Home Safety for the Elderly: Keeping Loved Ones Safe and Independent

Whether a senior uses a power wheelchair or not, home safety for the elderly is an essential factor in maintaining health, personal well-being and independent living.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three adults age 65 and older fall each year. Most of these falls occur within the home. And, the injuries that follow often make it difficult for seniors to remain independent as they age.

Taking the necessary steps to help ensure home safety for the elderly could enable seniors to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The following recommendations are offered to help aging adults create the ideal environment for safer and more comfortable lives.

Senior Home Safety: Make Necessary Interior Modifications

Cluttered rooms, inaccessible areas, bad lighting and slippery surfaces are dangerous. Making specific interior modifications, like those suggested below, can add safety and convenience to not only the lives of seniors, but also to just about anyone whose mobility is limited.

• Keep all pathways clear of obstructions or obstacles to safe movement
• Prevent tripping by removing area rugs or securing them with two-sided tape
• Make sure bulbs are bright, switches are easily accessible, and night lights are on in the evening
• Space furnishings far enough apart to allow easier navigation for power wheelchairs

Home Safety for the Elderly: Get Help With Getting Things Done

While the aforementioned tips can go a long way towards improving safety for seniors at home, there is still the issue of managing household chores and daily activities. If needed, assistance with the following routine tasks should be sought out:

• Grocery shopping and meal preparation
• General housekeeping chores
• Minor home repairs
• Transportation
• Conducting mobility-related activities of daily living and personal care regimens

Family members, friends, neighbors, paid caregivers or volunteers may be enlisted to help fill many of these care needs. Many local area supermarkets and pharmacies offer online shopping and home delivery options. Community organizations are also an excellent resource for information on these and other similar services.

Keeping the Elderly Independent: Investigate Power Mobility Options

Conventional walkers, canes and manual wheelchairs aren't always the answer for continued independence. In certain cases, power mobility might be the more preferable means for achieving better home safety for the elderly. This becomes especially true when an elderly person struggles with limited mobility and needs the assistance of a power chair or power scooter in order to stay independent.

Medicare and/or supplemental, private insurance may help cover most of the costs associated with an electric wheelchair
¹. An in-depth discussion with a medical professional will clarify qualification requirements.

If additional help or more information is needed on how to obtain a Medicare power chair that may improve mobility and home safety for an elderly or disabled loved one, contact Hoveround at 800-542-7236. Assistance is only a phone call away.

¹Insurance coverage depends on medical necessity as determined by insurer. Valid doctor's prescription required.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional.