Prioritizing your elderly loved one’s safety is a top responsibility for caregivers. Creating a safe, comfortable home environment is crucial to your parents’ well-being and independence. You want their home to be free from hazards that could lead to accidents, falls, or emergencies. But where do you start with home safety for seniors? This article gives caregivers the ultimate home modifications checklist for elderly living alone so you can take the necessary steps to make your parents’ house safe and comfortable.
Checklist for elderly living alone
Entrance and exit points
Safe entry and exit points are vital aspects of home safety for seniors. Your parent should be able to easily leave their home in the case of an emergency or return home after a long day without worrying about trips and falls. Here are some ways to make entry and exit points safer for your loved one:
- Install lights on entrance pathways to protect seniors from tripping hazards, animals, or unwanted visitors when leaving or returning.
- Install non-slip pathways, especially in rainy or snowy areas.
- Ensure doors are equipped with easy-to-use locks that don’t stick.
- Hide a spare key outside for emergency access, like in a well-hidden rock or planter.
- Install a one-way peephole so your parent can see who’s at the door.
- Ensure entryways are sheltered with a covered porch or alcove to protect against harsh weather conditions while looking for door keys.
- Ensure entryways are accessible to your parents’ needs, such as wheelchair or cane ramps. Accessibility-based home modifications for seniors promote independence and long-term mobility.
- Guarantee the mailbox is easily accessible and securely mounted so your loved one doesn’t have to bend or stretch to retrieve their mail.
- Consider adding an emergency communication device or button near the entryway. These buttons ensure home safety for seniors by letting them quickly call for assistance in the case of an emergency, fall, or intruder.
Lighting
Adequate lighting is one of the simplest home modifications for seniors that significantly reduces the risk of trips and falls. Below are key lighting areas to focus on:
- Add bright lighting to outdoor pathways and entry points.
- Install motion sensor nightlights in bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways for easy navigation at night.
- Install task lighting in areas where “detail” activities are performed, like reading in the living room or cooking in the kitchen.
- Illuminate staircases with adequate lighting, both overhead and along each step.
- Ensure closets are well-lit to help seniors easily locate and organize their belongings.
- Consider adjustable lighting fixtures or lightbulbs that allow your loved one to control the brightness based on preferences and the time of day. Consider bulbs with different colors, such as warm colors or red light to aid sleep.
- Add bedside lighting with easy-to-reach switches so your parent doesn’t have to navigate from the wall switch to the bed in the dark.
- Install emergency lighting solutions in major living areas, such as battery-operated or rechargeable LED lights. These are useful in the case of power outages or malfunctioning lights.
- Explore convenient smart lighting systems that allow your parent to control the lights with voice commands or a smartphone app.
Fall prevention
Fall prevention should be the top priority on the checklist for elderly living alone. Falls are a significant and serious risk for seniors, with 50% of falls resulting in significant injuries like head wounds or fractures that require surgery. Check out these easy ways to help minimize the risk of falls:
- Secure rugs with non-slip pads or double-sided tape to prevent tripping. In some cases, home modifications for seniors might include removing rugs altogether if there are concerns of bunching or slipping.
- Place non-slip mats inside and outside the bathtub or shower to prevent sliding. Anti-skid bathmats are one of the cheapest home modifications for seniors that will have a massive positive impact on safety.
- Install grab bars in bathrooms – near the toilet and inside the shower – and stairwells to help your parent catch themselves in these high-risk areas.
- Arrange for a GoGo professional to do a home assessment. They’ll come with an elderly home safety checklist personalized to your parent’s home. They’ll identify specific home modifications for seniors living in the house so you can help make necessary changes to prevent falls.
- Encourage your parent to wear non-slip, supportive footwear in the home. Shoes with good traction add another layer of home safety for seniors.
- Install handrails on both sides of all staircases to ensure a secure grip when ascending and descending stairs.
- If your parent has mobility issues, consider a motorized stair lift chair to boost home safety for seniors.
- Ensure your parents’ chairs and sofas are sturdy and have armrests for support while standing or sitting. Avoid chairs that are too low or soft.
