Peter D. Bowden
Residential
Designer

With a society that is living longer and longer, many people are finding themselves caring for aging or ailing parents in their homes. Many times, falls account for older adults being seriously and unnecessarily injured or, more unfortunately, fatalities. Here are steps you can take to keep older family members safe from harm.

Avoid having hardwood floors or tile in an older person’s room or suite. Instead, use thick carpeting, which has been known to cushion falls. Every little bit counts!

Keep pathways clear of toys, unnecessary furnishings, clutter, or worse, newspapers and magazines on the floor.

Move anything that could be caught under a walker, a cane or a crutch and cause the person to slip or trip. Pet dishes on a kitchen floor are such an example.

If possible, have doorways widened to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.

If using area rugs, make sure they are “skid proof.”

In the bath, install bars around the tub and other parts of the room. Make sure the bathtub is slip-proof, as well.

Special “seats” are available for bathtubs, showers and commodes, if needed.

Clearly label all medications. If you are administering the medication, have a daily chart nearby to help keep track of doses.

Use a baby monitor in the room at night, or if you will be spending substantial periods of time away from an elderly or ailing person. You will be able to instantly hear cries for help or any other noise that signals something is wrong. Better yet, have an intercom installed.

In case of fire or other emergency, make sure the older person’s night table always contains their eyeglasses, a telephone and a whistle. Eyeglasses will help them see during a sudden escape, the whistle will alert other household members to a fire or problem and the telephone will allow them to phone for help if you cannot hear them or they cannot escape by door.