SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 · 5 STAY SAFE AND SOUND IN YOUR OWN HOME AARP workshop highlights steps that will reduce risk of accidents One of the biggest challenges facing adults as they age is the ability to remain in their own home for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of modi-fications caregivers can make to a loved one’s home now, and as they transition through various stages of aging, to make the home safer and reduce the risk of accidents. AARP recently held an online workshop entitled Home Safe Home, in which a panel of experts went room to room point-ing out common hazards and ways to rem-edy them, many at minor cost financially. Here is a summary of what the work-shop covered. For more information, visit the AARP website to download or order a free copy of the organization’s in-depth HomeFit Guide to find tips, advice on finding a contractor, ways to save money, HomeFit to-do lists and additional tools to help your loved one age in place. The entrance to the home Whether your loved one enters through the front door or a back or side door, the considerations remain the same for ensur-ing a safe entry to and exit from the home. First, the steps should be sturdy. If the stairs are concrete, that means no broken edges or areas where the cement is crum-bling. Wood steps should be secure with no loose boards or exposed nails. Railings are also important. They should be both sturdy and on both sides of the steps. If the steps are particularly wide, con-sider putting an additional handrail down the middle. If replacing the steps to the home, con-sider building them to fit a walker or other mobility aid. It’s also worth considering putting a decorative grab bar near the door to aid in stability once a loved one GETTY IMAGES From ensuring steps at the entrance are sturdy to making sure railings are secure and equipped on both sides, simple home improvement tasks can create a safer environment for you and your loved ones. is at the door and reaching to put the key in the lock. The exterior of the home should also be well lit. Motion lights are a terrific way to ensure your loved one has enough light to see. They don’t need to be turned on, and they also provide a measure of security. Finally, ensure that the pathway to the door is free from landscaping rocks, wob-bly pavers or other obstructions that could cause someone to trip. In the kitchen One of the most important things you can do to make sure a loved one stays safe in the kitchen is to minimize the need to bend down or stretch up in order to reach items. For those with weakness, balance problems, blood pressure issues or neurop-athy in the feet, anything that causes them to move out of the base of support could lead to a fall. If items do need to be stored high, be sure that they aren’t things that can cause injury if they land on a loved one’s head. Even pot lids can do some damage if they land the wrong way. Opt for countertop microwaves versus over-the-range models. Not only can the space-saving units be harder to reach, but it’s also easier to drop hot liquid or food and cause burns when pulling dishes out from above. Knobs can be difficult for individuals with arthritis or neuropathy, so replacing knobs with D-shaped handles can make gripping and pulling easier. Also, outlets shouldn’t be so far back or down low that they’re hard to access. If possible, move them up to a height where they’re easy to reach. There are also modifications to make a kitchen accessible for someone in a wheel-chair. These can include lowering counter-tops, removing base cabinets so the chair can fit under the countertop and making sure there is clearance under the sink. Stairways Just as in the outside of the home, stair-wells in the home need to be well lit and equipped with handrails. Lights should be at the top and the bottom of stairs so that loved ones can gauge the depth and be able to easily see the edges of steps. ADAPTING & ADJUSTING BY KAREN PRICE
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