1/30/2022

Safety Solutions For Seniors




108 Tips to Create A Safe Home for Seniors

My mom or dad want to stay in their home and we worry.

List to prepare all the safety items to stop waking up at night.

Prep and DIY for the future




1.    Add textured, no-slip strips in the bathtub and shower.

2.    Nonslip wax on floors. Give away oily and glossy floor treatments.

3.    Place a waterproof seat or chair in the shower. This can be a sturdy plastic outdoor chair or order one from Jaxpedy or Medocare make nice heavy ones but don’t get metal ones they rust and corrode with all the moisture

4.    Put nonskid treads on steps, easy DIY low cost

5.    Remove throw rugs.

6.    Replace standard doorknobs with lever handles.

7.    Buy a raised or high-profile toilet.

8.    If carpet edges are loose duct tape them down or replace see my tape recommendations in #43

9.    Rubber mats for barns/ gyms/ puzzle foam mats can be secured to flooring if your loved one falls, the padding will be appreciated

10.                When replacing carpeting choose the thickest foam underlayment except for stairs you want indoor outdoor with thin foam

11.                Remove clutter donate old furniture. Use: https://wwwfreecycle.org You won’t make much on furniture or a garage sale. List the items, limit the pickup time, offer no lifting, limit who comes to the house. Make room for the walker. Also: AmVets, Goodwill, and Saint Vincent de Paul will pick up curbside or at garage.

12.                 Glass top tables sharp edges need to go sell or give away

13.                Program cell phone with numbers: get the contacts in there with the nick names even, practice talking to the phone to ask for the phone call.

14.                Phone numbers in a notebook where you keep the medicines. You know a modern rolodex of the doctors, bridge friends, senior center, cab companies, drug store, food delivery…

15.                Organize family members to have regular assigned day and time range to phone check in on the family member. Myself and four siblings all work but one in in different time zone. Mom awakens generally at nine AM so calling in the morning is difficult but East Coast sister checks in on her two workdays a week at her lunch/Mom’s wake up call. The rest of us staggered our calls. Mom picks up the phone about 20% of the time and doesn’t return calls so we call one another to see who last checked in.




16.                Change the ring on house phone and cell phone to ring at minimum to seven rings before it goes to message. Give plenty of time to catch the call.

17.                Tell the parent not to rush to get the phone and be willing to always pick up when they return the call

18.                Sticky notes are useful, but you need to write the note with 3 copies below for possible loss

19.                Computer safety rules are important. When you set up a social media account, a Kohl’s ordering account, Amazon, email, pretty much everything that asks for personal information your senior should NEVER give their real date of birth and use a junk email address. Years ago, I made my children have Facebook accounts with incorrect Date of Birth. These companies do not need your private information. Start using a familiar but wrong date for everything but not for bank accounts or credit requests.

20.                Instructions on never giving social, date of birth, bank accounts to anyone on the phone or internet.

21.                Buy a safe, keep the combo. Put the safe in an incongruous location like the kitchen or bathroom. Put jewelry, extra credit cards, and birth certificate in the safe not photos and mementos.

School of Barna da Siena, Archangel Michael healing warriors one of my favorite painters


22.                Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and extra batteries in every room.

23.                When cooking, no loose clothing or long sleeves

24.                Replace appliances that have fraying or damaged electrical cords.

25.                Don't put many electric cords into one socket or extension cord.

26.                Electric cords run against a wall, never across a threshold or where someone walks

 

27.                Remove burning candles provide battery flicker one

28.                Toilet seat with a raised toilet seat with handlebars there are a thousand types. Toilets should be between 17 and 19 inches in height. Depends on height of the person. You might need to take them to try out in an adaptive living store or call and ask questions, read the specs. This is an inexpensive item that is very helpful.

29.                Nightlights in bedroom and kitchen















30.                Motion night light from bed to bathroom

31.                Bring down all stored items from higher heights. Gauge these items use. Are they working? How often are they used? If they work and are used frequently, store these items at lower levels.

