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Eldercare Review | Monday, March 20, 2023
Homes with zero-step entries are amazing for this, as they eradicate the necessity to go up or down steps.
FREMONT, CA: Various modifications can be made in and around the Home to eradicate possible fall risks and simplify life for seniors as they age and their requirements change.
1. Construct a Safe Entrance into the Home
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It’s essential to guarantee that the entrance to the house is safe and free of possible fall risks. It should be comfortable to enter and exit the house, specifically for seniors with mobility problems. Homes with zero-step entries are amazing for this, as they eradicate the necessity to go up or down steps. For homes with stairs inducing the entrance, a range can make the entryway more affordable, particularly for seniors who are wheelchair-bound.
The opening to the house should be well-lit so that seniors can notice where they’re stepping. Any sidewalks or pathways ahead of the front of the house should also be studied. They should be re-paved or substituted if any damages or the surface is uneven. These pathways should also be cured and shoveled in the winter, as ice and snow can be possible risks.
2. Confirm the Bathroom Is Safe and Convenient
Many falls happen in the bathroom, so succeeding safe and accessible should be a focus. Seniors usually feel uncomfortable taking a shower as they fear that they may slip and fall, so it’s essential to make showering easy and free. A showerhead connected to a long hose lets seniors wash efficiently, and a shower chair or stool can let them sit down and relax while doing so.
Falls can often happen while getting in and out of a wet tub or shower, so a walk-in shower can be a wonderful option to eradicate this risk. If that isn’t feasible, it must have acceptable support and seize bars to hold onto so seniors don’t fall when entering and exiting. These are also helpful around the toilet to guarantee seniors can stand up and sit down effortlessly. Non-slip bath mats should be put down in front of the shower or bath, and tub mats with suction cups can also be employed to evade slips when stepping in or out.
3. Revise Floors and Stairs to Dodge Falls
Trips and slips can influence both outcomes in falls, so it’s necessary to make the Home as fall-proof as feasible. Evade waxing non-carpeted flooring, like hardwood, as slippery floors can induce falls. Putting down a rug may feel like a good concept, but it can be perilous. If the rugs are too thick, seniors may stumble on the edges. If the rugs aren’t attached to rug pads, they can skate on the floor, compel people to slip. Rugs should be employed if they’re fairly thin and secured with pads.
Stairs are also general areas where slips and falls can happen. Handrails should be established on both faces of the staircase and go all the path to the top and bottom. If the stairs don’t have carpet on them, it may be a concept to get them carpeted or add anti-slip strips. Also, it’s essential to guarantee staircases are well-lit so that seniors can see correctly and not miss a step.
4. Maintain the Home Well-Lit and Visible
Trips and slips can readily happen in dark, dim rooms, so maintaining the house well-lit is the best way to dodge them. During the day, this can be accomplished by ensuring sufficient natural light in the house and not utilizing curtains or blinds unless required. Lighting inside the house should be bright enough to eradicate risky, low-visibility areas. Ceiling lights are best for this, as they offer more light coverage over the room.
Light switches should be set in timely areas that are easy to reach. It’s also a good concept to get nightlights and place them in suitable spots. Some locations can enclose inside the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom. This makes it comfortable for seniors to get to the bathroom at night and notice where they’re going without exploring for light switches in the dark.
5. Make Little Changes to Make Life More Opportunely
Different small changes can be made to make seniors’ lives more comfortable. One instance is to swap out round doorknobs for lever-style holds. Seniors with arthritis can have dilemmas gripping and wringing round knobs, and levers are simple to turn. Adding lever-style management to sinks and showers can also aid with this. Light switches can also be made more suitable. Large, rocker-style switches are more comfortable for seniors to find and press than smaller ‘toggle’ switches.
Transformations to how the kitchen is arranged can aid as well. Regularly-used items and elements stored in cupboards shouldn’t be held too low or too high. It can be hard for seniors to get things kept in hard-to-reach places, so holding everything handy can help. Suppose seniors have problems remembering where specific items are stored. In that case, it may be beneficial to add glass cupboard doors so they can notice what’s inside without having to open them to explore.
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