Low-cost home fixes and age tech can help older adults stay safe at home
National Aging in Place Council leader shares what families often overlook
(Aging Untold) — Small changes around the house can make the difference between staying home safely and a fall that changes everything.
Tara Ballman, executive director of the National Aging in Place Council, joined Aging Untold to talk through low-cost fixes, signs that long-distance caregivers should watch for and technology that can help.
Evaluate your home for trip hazards
Ballman said two low-cost areas have a high impact.
The first is trip hazards.
“You probably don’t remember where your throw rugs are, how long they’ve been there, and it might be coming up on the sides,” Ballman said.
She said the hazards go beyond rugs. Electrical cords that run to a lamp, shoes piled by the front door and clutter from pets or robot vacuums can also be trip hazards.
“I would love for everyone to go take a fresh look at their homes from new eyes, and see where those trip hazards are,” Ballman said. “That’s free for you to evaluate your own home.”
Check the lighting
Lighting is the second area.
“As you age, your eyes are affected by the light,” she said. “So you might need more light in some areas. Or if the light is too bright and creating a glare, that can be dangerous as well.”
What long-distance caregivers can look for
Ballman said some signs that a home is no longer working for a parent or loved one are small and easy to miss until you visit in person.
She suggested asking:
- Is your loved one sleeping in the bed, or on a sofa or chair in the living room?
- Are they able to use their shower, or are they using a sink to sponge bathe?
Age tech: a safety net without surveillance
Ballman described “age tech” as technology that helps people stay in their homes longer and more safely. She said the options are not expensive.
Examples she gave include:
- A sensor on a door that shows whether it opened three or four times for someone who lets dogs in and out each day.
- A countertop system that brings you your medicine every day, so you don’t have to wonder whether you took it.
- Smart toilet seats that, based on how a person sits and stands, can measure blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.
- Pressure-sensitive grab bars that can sense extra weight.
- Pressure-sensitive floor mats that alert a loved one if someone falls in the bathroom.
“There’s a way that you can make sure they’re safe without putting cameras in their homes,” Ballman said.
Gerontologist “Sam” Cradduck said the goal is to preserve dignity and longevity at home while keeping safety nets in place.
Automatic lighting for nighttime and entryways
Ballman said automatic lights matter most on the path from the bed to the bathroom at night. She also recommended automatic sensors outside, at the door and on multiple levels, including ceiling fixtures, floor lamps and lights that come up from below.
“The automatic sensors for lights are something that every home should have, whether you have an older adult in it or not,” Ballman said.
Start the conversation now
Ballman encouraged families to begin conversations before a crisis.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because knowledge is power,” she said. “The more that you know and the more research you can do ahead of time, it’s just going to give you more options when you’re not in a crisis situation than when it’s a crisis, and there’s this many options and you don’t know how to pay for it.”
Six easy things you can do
- Look for trip hazards. Check rugs, electrical cords, shoes by the door and clutter from pets or robot vacuums.
- Review the lighting. Older eyes may need more light in some areas, and glare from light that is too bright can also be dangerous. Upgrade and balance lighting if necessary.
- Watch for changes in routine. Where a loved one sleeps and how they bathe can show the home is no longer working for them.
- Consider age tech. Door sensors, medication systems, pressure-sensitive grab bars and floor mats can help without cameras in the home.
- Add automatic lights. Ballman said sensors from the bed to the bathroom, and at entrances, are something every home should have.
- Talk early. Researching options before a crisis gives families more choices.
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