Minor Modifications That Make Homes Safer for Seniors

by Kevin Smith Author

According to a report by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures, the vast majority of seniors over 65 years old desire to stay in their homes as long as possible. So, what happens when they become too old to safely stay in their home and continue to take care of themselves? From adding bathtubs for seniors and the disabled to widening hallways and doorways, there are several modifications you can make to your parents’ home to make it safer for them to “age in place,” or live at home as long as possible.

Increase the Lighting

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of all seniors over 65 experience a fall each year. A minor fall can be catastrophic for many seniors, and so knowing how to prevent falls as much as possible is vital. By adding more lighting to your home, you can help your aging parents see in the dark or dimly lit hallways and rooms of the home to make them feel more secure and reduce their risk of falling.

Make Floors More Fall-Proof

To make your floors safer for aging parents to walk across, be sure that your rugs are all taped to the floor and that any buckling carpets are tightened or replaced. Areas in the kitchen and the bathroom that frequently get wet should be laid down with anti-slip rubber mats. Fortunately, you can get these at many stores very inexpensively.

Find a Medical Response System

You’ve probably seen the commercials on TV where a senior falls and can’t get back up but has to lay there and call out to someone. Since these commercials were popular, medical response systems have come a long way. Now many of them are equipped with GPS technology to help someone coming to the rescue find the individual faster. Some other systems include fall detection technology so you are alerted just before or during their fall.

There are many home modifications you can make that will create a safer environment for your elderly parents. Lest you think these are all going to be super expensive, bear in mind that many options are available that can be installed for less than $500 or so. Whether it’s bathtubs for seniors and the disabled or other modifications to the kitchen or bathroom that makes daily life easier, it’s easy to see that whatever the cost, these lifesaving modifications are invaluable.