There are several safety issues seniors must address if they want to remain in their homes as they age. This home safety checklist from U.S. News and World Report can help you spot possible issues and take action to prevent them.
Simple fixes and smart thinking can ensure a safe environment for seniors. Stairs are the most obvious barrier to seniors hoping to stay in their homes as long as possible. But lighting, bath and kitchen design as well as access to home systems all require a top-to-bottom rethinking to ensure the elderly can manage the house and their daily lives.
Design and building professionals have become knowledgeable in the principles of “universal design,” the concept that makes the design of the house easy to navigate for everyone, not just those with compromised abilities, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. By using universal design principles to gradually adapt the home for long-term senior living, seniors can be sure that their space will meet their needs and those of visitors and health care providers.
Regina Ford, founder of Lifelong Home LLC, a Beaverton, Oregon-based consulting firm that helps seniors and families assess their homes for independent living, says the conversation is often prompted by stairs but quickly turns to other problems.
Here are some important considerations to keep in mind while making a home friendlier to seniors.
