It’s not really a surprise if you want to do what you can to make the environment safer for your aging loved one, right? Well, when it comes to the well-being of our aging loved ones, their home is more than just a place to live; it’s a repository of lifetime memories and a cornerstone of daily comfort and safety.
As the years advance, the same familiar settings can develop into landscapes filled with potential hazards. It’s really scary to think that this home they’ve lived in is basically a death trap! You just don’t want anything bad to happen to them, and recognising and mitigating these risks becomes essential—not only for their physical safety but also for our peace of mind.
So, what is the best thing to do? Well, for many, it’s too DIY! Sure, it’s cheaper, but it’s not always a good idea though. There are some things you can DIY for your aging loved ones in their home and some things you really need to stay clear from. So, here’s exactly what you need to know!
What You Can DIY for Making Your Loved One’s Home Safer on a Budget
So, there are some things that absolutely don’t need a professional in the slightest, there are a lot of things made so no professional installation of the building is required. So it’s not just about saving money, but it’s about making sure there’s no possible way for accidents to happen.
Simple Additions for Bathroom Safety
Let’s start where slips and falls are most common—the bathroom. The thought of tiling and plumbing might send shivers down your spine, but there are easier ways to enhance safety. Actually, on websites like Amazon, you can simply just buy suction grip rails.
These can be installed in minutes to help prevent falls by providing support where it’s needed most, like in the shower or next to the toilet. No drilling necessary, just a clean, flat surface, and you’re good to go. For bathtubs and showers, there are even those floor grip mats to help prevent slipping, and they’re pretty easy to find (even at thrift stores).
You might even want to consider a shower stool. These are not only affordable but also ensure your loved one can shower without the fatigue of standing for too long. You can usually find these fairly cheap second-hand.
Take a Look at Their Stairs
It’s not only the bathrooms that tend to be really unsafe, you can usually expect that the stairs will be fairly unsafe as well. So, there’s a few things you could look into in order to help them out. For starters, do they have stairs going to the the next level of their house?
Do they have stairs to get into their house? How about stairs that go into their garden? Usually, the stairs (or steps) that are outside are considered the most dangerous. It’s not just used to the weather, but the rails are usually not that secure, or they’re just cheaply made with wood (which eventually rots).
You could look into buying a key clamp barrier kit, as this will massively help you out when it comes to creating a guard rail for the stairs. This is fairly easy to DIY as long as you have the right tools. But what if you have almost no experience with DIY? Well, there are actually a couple of other things you can do to make indoor and outdoor stairs safer.
For example, you could add non-slip treads to both indoor and outdoor steps, which can significantly reduce the risk of slips. They’re adhesive strips, so that’s going to be pretty cheap and doesn’t take long to apply. You could even look into installing motion sensor lights to illuminate the steps when needed, too. You technically don’t have to do any electrical wiring; there are actually plenty of motion sensor lights on Amazon that only need batteries, and they can be installed with adhesives.
Look into Decluttering
Here’s a tip that costs absolutely nothing—decluttering. Now, usually, aging loved ones tend to want to hold onto things, which is understandable, but this does increase the chance of accidents though.
So, you could look into removing rugs or securing them with non-slip pads can prevent tripping. But it might really help to look into reorganising furniture to create clear walkways can make navigation much easier for those with mobility issues as well.Basically, the fewer the items, the fewer the accidents. It’s amazing how a few simple adjustments in the layout of a room can enhance safety significantly.
Use Smart Home Tech Where You Can
So, a lot of elderly people aren’t exactly the most familiar with smart home tech, and that’s fine. Technically, they don’t really need to touch it much, only you should (if that helps). For example, installing a few smart bulbs, which can be controlled from a smartphone or via voice command, means your loved one won’t have to fumble for light switches in the dark.
They don’t even need a smartphone; if they have a smart home device such as Alexa, you could just tell Alex to turn the lights off and on. There are also smart plugs that can automate lamps, heaters, or other appliances, reducing the risk associated with forgetting to turn them off.
What to Leave to the Pros When Safeguarding a Home for Elderly Loved Ones
Alright so above it was mentioned what you could easily do yourself in order to help your aging loved one, but now, it’s time to cover what you really shouldn’t do. Yes, there are some things that you 100% should not do in the name of your loved ones safety that instead a professional should manage.
Wheelchair Ramps are More Than Just Wood and Nails
All right, so it’s best to just go ahead and address wheelchair ramps since stair guardrails were mentioned earlier. It might look like just a few planks of wood and some nails, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Building a ramp requires precise measurements and knowledge about gradient, width, and surface texture to ensure safety and usability. Get it wrong, and you’re not just looking at a failed DIY project but a serious safety hazard.
Professionals know how to design ramps that meet specific mobility needs and comply with safety standards. Plus, they can secure the necessary permits and ensure that the construction materials and methods used will last through the British weather (which, as you know, can throw a few surprises our way).
Electrical Modifications
Do you remember how earlier smart home tech and adhesive lights were mentioned? Well, it piggybacks on that. So, if you’re thinking of tweaking the electrics to make them more accessible? This is a firm ‘leave it to the pros’ zone.
Rewiring for lower light switches or installing emergency pull cords might seem straightforward, but electrical work is incredibly risky without the right training and equipment. You don’t want any potential electrical fires or shortages, and that can potentially happen! They’ll prevent potential mishaps (and let’s be honest, a DIY disaster involving electricity is not something you want on your conscience).
Bathroom Modifications
Now, onto the bathroom, which can be one of the most hazardous areas for the elderly. So, it was mentioned earlier that you could put down anti-slip bath mats, have a chair to sit in for the shower, and install suction cup rails. These are all great, too. But are they the only things? Well, you could hire a professional to install a walk-in bathtub or a zero-threshold shower, which are fantastic ways to reduce the risk of slips and falls. It’s usually encouraged for elderly folks to have a bathtub to sit in if possible.
