Whether you're the child of an aging parent or any other kind of regular caregiver, one task that's vital in many such settings is promoting safety within the home. Many seniors are easily capable of living on their own, but may require a few specific safety-related themes or systems that assist them on a daily basis. 

At Stay Safe Alert, we're proud to offer the very best medical alert systems and related products on the market, including products ranging from alert systems themselves to devices like bracelets and many others that make this theme more convenient. Along with these systems, which are enormously beneficial to many seniors and their caregivers, what are some other areas you should be considering in terms of home safety if you're taking on a caregiver role of any kind? Here are several.

Medical Alert System

We wanted to spend a bit more time on medical alert systems before moving on to other themes here, as they're a vast resource for many people. There are many situations where you never know what might happen while a senior is living on their own, and the presence of a medical alert system can mean the difference between a safe, comfortable living situation or one that's fraught with potential risk.

In fact, the mere availability of such a system means that seniors are more likely to live at home longer and enjoy greater independence for a longer period of time. This is especially beneficial when it comes to elderly parents or in-laws who might not be quite what they used to be, but are still more than capable of living alone safely.

Even if the senior in question doesn't have any specific health conditions, and is just looking for added peace of mind as they age, these systems can be a solid investment. They're also ideal for those who might not quite be at the point where they need to use such a system, but could benefit from knowing it's available should the time come.

In addition to a quality medical alert system, what are some other ways to make a senior's home as safe as possible for independent, healthy daily living? Here are several themes.

Room Selection

If a senior you're helping care for is in the process of moving into a new home, condo, apartment or any other building, the room chosen for their primary living quarters should be one that's compatible with their needs. Consider the following variables when choosing a room:

  • Easy accessibility: Seniors will often want an easily accessible room to make it easier for them to get around on their own, but this also means making sure the doorways are wide enough for walking carts or wheelchairs, if necessary. If you can't do this, you'll want to consider other alternatives.
  • Easy bathroom access: When it comes to room choice and accessibility, seniors should also have easy access to a bathroom as well as an easily accessible sink. This is important for many reasons, but could be even more essential for those who are using medical alert systems in their homes.
  • Limit stairs or climbing: If at all possible, select a room on the first floor of a building instead of one that requires climbing stairs or using an elevator for access. This is another accommodation that's great to give seniors as they age and might not be as spry on their feet as they once were.

Room Design

Once the living quarters have been selected, there are a few important design concepts that will play a big role in maintaining its safety:

  • Limit clutter: Both when designing the room and well into the future, reduce the amount of clutter in the room as much as possible. This will keep walkways clear for seniors, allowing them to move around the space safely and carefully.
  • Avoid improper railings: Because walkways might already be cluttered, it's important to avoid putting up new railings that can become hazards when walking around. Instead, work with what you have, or find other ways to help seniors move around the space without making it more dangerous for them along the way.
  • Limit access to potential dangers: To keep your senior loved one safe in their new home, make sure they don't have access to anything that may cause harm come time for them to use it. This includes cleaning chemicals and other dangerous materials, as well as knives and sharp objects that might cause injury within the space.

Bathroom Adjustments

For many seniors, the bathroom is a specific area of the home that will require extra attention and care as they age. While it might not always be necessary to make changes, there are several important design concepts you'll want to keep in mind:

  • Sturdy walk-in or roll-in showers: Is your senior loved one at risk of falling? If so, a walk-in shower will make it much easier for them to bathe on a regular basis. If this isn't an option, consider a roll-in shower instead.
  • Walk-in or raised toilets: Along the same lines as the walk-in shower is a walk-in or raised toilet. This will make it easier for many seniors to use on a regular basis and is definitely worth considering as they age.
  • Grab bars and slip mats: If your senior loved one is still able to bathe on their own, adding grab bars and slip mats in the tub or shower will make things much easier for them. This will not only provide extra support while they move around, but also help keep them firmly planted in place so they don't fall.

Patience

Throughout any such upgrades or improvements you make to a senior's home, it's vital to be patient and understanding. It can be a struggle for some seniors to make these changes, and oftentimes they'll need time to adjust and adapt to any new routine.

As in many situations, you should always take this kind of change in stride and realize that allowing your senior loved one the time they need is much more important than rushing through the process. Find a way to work at their pace so you can make sure their comfort is not disturbed while you look to improve overall safety around the home.

For more on senior safety within their home and how our medical alert systems can help, speak to the pros at Stay Safe Alert today.