Home Safety for Seniors—What You Should Know

Keep your loved ones safe with help of these home safety tips for seniors. We detail ways to make a home safer and more secure.

Written by Brenda Woods Updated 06/12/2024

As our loved ones age, keeping them safe and comfortable at home becomes a top priority. Many seniors prefer to “age in place,” remaining in their familiar surroundings rather than moving to assisted living facilities. However, this choice often requires thoughtful modifications to create a secure environment that supports independence and well-being.

This guide explores the most important aspects of home safety for seniors, from common concerns to practical solutions that can make aging in place a safe and fulfilling experience.

Common Safety Concerns for Elderly Adults

As we age, certain aspects of our homes that once posed no issues can become potential hazards. Understanding these common safety concerns is the first step in creating a safer living environment for seniors.

Mobility and Accessibility Issues

Reduced mobility is a natural part of aging for many seniors. This can make navigating their home challenging and potentially dangerous. Stairs, high cabinets, and narrow doorways can become obstacles that limit independence and increase the risk of accidents.

Seniors may struggle to reach items on high shelves or have difficulty maneuvering through tight spaces with mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs. So, assess the home’s layout and identify areas that you may need to modify to improve accessibility and ease of movement.

Fall Risks and Prevention

Falls are the most significant safety risk for seniors. According to a study published in The Journal of Trauma, even a minor ground-level fall is three times more likely to result in death for adults aged 70 and over compared to the general population. Factors such as decreased balance, weakened muscles, and slower reflexes can increase the likelihood of falls.

Common fall hazards in the home include loose rugs, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, and lack of support in key areas like bathrooms and stairways. Identifying and addressing these risks helps prevent potentially life-threatening accidents.

Natural Disasters and Emergency Preparedness

Natural disasters and emergencies can be particularly challenging for seniors, especially those with limited mobility. Events like fires, earthquakes, or severe weather can require quick action and evacuation, which may be difficult for older adults.

Creating an emergency plan tailored to a senior’s specific needs is essential. This plan should include evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and a kit with necessary supplies and medications. Regular practice of emergency procedures can help seniors feel more confident and prepared in case of an actual event.

Home Security and Break-In Prevention

While seniors are statistically less likely to be victims of property crimes, concerns about home security still impact their peace of mind. Fear of break-ins or inability to respond quickly to threats can cause anxiety and reduce their overall quality of life.

Implementing robust security measures protects against potential intruders and provides reassurance to seniors living alone. Modern security systems offer features specifically designed for elderly users, combining home protection with personal safety alerts.

Essential Home Modifications for Senior Safety

Creating a safe home environment often requires specific modifications tailored to a senior’s needs. These changes can range from simple adjustments to more significant renovations.

Bathroom Safety Upgrades

The bathroom is one of the most important areas to focus on when improving home safety for seniors. Wet, slippery surfaces and the need for balance during personal care activities make this room particularly hazardous.

Key modifications include:

Installing grab bars near toilets and in showers
Adding non-slip mats or strips in bathtubs and shower floors
Replacing standard toilets with raised or comfort-height models
Installing a walk-in tub or curbless shower for easier access
Adding a shower chair or built-in bench for seated bathing

Kitchen Accessibility Improvements

The kitchen is another area where safety and accessibility modifications can make a big difference in a senior’s daily life. Improvements should focus on making cooking and food preparation easier and safer.

Consider lowering countertops or adding a section at a more accessible height and installing pull-out shelves in cabinets for easier access to items. You can also replace traditional faucets with lever-style handles and add task lighting under cabinets to improve visibility. If possible, install a wall oven at a comfortable height to avoid bending and potentially falling onto a hot oven door.

Bedroom and Living Area Adjustments

Creating safe and comfortable living spaces throughout the home is essential for seniors’ overall well-being. In bedrooms and living areas, focus on improvements that enhance mobility and reduce fall risks.

Remove throw rugs or secure them with non-slip backing and rearrange furniture to create clear pathways. Install handrails along hallways and stairways and add adequate lighting, including motion-sensor night lights. Additionally, lower closet rods and shelves for easier reach.

Assistive Technologies and Devices

Modern technology offers numerous solutions to enhance safety and independence for seniors aging in place. These devices can provide peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers.

