Of course, not every elderly person is completely dependent on care. Many still lead normal, active lives. However, there’s no denying that the older a person is, the more limitations there are. And part of those limitations relates to safety in the home, or flat, in which the elderly person resides.
Why do the “extra work”?
The changes in the body and brain that occur with the onset of old age directly affect the senses, such as vision and hearing, balance and reflexes. Even the best betting sites Nigeria indicate that the flair of sports betting fans deteriorates with age.
Therefore, the home of the elderly must be as safe as possible so that they can move around freely and with less risk of falls, a common hazard that leads to disability in this age group.
Tips for creating a safe home for seniors
Experts recommend following a few tips.
Say goodbye to carpets
There’s no denying that they add charm to the environment. But if an elderly person is living in the home, their safety may depend on the decision to remove carpets.
Large ones, if poorly laid out, can cause tripping and increase the risk of falling, while small ones can cause slipping. The only type of rugs that are useful for home safety are rubber mats, which should be used in the bathroom and in wet areas such as the kitchen or laundry room.
Provide good lighting
All rooms, and especially corridors, should be well-lit. Install light switches in easily accessible places. If possible, install occupancy sensors that will switch on the lights when someone passes by. Then the elderly person will not have to look for switches.
Install handrails
These are a classic for safety and they are a must in any home where seniors live. They should be installed in the most important places where people are most likely to pass:
- In hallways.
- Along the walls in rooms.
- On the wall next to the bed.
- In the shower room.
- In the toilet and next to the toilet.
Some homes often have sloping floors, so it’s best to remove the slope, and if necessary, make separate steps.
Install extra handrails on the stairs to ensure the safety of the elderly. Also, make sure that all stairs are made or covered with non-slip material so that a person does not slip on them.
Adapt bathrooms and toilets
In addition to handrails to prevent accidents, it is important to update the entire bathroom. Use rubber mats in wet areas such as under the shower, at the exit of the shower and near the sink. The floor itself should also be made of non-slip material.
Raise the toilet seat. This will make sitting and standing movements more stable.
Choose furniture with rounded ends
Injuries are easier for the elderly. And they are more tangible.
So for the well-being and safety of the elderly, try to use less furniture, and choose furniture with rounded ends or buy silicone corners and apply them to sharp places. These adapters can be found in any building materials shop.
Organise your work
Wires strewn across the floor are dangerous to anyone walking through the room. In a safe home for the elderly, electronic equipment wires and cables should be run inside the walls, or use conduits well attached to the wall.
So, with these simple tips, you can greatly increase the safety of your home.
