Creating a Senior-Friendly Home: Modifications Beyond the Basics

Seniors, especially ones who live alone, are at an increased risk of falls, injuries, illnesses, and other physical and mental health conditions. Being proactive about identifying health and safety hazards in their home can improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of injury. If you are your loved one’s primary caregiver, you can make specific upgrades, repairs, and modifications to their home that will support your loved one’s ability to safely and independently age in place in the comfort of their own home.

Here is a closer look at the importance of creating

a safe home for your senior loved one, and how to make home modifications for aging in place.

The Importance of Creating a Safe Home for Seniors

A safe living space is crucial to your senior loved one’s health, well-being, and independence. Eliminating safety risks in the home will reduce the risk of falls and accidents, make the home more comfortable, and help your loved one maintain their dignity and well-being.

The biggest health and safety risks for seniors who live alone are falls, burns, house fires, and break-ins. However, maintaining a safe living space can also improve your loved one’s mental health and reduce their risk of isolation, cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety. Some of the benefits of creating a senior-friendly home are:

Preventing accidents and injuries
Reducing the risk of electrical hazards, trip and fall hazards, and other safety issues
Maintaining your loved one’s independence and dignity
Ensuring your loved one can remain in the comfort and privacy of their own home for as long as possible
Maintaining your loved one’s sense of autonomy and control
Preserving your loved one’s quality of life and well-being
Promoting mental and emotional health
Reducing stress and anxiety
Encouraging engagement and social connection
Accommodating mobility issues and health conditions
Protecting your loved one from a break-in

Scheduling a Home Safety Evaluation

Scheduling a home safety evaluation can help you better understand the condition of your loved one’s home. During a home safety evaluation, a professional will inspect the interior and exterior of the home. They will identify problem areas that need to be addressed and make professional recommendations for repairs, modifications, renovations, and upgrades. They are highly trained to recognize both common and uncommon areas of concern, and can help you reduce the risk of a fall, injury, or accident in the home.

Making Home Modifications to Support Aging In Place

When your home safety evaluation is complete, the evaluator will give you a detailed report of their findings and recommendations. They will outline specific improvements and home modifications to support your loved one’s ability to safely age in place. They can even refer you to a reputable local handyman to make these changes. Some key home safety modifications for seniors are:

Improving Lighting – Dim lighting can increase the risk of a fall or cause other security issues. Consider installing motion-sensor lighting or room occupancy sensors in rooms like the bathroom, kitchen, hallways, and living room. These lights will turn on and off automatically. Install security lighting outside to enhance safety and reduce the risk of prowlers or a break-in. Using smart lighting systems in the bedroom and other areas will allow your loved one to control the lights using their voice, a smart home device, or a smartphone app so that they won’t have to keep bending or reaching to access light switches.

Flooring Repair or Replacement – Damaged flooring can be a major slip hazard or trip and fall hazard. Upgrading or repairing flooring can eliminate dangers and improve the comfort of your loved one’s home. If your loved one is at an increased risk of a fall, consider soft carpeting throughout the home to reduce the risk of injury. However, if they use assistive mobility devices, carpeting may not be feasible. In that case, install non-slip flooring.

Removing or Securing Rugs – Curled or damaged area rugs, mats, or runners can be a tripping hazard. Remove rugs or secure them properly and use non-slip mats in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms.

Installing Grab Bars – Grab bars provide added support for your loved one when they are getting in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, and in and out of the shower or tub.

Improving Shower Safety – A bathtub with a high edge or lip can increase the risk of a fall and injury. Consider converting the bathtub to a walk-in shower or walk-in tub and installing a shower seat and safety bars.

Installing Ramps or Handrails – If your loved one has trouble navigating steps or stairs or uses an assistive mobility device, they will need ramps installed. All ramps, stairs, and steps should have handrails installed to reduce the risk of a fall. You might also consider installing handrails in hallways.

Repairing Locks, Windows, and Doors – Damaged or outdated windows and doors can not only be a safety and security hazard, but they can also reduce the home’s energy efficiency and allow drafts into the home that make it uncomfortable and reduce the indoor air quality. Repairing locks, windows, and doors or upgrading doors and windows can make the home more comfortable and secure.

Decluttering the Home – Clutter can be a fire hazard, increase the risk of a fall, and attract pests. Work with your loved one to declutter their home and ensure there are clear pathways throughout each room. Make sure that there is more than one unobstructed exit point from the home, and that the exterior of the home and any outbuildings, sheds, or garages are uncluttered and free from fire and safety hazards.

Going Beyond the Basics to Make Your Home Safe for a Senior Loved One

Another huge benefit of a home safety evaluation is that you can implement innovative and modern improvements that go beyond the basics. You can customize upgrades and renovations to your loved one’s specific needs, lifestyle, and personal taste. You can also involve your family in the home modification process so that they can provide valuable feedback and assistance. Some of the ways that you can go beyond the basics to make your home safe for a senior loved one are:

Integrating Smart Home Technology – Smart home devices make your loved one’s home more accessible and comfortable and allow them to control their environment more easily. They can activate their television, blinds, lights, thermostat, appliances, and more using their voice, a smartphone app, or other device. This can eliminate their risk of accidents or falls by helping them avoid the need to reach or bend to use appliances and devices in their home.

Upgrading Home Appliances – Old, outdated, and poorly maintained home appliances can increase the risk of electrical fire, electrocution or shock, and carbon monoxide leaks. Upgrading to newer and more energy-efficient appliances can improve your loved one’s safety and comfort, and make it easier for them to handle household tasks.

Utilizing Fall Detection Devices or Wearable Health Trackers – Fall detection devices are wearable devices that can sense if your loved one falls. They can be set up to notify you and call first responders if they detect a fall.

Contact Placita In Home Care for a Home Safety Evaluation

At Placita In Home Care, we offer free home safety evaluations to protect the seniors in our community. We can help you identify health and safety risks in the home, and refer you to a local handyman service for home modifications and repairs for aging in place. We also offer professional in-home care services, and can provide assistance with the tasks of daily living, such as mobility assistance, toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.

Our goals are to support your loved one’s health, safety, and well-being and reduce their risk of falls or accidents. To schedule a home safety evaluation in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.