The best tips for home safety for seniors: Which one do you do?

Our seniors deserve our protection and care. And to make them feel safer at home, there are simple measures you can implement .

Factors such as good lighting, a safe floor, and even appropriate clothing can help prevent domestic accidents.

Remember that falls in older adults account for almost 80% of home accidents and 20% in nursing homes. Do you know the six most common falls? You can find out here.

Tips for the safety of older adults at home

1. Consider lighting

Can you imagine what could happen if an older adult finds themselves in the dark at home? To avoid bumps or falls, the ideal is to have a home that's as brightly lit as possible.

You probably already have spotlights installed in bedrooms and hallways, but it would be very useful to place some on stairwells and patios. Above all, you should also install switches , as the adult might be at the other end and need light to be able to focus while walking.

There are a wide variety of battery-powered lamps and spotlights on the market. Depending on their size, some could be placed next to the bed, in the medicine cabinet, or even inside certain furniture , such as kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

2. Furniture and household objects

There are homes with furniture that could pose a hazard to adults, from tables to chairs to materials like glass or iron . If they're not in the right place, a person could bump into them and hurt themselves .

We know that many people keep a large number of objects they've accumulated throughout their lives. Therefore, one strategy is to discuss which items can stay at home and which can be donated or stored elsewhere.

Always remember to check with an adult and get their consent about what things will be left and what will be taken from the home.

If unused objects and furniture are stored somewhere in the house, make sure they are in a low-traffic area where they are not at risk of falling apart.

3. Bathing and certain basic care

The bathroom deserves special attention. For added safety, install grab bars, non-drag curtains, rubber stickers, and non-slip mats . Make sure items like soap, shampoo, and towels are easily accessible for adults.

4. Cleaning products on the floor

A clean home is not necessarily a safe place.

Attention should be paid to the attachments used for cleaning. Some may be too slippery and pose a hazard .

Much will depend on the flooring material and the product components. If there is carpet, make sure it's securely attached to the floor. Otherwise, consider removing it.

5. Adult clothing

The clothing the adult wears is also an important consideration. Choose clothing that fits the adult's body and is comfortable at the same time.

Clothing that is too loose could cause a person to get caught in something when walking or moving, resulting in a blow or fall.

Footwear is essential. Whether shoes, sneakers, or slippers, they should fit properly and have non-slip soles . Occasionally, check the soles of your shoes to see how worn they are and if it's time to replace them.

6. How to manage your medication ?

Did you know that medications taken by older adults could increase the risk of an accident? This is due to some side effects.

There are some medications that can cause dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or headaches . That's why it's important to talk to your doctor and follow up on the issue to find out which medications are causing them and what alternatives are available.

If the patient takes a lot of medications, at different times and days of the week, you might consider using a tool to better organize their medication.

You can opt for a dosing schedule, which you can post somewhere visible in your home. You can also have a weekly pillbox with a medicine sorter where you can record the dosage for each day, seven days a week.

7. Use support elements

Using a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair also requires special care for the safety of our adults.

Any support item for the adult should be within sight and easy to grasp.

You can rely on walkers and folding canes for support. Some even have a base that keeps them upright. This way, your adult won't have to bend down if they fall. Others even include a base for sitting.

In the case of using wheelchair, it should always have the brake activated when not in use, so that the adult can use it to accommodate themselves or even lean on it.

8. Safety railings and handrails

You can watch your adult child all day long, but what if they roll over and fall during the night? For that, nothing beats a bed rail, which you attach to the sides of the bed .

Fortunately, you can get safety rails for both sides and one side. For added safety, try to choose those with a polyurethane coating on the support , as this will help ensure better support. Some of them are so easy to assemble and transport that they can even be used for home or hospital beds.

Some people may only need a pair of bed rails . These are removable devices that attach to the sides of the bed. Some include locking devices for quick and easy access.

Just because the child is in bed doesn't mean they have to spend the night unable to move. There are guardrails made of high-density foam , which provide comfort while protecting them from falling.

9. Pager bells

Obviously, neither family nor caregivers can monitor the adult all the time, and there are times when they must step away for a few minutes to perform other tasks.

But what happens if, during that time, the elderly person suffers a blow or falls, and no one is around to notice? To provide the caregiver with peace of mind, there are pagers , a pair of interconnected devices that, with the simple touch of a button, can change things and prevent an emergency.

If the person is at any time vulnerable, they can activate the alarm on their device, the sound of which reaches the other receiver worn by their family member or caregiver.

Some of these doorbells are very adult-friendly , as they can even be worn around the neck and have alarms with various tones (some even have a light to reinforce the alert). Others are rechargeable and even waterproof.

10. Lifting or cushioned chairs

How many times has an older adult asked for help getting up? Well, there's technology developed to give them maximum independence.

The interesting thing is that you can find comfortable lift chairs that can be raised high enough for the person to stand up alone.

A chair with these features also helps adults stand up without putting pressure on their knees, hips, or back.

Some are adjustable so they can be used while watching TV, sleeping, or taking a nap. There are even chairs that include a vibrating massage system and zero-gravity zones.

11. Special beds

And for quality sleep, there are also lines of beds specially designed for older adults or people who spend a lot of time in bed.

You can count on adjustable beds that operate with a remote control and even include safety bars for extra protection . If you decide to purchase one, look for one that's made of reinforced steel, folds down, and offers high-pressure adjustment.

You can also opt for models with ultra-quiet motors for the best rest for bedridden patients.

Safe seniors, calm family

It's a fact that when they reach adulthood, some people may need special care. Taking precautions helps prevent accidents, which would have direct consequences on their quality of life.

Paying attention to these details would give adults greater confidence and awareness when performing everyday activities, such as walking, getting dressed, or moving around the house.

After all, it's a team effort, involving doctors, family, caregivers, and, of course, the conditions of the home where you live.