How you can make your home safer for those receiving care

We may spend a lot of time in the living room as we grow older. After all, why not when there’s a cosy fire and a TV in there? Removing clutter from the ground, adding slip-resistant rugs, and keeping the room well-lit are all ways to prevent falls in the living room. Use an assistive standing device to help you get up and down, or even get a lift chair. If reaching for things is an issue, perhaps try reaching tools to help keep the strain of stretching to a minimum.

Kitchens can be dangerous places with knives and boiling water around. Making a kitchen safe is doubly important if you’re receiving care. Adjustable countertops, grab bars and easily accessible doors can all help if you may have mobility issues. Sufficient lighting and organisation of the kitchen tools can be a great help, alongside regular check-ups on appliances. You can also make sure they have easy-to-read and large dials for digital displays if someone is hard of sight.

Bedrooms are where we spend one-third of our lives asleep, so it’s good to implement safety procedures. You can improve safety by purchasing an adjustable bed. If you have struggled with mobility, these beds can be a great tool in creating a comfortable environment. If you are living with dementia, bed alarms are a great way to help alert a helper throughout the night. Adjusting your bed’s height and reducing trip hazards are also fool-proof ways to avoid accidents.

With all that water, the bathroom is the number one location for slips and trips, especially if you’re rushing to and from the bathroom all night! Making sure the area is well-lit and organised is a good first step. The best ways to help with mobility in the bathroom include a walk-in shower, a shower chair or grab bars as safety rails in the room. Non-slip mats are a must, alongside a help button to alert your nearby carer for help if needs be.

As with all rooms, make sure your hallway is well-lit and devoid of any clutter. You could also consider motion-centre lights if you’re hallway is akin to the long Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Make sure that the carpets are currently fixed to the floor and if you have a wooden one, invest in some anti-slip rugs or even some stylish anti-slip shoes. If you have a telephone in the hallway, it’s a good idea to keep a list of emergency numbers in a large print right next to it so it’s easily accessible.

Stairways are famous for being hazardous, and even more so if you have mobility issues. Ensuring handrails on either side of the staircase will help you feel more secure when going up or down. Good lighting is a must to improve visibility and the area is devoid of clutter to avoid trips and falls. Make sure all rugs and carpets are firmly fixed to the floor and have no slip strips. Or you can install a stairlift if you have more serious mobility issues.