Making a Home Safe for Seniors

In residences, home improvements are done for the purpose of comfort since most people spend great amounts of time in these buildings. Likewise, in retirement homes, the administrators must make sure that their facilities are safe. However, there are some things that should be considered to make a home secure from mishaps.

Check the doors and see if they are designed in a way that eliminates chances for harm or injury to a person. For example, it would be better if the door openings are wide for better access since it would be easier to manoeuvre the walkers and wheelchairs of the senior residents through them.

If the windows and doors do not function easily, have its tracks cleaned and its screws tightened and lubricated. Assure also that all other spaces are free of clutter so that nobody will stumble while walking on the hallways. Next, take a good look at areas that see heavy use such as bedrooms and halls. If you find some obstacles or items that could cause accidents, then these things should be removed. Set up a convenient to use door knob with lever-type handles. Closet and pantry doors must also be easy to operate.

Furthermore, install grab bars or vertical poles next to the beds and dressing areas in cases when the residents have a difficulty in mobility. Additionally, lights must be installed in places where they can provide the maximum amount of illumination so that people would not have a hard time moving around the place, even if they happen to have faulty eyesight. Meanwhile, hanging rods in the closet must be within their reach and this storage space should have hooks where they can place the items that they frequently. Finally, so that they can easily contact you in cases wherein they need something, provide them with a telephone near their bed or a convenient intercom system.