As the Baby Boomer generation enters into their senior years and assisted living Memphis TN facilities, the time to look into home safety is now. This list covers the safety-basics to ensure that seniors will feel comfortable and safe in their homes. Review this list with them and with any care givers.
While this list is created to make a senior home as safe as possible, it is a good list for ANY home.
Let’s get started and take a look at some basic home safety inspection and suggested fixes to make a home as safe as possible.
Medication and Medical Equipment
Ensuring that all medications are stored and accessed easily and that all medical equipment is in proper working order will give everyone peace of mind. Here are a few suggestions:
• Make sure all pill containers seal properly and can also be opened and closed with ease.
• Many medications look alike and may be easily confused with similar-looking medications. Consider keeping medications in their pharmacy-provided containers as to not confuse dosages.
• Provide an proper Sharps container for needle disposal
• Check all oxygen tanks or other medical equipment to ensure that all tubing, control valves, etc. are in working as designed.
Interior Home Safety
Get a handle on mobility and safety concerns around the house by inspecting these issues and make appropriate fixes:
Rugs/Carpet
Any curled edges on throw rugs or carpeting can be a slip-and-fall hazard for both walking and for wheeled mobility-assisted equipment.
- Secure edges with double-sided tape or consider removing/replacing the rugs all together.
Lighting/Electrical
Keep the home well-lit and safe by checking the following:
- Replace any loose or burned-out lightbulbs.
- Install motion-sensor lighting or nightlights down hallways, in bathrooms and near the front door.
- Check all electrical outlets and light switches for any damaged or overloaded outlets. Call in an electrician to do a home and electrical panel inspection if you’re unsure about the power distribution for the home.
Knobs, Pulls and Handles
Check any knob or handles around the house to ensure that all are in proper working order.
- Door handles
- Stove/oven controls
- Rolling closet or sliding glass door tracks
- Window latches
- Light switches
Furniture Placement
Take an honest look at furniture placement in the home and make any adjustments necessary for unobstructed mobility. (It may be time to move that couch!)
- Move furniture so doors can open completely
- Hallways, stair landings, and right-angles in the floorplan should be clear of any obstruction. Move that much-coveted potted plant or curled-edge area rug if necessary.
Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarms and Safety Lighting
- Install a carbon monoxide/smoke alarm in EVERY room of the house
- Replace batteries in ALL detectors on a regular basis
- Place a flashlight in all rooms and check batteries
Slip-and-fall Hazards
Inspect each room of the house for safety hazards that can be easily remedied such as:
- Placement of free-standing space headers
- Electrical cords – Bundle them up with an elastic cord and tuck them away!
- Clean floors – Clean up any wetness on floors and vacuum/sweep in regular basic for optimal traction
- Ensure all area rugs have a non-skid backing and that all edges are sealed tightly to the base flooring material
Bathroom Safety
Wet floors, steam and a tight floor footprint, the bathroom is the most important room in the house to inspect and/or make fixes.
- Any rugs or bathmats should have a rubber (non-skid) backing
- Proper ventilation will ensure that any steam is removed from the room quickly
- Have grab bars installed around the toilet area and in the bathtub area.
- Inspect existing grab bars for secure fit; replace if necessary
- Check that all sink, shower and bathtub plumbing fixtures are in good working order
Exterior Home Safety
Do an inspection of the homes’ exterior to ensure that any access or safety issues are addressed.
Doors and Windows
Exterior doors and windows should always be in proper working order for safety and security. Take an honest look around the homes’ exterior and make necessary adjustments
- Inspect ALL door knobs and locks are in proper working condition
- Check that the doorbell works and can be heard from the furthest location in the home.
- Inspect and replace any stair railings or stairs that are not in the safest condition. Tighten up bolts on spindles and railings; secure any loose steps; keep area clean and accessible.
- If the home has a wheelchair ramp, check the condition and make any necessary repairs.