New York City families consistently struggle with home safety and the best way to adapt housing to help aging relatives. Whether this means keeping them in their own home or modifying a family member’s home, there are many items to take under consideration. Falls, burns, and poisonings are among the most common accidents involving older people. If an older adult is in overall good health, there are many things that can be done to help them continue to live independently. In addition to checking in on them frequently, here are some important home tips to keep everyone safe.
- Create an open environment in the home by making sure all hallways, stairs, and paths are well lit and clear of objects such as books or shoes. Decluttering helps clear out rooms and walkways giving older adults more room to move, hopefully reducing the possibility of trips and falls.
- Rugs can be a tripping hazard, especially for older adults using walkers, canes, or shoes with inserts. If you do not want to remove rugs, tape or tack all edges to the floor and add anti-slip pads.
- Replace all standard door knobs with lever handles which are easier for older adults to grasp.
- Thoroughly inspect the stairs looking for uneven steps or wobbly floorboards. Apply non-skid treads on the steps if necessary. You can also paint stair tops a contrasting color making them easier to see.
- Tighten inside and outside handrails by checking the hardware that supports the handrail to make sure it’s firmly attached and in good condition.
- Water, rugs, slippery surfaces, and small spaces can all make it difficult to maneuver around in bathrooms, leading to slips and falls. Install grab bars around the tub, shower, and toilet. You can also get a special shower chair or bench and a raised toilet seat. Installing a hand-held showerhead makes the shower easier to use, especially when cleaning hard-to-reach places. Use non-slip mats and rugs to eliminate falls on slippery surfaces.
- Moving frequently used kitchen items to lower shelves can prevent older adults from reaching and losing balance or trying to use stools or stepladders.
- Setting the thermostat on the water heater no higher than 120° F will help prevent accidental burns.
- Help them remain safe in the home by installing a peephole and reminding them not to answer the door to strangers when they are home alone.
- Alert your loved one to ongoing scams targeting seniors. Remind them to talk over offers made by telephone salespeople with a friend or family member and not to share personal information, such as social security number, credit card, bank information, or account passwords with people they do not know.
- Prevent window falls by using properly installed window guards.
- Install a mail slot in the front door to help prevent mail theft and make it easier to receive mail.
If you need to make modifications in the home for an older adult, hire professionals with accessibility improvement experience who can complete the work successfully. Sentry Window Guards is your one-stop solution for window guards. From start to finish, our professionally trained staff can assist you in your window guard project. We can troubleshoot, measure, fabricate, supply, and install all within a 24 hour period. All Sentry powder coated window guard products are warranted for life against rust. Sentry is also capable of matching any color that isn’t part of our standard color selection. For more information regarding our products and how they keep New York City residents of all ages safe at home, contact us today!
