Written by Laura S. Rossinow, Broker/Agent, Kelller Williams Realty, SRES ®, NRPP Certified Measurement Provider

More and more Americans are making aging in place a priority and keeping seniors safe in their home means creating an environment that provides appropriate accommodations. A few minor alterations can provide safety improvements eliminating the risk of injury. Here are some suggestions consider about implementing.

Consider these important questions:

1. Does your senior’s home have a full bedroom with bath on the main floor level? If necessary, consider converting a den or TV room into a bedroom.
2. Is there a non-skid surface in the shower or bath? If not, add non-slip strips to prevent falls.
3. Are the halls well lit? If not, add a tabletop lamp and always use night-lights.
4. Can your senior open and close the windows with ease?
5. Are there grab bars in the shower, bath and near the toilet? If not, install them and make sure the wall can accommodate grab bars without pulling out?
6. How many steps are there when entering the house? Install a ramp if necessary.
7. Can a wheel chair fit through the hallways if necessary? If not, there are slimmer width wheelchairs available.
8. Are there sharp points sticking out on cabinets or furniture when passing through the kitchen or hallways? Apply point protectors.
9. If your senior has manual dexterity issues, can they grab the doorknobs to open a door? Lever handles may be installed since easier to use than round doorknobs.
10. Is there a permanently installed shower seat? Portable shower seats are recommended and can be purchased at a medical supply outlet.
11. Are the kitchen counters at a varying height that accommodates both standing and sitting?
12. Are the floors slippery? Different types of flooring are dangerous especially when wet such as high gloss ceramic tile and marble.
13. Stairs can be an accident waiting to happen. Are there railings on both sides? If not, install them. Are there runners that are not secure? Remove them or tack them down properly.
14. Can your senior reach the light switches? How about the thermostat if confined to wheelchair?
15. Does your senior grab onto furniture or objects to steady themselves? Check unstable furniture for broken table or chair legs that can fall away when leaned on to prevent an accident.
16. Does your senior like it toasty warm in the winter? Have your senior’s home heating system serviced annually and install a carbon monoxide detector to keep them safe.
17. Speak with your senior about installing a medical alert system. If they have a fall or other accident, cannot get to the phone to call in an emergency and no one is home with them, they can reach help by wearing an alert device. These systems can save lives and offers peace of mind to both the senior and their children.
18. Seniors can be a target for scams and possible entry into their homes by burglars. Seniors can be sitting ducks for opportunists. Speak with your senior about deals that may seem too good to be true. Consider a house security system with outside surveillance camera particularly for the nighttime when they are asleep.
19. Most importantly, treat your senior with the respect they deserve by involving them in decision making. As a Senior Real Estate Specialist ®, I hear from seniors all the time that their children try to control the situation. Together, you and your senior can make the right decision to both be happy and live at home successfully.

 Most falls happen in the house and involve senior citizens. To avoid potentially dangerous accidents, remove trip hazards such as clutter, scatter rugs, old telephone wires and any obstructions. Look with a discerning eye in areas of high traffic, such as stairwells, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, which are the most risky.

As we age, our eyesight can become compromised. Improper lighting can add to this burden so make sure you are using the maximum light bulb wattage appropriate to the fixture. An electrician can install occupancy sensor light switches, which will turn the lights on automatically whenever movement is detected.

In addition to grab bars as an absolute necessity in bathrooms, consider installing an anti-scald valve on the shower-head to help adjust the hot water output.

Aging in place is a much more desirable option for many seniors and their families as well. Being pro-active by assisting your senior to stay in his or her own home where it is most familiar offers a real sense of independence. Making minor safety accommodations offers peace of mind for all involved.