With age, the body experiences changes in center of gravity and muscle strength. This can put the seniors at risk for falling and it can lead to serious injury.
Prevention is the key to avoid falls. A few simple home improvements can help the seniors lead a safe life:
Bedrooms
- Appropriate height of bed. Should not be too low or too high.
- Path to the bathroom should be clear without obstructions. Preferably no carpets or furniture.
- Install night-lights for middle-of night bathroom trips.
Bathrooms
- Install night-light in bathroom.
- Install handrail/grab-bar near the WC for stability while sitting and getting up and in shower area for stability.
- Elevate toilet seats.
- Keep a very sturdy stool or a chair in shower area. Or install a shower seat.
- Install non-skid mats, non-skid strips or rough tiles in shower areas for a non-slip surface. Most accidents happen here.
- Shower door to open outside. If a person falls in the shower, someone can open the door.
- Countertop height of sink to be lower so that it can be accessed while sitting.
- Faucet knobs should be easy to use-lever type design as seniors have grip difficulty.
- Avoid tubs, as it is difficult to climb into and get out.
- Water temperature should be regulated to prevent accidental burns.
- Handheld showerhead is easy to use.
Kitchen
- Install non-slip flooring or put non-skid mats near wet areas.
- The work surface should be well illuminated.
- For storage at lower levels, use pull out drawers.
- Countertop height to be lower so that a person can sit and work.
- Sitting space in front of counter while working
Staircase
- Staircase steps should ideally have a non-slip surface.
- Install anti slip nosing on the tread.
- Install two-way switches at top and bottom of the staircase.
- Sturdy rails for support.
- Install stair-lift if possible.
Lighting
- Night-lights could be motion sensor type.
- Non-glare lights should be used. eg. LED lights.
- The whole house should be well lit with no dark corners.
- Install bed lights and control of fan/AC near the bed.
Wiring/electric outlets
- Bind the electrical and telephone cords and tie them to the walls to prevent tripping.
- Height of switches and electric outlets to be of ISI standard – should be accessible to person in a wheelchair (nor low, nor high).
- Door bell should be heard in all parts of the house
- Alarm system in the house
- Telephone in all rooms
Flooring
- Remove scatter rugs or tack them on floor with tape.
- Avoid slippery wax on flooring.
- Avoid wet floors.
- Wheelchair ramps at level difference.
- Rugs and carpets should be avoided as they can trip a person.
Doors
- Door locks and door handles should be easy to operate –lever type due to grip difficulty of the seniors.
- Peephole in main door for security.
Cupboards
- Cabinet doorknobs should have pull handles due to grip difficulty of seniors.
- High closet shelves are not usable. They can be removed to provide lighting in the cupboard
- Lowest shelf is difficult to use – drawers can be installed.
Pointers for about to be built senior-friendly homes
- Wide doors- 3’6” for the wheelchair (even bathroom doors).
- Avoid levels in flooring. Ramps to be provided everywhere there is a level difference.
- Use non-skid flooring. Highly polished flooring can be slippery.
- In staircase, the riser should not be more than 6”.
- Storage in kitchen/cupboards should be between 2’ and 6’height. Too low or too high are not easily accessible.
- More space in front of working platforms for the wheelchair to turn around.
Ar. Anjali Sagar