LifeCare Solutions
Create a Safe Environment for Aging Loved Ones

Just about everyone has heard of “childproofing” a home for safety … but what about “elderproofing” your home? For the millions of individuals who now provide care to aging loved ones, assessing the senior-friendliness of a home and eliminating potential hazards is a top priority. Taking certain precautions will make a home safer and enable seniors to live more comfortably and independently.

The following room-by-room suggestions are a good place to begin:

Home entrance: Add lighting to the walkway and at the front door for better visibility. Install dead bolts on the front and back doors and ensure that they turn easily. Trim bushes that obscure walkways. A grab bar near the front

	door is helpful if there is a significant step up to enter the home. Adjust storm door closers to avoid bumping the user, potentially threatening balance.
	Floors: Waxed floors, throw rugs and shag carpets may cause falls. If these slip/trip hazards cannot be removed, put double-faced tape or rubber mats under area rugs, runners and mats to prevent falls. Keep high-traffic areas evenly lit and free of obstacles such as low furniture, toys or newspapers.
	Stairways: Light stairways evenly and brightly so the edges of the steps can be clearly seen. Add a contrasting color strip to the first and last steps to identify a change of level. Install sturdy handrails on both sides of the stairs and make sure handrails extend past the last step. Secure treads or carpet with tacks/nails; ensure tacks/nails don't protrude. Install light switches at the bottoms and tops of stairs.
	Bathrooms: Install bars or handrails next to toilets and in the shower or bathtub. Consider installing portable grab bars that fit over the bathtub ledge. Put a rubber bath mat in the tub. Add a bath bench in the tub, if necessary. Keep all medicines separate from cleaning supplies and always store medications in their original, clearly labeled containers.
	Bedroom: Install a smoke alarm and prepare an escape route in advance. Provide a night light or additional lighting in the bedroom and in the hallway. Never tuck electric blankets into the bed linens to prevent burning the user. Place the bed within easy reach of a light switch, or install touch lamps or audio-sensitive switches. Keep a telephone with large buttons next to the bed with important numbers posted on it and programmed into speed dial.
	Kitchen: Install a smoke alarm and keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Check stove for proper ventilation; make sure electrical stoves are grounded and that gas stoves have no leaks. To avoid a potential fire hazard, purchase a whistling tea kettle and keep flammable materials (such as potholders) away from the oven and stove. Install bright ceiling lighting and additional task lighting over the stove and counters where food is prepared. Attach long handles to dustpans and brooms so trash can be picked up from either a sitting or standing position.
	Living Room: Select couches and chairs that have arms and that are not too deep or too low. Consider buying a chair that automatically raises the user to standing position. Select tables that are not too low. Remove any piece of furniture that will not support a person's weight if leaned upon. Tack all electrical cords to the baseboards to prevent tripping.

In addition, caregivers should be aware that falls are an all-too-common occurrence—and are often avoidable. Caregivers should attend regularly to hanging plants, ceiling light fixtures, rain gutters, etc. Items throughout the house—and particularly in the kitchen—should be removed from high shelving and cupboards and placed within easy reach.