Page 7 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2021 - 28-04

Senior Times - April 2021 Page 7
• Door hardware – Replace knobs/handles with lever-type handles. These require less grip, which is good for those with arthritis or grip issues.
consider having a backup generator system or other backup power option installed in case of power outage.
professional organizer can be a big help in get- ting your living space free of clutter.
Windows
• Windows – Windows should be weather
• Cords – Any power cords should be neatly bundled and secured so they can’t be a trip- ping hazard.
Security
• Alarm system – Burglar, fire, CO2, and any
sealed against drafts and high insulation win-
• Extension cords and multiple plug adapters – Overloading power outlets is not only a fall hazard, it is the cause of 12 percent of electri- cal house fires each year. Have extra outlets added when updating your home’s wiring instead of relying on power strips, extension cords, and overloading outlets.
other alarm systems should be updated and placed where batteries can easily be changed and maintained without climbing ladders or arrangements made for help in maintaining the systems.
dows installed if possible.
• Curtains – Any curtains or blinds should have
hardware installed for easy closure and open-
• Escape route – In case of fire, climbing out a window may be difficult as you get older. In fact, by age 65, seniors are twice as likely to be killed or injured in a fire as the rest of the population. Consider an easier escape route than a ladder such as an inflatable slide, which can be installed underneath your window on the exterior of your house and activated with a lever.
ing from a seated position if needed.
• Locks – Window locks should be updated for
safety and ease of use.
Stairs
• Handrails – Secure handrails should be added
Lighting
• Guide lighting – Lighting designed to activate
along the stairwell.
• Non-slip surface – Stair surfaces should be
in case of a loss of power should be available
in all rooms.
• Hallway lighting – Hallways should have
non-slip. Adding grippy, stick-on traction pads is an inexpensive way to give you traction on stairs.
• Peepholes – Door security peepholes should be lowered for easy access from a seated posi- tion or replaced with a video system.
nighttime guide lighting for safety of move-
ment.
• Lighting controls – Lighting controls should
• Lips – Some styles of stair have a lip where the stair top extends over the stair riser. These are notorious for causing trips and falls. Any stair lips should be eliminated.
be easily accessible from a seated position height.
Technology
• Let technology be your friend – Technology
Electrical
• Updating – Old wiring should be inspected
• Alternatives – If possible, a stair lift or a res- idential elevator can be installed to eliminate the need to use the stairs.
can be added and managed right from your cell phone or a touch pad device. You can use to turn on and off lights, lock or open your home; talk to a visitor at your door and even let them in if you choose; use in case of an emergency; manage banking and paying bills; and communicate with family and friends. If you need assistance with setting it up ask your adult children.
and brought up to code.
• Outlets – Any worn outlets should be
Flooring
• Non-slip surface – Some flooring surfaces
replaced, and ground fault-interrupt safety
plugs installed.
• Capacity – Many older homes have wiring
are slicker than others. Consider flooring that is less likely to be slippery such as lightly textured carpet or add anti-slip paint to hard surfaces.
systems, breaker boxes, and main electrical boxes that are not designed to handle the amount of power currently used by modern appliances and electronics. Older homes may only have a capacity around 100 AMPs and this might not even comfortably power a mod- ern kitchen. The capacity of your home should be updated, which may mean replacing the main electrical box and breakers, to handle not only your current needs but also to be able to handle medical equipment and assistive devic- es you may need in the future.
• Throw rugs – The edges of throw rugs can easily cause trips and falls and should be removed. Throw rugs are one of the two major home hazard categories recognized by the CDC for common fall causation.
• Security – Don’t get lost in using the same password for everything you do. There are programs that can help you choose. Always be aware that scammers want your information.
• Backup – Because you may come to rely on certain medical devices such as oxygen,
• Clear space – When arranging furniture and belongings it is vital that you keep floor space clear as much as possible. Wider paths for moving throughout the home accommodate walkers, mobility scooters, and wheelchairs while also helping to prevent falls from trying to move in a cluttered environment. A
Publisher’s note: If you need assistance with any of these you might be surprised that resources may be available through MI Choice Waiver, the Area Agency on Aging, Veterans programs, AARP Home Fit, area contractors, and from friends and family. Better to be safe now than to experience an unintentional injury that will lead to an unexpected recovery time.
COMING IN 2022
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