Medical Alert Systems

Medical alert systems are crucial for seniors living alone. These devices allow users to quickly summon help in case of falls or other emergencies. Most systems feature a wearable button that, when you press it, connects the user to a 24/7 monitoring center or emergency services.

When choosing a medical alert system, consider the range of coverage (in-home vs. mobile), automatic fall detection capabilities, battery life, and charging requirements. Also, weigh in monthly fees and contract terms.

Smart Home Security Solutions

Smart home security systems offer comprehensive protection and convenience for seniors. These systems often integrate various features such as door and window sensors, security cameras, and smart locks, all controllable through a smartphone app or voice commands.

Benefits of smart home security for seniors include:

Remote monitoring capabilities for family members or caregivers
Voice-activated controls for easier operation
Integration with other smart home devices for enhanced safety and comfort
Customizable alerts for specific events or emergencies

Mobility Aids and Equipment

Proper mobility aids can greatly improve a senior’s ability to move safely around their home. Common mobility devices include walkers, rollators, canes, wheelchairs/power scooters, stairlifts, and transfer benches for bathtubs.

Quick Tip

While there are many choices for medical alert and home security systems, we recommend Alder, which combines both. Alder’s senior-friendly packages include devices for home security, fire and carbon monoxide detection, and medical alerts. Specifically, Alder’s medical alert pendant allows you to summon emergency services with the push of a button.

What the Professionals Suggest

“Making the appropriate accommodations and safety improvements are essential for helping seniors remain independent. These measures will help with physical limitations, however, seniors experiencing cognitive impairments may be safer in an assisted living community with daily support such as medication management and personal care.”
– Brenda West, Director of Operations for Elderwood Assisted Living

Health and Wellness Considerations

Maintaining good health and wellness is an important aspect of senior safety at home.

Medication Management

Proper medication management is crucial for seniors’ health and safety. Consider using pill organizers, automatic dispensers, or medication reminder apps or alarms. Put clear, large-print labels on medication bottles and make a system for tracking refills and doctor appointments.

Exercise and Physical Activity

Regular exercise is vital for maintaining strength, balance, and overall health in seniors. Encourage safe physical activities such as gentle stretching routines, chair exercises for those with limited mobility, and short walks around the home or neighborhood. Incorporate balance exercises under supervision if possible as well.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.

Nutrition and Hydration

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for seniors’ health and can impact safety by affecting strength, cognition, and overall well-being. Make sure they have:

Easy access to nutritious snacks and meals
Regular hydration with easily accessible water or other beverages
Use of adaptive utensils or dishes if needed
Regular grocery delivery or meal preparation assistance if necessary

Good nutrition and hydration can help prevent weakness, dizziness, and other conditions that may lead to accidents.

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial for seniors living independently.

Create a detailed emergency plan that includes:

Evacuation routes and meeting points
A list of emergency contacts
Information on medical conditions and medications
Plans for pets or service animals

And keep these phone numbers displayed in the home:

Emergency services: 911
Local police and fire department non-emergency numbers
Family members and close friends
Healthcare providers
Poison control: 1-800-222-1222

Other Senior Safety Tips and Tricks

Safety for seniors isn’t just about modifying the home—it involves modifying some of your behavior as well. Here are some ways you can help keep safe as you or a loved one ages in place:

Regularly test smoke detectors and change their batteries twice a year (or as recommended).

Avoid wearing loose sleeves while cooking, which can be a fire hazard.

Don’t leave lit candles unattended, particularly while sleeping.

Wear non-slip footwear while inside.

Purchase portable assistive devices, such as grabbers and step stools.

Know exactly what you’ll do in case of an emergency. Conduct fire drills or other safety drills a few times per year.

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers handy.

If possible, sleep on the ground floor of the home for an easy exit in case of an emergency.

Consider using services that offer daily check-ins on seniors such as Iamfine.

Our Conclusion

Creating a safe home environment for seniors is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning and ongoing attention. By addressing common safety concerns, implementing necessary modifications, and utilizing supportive technologies and services, we can significantly improve the safety and quality of life for seniors aging in place.

Remember that each senior’s needs are unique, and safety measures should be tailored to their specific situation. Regular reassessment of safety needs and open communication with healthcare providers, family members, and caregivers are key to maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment.

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.

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