One of the hardest moments my grandmother had before passing away was admitting that she finally couldn’t live alone in her home anymore. She had lived in the same house since first moving to Brooks, Alberta. And even though she was in her mid-nineties and my grandfather had passed away years ago, she had remained in that house ever since and had no desire to leave it. She was lucky to have a boarder living with her in later years that helped her a great deal and a home care nurse that visited a few times a week to assist her with simple tasks, but we still worried about her living alone.
With so many members of the population reaching twilight years, senior safety is an important topic right now. And if your parents or grandparents are living unassisted, taking a few simple steps to ensure the house is safe just makes sense! Get started with these three steps:
Be Prepared for Fire
Remembering to check the batteries in a smoke alarm is something that everyone occasionally forgets. To ensure that smoke alarms in your family member’s home are operational, make a habit of changing the batteries and checking the alarm at the same time you check your own. Or, for even more peace of mind, consider replacing traditional alarms with ones that are hard-wired into the house’s electrical system so dead batteries aren’t a concern. And make sure the occupants have a sensible escape plan! Climbing down a rope ladder from a second story window might make sense for young adults, but can be far too hazardous an option for seniors.
Protect Against Theft
Hiding a key outside in case it’s forgotten is a common-sense way to ensure that Mom or Dad is never locked out in an emergency. But having that key exposed for anyone to find can be a danger when it comes to home security. The Master Lock 5422D Key Safe is the perfect compromise. Lock it on the property, store a spare key inside and then open it with a numerical combination if you ever need the key. It will provide great peace of mind knowing that your loved one can’t be locked out of the house, but that the spare key can’t be stolen or used by anyone else. For inside the house, secure valuables and essential papers in the SentrySafe Combination Fire Safe. It protects against fire, flood and theft so even in the event of a break-in, important items will be safe. And with the option of opening the safe either with a numerical combination or with two keys, seniors can pick the best option for them.
Plan for Injury Prevention
A simple fall is usually no big deal for a healthy young adult, but it can be devastating to a senior. If mobility is starting to become an issue for your parents or grandparents, a few simple changes in the house can make a big difference. Consider installing grab bars in bathrooms or stairwells and adding grips to slippery surfaces and smooth floors. Removing loose throw rugs is another simple way to help minimize falls. And double-check to make sure essential items are within reach rather than stored on high shelves. A little reorganizing can be a quick and easy way to make a home safer for an older resident.
With my dad in his eighties and living on a remote acreage in rural Saskatchewan, I know firsthand how worrisome it can be to have an elderly parent living alone. In my dad’s case, I’m lucky that he still lives with his wife so he won’t be helpless in the event of an emergency. And with a few simple additions to the house and a little work organizing for maximum mobility benefits, I can rest easy knowing that even though he lives in a remote area on his own, he’s ready for anything!
Soozle says
I work in hospital on a orthopedic surgical ward so we see a lot of seniors coming in with fractures – a lot can easily be prevented by simple things like (as you mentioned) removing throw rugs and putting night lights in the halls. Most bounce back from their injuries, but some end up losing their independence permanently – prevention is so important!
Cheryl says
Great tips! So important
Guppy says
Good advice! Even though I’m not yet a senior, I am quickly gaining appreciation for mobility/injury prevention steps for myself around the home.
Diana Powell says
These are very good tips . Your life changes when you are a caring for an elderly relative.
Cheryl says
We have a strong box but I keep saying we have to invest in a good safe before it is too late!! Thanks for the reminder!!
Linda Klages says
We baby boomers are soon going to be all in that age group………………..
joanne darell says
Great tips for when you in your home as long as possible.
Carole Dube says
Great tip, not only for senior but everyone should fallow these tips!
Lisa Paquette says
This a really good article – definitely things I will have to consider as my parents age!
Lynda Cook says
These are all great tips!! I love the lock boxes for the house keys!!
Darrah Bailey says
Lock boxes are a great idea, We just had to deal with this similar situation
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
These are good tips. I’ll definitely keep them in mind.