32.                Ten muffin tins and four cake pans are not going to be used again. Keep two, donate the others. In general, far less baking and elaborate meals will be prepared going forward.

33.                Is there some logistical reason that reaching for items is necessary? Maybe there are Christmas platters, or something used once a year. Store these with the decorations in the garage. I would not provide a stepstool. Tell the parent and show them that the high up cabinet is empty.

34.                Buy one of those cheap grabber arms with pinchers, and hang on a hook in the kitchen

35.                Pooper scooper if they have a dog

36.                Rubber water faucet covers are great for a kitchen sink. This simple add can be purchased at a local hardware store and glued on. This allows to grip and are color-coded: red for hot and blue for cold. My house has one crazy bathroom with hot to left and another hot to right, I’m accustomed to the crazy but for someone older it would cause frustration and lots of running cold water waiting for hot.

37.                Standard or pretty made to look custom to a farm sink “twist and turn” kitchen water faucet handles can be swapped out to “single-lever” handle. These far easier to use when your hands have arthritis.

38.                What is in the refrigerator? Every time you visit wipe it with a microfiber rage and dawn dish soap and throw away stored foods passed their date.

39.                Check the pantry for canned goods where the top expanded, have an old date, or you know are three years old without a date. I suggest you do the pantry clean and refrigerator when they are at an appointment. My Mom believes that freezing something with an old date makes it last forever, nope. What was the movie where the mom froze old surplus free government cheese? Getting food poisoning is awful, not worth any cost savings.















40.                Stairlifts can be custom fitted inside or outside. We bought and had professionally installed an electric Acorn one after a long winding process

41.                Our stairlift/chair lift story: My brother recovered one from a family selling their house who removed it to stage the house for appearances. The engine was fine but Mom’s stairway has a three bend design and the engine could work but we needed to buy a shorter track from Bruno company and they would install a three piece track where she would have to get off and transfer at the bend. After hundreds of phone calls and two estimators she decided upon buying a new one with a warranty. The service and warranty are important. Now three years with the Acorn she got a coat stuck in the track and blew a fuse (service visit $150) and one time when it was only two weeks old after a power outage it would not start. They tried to talk with her on the phone how to reset but no luck and generously sent someone out the hit the buttons in the right order. I video ’ed him with my cell phone and bought him lunch. She has a copy of the video on her phone and now years have passed, not needed to reset.

42.                Railings should be sturdy test them. Pull on them hard and see if they wobble. What wood or material are they tied in to? Can you add screws, or do you need to hire a welder to fix where rusted? Railings get heavy use and are important. Add more if you only have on one side, or outdoors for snow or rain.

43.                I know this is ugly, but paint stair tops a contrasting color, businesses use neon yellow but have the parent choose a fun neon color. Stretching a piece of different-colored duct tape over the top of each stair can also make each step easier to spot. Gorilla tape and Flex tape brands are excellent and come in colors. Have a “Signature color” and joke about how stylish it is. Some of these changes are hard on a senior who loves their house the way it has been forever.

44.                Clear the stairs (and outside sidewalks) of ice and snow in the wintertime. If you can’t routinely do this yourself, hire a local service to do it. If no such service exists, find a neighbor or gardener who you can pay.

45.                Install a peephole in the front door. I’m a firm believer in doing it myself. It saves not just money but in this case, it saves time of finding a handyman, talking about it, making an appointment and right now they are so busy he will change the appointment then staying there to watch the work. You tube has fifty videos on how to install. Go to Home Depot and buy three, keep the receipt you are returning two. You need a drill, with bit size that the package recommends, and a tape measure. First have Mom or Dad stand at the door and mark their eye level. Drill halfway from inside first then carefully measure to locate the spot and drill to match the hole from the outside. Maybe you need a little clear caulking if you messed up, sweep up the shavings, and return the two you didn’t like or weren’t thick enough. Then brag about your accomplishment.

46.                Make a sign for the inside of the door: Do not open the door to strangers. I think I’m going to design one and put it on Etsy for you so it can be cute or custom. Will be getting on that project soon…

47.                Say this often to the parent but I don’t think it needs a sign: “Always keep windows and doors locked, I love you I want you safe.”

48.                Maybe if the USPS will walk up, maybe not: install a mail slot in the front door, try and get auto pay for basic bills and don’t have physical access. Bank statements should not be going to a house where senior has various helpers coming and going and the senior is at risk.

49.                This concept needs reminding and a sign: Do not agree to any telephone offers. Do not believe a caller’s claims that a family member had an accident, is in jail or needs urgent money. Never give your bank account number to anyone on the phone or internet. Just hang up don’t listen to them.














50.                My sister bought my mom a Life alert. Mom’s not great at wearing the alert necklace. We have an obstacle with always overcoming how things look, rolls eyes. We’ve had several false alarms but I have three nephews who are firefighters so Mom always tells them about her grandsons and no foul. Although we “trained” to call the local fire no emergency number when the thing gets accidentally hit by a curious cleaning lady or Mom bumps it that step still needs fine tuning. Everything is a work in progress.  Here’s a couple brands see who is local and best price for you

#1 LifeFone
#2 
MobileHelp
#3 
One Call Alert
#3 
Medical Care Alert
#3 
Bay Alarm Medical
#3 
Medical Guardian
#7 
Medical Alert

51.                Another “training exercise” which we have not been able to accomplish is: Don't rush to answer the phone. People fall hurrying to answer the phone. Set the phone to ring seven or eight times before it goes to message. This eases up on the worry of FOMO. Yes the fear of missing out is great when you are home. Think how much this increased during pandemic when we all were shut in. Socialization is super important.

52.                Mom or Dad seem to love to talk about people they know who died. They want to attend funerals of vague acquaintances. I am not good at this issue, I admit I won’t take her to a funeral of some person she knew twenty years ago but hasn’t spoken to in twenty. What do you do? I don’t have a fix for this so I just keep my mouth shut. There’s a great lesson in only being a listener. People don’t want our advice.

53.                Carry a cordless or cell phone or let an answering machine pick up. Get a shoulder purse that fits the phone that is light and small.

54.                If the house has tile or stone, pray often that they don’t fall on it. Breaking a hip is a huge ordeal. If walking on smooth floors, wear non-slip footwear. You can buy rubber clogs with grips that slide on, even Crocs and Sketchers make some. Wallmart has work type shoes that have no laces which aren’t pretty but functional.  Even slippers should be rubber/no-slip bottoms or flat, thin-soled shoes that fit well not fuzzy slick bottom ones.

55.                If doctor suggested a cane or a walker, it is to be used at all times instead of holding onto walls and furniture. Walking as if on a tight rope arms up to grab the kitchen counter is a recipe for a fall. Vanity is a killer. The walker is not a coat holder in the garage.

56.                Medications stay in their original containers in one place only.

57.                The pharmacist can easily print large-print labels on your medications to make them easier to read.

58.                Take medications in a well-lit room, so you can see the labels. Keep a notebook if you are taking more than two. My mom takes 12 and it is a major organizational feat to get it right.

59.                Bring all pill bottles with you to Physician appointments. They see all the interacting meds and make sure the patient takes them correctly. Don’t keep meds that your senior thought was expensive, but maybe will go back on in the future. Margin for error is bad.

60.                The pharmacist who fills the medications is a wonderful resource. They are there to help. Every time the salesclerk asks if the senior needs a consult the answer is always YES. Having a relationship with the pharmacist and the people that work there can be lifesaving. Although ordering online might be easier one misses this face-to-face information. Also shopping Costco verses CVS for one pill but not another is not saving money. The risk of driving around to several pharmacies to save five dollars is not worth the gas. Find a pharmacy that knows the patient by name.