- Keep clutter top of mind while going through your elderly home safety checklist. Reorganize the home to remove clutter and obstacles from living areas.
- Consider incorporating fall detection devices or wearable technology to alert emergency services and caregivers in the event of a fall. Successful home safety for seniors often requires a team of caring individuals working together.
Mobility and accessibility home modifications for seniors
Creating an accessible environment involves thoughtful home modifications for seniors that cater specifically to their needs. Although the following changes are more time- and cost-intensive to undertake, they’re significantly worth it in terms of improving home safety for seniors living alone.
- Install ramps for easy wheelchair or walker access.
- Lower kitchen cabinets and countertops for more convenient use while sitting or in a wheelchair. These home modifications for seniors allow older adults to live independently for longer.
- Consider bathroom modifications, including raised toilet seats and walk-in showers.
- Widen doorways for wheelchair or walker access. This enhances overall mobility through the home, making it easier for seniors to navigate.
- Replace traditional doorknobs with lever-style handles, which are easier to grasp. This is one of the best home modifications for seniors with arthritis or limited hand strength.
- Rearrange storage spaces to be more accessible and usable. Store frequently used items at the front at waist level to minimize reaching and bending.
- Consider integrating smart home automation systems that allow your parent to control lights, thermostats, and security features through voice commands or mobile devices. These are shown to dramatically improve home safety for seniors living alone.
- Position the bed (or buy a new frame) so it’s easier to get in and out. Install rails for added support, and ensure ample space around the bed for wheelchair maneuverability.
- Install remote-controlled window coverings. Remote-operated enhancements are home modifications for seniors that eliminate the need for reaching and pulling, creating a comfortable and private environment with a lower risk of injury.
Emergency preparedness checklist for elderly living alone
Being prepared for all kinds of emergencies is paramount to home safety for seniors. Here are some things to consider on your emergency elderly home safety checklist.
- Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Test and change batteries regularly to ensure they stay in working order.
- Implement fire-specific home safety for seniors, like accessible fire extinguishers and a clear evacuation plan in case of emergency. Ensure your family is familiar with the escape routes and meeting points for emergencies.
- Compile a list of emergency contacts like family members, neighbors, friends, and healthcare providers. Keep the list easily accessible for your loved one in their home.
- Prepare a well-stocked emergency kit with essential supplies like non-perishable food, bottled water, a supply of medications, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, backup phone batteries, blankets, personal hygiene items, and copies of important documents like ID and medical records.
- If your loved one has pets, include provisions for their care in the elderly home safety checklist. This includes food, water, and essential pet supplies.
- Register your parent for local emergency alerts and notifications for regional and national emergencies, weather events, and other critical situations.
- Utilize medical alert systems that connect to emergency services and designated contacts.
Monthly elderly home safety checklist
Establishing adequate home safety for seniors is an ongoing process. You should regularly check your loved one’s home to ensure it remains safe and comfortable. Regular inspections and timely repairs are the key to home safety for seniors, allowing you to identify potential hazards before they become an issue.
GoGo Home Services improves home safety for seniors
GoGoGrandparent can help implement the items on this checklist for elderly living alone. GoGo Home Services connects caregivers with a network of vetted, trusted professionals who can assist with various home-related tasks. You can hire handymen, electricians, plumbers, pet sitters, and more, ensuring your loved ones receive the support they need to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.
What makes Gogo different is our GoGoGuardians. Behind the scenes, our Guardians screen professionals and monitor your projects, so you can feel safe that someone is always looking out for your loved ones when they invite a home professional into their house.
Plus, our Family Features allow caregivers to book and pay for services, monitor requests and rides, and keep an eye on loved ones, even remotely.
Click here to learn more about how our Home Services keep seniors independent for longer.
Ultimate elderly home safety checklist
Home safety for seniors involves a combination of thoughtful planning and utilizing innovative services like GoGo Home Services. By following this checklist for elderly living alone, you can feel confident that your loved ones can safely and comfortably age-in-place in their own home.
Find out here how GoGo Home Services helps check off the items on your elderly home safety checklist.
