Wednesday, July 23, 2014

I am seeing more and more people finding themselves in the challenging position of having to evaluate whether or not it is appropriate for parents or other older loved ones to age in place, or to possibly move in with their adult children.

No matter which option you choose, the folks at Home Instead Senior Care want to share their practical and extensive checklist to help determine if your senior’s home is safe from hazards that could jeopardize their well-being and independence.

In this report, we'll take a look at how the site suggests you make a foyer and front yard safer for aging loved ones. Among the questions you need to ask are - Do steps have proper handrails? Are they too steep, cracked or uneven? Is there adequate lighting at night? And can your senior hear the doorbell?

Address these concerns by using the following tips from the Home Instead Senior Care checklist:

1. Stabilize unsteady railings. If they are missing, install at least one and preferably two.

2. Proper handrails are a must where stairs are steep. Have damaged or broken steps and sidewalk repaired. Consider planning out an alternate route to and from the home for your senior. Contact your local city or county government about repairing a sidewalk or the end of a driveway.

3. Make sure your senior has someone to shovel his or her walk after winter storms, or maintain their yard. Work out an arrangement with a neighbor or snow removal/yard service. Use snow melt when necessary.

4. Add an outdoor light if one is not available. Motion-activated lights may provide an older adult much comfort and security.

5. Install barriers and fences in the yard to help ensure a senior doesn't wander. Place larger flower pots near small openings to help re-direct. Create inviting areas including benches where an older adult can sit and enjoy nature.

6. Consider adding a device that enables a ringing doorbell to trigger a flashing light - including existing house lamps and special strobes for rooms where lamps aren't generally used - the device lets your loved one know if someone is at the door

Source: MakingHomeSaferforSeniors.com.

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