Many families hope to help their senior members age in place. With a good home care service and basic safety precautions, your loved one can live at home longer while staying comfortable and secure. Follow the tips below to make sure your senior’s home is safe.

A Guide to Making Home Safe for the Elderly 

Ask an Expert

When considering aging in place, call in a senior living expert to help assess the current home and suggest modifications. This may include widening doorways, installing a chair lift for stairs, or adding grab bars to bathroom areas. 

Make Basic Modifications

Many fixes are relatively easy to make. Removing trip hazards like throw rugs, adding non-slip surfaces to bathtubs, showers, and stairs, changing out regular doorknobs for lever-style handles, and clearing clutter are all good places to start. Try to imagine the home from the perspective of someone who has impaired hearing or vision or could easily trip. 

Adjust Furniture & Lighting

Make sure that stairways, hallways, and high-use areas such as the kitchen or bathroom are well-lit and bright enough for your loved one’s comfort. Replace low and awkward furniture with easier seating, remove extra side tables or unneeded items, and consider taking wheels off chairs and replacing them with non-skid pads. 

Install Alarms

To help loved ones feel more secure, install an alarm system that is easy to operate. Personal medical alert systems are reassuring for both seniors and families, as they can notify emergency services if there is an accident or fall.

Hire a Home Care Service

Regular help from a home care service is one of the best ways to help seniors safely age in place. Home carers aid in many areas of life, including meal preparation, medication monitoring, personal hygiene, and light cleaning. Carers also provide companionship, ensuring the overall well-being of your loved one. Most agencies have flexible contracts and provide services on an hourly basis as needed. 

If you want to help your senior live independently, call Visiting Angels Tom’s River in Bay Head, NJ. Their fully bonded, licensed, and insured staff offers compassionate and attentive assistance to aging seniors in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. From companion care to end-of-life support, Visiting Angels is America’s top choice for home care services. Call (732) 240-1050 with questions or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help you.