Talk to just about anyone and they’ll tell you they want to stay in their own homes as they age, which is why it’s surprising how few people take steps to ensure their homes are safe and suitable for aging. Oftentimes, people aren’t willing to make even small changes to their homes to make them friendly for aging—and then they end up having to move out because they’re no longer safe in their homes. That’s why we recommend you make changes to your home early to prevent you or your loved one from having to relocate later.
When we meet with a family to talk about home care for their loved one, we often do a safety assessment of the home. Some of the things we look for you, you can easily look for yourself as you update your home for safety.
One of the hardest things for people to do is clean out clutter. My husband’s dad became a big Christmas Tree Shop shopper in his later years, and his shelves, counters, and even his oven were filled with collectible items he didn’t use. Overflowing cabinets and covered countertops can be dangerous if you can’t easily get to items you use on a regular basis.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or has memory issues related to dementia, it’s especially important you get rid of clutter like old newspapers, grocery receipts, magazines, and bags. You’ll want to approach your safety checklist similar to how you may have once child-proofed your home. Remove candles, matches, sharp knives, and any dangerous tools, as well as firearms or anything that could cause fire or explode in the garage or outdoor shed; remove chemicals like bleach that come in containers similar to milk and cough syrup or other medicines that smells like candy; and disable the microwave and electric stove.
How is the lighting? Are the main walking areas like hallways and stairs well lit? Should you install night lights with sensors that turned on at night? Are there easily accessible lights by the bathroom door and the bed? Are the cords out of traffic areas?
Are there railings on all stairways—especially those steep stairs down to the basement that your dad insists on using? Do loose rugs have a non-slip backing? Are all rugs free of tears or holes?
Is there any equipment that should be purchased and installed to make life safer? Inexpensive items like grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, a removeable spray nozzle for the shower, raised toilet seats, and shower benches can greatly improve the safety of the bathroom—one of the places where people are more likely to fall. Is there a safety rail on the bed and is it big enough to actually keep someone from falling out?
Make sure there are fresh batteries in all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test that everyone in the house can hear actually hear the alarm.
Check for food freshness. We visited my father-in-law in Florida every few months and usually spent the first day or so throwing out old food. We then wrote the date on any fresh items we purchased during our visit so we’d know on future visits how long they’d been sitting there.
No matter what stage of life you are in, it’s never too early to make your home a little safer. Walk around your house and take note of all the work-arounds and obstacles—doors that don’t open easily, cabinets that are over-filled, shelves you can’t easily reach. Making things safer now will make your life easier both now and in the future.
Molly Rowe owns FirstLight Home Care with her husband, Steve, and lives in Swampscott with their two sons. FirstLight provides non-medical in-home care to adults in Swampscott, Marblehead, Lynn, Salem, Peabody, Danvers, Beverly, and Lynnfield. For more information and help caring for your loved ones in the comfort of their own homes, please visit FirstLight’s website at www.salem.firstlighthomecare.com or contact Molly at 781-691-5755/[email protected]
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