Tips for Making the Home Safer for Independent Living for Elderly

Provided by McKay Vassaur – expert home builder Temple TX

Remote Controlled Lamps

Many accidents happen late at night when the elderly try to get up in the dark to use the bathroom or get some water. You can easily change any lamp into a remote-controlled option so that when your loved one needs to use the restroom at night, they aren’t fumbling to find the light switch in the dark. Fosmon offers a product that we have fallen in love with to help keep your loved one safe even in the darkness of the night.

The Fosmon outdoor/indoor wireless remote control outlet kit includes three outlets and one remote. With the remote’s on and off buttons, each outlet can be individually controlled. Link your personal devices to our convenient remote control outlets. Set up your elderly loved one’s home using this all-in-one package. They can keep the remote bedside (maybe even consider attaching it to their bed so they always know where to reach it).

Install bathroom safety bars. 

Most of us take for granted the simple act of getting in and out of the shower. But for elderly individuals, these activities can be fraught with danger. Bathroom safety bars can provide much-needed support, helping to prevent slips and falls and making the home safer for independent living. When installed near the toilet, they can make it easier for seniors to get up and down. And, according to B Able Solutions, when placed inside the shower or tub, they can provide a stable surface to grip when getting in and out. In addition to providing a valuable safety measure, bathroom safety bars can also help to restore a sense of independence for aging seniors. With their help, many elderly individuals are able to continue living in their own homes, rather than being forced into a nursing facility.

Consolidate Cords

As we get older, we often accumulate more and more medical devices – blood pressure monitors, CPAP machines, hearing aids, etc. While these devices can certainly improve our quality of life, they also come with a tangle of cords and cables. If we’re not careful, these cords can create trip hazards that increase our risk of falling. One way to reduce this risk is to use a surge protector with enough outlets to accommodate all of our devices. That way, we can plug everything in at once and avoid the need to bend down and fiddle with plugs and sockets. In addition, it’s important to choose a surge protector that is UL-listed and has built-in circuit breakers for added safety. By taking these simple precautions, we can help keep ourselves safe from falls – and live our best lives.

The number of available outlets is tripled by Fosmon’s 6 outlet surge protector, which protects appliances from power surges. The Fosmon 6 outlet and 2 USB 3.1A surge protector is designed for indoor use. This surge protector provides six AC power outlets that can be used to charge up to six electronic devices with an additional 2 spots for USB charging. A smart solution for keeping electronic gadgets charged up.

The surge protector prevents voltage spikes from causing damage to your equipment by providing 1200 joules of surge suppression. The Protected LED illuminates to show that surge protection is enabled. If there were to be old, outdated cords and surge protectors, be sure to make sure they are up to date. Recalls happen fairly often when it comes to electrical products so always be sure to stay on top of that. If you purchase any brand surge protectors that are faulty and an accident has occurred, you may find yourself needing to call an elder law attorney in Denver CO or your local elder law attorney to file a suit against the company.

Check Flooring for Hazards

As we get older, our bodies change and we become more susceptible to falls. Home is usually the safest place for us, but even then, there are certain hazards that can trip us up and cause a fall. Fortunately, by taking a few simple precautions, we can help prevent falls in our homes. It’s important to check the flooring for tripping hazards such as raised thresholds, broken tiles, and carpet ripples. When a loved one is using a walker, the littlest defects in the flooring can cause a fall.

Fall Detection Accessory

As we get older, our risk of falling increases. A fall can lead to serious injuries, and in some cases, it can even be fatal. If you have an elderly loved one, you may be considering an emergency response system for seniors to make the home safer for independent living. These devices can be worn around the neck or on the wrist, and they are designed to automatically contact emergency services if the wearer falls. Alternatively you can use existing tech like an apple watch as a detection system. Since a lot of people use smart watches like this these days it can be a great way to double up on it’s utility. This newer feature uses sensors to detect when a person has fallen, and it will automatically call emergency services if it detects a fall. The watch also alerts the user’s emergency contacts, so they can check on their loved ones. Best of all, the fall detection feature is included with every Apple watch – there’s no need to purchase a separate device.

Life 360

For many of us, our phones have become an extension of ourselves. We use them to stay connected with our loved ones, stay on top of our work commitments, and to manage our social calendars. But for seniors, phones can also be a source of anxiety and confusion. With so many buttons and apps, it’s easy for even the most tech-savvy seniors to get overwhelmed. And for those who are struggling with memory loss or other cognitive issues, a simple phone can become a source of frustration. That’s where Life 360 comes in. This app allows you to track your loved ones’ location in real-time, so you can always know where they are and how to reach them. It also features a handy notification system that will let you know if your loved one strays outside of their usual routines. So whether you’re worried about your elderly parent getting lost on their way home from the grocery store or your grandparent wandering off on a walk in the park, Life 360 can help give you peace of mind.

Provide proper seating options

Adding accessible seating, such as a bench near the entrance for putting on shoes, will make the house more senior-friendly. Consider purchasing a lift recliner for the living room so that they may get in and out of it without difficulty. Senior citizens can benefit from kitchen and shower stools since they allow them to do activities of daily living like cooking and bathing independently.

Handrails on Stairs

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to take measures to ensure our homes are safe and accessible. For older adults, this may mean making some changes to the layout of the house or installing certain features, such as handrails on stairs. Ranch-style homes are often a good choice for seniors, as they typically have everything on one level and a few steps to navigate. However, if there are stairs in the home, it is essential to make sure they are well lit and have sturdy handrails in place. Additionally, it may be helpful to move everything that is needed regularly to the first floor, so that elders do not have to go up and down the stairs frequently. By taking these precautions, we can help create a safe and comfortable environment for older adults.

Under the Counter and Closet Lighting

Many elderly people want to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Part of being independent is being able to take care of oneself, and that includes being able to see. Poor lighting can make it difficult for elderly people to see, which can lead to them falling or injuring themselves. That’s why under the counter and closet lighting is so important. It provides a clear and bright light that can help elderly people see better. With under the counter and closet lighting, they can more easily find what they’re looking for, and they’re less likely to trip and fall. Under the counter and closet lighting can help elderly people stay independent longer by giving them the light they need to safely take care of themselves.

The Fosmon 5 SMD LEDs provide a flood-style light pattern, allowing you to eliminate shadows and properly illuminate a larger area with a 6000K daylight appearance. Ideal for counters, work surfaces, and shelves where fine detail is required.

Checking Outdoor Areas

We often focus on the inside of our homes when it comes to maintenance, but there are plenty of things that need to be taken care of outside as well. One thing to keep an eye on is your driveway. Over time, it can develop cracks and start to break down. Regularly checking for these problems and getting them fixed can help extend the life of your driveway. Another outdoor area to pay attention to is your yard. Make sure there’s a clear path from your house to the mailbox, and remove any trip hazards like rocks or roots. A little bit of attention to these areas can go a long way in keeping your home safe for the elderly and looking its best.

By following these tips, you can make an elderly person’s home a safer and easier place for them to live. This will allow them to maintain their independence and continue living in their own home for longer. Do you have any other tips for making an elderly person’s home safer and easier? Share them in the comments section below!

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