Every year in the US, 1/3 of people over 65 falls. Falling is also the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults according to the CDC. What for most is a simple misstep, can turn into a life altering injury or death for the elderly. With older folks having been hit hard in their retirement by the economy, many are choosing to not sell their homes in our market, but instead make them safer.
The most dangerous room for seniors to fall in is the bathroom. Manuevering between the bathtub, toilet and shower can be difficult for older individuals, especially on wet surfaces and late night trips to the bathroom. One important step that may shock you, is to remove rugs, even if they have been there for years. Trade your old rugs in for newer slip-resistant ones and make sure the flooring in your bathroom is uniform.
Some more tips to make your home safe for seniors include:
-Make sure wall-to-wall carpeting is secure and flat without wrinkles or raised areas.
-Fix and update poor lighting and add nightlights for trips to the bathroom.
-Place nonskid adhesive strips in the bathtub or shower floor, or a plastic shower chair to help get in and out.
-A raised toilet seat with armrests can also make using the restroom easier.
-Keeping your balance is important so install handrails near the toilet, bathtub or shower.
-Some no brainers include having well lit stairs, remove clutter from floors, and don't wax hardwoods where seniors walk.
Aging is never anyone's favorite topic, especially if the one aging is you. Instead of thinking of this as age--proofing, think of it as remodeling. Remember safety is first!
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