Quick Ideas on Elder-Proofed Homes

Falls precipitate the greatest number of accidental deaths in senior citizens. Many in-home accidents are easy to prevent with simple modifications. Most changes require little or no money and help to avoid expensive hospitalizations or long-term nursing care. Seniors who cannot afford structural changes, such as wider doors or ramps, may seek assistance from their government's eldercare office.

Adapting to Change

• As we age, visual and audial acuity wanes. Muscles weaken and bones lose mass. Our center of gravity alters, resulting in balance issues. Extremities become less sensitive to temperature and may suffer burns or frostbite. All these changes affect our risk of home accidents. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, death may occur due to problems with medication. Since many seniors take medicines, drug-induced dizziness increases the likelihood of mishaps. Ask your doctor to assess the risks associated with your medicines.

Fall Prevention

• Between one-third and one-half of all falls occur due to avoidable hazards. Non-slip floor surfaces, good lighting and proper furniture placement reduce this number. Make certain that all area rugs have skid-proof pads and remove small or scatter rugs from the home. Place handrails on both sides of stairs. Purchase a toilet seat that attaches to the regular seat, in order to keep the knees from bending too far when using the toilet. Attach grab bars to walls near toilets, showers and tubs.

  Seniors often grab furniture, in order to pull themselves to a standing position. Items placed near beds, chairs or toilets should be sturdy enough to support such activity, even if grab bars are available. Install ramps in areas where steps prove problematic. Remove clutter and place furniture so that seniors may easily access all areas of the home. Keep often-used items in areas where seniors will not have to bend too far forward to retrieve them, to decrease their risk of tumbling forward.

Accessibility

• For those who use wheel chairs or walkers, pocket doors provide easier access. Widen doors and hallways to at least 36 inches for maneuverability. Replace door hinges with the "swing-clear" type, which add an inch or two of clearance. When hands lose their ability to grip, switch from regular knobs to lever handles. To determine if a handle or knob needs replacing, ask an able-bodied person to maneuver it with a closed fist. If it poses a problem, it will probably challenge an arthritic senior.

Other Modifications

• Increase task lighting to compensate for visual changes, and use night-lights in the hall and bathroom. Keep your cell phone with you at all times. Install phones with louder ringers, or buy phones that flash as they ring. Any electrical cords protruding near a walkway should be secured to prevent stumbles. Remove shelves that extend over a cooking area and lower the temperature of the hot water heater, to decrease the likelihood of burns. Add smoke alarms and check them regularly.