How to Safely Age In-Home

According to an AARP research report, 90% of people aged 65 or older wish to age in-home rather than move into an assisted living or nursing home facility. This desire for independence can leave family members worried about their elders’ safety and ability to manage in the case of an emergency.

You can help mitigate these valid concerns by ensuring their home is as safe and senior-friendly as possible. Talk with your elders to help determine what needs to be done to make their home safe and comfortable for their continued stay.

The following guide can help you keep your elderly loved ones safe, healthy, and happy as they age in-home.

Eliminate Safety Hazards

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 32–42% of those aged 70 or older fall each year. Falls are the underlying cause of 10–15% of all emergency department visits. Serious falls can result in stress fractures to the hips, traumatic brain injuries, and upper limb injuries.

Conducting a thorough safety check of each room and making all necessary changes can help stop seniors from falling or injuring themselves in other ways.

Bathroom Safety Check

Bathrooms have numerous wet and slippery surfaces, so falls there can happen quickly and be deadly. Implement the following safety measures to help prevent bathroom injuries:

1. Ensure all bath mats have non-slip backings.
2. Install handrails beside and inside the bathtub and shower to assist with navigation.
3. Install a bathing chair and handheld showerhead inside the shower to assist with cleaning.
4. Install non-slip decals or a permanent rough finish on bath and shower floors.
5. Install a comfort-height toilet—17 to 21 inches is optimal—plus railings within easy reach.
6. Set the water heater’s thermostat no higher than 120° F to reduce the risk of burns.
7. Install a night light for improved visibility when the sun goes down.

Bedroom Safety Check

While the bedroom doesn’t seem like an obvious room for safety hazards, you may be able to make a few tweaks to improve safety. Our checklist includes these four steps:

1. Mattresses that are too soft can trap seniors or cause them to overstrain themselves when rising. Consider a firmer mattress while keeping in mind the extra comfort an older adult may require. Install railings or have a walker beside the bed to help with getting in and out.
2. Place a flashlight and extra batteries in a visible space in case of a power outage.
3. Replace any turning door knobs with handles that are easier to use.
4. Place a sturdy chair in the bedroom in case of dizziness, and to make changing clothes easier.

Kitchen Safety Check

As the room where so much in-home living takes place, the kitchen contains some definite safety hazards. You can help make this room safe by taking these steps:

1. Determine the best storage plan for kitchen items, keeping regularly used food and gadgets easily reachable. More long-term items can be placed in deeper storage but still within reach.
2. Check the refrigerator regularly for expired items, and discard old food.
3. Use a counter-top dish rack to store regularly used dishes for easy access.
4. Install pullout cabinet shelves to make it easier for seniors to reach their desired item.
5. Install handles on all drawers and cabinets instead of knobs to increase ease of use.
6. Keep knives sharp, but not razor sharp to help prevent cuts that could require stitches.

Invest in Medical Alert Devices and Safety Technology

Wearable medical alert devices can significantly help seniors in distress by providing them an easy way to call for emergency assistance. Smart home devices can help seniors stay connected and may be used to make emergency calls, receive medication reminders, and even access entertainment such as music or audiobooks.

Basic cell phones and GPS tracking devices are particularly handy for those elders with mild cognitive impairment and can help you stay connected and aware of their whereabouts. A cell phone can also allow a senior to call for help in an emergency.

Create Fire Prevention and Protection Protocols

Fire prevention and safety protocols are essential in every home, but seniors may need some extra help keeping everything safe. You can help by taking the following regular steps:

1. Check smoke detectors’ batteries and replace them when they’re dead or low. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) recommends the following:

• Testing the smoke alarm monthly
• Replacing batteries at least once a year
• Replacing the smoke detector every ten years

2. Check electric cords on lamps and appliances for any frayed or loose cords that can be a fire hazard. Replace any damaged cords, or replace the entire item.
3. Ensure all space heaters are in good working order and always kept at least three feet away from furniture, bedding, and curtains.
4. Discuss what to do if a fire should occur, and stress that elders should not extinguish it. However, up-to-date fire extinguishers should be present, and your elders need to know how to use them. Remind them of the stop, drop, and roll routine and determine their best escape routes.

Remove Risks of Poisoning

Seniors are at an increased risk of poisoning due to the ease of mixing up their medications and difficulty replacing carbon monoxide detectors’ batteries.

Medication Poisoning

To prevent poisoning from medications, check your elders’ routines to ensure they’re taking the correct ones in the proper doses. Ask the pharmacy to use large-print labels, and keep pills in their original containers.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Go over basic safety measures regarding the use of the oven, stove, or grill and ensure they aren’t being used as a means of inside heat. Remind them that these appliances can give off carbon monoxide, which can be fatal. Check the carbon monoxide detector’s batteries and replace them.

There are two ways Americans can get help for a poison emergency. Alert your elders and post this information prominently:

1. Use the webPOISONCONTROL® tool to get guidance for their specific circumstances.
2. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222.

Display all necessary contact information near your elders’ home phone, including the following:

• 911—EMERGENCY / POLICE
• Emergency personal contacts
• Their professional caregiving service, if applicable
• Their healthcare provider’s office

Discuss Financial and General Safety Measures

About $37 billion a year is stolen from America’s elderly, according to a 2018 Bloomberg report. You can help keep your elders safe from this growing problem by undertaking the following measures:

1. Remind your elders that they shouldn’t agree to any telephone offers without checking with you first and not to share financial information or their Social Security number over the phone.
2. To prevent mail theft that could lead to identity fraud, have a mail slot installed in their front door. A peephole will allow your elders to see who’s there before they open the door, and if they have memory issues, you can secure a reminder note by the door.
3. Have a professional security company install an alarm system, and teach your elders how to use it.
4. Ensure that all stairs have strong and properly placed railings.
5. Check that they’re keeping up with emptying lint traps as they can be a fire hazard, and replace any burnt-out lightbulbs to save your elders from having to do it.

Aging in-home can be very successful with proper planning and preparation. If your elders decide they wish to remain in their current home for as long as possible, these safety precautions will help ensure their safety and ongoing comfort.