So your parents are aging and you decide to keep them in your home so you can better watch over them. Is keeping an aging parent in your home a good thing? How safe is your space for your elders?

Reality is, keeping your aging parent at home depends on many factors, which boils down on their health and well-being. How safe is your senior in your home? While for us, our homes provide comfort, familiarity, stability, and shelter, this may not be the case for the elders. Older people have different needs, and have different capabilities. Therefore, deciding whether your home is an ideal place for them, is an essential factor to consider.

Take a look at this list to help you assess how safe and suitable your home is for your elderly parents.

1. Fall hazards. How safe is your area? Falls and slips are the leading cause of injury for older people. You can take a look at you home and see your surroundings in a new light:
   • Avoid throw rugs and instead replace them with a slip-proof rubberized backing or remove them altogether
   • Old, uneven or unstable furniture must be fixed or replaced
   • Doorways must accommodate elderly people who may need wheelchairs or walkers
   • Check your extension cords or wirings
   • Make sure your floor is clear from clutter, liquids, and make sure your elderly parents use non-slip footwear in the home
2. Proximity to emergency care and clinics. Make sure that checkups to doctors are convenient and in the case of emergencies, that you have a facility close by. Keep emergency numbers and physician information handy as well.
3. Bathroom safety. Bathrooms may be the riskiest room in your house, not just for elderly people but for everyone in your household. Falls and slips can occur here. For your elderly parents, you may consider installing grabs in the shower and beside the toilet. You must also install rubber mats in the bathroom to prevent from slipping. You may also need to install a special bathing chair as well as install a hand-help shower head for them to comfortably and thoroughly bathe in the shower.
4. Kitchen safety. If your elderly parent is active in the kitchen or frequent it, make sure it’s a safe space for them as well. Make sure regularly used items and utensils are easy for them to reach. Make sure your food items are also current and throw out expired items to prevent your parents from accidentally ingesting them and causing them to get sick.
5. Proper lighting. Consider installing safety lights leading to the kitchen and in the bathroom, as well as along the stairs. This is useful for elderly who may need repeated trips to the bathroom or need assistance going to places in your house. Ensuring you have adequate lighting throughout your house at any time of day is essential as well.
6. Check your stairs. Ensure that your stairs are clear from clutter and are slip-proof. You may add paint on your stairs for your elderly to easily separate one step from the other. You can also add rubberized tape over the edge for better grip. Should they not have the ability to climb the stairs, consider stair lifts or have your elderly stay in a room in the ground floor.
7. Bedroom comfort and safety. You may also consider your senior parent’s bedroom. Replace a sagging mattress with a firmer one to protect their back. You may also install a grab bar to help them get up from bed. One small but helpful change you can also do is to change the bedroom door knows to a single-lever one instead of a round knob. You may also do this throughout your house as well.
8. Overall safety. You may also include the following safety measures to allow them to freely move around, feel more independent, maintain their dignity, while also still giving you peace of mind:
   • Install a peephole to their bedroom so you can check in on them from time to time
   • Make them wear an alert necklace in case of emergencies or a mobile phone installed with an app for them to easily contact or alert you
   • Make sure their room is clean and organized regularly to avoid accidents

Are you wondering how else you can support your elderly parents? You may also consider having them stay in a home-like environment within a safe and secure facility such as ours at Blessed Home. We have flexible options for your needs and budget. Talk to us to learn more.