As the Canadian population ages, many elderly individuals are faced with the decision whether to stay in their homes or move into facilities that provide extended care. Counselors suggest that moving should be considered when seniors experience difficulty caring for themselves and experience a feeling of isolation about their situation. The reality is that many seniors do not want to leave the security of their own homes. Fortunately, there are viable options that support a safer home environment and in turn a more independent lifestyle.

Many home safety options are simple and require common sense, a few low priced materials, and a handyman to install them. Other products are high-tech and require planning, professional installation, and expensive equipment. These sophisticated products are part of the medical equipment industry, an industry sector that is rapidly expanding due to society's shift from institutional care to supported home care. Here is a list of areas of the home that may be safety hazards for aging individuals and what can be done to decrease or prevent accidents in the home.

All Areas of the House

• Falls are the most common cause of injury that requires hospitalization for the elderly.
• Keep all cords out of the way.
• Arrange furniture around extension cords.
• Ensure all runners and small rugs are slip resistant.
• One telephone, such as cordless phone, should be accessible in case of falls. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern for elderly individuals with low oxygen levels.
• All space heaters should be checked regularly for proper venting. Doorknobs can be difficult to operate for seniors with physical disabilities.
• Inexpensive levered doorknobs are simple to install with a screwdriver.

Stairways
Stairways can be physically strenuous and are therefore a high-risk area for falling.

• Socks or smooth soled shoes should be avoided when walking down the stairs
• Light colored carpet and painted stair edges are recommended for visibility.
• Install night-lights and use the maximum allowable wattage in your light fixtures.
• Handrails need to be properly mounted on both sides of the stairway.
• For greater mobility, steps should be longer and shallower.
• Electric or battery powered stair lifts are available for difficult to climb stairs.
• Ramps are recommended for exterior stairs with a slight rise in elevation.
• Porch lifts are viable for higher elevations operating similar to an elevator.

Bathrooms
Bathrooms are a concern for seniors because they are required to move around and get up and down on surfaces that may be wet and slippery with hard floors underneath. Falls can be avoided by decreasing the amount of time spent standing in the shower and eliminating the need to step over the tub rim.

• Grab bars and handrails should be securely installed into wall studs.
• Plastic high-rise seats can be added to toilets.
• For added security, install seats and benches in the shower and tub.
• Motorized and manually operated bath lifts are readily available.
• Roll-in showers can be installed to accommodate wheelchairs.

Kitchens/Bedrooms/Living Rooms
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 70% of all people who die from clothing fires are over the age of 65.

• Wear clothes with short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Use electric blankets according to manufacturer's instructions. Added bedding on top can trap heat in and cause a fire.

Reaching for items located on high shelves is hazardous especially when using a chair.

• Some step stools are equipped with handrails and should be opened completely for full stability. The transition from in and out of chairs and beds is often difficult for the elderly.
  • Attach bed rails to sides of beds.
  • Hospital beds and electric lift-up chairs, with level control, make transitions smoother.
  Of special note, manufacturers suggest that interested individuals should not wait until the situation is critical to install a stair lift. Operating a stair lift requires a person to steadily press a button for the length of the staircase, and wheelchair-bound seniors, with limited strength, may have trouble transferring between chairs. Furthermore, the installation of a stair lift is up to five times less expensive than remodeling the home for specific needs, such as, the inclusion of a main floor bathroom.

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