Age is one of the major risk factors for falls and senior citizens face the highest risk of death or injury due to falls at homes and outside. You cannot modify things outside your home. However, you can make your home senior-friendly to a certain extent, by making a few changes. The tips shared below, would help you improve the comfort level for seniors, as well as reduce the risk of falls to a great extent. These steps do not involve major structural changes and can be easily carried out in houses.
Dealing with differences in flooring levels
Level differences on a floor can be avoided through sloping thresholds made of non-slippery materials. This would avoid the risk of falls, as well as facilitate the movement of wheelchairs. In case of independent houses, a small ramp could be constructed at the main entrance along with stairs. Collapsible metal ramps could be another option.
Also read: Design parameters that one should look for in senior living communities
Non-slippery flooring
The next important aspect is to ensure that floors are non-slippery. Wooden and vinyl flooring can be considered as alternatives for tiles but may take a longer time to complete. Some coatings can also make floors non-slippery.
Lighting
Adequate lighting is of paramount importance in preventing falls at homes. Lamps of higher wattage can be used in light fixtures, to enhance the lighting level in houses. Uninterrupted power supply through UPS/inverter can help elderly people avoid total darkness during power failures. Rechargeable emergency lamps plugged in permanently in rooms could be a simple and immediate solution to have a continuous supply of light. Power points should be dedicated for such emergency lights.
Bathroom modifications
Grab bars in bathrooms are important, as they can prevent falls. Small changes like providing a shower seat with a hand shower in a bathroom can be useful for senior citizens with mobility issues. For senior citizens confined to wheelchairs, the width of doors should be such that their wheelchairs move comfortably and freely within bathrooms and other rooms. The placement of CP fittings is important and should be checked to ensure they are senior friendly.
Also read all about SCSS or Senior Citizen Saving Scheme
Home interiors
Certain modifications to interiors need to be done. Door and wardrobe handles should be replaced with knobs for ease of operation, especially for senior citizens suffering from arthritis. Furniture should be placed as per the needs of elderly people. If they are wheelchair bound, the furniture should not create hurdles in their movement. Protect them for sharp edges and exposed corners of walls and furniture to reduce injuries in case of falls. Some type of foam padding can be used, to protect elderly people from sharp edges and exposed corners. In case a person is confined to a wheelchair, the position of knobs on doors and furniture, height of mirrors, shelf patterns in cupboards, among others, should be modified as per the need and usage by senior citizens. The design of furniture, placement of rugs and floor coverings should also be checked in terms of risks and should be placed as per the needs of elderly people. The locks provided on doors should have the provision to be opened from outside in case of an emergency. Similarly, there should be some provision to enter the bathroom or bedroom from outside in case of an emergency. It will be good to have a sliding door for a bathroom so that anybody can access and open it.
The above tips can help you make your existing homes more comfortable and conducive for senior citizens.
(The writer is chief project officer, Columbia Pacific Communities)
