As our parents age, many of them would like to hold on to their independence. Independent, active living can be associated with longer life expectancies compared to those who move into assisted facilities. Even retirement communities that allow residents independence while taking care of the hassles of living in a home (like maintenance repairs and other household duties) can positively impact seniors’ life expectancies. However, seniors who live alone are at increased risk for health problems like depression from feeling isolated (and potentially debilitated) and accidents, like falls, are more likely. Without proper safety and communication protocols, your parents may not be very safe living independently. So what is the balance between ensuring the safety of your parents, while simultaneously, allowing them to live freely? Below are five ways to make your aging parents’ home safer so they can continue living independently, while giving you peace of mind on their safety and health.
1. Install security and easy alert technology.
In order to make your parents feel safe at home, it may be important to install or update any security measures in their home. With companies like Ring inventing many home surveillance and alarm tools, there are many ways to ensure the safety of your parents, especially if they are unwilling to move from their home. This technology will also help you keep an eye on them if they allow you access to their home monitoring systems. Technology companies can be alerted if doors or windows are opened when they’re not supposed to be, and bluetooth enabled systems can allow anyone to secure the doors and windows from anywhere.
In addition to installing security, it is also important to given them easy alert tools to call for help easily if they need it. Home pods like Alexa and Google Home can be activated by their voice so they can call for help. Also providing them medical alert bracelets, like LifeAlert, could make it very easy for them to call for help if something were to happen. Some home security systems even come with buttons to automatically call out to medical services, but it’s best to get them something they can use from anywhere, especially if they cannot get to the system.
2. Remove all fall hazards and install safety resources.
According to the CDC, death from elderly falls has increased 30% since 2007, and is projected to be 7 falls every hour by 2030. Falls are harder on the elderly due to the fragility of their bones and the slowness of their recovery. If elderly patients break a hip or a leg, their mortality increases significantly, especially if they are more sedentary. Therefore, it’s important to keep your aging parents safe by removing fall hazards. These include throw rugs, slick surfaces, uneven surfaces, lack of railings, poor lighting, and miscellaneous items. If any of these items exist in your parents’ home, then they must be removed or improved for the safety of your parents. 
If there are kids or pets who leave toys everywhere, remind your parents to pick them up, or to have the children or animals return them to a designated area so they do not cause an accident. Remove all throw rugs and add slip-resistant surfaces to bathtubs, kitchens, and any other surface that may be slick. Also add railings to stairs and bathtubs/showers, as well as chairs or ledges in the shower to help with standing and seating. Make sure to add traction on the stairs to prevent falls, and make sure railings are secured to the wall. Add extra steps or slanted surfaces to any change in levels or uneven flooring. Anything that may seem like a fall hazard needs to be dealt with immediately to avoid an elderly fall.
3. Perform annual or bi-annual inspections on their home.
Homes fall apart, but as your parents age, it’s important to maintain the upkeep so, A) your parents don’t attempt to handle it themselves, putting themselves in danger, and B) nothing breaks and potentially harms your parents or interrupts their daily living. Your parents may not notice safety hazards or deteriorating appliances. So it’s important that you look out for them and suggest to your parents that it may be time for inspections by experts.
These inspections need to include those who are experts in electricity, plumbing, and infrastructure. It may cost money to have the house inspected, however, that bill will be cheaper than a repair or a hospital bill. So, schedule maintenance checks on your parents’ homes as well as pest control to ensure that their home is safe and comfortable.
4. Update appliances and household items to accommodate aging parents.
Your parents may fight you on this one, however, they will be thanking you later. As parents age and they become less mobile, it is important that their homes reflect this change. This means making things more accomodating for them and their bodies to help keep them safe, while still allowing them to have their independence. Some of these changes are minor, while some may be more expensive, but may prevent falls, injuries, slipped discs, and overexertion.
For instance, switching a low seated toilet for a higher one may help your parents use the bathroom safely. Other changes may include adding a seat to the shower or switching to a more accommodating one. Improve the lighting in all the rooms and make the switches easier to reach. Rearrange the kitchen so that everything is within reach create a designated place for remotes so they don’t get lost. Create a system or place to keep important documents, as well as switching out door handles to make them easier to use. All of these changes can help prevent accidents and make life easier for parents. Most importantly, make sure to work with your parents on these changes. Nothing makes someone feel less independent than having someone making all of their decisions for them.
5. Hire an agency to perform wellness checks and in-home care.
Last, but not least, you can hire an agency, like Diverse Health Services, to do wellness checks and perform in-home care. Diverse Health Services can help with basic home maintenance like cleaning, cooking, and other household duties. They can also help with transportation and assisting with self-administered medication. DHS is committed to providing the type of care that the patient needs, so the more independent your parents are, the less DHS workers will do, and vice versa. It’s important to have a professional provide some in-home care to help your parents with their wellness maintenance, while also allowing them to stay in the comfort of their own home. Please click the contact us button for more information on our services.
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