Creating Safe and Accessible Home Environments
Creating a safe and accessible home environment is essential for seniors to maintain their independence, safety, and overall well-being as they age. By prioritizing home safety and implementing appropriate modifications, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life and continue to live comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, falls within the home are frequently the cause of injuries to older adults. In 2012, an estimated 3.2 million older adults received medical treatment for injuries related to falls, with many of these injuries resulting in decreased independence, a need for long-term-care support, and increased risk for fatality. The good new is, that most falls are preventable. In this blog series, we will discuss strategies and modifications aimed at enhancing safety, promoting independence, and improving quality of life. Making small changes in the home can create the pathway for successful aging in place.
What is a Home Safety Assessment?
A home safety assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of someone’s home with the goal of improving the safety of the person who lives there. Home safety assessments are completed by licensed occupational therapists who are trained in home safety and home modifications. Based on the evaluation, they will provide a list of recommendations that may include adaptive equipment, home modifications, or adaptive strategies to improve independence for daily tasks and activities, while reducing the risk of falls. While it is preferred to get professional assistance, there are some things that you can do on your own to reduce the risk of falls in the home. While this list is not comprehensive, here is a self-checklist that will get you started.
Home Safety Self-Checklist
Floors: Look at the floor in each room, to make sure that you have a clear path. Look for:
Clutter: Remove items from the floor to reduce tripping hazards.
Excess furniture: Make sure you have an adequate path to walk through each room. Consider space needed for use of a walker.
Throw Rugs: Remove or secure the edges with double sided tape to ensure they don’t slip, or that the corners don’t turn up.
Cords: Coil or tape cords along the wall to remove tripping hazards.
Stairs and Steps: Look at stairs both inside and outside your home. Look at:
Handrails: Are they secure? Available? Is a rail located on one, or both sides?
Clutter: Remove objects on the stairs.
Steps: Are the steps sturdy? In need of repair? Is the carpet loose? If made of wood, are you in need of additional grip or friction strips?
Lighting: Make sure there is adequate lighting over the entire staircase. Add lighting, and replace burnt-out bulbs.
Bathroom: Check all your bathrooms. For more information, check out our blog “How to Improve the Safety and Accessibility of Your Bathroom” for more detailed information.
Tub/Shower Floor: Is it slippery? Use a rubber mat or grip strips on the floor.
Grab bars: If you are unsteady getting in and out of the tub or shower, consider installing grab bars to assist.
Grab bars that are professionally installed are preferred over suction cup models.
Do not use towel racks as grab bars.
Bathmats: Ensure that bathmats have a rubber lining on the back to keep them from slipping.
Toilet: Toilets that are too low can be difficult to stand up from or sit down on. Modifications can be made to increase the height and add bars to hold onto.
Shower Chairs: If you feel unsteady standing in the shower, consider using a shower chair.
Bedroom: For more information, check out our blog “How to Improve the Safety and Accessibility of Your Bedroom” for more detailed information.
Lighting: Make sure you are easily able to reach a light at your bedside.
Place a nightlight near the path to the bathroom. Under-bed lighting with motion sensors are also available.
Closets: Keep floors clear of clutter. Keep clothing needed for that season within easy reach.
Getting Out of Bed: Sit at the edge of the bed for at least 30 seconds before standing up.
Bed height: Check to make sure that the height of your bed is not too high or too low. Beds that are too high can cause adults to slide off the edge of the bed. Beds that are too low, can be difficult to get up from.
Modifications can be made to adjust the height of the bed, or to add a bar or handle to hold onto.
Avoid using stepstools at the bedside.
Kitchen: Ensure that most-needed items are between knee to shoulder level. Move heavy items along the counter, instead of carrying them across the kitchen.
Storage: Store most-used items at counter height, between your wait and shoulders to prevent excessive reaching and bending.
Keep your storage cupboard and pantry well-organized. Clutter can increase risk of falls, and crowded cabinets may cause items to fall.
Avoid using a stepstool. If necessary, use one with a sturdy bar to hold onto.
Check for leaks: Water on the floor can increase the risk of falls.
Small Containers: Consider buying items in smaller quantities and smaller containers. Bulky items can be difficult to transport and can have a negative impact on your balance.
Slow Down: Many falls in the kitchen are associated with turning too quickly while gathering or transporting items.
Turn slowly, making sure your feet stay aligned with your trunk, avoid twisting while turning.
Keep one hand free to hold onto a counter or chair while you are moving, or to catch your balance.
Need Professional Help?
Consider this list a quick-start guide. There are many more factors to consider when preparing for safe aging in place. The professionals at Threshold Therapeutic are specially trained to provide comprehensive home safety evaluations. If you have questions or concerns along the way, please contact us to discuss your options, or find an occupational therapist near you who specializes in home safety.
Want to take fall prevention a step further? For more information, please see our other blog posts:
If you are a caregiver who provides assistance for getting in and out of bed as well as other self-care tasks, also feel free to check out out caregiver resources below including our publication, “A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving”, and our caregiver training video courses.
Resources:
Threshold Therapeutic DIY Home Safety Checklist Download
https://www.ehealthmedicare.com/blog/medicare-tips/what-is-a-home-safety-assessment-for-the-elderly/
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/66/2/149/5624/Occupational-Therapy-in-Fall-Prevention-Current
*This blog was written in collaboration with Jamie Hunt, OTS with Pfeiffer University Masters of Occupational Therapy Program
A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving
The book includes 170 pages of full-color, step-by step instructions, to provide you with all the skills you need to provide safe, thorough, and compassionate care at home.
This is your comprehensive guide to giving you with the skills you need to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to family members, friends or clients in the home. This course includes 6 hours of instructional video covering client basic adaptive equipment, functional mobility, lifting techniques, transfers, self-care skills, bed level care, use of client lifts and transfer devices, and managing falls. Click "Preview Caregiver Course" below to preview the lessons and descriptions.
