How to Make a Home Easy to Live In for Seniors

As people age, some changes may need to be made around the house. There are many things you can do to make a home safer and more comfortable for the seniors in your life, and to help them live independently for as long as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Stair Handrails
• Amplified Telephones
• Pocket Alarms
• Smoke Detectors
• Bed Rail

1. Make the home as safe and secure as possible. Deal with loose carpet on stairs, wires that could trip someone, or anything else that could pose a safety hazard. Also check batteries on smoke detectors, burglar alarms and any other electronic safety devices in the home.
2. Install smoke alarms and motion detectors with lights as well as sounds if the seniors in the home have hearing problems. You can also purchase telephones that amplify sound.
3. Make sure that all medications are clearly labeled with large lettering, and that they are stored in a central, easily accessible location.
4. Program emergency numbers into the phone, or post a list of emergency numbers near each telephone, and make sure that the phone keypad has large buttons easily visible to someone with less-than-perfect eyesight.
5. Install comfort and safety devices in the bathroom, including non-slip tub mats, safety rails, shower seats and non-skid rugs.
6. Re-arrange the kitchen so that everything is reachable and seniors have no need to stand on chairs to reach into cupboards. Provide a sturdy step-stool if any reaching is necessary.
7. Install nightlights in bedrooms and hallways to lessen the possibility that someone will trip or fall in the dark.
8. Add chair-lifts, stair-lifts, or adjustable beds to the home when it becomes necessary.
9. Visit a medical equipment supplier and ask about services and devices that make life easier and more comfortable for seniors.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to install as many phones as possible in the home so that seniors don't have to rush from one room to another to answer calls.
• If seniors are wheelchair-bound or partially immobilized, you may need to make some changes. Try wheeling yourself around the house (preferably in both light and darkness) to check for obstacles.
• If anyone in the home has a tendency to leave appliances turned on or plugged in, be sure to invest in items that will turn themselves off automatically, or post bright, highlighted reminder notes in appropriate locations.
• You may need to replace child-proof caps on some medications with twist or snap-off caps as long as there are no children living in the home ' it can sometimes be difficult for older hands to open child-proof bottles, and a few moments can make a lot of difference in a medical emergency.