Safer Living at Home for the Elderly

Nowadays, many folks seek to "age in place" and remain in their homes as long as they're able to. And, of course, they want to live in safety and comfort for their own well-being and for the benefit of their loved ones.

Greater safety and comfort can often be achieved with adjustments to any home. Based on our experience with homeowners and a little research on the web, we've put together a list of practical changes for homeowners:

• Grab bars near the toilet and in the shower
• A hand-held shower head
• A bath bench
• Single-lever faucets in the kitchen and bathroom
• Touch-tone telephones with large numbers, speakerphones or hands-free telephones
• Talking clocks, wristwatches and calculators that assist those with sight limitations
• Kitchen implements, which make opening cans and bottles easier
• "Reachers," which are pincher-like devices on a long pole that assist people with weak grasps or limited mobility
• An "ICE" List, which is an easily accessible list of contacts to reach "in case of emergency"

What changes have you considered to make your home or the home of a loved one safer for elderly residents?

Jim Mitcham
JIM's, Inc.
jimsphac@aol.com
(301) 926-3499

Source Note: This article was prepared using information from "Equipment and Products That Help the Elderly Live at Home Safely"