Seniors who live independently often enjoy the comfort of living in their own homes or apartments. If you or an elderly loved one lives alone, it is important to make sure the home is both safe and cozy. You do not have to spend a lot of money investing in home safety measures. Read on to learn about changes you can make to ensure a home is more secure.

Safety-Proofing Throughout The Home

• Make sure important items are easily accessible. Do not store important items or frequently used items in hard-to-reach places. Make sure that they are no higher than eye level. Climbing or straining to reach an item may lead to an accident.

• Use nightlights to brighten dark areas. Place nightlights within hallways and other common spaces. This makes it easier to see at night and may reduce the chance of accidents and injuries.

• Re-organize to reduce safety threats. Take some time to organize your home or your loved one's home. Look for items that may cause injuries. For example, make sure the floor is free of books and newspapers. Check to ensure shelves are secure and not weighed down with an excessive amount of items.

Take Measures To Prevent Falls

• Invest in slip-resistant area rugs. If there are area rugs on the floor, make sure that they are slip-resistant. You can buy area rugs with slip-resistant bottoms; look for rugs labeled "non-skid" or "non-slip". Alternatively, you can use double-sided adhesive to secure rugs in place.

• Organize loose cords and cables. Loose cords and cables are a major tripping hazard. Tuck cords and cables away so that they are not in open areas. You can also buy cable organizers to bundle them together.

• Check the security of handrails. Sturdy handrails are important for seniors to safely use stairs. Check to make sure handrails are not loose in any areas. Additionally, you can install more handrails inside and outside of the home.

• Consider using a fall alert button. Fall alert buttons are ideal for seniors who spend a significant amount of time alone and seniors who are prone to falling. These buttons are worn like a necklace or lanyard, and they are used to alert emergency help when a fall occurs.

Label Hazardous Household Items

• Medications – Request that pharmacists label medications with large, easy-to-read print. You may also write what the medicine is for in large handwriting. For example, you can write "take for pain" largely on the blank space of a medication label.

• Cleaning Supplies – Cleaning supplies can be very hazardous if used inappropriately. Use large stick-on labels to label all cleaning supplies. You may also consider switching to homemade or all-natural cleaning supplies that do not contain harsh or dangerous chemicals.

Consider Using An In-Home Care Service

These safety measures can make a huge difference for you or your aging loved one. However, sometimes a bit of extra assistance and supervision may be necessary. Consider using an in-home care service for added support from an experienced and compassionate professional. From weekly to daily assistance, you can schedule care that suits your needs.

For more information, contact Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care or a similar organization.