61.                Medication organizer by days of the week, a calendar, a chart, whatever works

62.                Find all medications from drawers, medicine cabinets, kitchen cabinets, purses store them in a single location. Prepare a bag of expired or unneeded medications for safe disposal at a pharmacy or police station if they are narcotics or pain medications. Pull off the tags with names, phone, or any personal information from the bottles and boxes or discard the packaging and place the loose pills in a single container or bag. Even old bottles of over the counter medications need to go.

63.                Mixing bleach, ammonia, or other cleaning liquids together is a danger.  Mixed cleaning liquids create deadly gases. It’s not uncommon for a senior to want to get down on their knees to scrub something that bothers them. It’s easy to be confused especially if cleaning supplies are poured into other containers to save space.

64.                Maybe don’t have too many cleaning items in the house delete the ammonia, delete oven cleaners and have just comet, vinegar and baking soda have a cleaning service scrub down everything with harsher chemicals to avoid fumes

65.                There is no prize patrol, the IRS and tax man never call you, scammers pretend to be family or people in need. Hang up immediately. You don’t need to be nice

66.                California Bar association free legal information https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Free-Legal-Information/Legal-Guide-Pamphlets

67.                So, mom is in a wheelchair or needs a special bed after surgery? There are many resources to rent these temporarily. Craigs list often has used wheelchairs for a few dollars. Think about how to get in and out of doorways.  These things change and flex over time. Try to borrow or rent until you know the step is permanent.

68.                Maybe the front entrance needs a ramp? I’m a fan of building something wooden and painting it to match the house. It can be removed later when you sell

69.                Make sure the address number of the house is large and can be seen from the curb for emergency assistance, car drivers, delivery, uber

70.                Find a used bench from a consignment store, yard sale, something sturdy but cute. The bench acts as a grocery bag spot, a place to sit while waiting for a ride, where one holiday decoration might sit, but you will thank me for this tip.

71.                There are hundreds of doorbell ringers, automatic door un-lockers and digital door tools. We have a digital doorbell ringer, I think it’s kind of a dumb toy that she used for a couple months. Maybe your parent gets lots of Amazon deliveries and people steal them, it might be helpful. Do not count on grandmother chasing and catching the burglar. This really depends on if you are in a city, urban, whatever and if there is some gate to your front door. Send me a picture and for free I will tell you what I suggest.

72.                Front door lighting is vital. Combine a couple types. One is a motion sensor flood light set up high so it cannot be “messed” with. Next two pretty sconce style lights that turn on from a switch inside set  low enough to be able to replace the bulbs with ease and no ladder (traditional wiring for a front door). Also, a line of solar lighting (these do not last very long the light will glow until 3 AM and the system lasts about 20 months with one rechargeable battery replacement). Because they are outdoors you will be replacing them. One more motion light that is wired to the house where the vehicles enter and exit. Lighting keeps away the dumb bad guys and helps prevent falls.

73.                A metal open weave doormat that cannot flip up or slide

74.                Is there an eve or porch cover or overhang at the door? This is helpful for while standing putting in key, carrying groceries in the rain.

75.                Tile or key finder set to the phone. A place where keys hang in the kitchen. Save the worry of praying to Saint Anthony to help, the Tile for Apple is fabulous, many other companies available.

76.                Plug in kitchen appliances like coffee maker that turn off in 40 minutes or single cup coffee maker.

77.                If there is a high counter with stools, this is a place where seniors fall. The stools need backs and no swivel with a foot rest or foot step. We all love being in the kitchen so this takes some testing to find the height and safety and pretty design.

78.                Ottoman or stool or way to elevate legs and watch television or plink on the computer. Oh my, I have a novel on remotes, how to set up Netflix without network tv, how to program and how to hang the models – too long to add here. I’m not trusting alexa or siri to listen in to my requests, there is that issue…

79.                Light bulbs come in a range of shapes, sizes and brightness levels. common types: • incandescent • fluorescent • compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) • halogen • light-emitting diode (LED) CFL and LED bulbs are energy efficient and lasting up to 20 years. Don’t use bulb wattage higher than the rating indicated on the light fixture. A dark hallway can lead to unwelcome bumps in the night, the result of banging into furniture or tripping over random items left on the floor. Proper lighting, handrails and an absence of clutter can make halls, staircases and other passageways safe for all residents.  

80.                If the bedroom doesn’t have a landline telephone, a cell phone should be brought into the room each night and a routine to make this work. An extra charger always one plugged in on the nightstand and one in the kitchen. Place the bed so both sides are accessible. A digital clock with large, lighted numbers makes time visible from bed so they don’t worry and fall back to sleep

81.                Power outages happen. Keep a working flashlight near the bed or else know how to use a smartphone flashlight. Add another one near the washing machine. Have a battery drawer for spares for flashlights, remotes, smoke detectors.

 

 

82.                All electric outlets near water need to be equipped with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)

83.                A wide, doorless shower with a no-step entry is accessible for all, including wheelchair users and anyone who needs assistance.

 

84.                 Two hampers where clothing is put on and taken off.  One for dry cleaning and the other for laundry labelled in appropriate language for helpers.

85.                When purchasing a new washer or dryer, consider the options and which door placement (top or front). I’m short, I can’t reach down into large deep washing machines. Appliance manufacturers sell storage drawers and brackets to adapt the height

86.                If the washer and dryer can’t be relocated out of the basement, a laundry chute, through which dirty clothing, bath towels and bed linens are dropped from an upper floor to a spot near the machines, may be an option. Detergent and bleach containers can be heavy. Have an open shelf at elbow height that fits the size. There is new detergent, which is like paper sheets, try and see if that lighter version is easier to handle. A laundry basket with sturdy wheels reduces lifting of heavy baskets.

87.                Garage doors are heavy. I had an old one smash me in the back and knock me to the ground when I was a teenager. Install an automatic garage door opener which makes it safer to use. Sensors prevent the garage door from closing on anything such as people and dogs. Maybe it’s time to replace the old door, a good investment in the value of the home long term if the door faces the street, it’s the first thing people see.

88.                 A home’s electrical control panel may in the garage or basement, or in a utility room or closet. Label the switches inside the panel box in case a circuit needs to be turned off or tested.

89.                Add motion-sensor lighting to the door from house to garage. Wall-mounted controls for the garage door and overhead lights enable both to be turned on and off from the door to the house at a height that fits the senior. A small old table is handy for placing packages that are being moved into or out of the home.

90.                A messy garage can become a home to clutter and tripping hazards. Storage bins and secure shelving are useful additions. Garages often store fire hazards and junk. Recycle all those bags and let the old paint dry out and get rid of all of the dust collectors. The door from garage to house should have an automatic closing bar and a bolt lock.

91.                Residents of single-family houses bring their trash to the curb. People in apartments or mobile home typically carry their trash to a central location in plastic trash bags. Plan something on wheels that is manageable.

92.                Garage: mark where a driver entering a garage should stop. This is easily accomplished with string and a tennis ball hanging from the garage door opener. Cut the ball in half and insert the string to the length that hits an inch above the driver’s rear-view mirror. For a narrow garage, pool noodles or rubber molding strips can be installed along the side walls to prevent damage from opening car doors.  Installing a motion sensor flashing light for when driver exits also can help avoid accidents when pulling out. My mom likes to swear by the vehicle blind spot sensor which I think is hokum.

93.                If the property has steps, a pair of sturdy handrails are needed on both sides

94.                 Outdoor furniture — placed on a porch, patio or lawn — can encourage people of all ages to enjoy good weather by spending time outside.

95.                For the safety of residents and guests, exterior pathways should be kept free of holes, loose bricks, uneven pavement, branches, leaves, moss, and other tripping and slipping hazards. Keep bushes to entry trimmed.

96.                Pathway lighting enables residents and visitors to approach a house or apartment building safely after dark. The lighting also allows the people inside the home to see what’s happening outside. Outdoor lighting fixtures can be equipped with timers or sensors to automatically turn the lights on at dusk

97.                The website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides links to resources for each state, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. HUD.gov website provides “tenant rights.” Information about the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act can be found on the website by searching the phrase “disability overview.” Strangely enough there are more laws to protect tenants and more funds available to fix tenant disability access issues.

