Aging At Home – Retain Your Independence With These 6 Safety Tips

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If you’re one of the 48.59 million retired workers in the United States, chances are that you spend a lot of time inside and around your home. As you get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to continue living in your home without making modifications.

With a few small safety tweaks to your home, you could happily and safely stay there for years to come. In this handy guide, you’ll discover some top tips and learn how to implement them.

Avoid Rugs

As you age, you should look to sell any rugs that you own. They are a risk hazard for those with poor mobility or bad eyesight and may cause you to tumble and hurt yourself.

If you can’t part with your rugs, they’ll need firmly securing to the floor with tape or glue.

On the topic of slipping risks, you should also place non-slip mats or stickers at the bottom of your bathtub or shower.

Add Tac Tiles

Tac tiles are a great tool for helping you to navigate outdoor areas better. These stickers or paving slabs can be placed on the ground to help you identify when a risk is approaching. 

Hire a specialist to place these near stairways and roadsides. They’ll help you to avoid falling, tripping, or slipping and allow you to retain more of your independence.

Widen Doorways

If you rely on walkers or wheelchairs to move within or between rooms, consider widening your doorways. A handyman will be able to do this for you, with prices varying depending on the wall structure, electricity cables, and plumbing locations. 

Make sure all the doorways in your home are widened based on your specific needs. For example, if you use a wheelchair, then have this measured and widen the doorways accordingly.

Install Smart Devices

Voice-controlled home devices are a great modern invention that can support you around the house. You can control music, make phone calls, and even control the lights – all with just your voice. It’ll save you from getting up and moving around when you don’t need to.

Add Handrails In Key Areas

Handrails are great for those who use a walking stick or frame. They’ll help you to move around your home and garden more quickly, and most importantly – more safely.

Build a ramp with a handrail leading up to your front door and do the same with the back door if applicable. Ask a family member or handyman to install a handrail in the bathroom to help you maneuver in and out of the bath. 

If you have an internal staircase, this should already have a handrail – but this may not go right to the top. Install one on the opposite wall if required.

Introduce More Light Switches

If you have difficulty seeing, you’d benefit from installing more light switches in your home. Having a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs means that you’re guaranteed access to maximum visibility wherever you are.