Gizele says
Great tips. We will all be seniors eventually.
Julie says
Preventative measures are key! I worked for many years with seniors and these are all great tips!
Tiesha says
Thanks for the important and useful advice!
angela marriott says
Very good tips . Thanks
Rosanne Robinson says
Great ideas, thanks very much!
Luisa says
Very good tips! Thank you 🙂
Treen Goodwin says
Great tips , thanks for sharing these important tips 🙂
jan says
It is sad that we don’t interact with neighbours as much today. Such a great built in safe guard for many.
kristen visser says
these are definitely great tips! my granddaughter are reaching the point in their lives where they need someone caring for them so this is great to know for future
Butter Spice says
Good common sense tips for pretty much everyone. Many falls are preventable and building/modifying houses and apartments with safety ideas in mind and disability considerations is a great idea to future proof the dwelling and make it accessible.
kathy downey says
These are common sense tips we all need to follow even for our own safety.I am not a senior(yet) but i do have a disability and these would all be useful.
DORIS HUMBER says
I love these tips!
Many Elderly people are vulnerable, so it is imperative that families/friends help them to live safely in their homes.
Karla Sceviour says
Great tips for anyone!!
Reinhard Doberstein says
Good advice! Turned 65 this year and I am quickly gaining appreciation for mobility/injury prevention steps for myself around the home. Good to be prepared!
scott macmillan says
Fire is my biggest worry for my Mother.It takes only minutes for a fire to become an inferno.I always make certain her alarms are charged and activated.
Lindsay T says
Some great tips, my great-aunt is realising she may not be able to live on her own any longer, it’s a tough time.
Paula Dumont says
What about a lifeline button/system … are those recommended?
Debbie White Beattie says
My parents have a safe, they also live in a bungalow that is wheelchair accessible. I’m lucky so far that they take good care of themselves.
Debbie Bashford says
We have the grab bars and no throw rugs also a bench that is put into the shower so they can sit down, and a daily pill dispenser that has large letters
Kim Tanti says
Great tips. I grew up In Toronto and our house was broken into 2x. The first time we had a bull dog which took a chunk out of the guys back end. there was blood all over the floor and window sill. That was before they could do DNA testing. But there was some badly injured sucker out there.
Florence C says
My 85 year old mom lives by herself. She can’t get around without a walker and shes had a home care worker for a few hours each day, but she is alone at night and I worry all the time. I live 1000 km away. These are great tips.
Stephanie LaPlante says
I would love to own a safe someday.
Linda Bragg says
All very good tips and as a senior myself I find that going up and down stairs may be a problem in later years. Great article and thanks for posting. 🙂
Jamie hall says
Thesw are great tips,a fall can be so serious for a senior.
Judy Cowan says
Great tips, definitely something that I am dealing with right now with aging parents.
Nate says
Thanks for the tips
Wanda Tracey says
These are great tips.My dad has a hard time getting around now and uses a walker.
We removed all loose rugs too and we also have Meals On Wheels deliver for him so
we know he is eating well.
Lorraine Wiebe says
Great tips thanks so much.
Silvia D says
great tips to keep in mind! thank you for the post!
donna s dufresne says
Thank you for these tip’s my mother in law had a fall 3 years ago and broke her arm wish we knew this than thank you for sharing
tammy ta says
Thanks for the tips. I am going to be helping to check in on my neighbours. This tips may be useful to them.
AD says
Great tips. I have only one grandmother left and I constantly worry about her well-being.
Mike Gismondi says
These are some really great tips. I’m going to do them!
Dave S says
Great tips. I have to care for my mother so will definitely consider some of these.
Louise Smith says
Great tips I love the lock box we started using a lock box for our baseball leagues clubhouse way easier then having 50 keys out there and we can change the combo whenever we need too.
Amanda Fontaine says
This was a great article. I have an almost 85 year old grandmother that still lives on her own in the country and these are great tips. Thank you for sharing. 😀
Mrs White says
I tend to worry about older relatives…and actually anyone older who is on their own.
Laurie P says
Great tips/reminders for everyone!