 

98.                 Another safety measure is to have a plumber install a thermostatic valve, so the temperature of the water, not simply the balance of hot and cold water, is controlled. • Water leaks can cause significant damage, and leaks near wiring and electrical outlets can be dangerous. Placing water leak sensors near the water heater and in potential wet spots will provide an early alert to a problem. • Insulate exposed hot water pipes to conserve energy and protect against accidental burns. A plumber can balance all the systems.

99.                Never use an electrical device near a filled sink or tub, even if plugged into a GFCI safety outlet. Note: A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) is sometimes called a GFI (ground fault interrupter). Same device, different names. Perhaps remove the hairdryer and curling iron from the bathroom and place in bedroom

100.             Keep heating, cooling, plumbing in good working condition.  Replace refrigerator, vacuum cleaner and water dispenser filters as indicated in the manual or on the devices themselves. • If the home uses well water, regularly check the sediment filter and water conditioner salt levels. • Have fireplaces and woodburning stoves inspected and cleaned before use each season.

101.            HVAC systems, replace or clean the air filters every 30 to 90 days (according to the filter manufacturer’s instructions). Vacuum or dust the vents and registers. Tip: In a home with HVAC and ceiling fans, set the blades to rotate counterclockwise during the summer (to circulate cool air) and clockwise in the winter (to circulate warm air). Clean the dryer lint trap after every load of laundry, periodically clean the unit’s exhaust vent (the flexible silver tube that connects the dryer to the outdoors).

102.            Protect against pet-related falls: • Limit the number of pet toys in the home (or limit the number available to the pet at one moment). • Regularly pick up the toys and place them in a designated spot — and try to train the pet to do the same, good luck with an older dog.

103.             When carrying packages, a laundry basket or other bulky items, put the pet in the basement, garage, utility room or a pen until the lifting and moving tasks are done.

104.            Fight Fraud • When hiring a home improvement or maintenance contractor, family and friends should recommend a skilled, trustworthy professional. Don’t let them have contractors pencil out a job without you reviewing contracts, be the job superintendent.

105.            A senior maybe cannot use a fire extinguisher they can’t hold something heavy in an emergency and put out a fire. They would be best trained to call 911 and get out of the house.

 

106.            Replace throw rugs with cushioned, slip-resistant mats. Or use double-sided carpet tape to secure existing floor coverings. Add adhesive nonslip strips to uncarpeted steps. Gather medications from throughout the home and keep them in a single location. Sort out expired or unneeded medications for safe disposal at a pharmacy or police station. (Remove any personal information from the bottles and boxes or discard the packaging and place the loose pills in a single container or bag.) Install motion-sensor night-lights in hallways and bathrooms, near steps and along staircases. Replace light bulbs that are too dim or too bright with long-lasting, energy-efficient bulbs. (Check the wattage ratings on the light fixtures to avoid installing bulbs that are too powerful.). Store flashlights throughout the home in case of a power outage. Regularly test to check the batteries. Maintain a landline phone, especially in the bedroom and kitchen, and/or carry or keep a cell phone nearby. Keep a fully powered portable charger or power bank on hand so a cell phone, laptop computer or tablet device can be recharged during a power outage. Position and secure electrical and telephone cords along a wall, where they won’t be a tripping hazard.

107.            Determine where deliveries should be left when no one is home. Post instructions at the door or contact the carrier through its website or by calling its customer service number. Stick-on battery-operated lights to closets, along steps, in hallways and in the kitchen.


So you read all my tips and tricks. Please comment and add any you find successful. This reversal in roles is a tricky hike but you will find joy along the way. I tend to worry and if you noticed I like to be ready. Your senior's house might be in an earthquake zone or some particular hazard you planned for ... please share


C G

Caroline Gerardo Barbeau

NMLS 324982

https://carolineg.swmcretail.com