Checklist for Home Safety

As much as we might not like to admit it, as we age, we face physical challenges we didn’t have to worry about in our youth. Weakened muscle strength, balance and coordination problems and failing eyesight are just some of the issues that will plague us as we get older. A recent study conducted by AARP found that 83 percent of Americans, age 45 and older, wish to stay in their current homes for as long as possible. If this is the case for you, use the following checklist to see if your home is meeting your needs and gather ideas for what to do if it isn’t.
Entranceway

* Can you enter your residence safely?

That is the first question that should be asked. Handrails should be present on one or both sides of the entranceway if there are stairs. If you live on the second floor or higher, you may want to make adjustments, such as door widening, ramps or even relocating to the first floor to ensure that you have full and easy access to your home.

Living Areas

* Is there an uncluttered pathway where you can walk?

* Can you easily turn the lights on and off?

Take a walk through each room to see if there is furniture blocking or interfering with doorways. Ensure all electrical cords are secured against the walls and no rugs or doorways create uneven floors.

Many types of light switches on the market can make turning lights on and off for those with reduced hand strength or arthritis. Rocker switches are far easier to use than flip switches and push lamps that turn on with one simple touch can make rooms brighter to prevent accidents in the future.

Bathroom

* Can you safely get into and out of the tub and/or shower?

* Is there a bath mat or non-skid strips in the tub?

* Can you easily sit down on and get up from the toilet?

This room presents the most concern for many aging adults. More than 400 people a day go to hospital emergency rooms because of falls in the bathtub alone. To prevent falling, make sure your tub/shower surface and flooring in the bath are non-skid. If you have difficulty stepping into and out of the tub, invest in a tub grip or transfer bench to make tub use safer. All tub and shower areas should have at least one grab bar for support and use a shower chair if you become fatigued after standing up for too long.

The average toilet seat is 14 inches off the ground, which can be too low for individuals with arthritis, knee or back problems. Raising the height of the toilet to 17 or 18 inches can make a big difference. This can be accomplished with special toilets or the use of an elevated toilet seat that attaches to standard toilets.

Many people worry that making adjustments in the bath with safety items makes the room look clinical. Fortunately, you don’t have to install institutional-looking items in your home. Take a look at the line of bath safety items from Home Care by Moen. Their line of ADA-compliant products for the bath combine safe, solid construction with an appealing, stylish design and include a Dual Tub Grip, a Transfer Bench, a Shower Chair, a Locking Elevated Toilet Seat and decorative grab bars that resemble towel bars for décor-friendly safety.

Kitchen

* Can you retrieve items from all cabinets?

* Do all your appliances work easily?

* Can you turn the faucet on and off with ease and adjust to the proper temperature?

In the kitchen, upper kitchen cabinets should be no more than 48 inches from the floor and shelves should be no more than ten inches deep for easy accessibility. Lazy Susans and pull-out shelves are excellent ways to reach items in deeper cabinets. D-shaped handles are far more convenient than knobs. Side-by-side refrigerator doors and side-swinging oven doors facilitate easier use. A range with space below is important if you know you will need to sit down while you cook.

Also, make sure your faucet is ADA-compliant with lever handles so turning the water on and off is never a struggle. A single-handle faucet will allow for easy, one-handed use.

If you can check off each item on this list, then your home is ready to accommodate you throughout your senior years. If not, look now into home modifications to ensure a safe and healthy home.