Elder Proofing a House How to Keep Elders Safe and Independent at Home

If you have an elderly loved one, putting in a little work to senior proof their house may be an important step toward keeping them safe and independent at home for as long as possible. This will help avoid having to move them into an assisted living facility or nursing home later on.





First and foremost, always discuss the project with your elder before it begins so they are on board with what you're doing. This will make the process less stressful for them and ensure that you are doing something that will benefit them in the future.

Declutter - The first thing you need to do is get rid of items that aren't needed in the home or that may not be useful to them any longer. This can include removing unused furniture from rooms, uninstalling or moving things to lower shelves that are easier for them to reach and making sure there is enough room in drawers for them to open and access things they need.

Improve lighting - A well-lit kitchen is vital for an elderly person to cook safely and safely navigate their way around the space. Installing motion-sensor lights and a voice control personal assistance device that lets your elders activate them without having to fumble for switches in the dark is a good start.

Check for fire hazards - It's also helpful to have smoke detectors installed in the kitchen, on each level of the home and near appliances. Having them in good working order and changing their batteries twice a year will help prevent a fire from starting.