| Seniors and home bound adults spend more time at | | | | and get up. Consider furniture designed specifically for |
| home than most people. Many older adults state that | | | | seniors. |
| maintaining an independent lifestyle and good health | | | | 5. Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting or area |
| are their highest priority. Many older adults above the | | | | rugs with wood or laminate flooring to minimize |
| age of 65 live alone or with spouses in their own | | | | tripping hazards associated with worn out carpet. |
| homes and 50% of those 85 or older live alone. | | | | Seniors with vision problems may not see the uneven |
| Advanced aging may impair physical or mental abilities | | | | surfaces of carpeting or rugs. If you must have |
| which can threaten independent living priorities. | | | | carpeting, then install a berber type carpet which is |
| Increased symptoms during the later years in life | | | | known to be relatively flat and closed loop. |
| may include decreased vision and mobility, weakened | | | | 6. Install more lighting in all areas of the home which |
| balance and strength, and increased environmental | | | | seniors spend the most time. As adults age, more |
| risk factors within the home which can eventually | | | | light is needed to read and see properly. Minimize the |
| affect their independence. | | | | use of lamps which have wires or cords and opt for |
| These elevated risk factors can often lead to a fall | | | | overhead lighting whenever possible. |
| which is the number one cause of unintentional | | | | 7. Consider automated light switch devices such as |
| injuries in the home among seniors. It is widely | | | | the clapper to minimize the need for searching for a |
| reported that over 35% of older adults experience | | | | light switch in a dark room. |
| at least one fall each year with approximately half of | | | | 8. Use non-slip appliques and mats in the bathtub and |
| those injuries considered to be serious. Once a fall | | | | shower. Install railing in the bathrooms in areas where |
| has resulted in injury, the risk of a subsequent fall in | | | | a senior may need them for leverage. |
| the next five years rises dramatically. | | | | 9. Purchase food and personal care products in |
| Here are 10 Home Safety Tips for Seniors & | | | | easy-to-open containers whenever possible. |
| Home Bound Adults: | | | | 10. Have an emergency notification plan in place |
| | | | should you become impaired or injured. Place |
| 1. A cluttered room can be hazardous for seniors and | | | | emergency numbers in easy to find places |
| it is easy to trip on slick magazines or papers left on | | | | throughout the home and have a daily check in |
| the floor. Old papers and magazines should be | | | | routine with other neighbors. Consider using an |
| cleaned up or recycled regularly. | | | | emergency paging service with a wireless remote |
| 2. Utilize a cordless phone in high traffic rooms to | | | | device when physical abilities are at risk. |
| reduce tripping hazards. | | | | It is paramount to perform as risk assessment often |
| 3. If you smoke, start smoking outdoors or utilize | | | | among seniors and home bound adults which have |
| deep and stable ashtrays to minimize combustible | | | | any type of physical and mental inabilities. A regular |
| materials from being ignited by lit cigarettes. | | | | assessment will help increase the time a senior can |
| 4. Replace sagging and cushy furniture with firmer | | | | maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. |
| models which make it easier for older adults to sit | | | | |