Whether it’s moving in with a family member or remaining in their own homes, many senior citizens and their loved ones are choosing living arrangements other than nursing homes. The reason may be due to the fact that nursing home abuse is becoming more common. Signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Bed sores

• Death

• Fractures and falls

• Medication errors

• Physical and verbal abuse

You should contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers if you suspect that your loved one is or has been a victim of nursing home abuse. Also, understand that nursing homes are only really necessary if your aging loved one is in need of extensive and/or round-the-clock medical care. Otherwise, they may be able to remain in their own homes or move in with family— with a few minor home renovations to ensure their safety.

Bathroom Updates

Senior falls are most likely to occur in the bathroom, and falls are dangerous to the elderly. Falls can occur anywhere in the bathroom, but they’re more likely to occur in the shower. Consider replacing the current bathtub/shower with a walk-in bathtub. If this isn’t possible you can install grab bars inside the shower, place rubber mats inside and right outside of the shower to prevent slipping, and you can even get a bathing/shower chair to go inside of the bathtub/shower.

Standard toilets may also have to be replaced with raised toilets (between 17 and 19 inches), and handlebars next to the toilet are also a good idea. If your aging loved one is showing signs of dementia, they won’t recognize their reflection in the mirror so it will need to be removed.

Bedroom Updates

Mattresses shouldn’t be too high and they should also be firm and provide support. If a senior can’t easily get out of bed, they could be at risk of developing bed sores. They may also need some extra support when getting up out of bed, so look into installing a grab bar that extends from the ceiling to the floor.

General Home Updates

Doorknobs

Round doorknobs may be difficult to turn, especially for seniors experiencing arthritis and other joint problems/pain. Single-lever door handles are much easier for them to maneuver.

Flooring

The best type of flooring for seniors should be slip-resistant, easy to walk on, not too hard in case a fall does occur, and easy to clean. Choosing the right flooring for seniors can be hard, and the flooring may not be the same throughout the entire home. Overall, you’ll want to avoid having thick rugs and ensure that the entire home is kept free of clutter. Some of the best flooring options include:

• Vinyl flooring (waterproof, slip-resistant, easy to clean, has a cork underlayment for cushion) for the kitchen and bathroom (without the cork underlayment). Avoid tile if possible!

• Short-cut pile carpet (warmer and softer on the feet, provides the most cushioning) for the bedroom, living room, etc.

Lighting

Motion-detected lighting inside and outside of the home can be very beneficial for seniors, especially in hallways and the bathroom. Also, make sure that you can see a clear path across the room while standing in the corner. By doing this, you can see where the light reaches and make any changes if necessary.

Stairs

If there are stairs inside the home, make sure that they are carpeted with short-cut pile carpet. This makes hard stairs less slippery and a little softer, but if you believe that a fall is more likely to occur, a stairlift may be a better option for your aging loved one.

If there are stairs on the outside of the home, a stairlift can also be installed. If this isn’t possible, ensure that the stair railings are tight and sturdy. It may also be beneficial to paint the outside steps contrasting colors (e.g., black/white, orange/blue) to make it easier for the senior to differentiate each step.

Conclusion

For seniors remaining in their own homes, you’ll also want to access the kitchen and remove any potential fall and fire hazards. It will also give you peace of mind if you can have a trusted neighbour or friend check in on them regularly if you’re not able to do it yourself.

If your aging loved one requires more help than you can provide, look into a home health aide, or even a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). These are retirement-style communities whose care for seniors changes as the seniors' needs change.

Author:  Sunny Aaron