to a phone, and had to call, say, 911, they could from wherever they're stuck. 

Trying to Create a Safe Home for Elderly Individuals?

Are you looking to create a safe home for elderly individuals in your life? Interested in installing walk in tubs? If so, we here at Virginia Shower and Bath are the people to see. 

We've installed countless walk in tubs for elderly individuals throughout Virginia, covering towns and cities like Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, and more.