Safety Proofing for Home Caregiving

Many seniors live in homes that have not been equipped for elderly care. This makes injuries more likely, which is unfortunate because it takes people longer to recover as they age. However, there are many safety tips that can help prevent a serious injury.

There are some precautions that apply to most rooms in the home. * Tack or tape any rugs and all loose carpets to the ground. This will prevent people from tripping on up-turned corners or scrunched rugs. * Cover sharp corners on tables and countertops. This can prevent deep cuts in the event of a fall. * Install railings on both sides of all staircases. Ideally, the railing should extend beyond the top and bottom steps. Have a carpenter ensure that the railing can hold a person's entire body weight. * Secure electric cords to the wall so no one trips on them. If a senior has Alzheimer's, place childproof plugs in electric sockets.

Bathrooms can be dangerous if they aren't adequately prepared. * Installing an elevated toilet seat will allow elderly individuals to get up and down easily, as will adding a railing on both sides of the toilet. * The shower should have a bar to grab in case someone starts to slip. * Placing a shower seat in the tub increases safety. * The hot water faucet should be labeled or painted red to avoid scalding. * Slick floors can be made safer by adding a no-slip mat by the sink and shower. * If the shower door is made of glass, it should be marked with colorful tape or decals so no one accidentally tries to step through the door.

The kitchen also needs to safety proofed. * Any appliances that do not work properly need to be replaced. Using them increases the risk of injury. If money is an issue, hiring a repairman may be cheaper. * Place all appliances at waist level so seniors do not have to struggle to reach things that are either too high or too low. * Adequate lighting is especially important in the kitchen, where sharp tools are used on a frequent basis. Replace any burned out light bulbs and consider adding an additional desk lamp by the cutting board. * Make sure the smoke detector is in good working order and has fresh batteries.

Safety proofing a home may seem like a daunting task, but it is necessary, and most of the jobs that need to be done are relatively simple. Enlisting the help of a friend is a good idea, as the job will go faster and you'll be less likely to miss anything. With the proper precautions, you can rest assured that your older friend or family member is living in the safest home possible.

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