Home Health & Safety Ideas for Older Adults
By Space Coast Daily // February 18, 2022
How are older homeowners making their living space safer? The overall safety trend in residential homes is born out of a specific need. Because so many retired couples choose to remain in their homes rather than sell them, contractors have witnessed a recent surge in safety upgrades.
In addition to adding emergency contact stations equipped with emergency phone lines, owners opt to add elevators to avoid the danger of climbing long staircases to get from one level to another. Fire safety and general security are other top concerns among owners who upgrade their homes instead of selling them.
In many cases, something as simple as removing doors for more effortless movement between rooms is all that’s needed. Other owners want to do total makeovers of their space to transform the interior in terms of safety, health, convenience, and style. Here are some of the top choices older homeowners make to make their living spaces safer.
Setting Up Emergency Contact Stations
Along with wearable emergency gear like alert style bracelets and necklaces, one of the most popular safety features is a police-fire-hospital contact zone. These safety stations can be placed in easily accessible areas on each floor. That way, even if someone falls or is unable to go upstairs or down, they’ll be able to call for help in case of a fire or other type of dire situation.
Installing a Home Elevator
When people decide to install advanced residential elevators, they typically do so for several reasons. Not only does such a project add to the potential resale value of any home, but an elevator removes the need to climb stairs. And that eliminates the risk of falling during a walk up or down a flight of steps.
An elevator is perhaps the fastest, most efficient way to transform an older, unsafe home into a modern, safe one. When there’s no need to make multiple journeys up and down stairs every day, older adults can look forward to living safely and comfortably in their homes, adding resale value to the bottom line, and enjoying the elegant look a private elevator brings to the space.
Making Fire Safety a Priority
Ask a local fire inspector to do a check of your home. The cost is around $50 and is worth every penny. You’ll discover if you need to have dangerous insulation replaced, whether your roof is fire resistant, and learn about any wiring hazards. When it comes to fire safety, it’s critical to have your living space thoroughly checked out and make the necessary changes immediately. Having that peace of mind is an example of a self-care tip to help you reset your mind from worry to relief.
Securing All Entrances and Exits
Smart locks are an ideal way to add a significant level of security to a living space where older people reside. The locks are simple to operate and don’t require any physical exertion to open or close. They’re solid as a rock and prevent intruders from gaining access any time of the day or night. Consider putting smart locks on all main points of entry and exit. Likewise, add thumb locks or bolted locks to every window in the home.
