Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

As we age, most of us want the freedom and independence to live in our homes until the day we die. We do not envision our golden years living in assisted living communities and nursing homes. That seems anything but golden.

Elder-Proof Your Parents' Home

What about your parents? Do you have parents in their seventies or eighties who are living in their own homes? Are they really safe there? Or are they likely to fall because their homes lack safety features?

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death among the elderly. There are many features of their home that could actually be dangerous for your parents. With a few adjustments to their home, your parents could be much safer than they are right now.

Let’s take a look at some of these safety issues.

Ways To Help Make A Home Safer For Seniors

Stairs

Stairs can be very dangerous for the elderly. As their vision deteriorates, they are often unable to see the individual steps when standing at the top of the staircase. Put bright contrasting tape at the top edge of each step, and they can tell where one step ends and the next one starts. Also make sure that there is plenty of light at the top and bottom of the stairs.

If there are one or two steps that your parents must negotiate to get from one room to another or to get to the garage or backyard, install a handrail next to the steps. Even one or two small steps can present a danger to the elderly.

Flooring

Flooring needs to be smooth, so that walkers and wheelchairs don’t get caught on the flooring. Any carpet should be low pile. Wood is a good choice because it has some give in it. Tile flooring can be a decent choice if it is relatively smooth. Keep in mind that a fall on a tile floor is more likely to cause a fracture than one on a wood floor. Tile doesn’t give. If your parents have loose throw rugs on the floor, try to get rid of them. Throw rugs are an accident waiting to happen. Your parents can easily trip on the rugs and fall. If the rugs must be kept, seal them to the floor with double sided tape. Make sure that a shoe or walker will not catch on the rug.

Clutter

Make sure that floors and counters are clutter-free. Clutter on the floor makes it easy to trip. Clutter on the counters can get in the way of grabbing something off the counter and cause injuries. Also, make sure that there are clear pathways to walk in each room. This is especially important if your parents need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair. And make sure that the furniture in each room is sturdy and will not wobble or tip over. The elderly often hang onto furniture to get around the room. If that bookcase will topple over if they grab onto it, the bookcase must go or be attached securely to the wall.

Lighting

Make sure that there is more than adequate lighting in every room. With deteriorating vision, dim lighting makes it more difficult to see things that could be a hazard. In the garage, make sure to install a very bright bulb because garages contain many hazards for the elderly. Florescent bulbs work best in garages because they do not have to be replaced often. Just make sure they are bright.

Door Knobs and Fixtures

As people age, they often get arthritis and lose mobility in their hands. Replacing door knobs with door levers makes it easier for them to open doors. The same is true for kitchen and bathroom faucets.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms can be very dangerous for the elderly. To prevent slipping and falling, install safety rails in showers and bathtubs and near the toilet. If you can’t install a rail near the toilet, then buy toilet safety rails (also called toilet safety frames) for each toilet your parents may use. These rails will make it easier for them to get up and down at the toilet without falling.

If the shower floor or the bottom of the bathtub is slick, install friction tape to reduce the likelihood of a fall. If the shower does not have a seat, get a plastic shower seat so that your parents can sit in the shower if they feel the need.

Kitchens

Make sure there is a place next to the stove and oven where your parents can place hot pans and dishes. They shouldn’t have to carry hot, heavy pans across the room before they can set them down.

If they have a microwave that is above the stove, replace it with a countertop model. It is too dangerous for them to try to pull hot food out of the microwave above their shoulders. If the dish or bowl tips just slightly, they could be severely scalded or burned.

Rearrange items in the kitchen cabinets. Try to keep all items within easy reach. Bulky, heavy items should be placed in cabinets near the floor. If necessary, rarely used items can be placed high up. But you don’t want your parents climbing on a chair to get something from the top shelf of a cabinet. If they are going to climb up to get something, make sure they have a sturdy stepping stool or ladder to use. But they really shouldn’t be climbing up for any reason. It’s too dangerous.

Hot Water Heater

Make sure that the hot water does not get so hot that your parents could scald themselves. They can’t always tell that the water temperature it too hot until it is too late. You can solve that potential problem by setting the temperature on the hot water heater to one that will be safe for them.

These are just some of many steps you can take to make your parents’ home safer for them. You may discover other steps just by watching your parents and how they get around their home. Other safety ideas can be found in books about the subject. Fix these safety issues and your parents will be able to live in their own home for years to come and may be lucky enough to avoid assisted living or a nursing home!

If you are considering buying or selling a home soon, give us a call or send us a message online. My partner Andrew Palumbo and I both have extensive real estate and construction experience, and can help you find the perfect 55+ community with homes for active adults and seniors.