As caregivers, one often is so used to how things have always been in their loved one’s home, that they often overlook a few things that may need to be changed as their needs change. It can be just what we perceive as everyday things that without a trained eye, may seem very trivial. https://livwellseniors.com/5-simple-and-easy-senior-home-safety-tips

3. As caregivers, one often is so used to how things have
always been in their loved one’s home, that they often
overlook a few things that may need to be changed as
their needs change. It can be just what we perceive as
everyday things that without a trained eye, may seem
very trivial.
Having the basics down for your loved one can be the
difference between being safe in their home,
maintaining maximum independence, and something
that could have been avoided such as a fall that spirals
into severe and life changing repercussions that could
have been avoided by a few simple steps.
Here are the BASICS of what you can do to maintain
safety in the home of someone you are caring for:

5. 1. Assistive Devices – Would they benefit from a
walker or a cane? It is best to get a Dr. order
and have a Physical Therapy Evaluation to
determine the best type of assistive device and
obtain the proper fit, as well as teach them how
to properly use it.
2. Proper Footwear – Is your loved one wearing
footwear that has good traction and not a
slipping hazard? Are they able to put on their
footwear with ease, so that they will wear them?

8. 3. Trip Hazards in the home – How are they able to get
around their home? Is there clutter that causes them
to have to maneuver in an unsafe manner? Are their
cords going across the floor that they could trip on?
Are their throw rugs everywhere, that can be a hazard
while using the walker or just simply walking? These
are just the basics of fall risk management.
4. Proper lighting – Is there proper lighting in the
bathroom, hallway, bedroom, so that if they have to get
up in the night to use the restroom, they can see
adequately? This can consist of plug in night lights
that don’t require much cost of disturbance of sleep

11. 5. Accessibility of common items – Are the
things that your loved one needs to get to in safe
reach, such as dishes on a shelf that is
accessible? Are the cooking pans that they need
to use in safe reach? Maybe the pans in the
bottom cupboards require bending over which
may increase fall risk due to loss of balance and
would be more functional in a cupboard on top
with other commonly used items that can be
safely reached and put back away. It may seem
like it doesn’t make sense to those of us who still
have safe mobility in every way, but it could
increase the function in the kitchen of someone
who has compromised balance and mobility.

14. These are just a few of the basic steps that can easily
be taken to increase the safety of your loved one in
their home! Please reach out to LivWell Seniors for
more information on obtaining a Senior Housing Safety
Evaluation by our Senior Housing Safety Specialist! It
could make an incredible difference in the lives of your
loved ones and you as a caregiver!
LivWell Seniors serves as a local agency providing
community-based resources that are 100% free to
seniors and their families. They are funded by the
senior care providers that utilize their service and
network of connections. For further information,
contact us at 563-200-7804, or visit our website at
www.livwellseniors.com.