Your senior’s home may have some smaller issues to consider, particularly when it comes to doors and windows. Keeping your senior as safe as possible might mean taking a closer look at how well doors and windows are operating.
Doors and Windows Open and Close Easily
Doors and windows are meant to keep weather and intruders outside, of course, but they need to be able to open and close easily. If there is an emergency, any door or window might be necessary in order to exit safely, so they all need to be functional. Consider swapping out difficult latches for ones that are easy for your senior to operate.
Locks, Peepholes, and Other Accessories Function Easily
Peepholes allow your senior to verify who is on the other side of the door, but they might not be as helpful when she’s in a wheelchair. Newer devices, like doorbells that have cameras included, can make it both safer and easier for your senior to know who is at the door. Also, electronic locks might make life easier and safer for her, too. Verify that all locks are functional and determine whether a different style of lock might be more helpful.
Thresholds Are Low and Even
Thresholds can be a huge problem for aging adults. Some thresholds are sudden, with a hump or ridge right in the middle of the pathway. In the past that might not have been an issue for your senior, but as her mobility changes that can become a much larger concern. Lowering raised thresholds can be an important fix and it’s not as difficult to do as you might think at first.
Doorways Are Wide Enough
In an older home, narrow doors might have been all the rage. That can be a problem for your senior now, though, especially if she uses a walker or a wheelchair. There may be some ways that you can expand those doorways for your elderly family member that aren’t too complicated. It’s probably a better idea to let a handyman tackle those tasks, especially if the door is extremely narrow.
Alarm Systems Might Be an Option
A full-home alarm system is something else to consider. Alarm systems have added a great many services to their base function, which is sounding an alarm if the home is breached in some way. Many also offer fire alarm services, fall detection, and more. Your senior might feel a little more secure knowing that she’s got that sort of service in place.
Your senior’s home may need more maintenance than you realized. While you’re doing that, you might want to consider adding another layer of help and protection for your elderly family member. Elderly care providers can help her with mobility concerns and make sure that other issues, like clutter, don’t complicate an already difficult situation.
Excerpt: Doors and windows are how your senior’s home remains secure, but they can also be safety concerns.
If you or an aging loved one needs Elderly Care in Davis, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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