Creating a Safe Space for your Elderly Parent

We know that our parents don’t want to move to assisted living facilities, but we want them to stay safe. They would love to maintain a certain level of independence and have the peace of living in one’s own home. You don’t know how to take the next step. On one hand, you know that their house has become hazardous for their health, on the other, you know they would hate moving and would argue against it for years to come.

If your parent wants to stay in their home, the next step would be going through the house and removing any accidents that are waiting to happen. But where do you start? How can you help them stay safe? The most important way you can help out is by visiting regularly. If you find the house dirty it may be time visit more or hire help, whether its a cleaning service or even in-home senior care.

Below are some other ways you can help protect your parent in their own home.

Bathroom Safety

• Utilize a nightlight so the room is always illuminated.
• Put traction pads on the bathtub.
• Install handrails on either side of the toilet, along with grips in the shower.
• Mark the hot and cold faucets in large letters.
• For seniors with disabilities, consider hiring senior care services to assist with daily bathing.
• Put down a nonslip bath mat.

Kitchen Safety

• Clearly label the on/off switches for different appliances.
• Store sharp knifes away if necessary.
• Keep floors uncluttered and use skid proof rugs.
• Keep the heavier objects at waist level so they will not have to strain to pick them up.
• Do not store anything out of reach.
• Illuminate work areas.
• Make sure the oven knobs cannot be easily switched on by accident, causing a gas leak.
• Rotate food regularly, especially the cans in the pantry.
• If possible, use a kettle and a toaster with automatic shutoff functions.

General Safety

• Do not use slippery wax floor polish.
• Keep a phone or an alert system near the stairs at every level, and one next to their bed.
• Never smoke alone or in the house.
• Make sure all rugs are securely tacked down.
• Eliminate other common trip and fall hazards, like extension cords in heavily trafficked areas.
• Install sturdy handrails on the stairs and grips around the house, if needed.
• Invest in chairs with rubberized bottoms.
• Put textured grips on the surface of every staircase.

Hopefully, if you follow these tips, you can have some peace of mind as your parent continues living at home. This tips can be helpful, but sometimes your parent needs an extra hand around the house. We’re here to help them stay safe and you stay sane.