If your elderly loved one would prefer to age in place rather than move into an assisted living home or retirement facility, it’s important that you make sure their home is safe.

As your loved one ages, they may have trouble getting around their home safely or taking care of necessary home maintenance tasks. Scheduling a home safety evaluation and making a home safety checklist can help you and your family maintain your loved one’s health and safety.

Seniors and Falls – Managing the Risk at Home

If your loved one lives alone or if you can’t be home with them all the time, you can take some steps to reduce their risk of a fall. Here are some tips for protecting your loved one from a fall, accident, or injury:

Schedule a home safety evaluation
Consult with your loved one’s physician
Work with a social worker or elder care specialist
Reduce the amount of time your loved one spends home alone
Make sure pets are well-trained and non-aggressive
Involve family members in your loved one’s care
Help your loved one maintain mobility and physical fitness
Ensure your loved one has safe, well-fitting shoes that have non-slip soles
Schedule regular physical and vision exams for your loved one
Discuss your loved one’s medications with their physician
Talk to your loved one about their sleep habits and make sure they’re getting enough sleep
Install a home safety alert system or fall alert system

Why Seniors Are at Greater Risk of a Fall

There are many reasons your loved one’s risk of a fall may increase as they age. The natural aging process can cause a decrease in muscle mass, poor balance, poor vision and depth perception, slower reaction times, mobility problems, health issues, and side effects from medications. The biggest issues that contribute to falls among seniors are:

A decline in muscle mass, strength, and balance
Reduced awareness of body position and coordination
Vision impairment due to cataracts, glaucoma, outdated prescriptions, and other issues
Hearing loss, which can affect reaction time and spatial awareness
Side effects from medication, which can affect balance, blood pressure, alertness, and cognitive abilities
Foot problems or injuries and poorly fitting shoes
Inability to keep up with housework, making the home cluttered and hard to navigate
Poorly controlled pets, which can become trip hazards
Dementia or cognitive impairment, which can lead to confusion
Chronic health conditions that affect balance and mobility

Signs Your Elderly Loved One’s Home May Not Be Safe

Regularly assess your loved one’s physical and mental health as well as their home environment. If their home is cluttered, poorly lit, poorly maintained or in disrepair, or has broken appliances or lighting or damaged flooring, your loved one may have a higher risk of a fall. Here are some of the signs your loved one’s home may not be safe:

They have trouble getting up from a seated position or moving around the home independently
There is low lighting, poor lighting, or broken light fixtures or they are unable to change light bulbs or use switches or knobs
They have unexplained injuries or have already suffered from one or more falls
They cannot keep up with housework and the house is messy, dark, dirty, or cluttered
Flooring, rugs, or railings are damaged or poorly maintained, increasing the risk of a trip or fall
There are no safety features installed like hand railings, grab bars, non-slip bath or shower mats, etc.
The home is old and in disrepair and your loved one can’t keep up with tasks like taking out the garbage, sweeping, vacuuming, replacing light bulbs, breaking down boxes, putting things away, etc.

Scheduling a Home Safety Evaluation

Scheduling a home safety evaluation can help you gain a deeper understanding of your loved one’s safety. During a home safety evaluation, a specialist will carefully examine the interior and exterior of your loved one’s home.

They will look for any signs of disrepair, obstacles, or other issues that could increase your loved one’s risk of a trip, fall, or injury. They will also point out health and safety hazards like broken windows or locks, non-working appliances, water leaks, and more.

When the evaluation is complete, they will provide you with an office report of their findings and recommendations. They can also refer you to a local handyman or repair person to make necessary repairs and modifications so that your loved one’s home is safer.

Creating a Home Safety Checklist

Even after undergoing a home safety evaluation, you should still also create a home safety checklist for your elderly loved one. This will help you, your loved one, and your family stay on top of your loved one’s daily safety and keep up with home maintenance, repairs, and chores that need to be done regularly. The most important items to include on the checklist are:

Home Repairs

Are there any signs of repairs that need to be made in the home?
Do any light bulbs need to be changed or lighting fixtures repaired?
Are there signs of damaged flooring or unsafe stairways or railings?
Is there clutter that could cause your loved one to trip and fall?
Is there garbage, trash, or other debris piling up?

Flooring

Are there any trip and fall hazards inside or outside the home?
Have you placed non-slip mats on the shower or tub floor, outside the shower or tub, in front of sinks, and in other high-risk areas?
Are all walking areas free from cords and other hazards?
Does any flooring or carpeting need to be repaired or replaced?
Are stairs or steps well lit and do they have handrails installed?
Are outdoor walkways, driveways, and paths well lit, well-maintained, and free from trip and fall hazards?

Bathrooms

Are there grab bars installed next to the toilet and in the tub/shower?
Is there a shower seat in the tub or shower?
Does your loved one face any obstacles to getting in and out of the shower or tub safely?
Are there motion-sensor lights or night lights installed?

Kitchen

Are daily use items on lower shelves or within easy reach for your loved one?
Are shelves, drawers, and cabinets labeled and are items easy to find?
Are all appliances in safe working order?
Is the food in the cabinets and refrigerator properly stored?
Are there any signs of pests like cockroaches or ants?
Are there smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide alarms installed?

Schedule a Home Safety Evaluation in Southern Arizona

At Placita In Home Care, we offer free home safety evaluations in the Tucson and Phoenix metro areas. We will arrange for an experienced senior care specialist to evaluate the interior and exterior of your loved one’s home to identify safety hazards and offer recommendations for improvements.

Scheduling a home safety evaluation can reduce your loved one’s risk of a fall or accident, and make it safer for them to live at home alone. In addition to safety evaluations, we also offer in-home caregiving services.

To schedule a home safety evaluation in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.