Making Your Home Senior Friendly: The value of simple, yet important, changes to your home

One of our greatest fears as we grow older is the prospect that one day we may have to leave our home.

Our home is our security. In our home we decide what and when to eat, the time we go to bed, and who visits. The control we wield in our home is the source of our independence, dignity and quality of life.

Although a comfortable home has obvious benefits, there is a more practical matter for caregivers to consider: safety.

We generally don’t think of our homes as dangerous places, but the statistics prove otherwise. Among older adults, falls are a leading cause of injury-related deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.

The culprits may be seemingly harmless features we’ve lived with for decades, such as loose throw rugs, poor lighting, limited handrails, slippery surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms, or awkward access to shower stalls and bathtubs. Taking a fresh look at your living arrangements can help eliminate risks.

SOURCE: http://www.thecaregiverhour.com