Many seniors prefer to “age in place,” meaning they want to live safely at home as they grow older. Seniors often choose this path because of an emotional connection to their home, their routines, and to preserve their independence. In these circumstances, pairing thoughtful safety and accessibility upgrades can make aging in place more sustainable.
The goal is to mitigate safety risks, such as preventing falls and improving mobility. Integrating various features can help families feel confident and at ease that their loved ones are secure. We’ll outline standard upgrades, as well as smart home upgrades, to prepare the home. If that’s not enough, we’ll review the signs that indicate when home care may be the right call.
General Safety Upgrades
When inspecting your loved one’s home, consider their mobility and how they typically navigate each room, especially if they use an aid such as a walker or cane. Integrating the following safety features can reduce the risk of harm, while also alleviating you of undue stress:
- Improve Lighting: Add nighttime lighting to assist navigation in the middle of the night, and use bright, energy-efficient bulbs and motion-sensor lighting to improve visibility.
- Remove Tripping Hazards: Secure cords, replace uneven flooring, and keep pathways clear of clutter.
- Install Handrails and Grab Bars: Place near stairs and room transitions for extra stability.
- Widen Doorways: To support mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers.
- Non-Slip Flooring: Swap rugs and glossy tiles for textured, slip-resistant materials. A clear pathway can make performing daily routines easier and facilitate easier travel through a home for caregivers.
Our caregivers can help identify and implement these safety steps, so that you can ensure your parent’s home is fully functional and safe.
Entryway and Stairs Modifications
Stairs are a common danger zone that requires special attention. Even if your loved one hasn’t had a fall, consider that stairs are the second most reported reason for seniors falling in Canada. Meaning that addressing risks in these areas early is critical:
- Ramps and Threshold Ramps: Enhance access for mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs.
- Stairlifts or Chairlifts: Ideal for seniors with joint pain or balance issues.
- Dual Handrails: Adding handrails for both sides of the stairs can help increase stability.
- Smart Locks and Keypads: Reduce fumbling with keys to decrease the odds of dropping them and potentially falling while picking them up.
- Add Covered Entrances or Slip-Resistant Mats: Offers additional protection from icy steps during Canadian winters.
Bathroom Safety Modifications
Using the bathroom, while essential, could pose risks like in and out of the shower, to slippery floors. Adding precautionary bathroom modifications include:
- Insert Grab Bars and Support Rails near toilets and showers for added stability.
- Installing Walk-In Tubs or Roll-In Showers for accessible bathing.
- Add Non-Slip Flooring and Mats inside and outside bathing areas to prevent slipping.
- Raise Toilet Seats to ease pressure on hips and knees.
- Attach Lever-Style Faucets to grip easily.
- Add Shower Benches or Transfer Benches to support safe bathing. Options include in-shower benches or models designed to sit partly inside and partly outside the tub, making it easier to enter and exit without losing balance.
If you’re unsure where to begin in the bathroom or elsewhere, an in-home care assessment can take the pressure off, helping you feel confident that every corner of your parent’s home supports their safety.
Kitchen Accessibility Enhancements
Families who love to host spend a lot of time in the kitchen. If your mom or dad is the family chef, you may worry about the potential injuries that can occur while cooking. These changes help them continue to enjoy what they love most:
- Pull-Out Shelves, Lazy Susans: Keep kitchen essentials within reach, so your parents can continue cooking independently.
- Anti-Scald Devices: Prevents burns from water or stovetops.
- Appliances with Auto-Shutoff: Lower fire hazards.
- Lower Countertops or Adjustable Workstations: Allow for seated meal prep.
- Organization: Easy access to frequently used items kept within arm’s reach.
Bedroom Comfort and Accessibility
To ensure mom or dad gets the most comfortable sleep they can, consider adding the following, so you can both get a good night’s sleep:
- Adjustable Beds: Improve circulation and aid transfers as needed.
- Bed Rails: Enhance safety during sleep or repositioning.
- Accessible Closets and Lighting: Simplify morning routines and help your loved one get ready for the day with confidence.
- Emergency Call Systems: Ensure help is just a button away.
Knowing your loved one is safe through the night lets you finally rest easy, free from that constant “what if” worry many families quietly carry. For extra support during overnight hours, our caregivers provide tailored and compassionate care, adding to your parent’s security.
Smart Home Technology for Senior Safety
Smart home technology might seem like a good fit in your home, but not in your parents’. However, these systems provide an additional layer of support when you can’t be there. Tools like these are great at allowing your loved one to maintain independence while you have insight into their daily life and needs:
- Medical Alert Systems: Many include features such as fall detection and GPS tracking.
- Voice-Controlled Assistants (Alexa, Google Home): Simplify everyday tasks, such as turning off lights or making calls to family.
- Smart Thermostats: Maintain safe home temperatures and reduce energy waste effortlessly.
- Doorbell or Security Cameras: Family members can remotely monitor who’s at the door.
- Home Monitoring Systems: Sensors that track everyday movement, such as when the refrigerator, cupboards, or doors open. Along with room-based motion detection, subtle changes in routines may signal emerging safety concerns.
Integrating these technologies can help complement care and provide more ways to support your family. If your parent is particularly tech-savvy, apps for seniors are a great option for them to explore hobbies and improve everyday life.
Hiring a Home Assessment Professional
If you see the value in modifying your loved one’s home to enhance accessibility, and are looking to determine if your parents’ home is safe or could use safety modifications. Consider bringing in a trained professional, such as a care manager, who can provide reassurance and help identify any gaps in the home’s security.
Funding to make additional modifications for your home is available through the Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC). Eligible individuals, including those over 65, those eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), or seniors dependent on a caregiver, can claim this benefit to reduce installation costs.
When Home Care Completes the Picture
Following the modifications, if your parent needs additional support, such as after a surgery, a fall or a diagnosis, a caregiver can fill in those gaps with hourly care if there is any lapse in support. Allowing you to take time for much-needed rest, knowing your family is being thoughtfully looked after.
A Safer Home, A More Confident Tomorrow
Even the best home modifications can’t replace the reassurance that comes with compassionate, consistent support. When paired with the right home care team, seniors gain the confidence to live comfortably while families experience real peace of mind. From hourly visits to 24/7 assistance, Assurance Home Care’s responsive and collaborative approach ensures every need is met with dignity and care.
Small changes, whether in the home or through added support, can help loved ones maintain their independence for an extended period. Contact Assurance Home Care to explore personalized care that supports safety and independence at every stage of aging in place.
About The Author
Stephen Bleeker
Stephen Bleeker is dedicated to redefining senior care as the CEO and founder of Assurance Home Care. His passion for enhancing the quality of life for seniors is at the heart of the company’s mission, which focuses on supporting aging in place through compassionate, personalized care. With a diverse background spanning music, lifestyle, and entertainment, Stephen brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic insight to the healthcare industry. His knack for innovation, customer experience, and holistic marketing has consistently led to exceptional outcomes, making him a dynamic leader who’s transforming how care is delivered.