10 Tips For Senior Home Safety

Here are 10 easy ways to improve home safety for seniors

One-third of seniors polled by AARP said that they want to age in place. However, falls can pose a major health hazard for older Americans, causing millions of injuries and 32,000 deaths a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has been helping seniors “age in place” for over 125 years so we can confidently provide these 10 quick and relatively easy tips you should consider:

1. FLOORING: Remove unsecured throw rugs that are a tripping hazard and consider covering or replacing hard tile or stone flooring with installed softer wood, vinyl, or low-pile carpeting.
2. STORAGE: Move needed items to low shelves that are easily reached, eliminating the need for step stools and dispose of unneeded items that create clutter.
3. BATHROOM: Add a toilet seat riser, install SECURE (not temporary) grab bars by the toilet and in the shower/bath, and use a nonslip bathmat in the tub.
4. LIGHTING: Remove extension cords that are a fire and tripping hazard; add motion-sensor and darkness-sensor lighting fixtures inside and out to light stairs and other hazardous areas.
5. ACCESS: Add keypad combination locks to doors so caregivers can provide first responders with access by phone or text if necessary.
6. DRIVING: Add a GPS tracker to car keys (and car) so caregivers can easily locate someone who may need assistance.
7. SAFETY: New technology is always improving and also lowering costs – install the latest smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alarm systems; consider automatic shut-off devices for appliances.
8. DIET and EXERCISE: Nothing is better to avoid falls and other health emergencies than maintaining a good diet and exercise routine; put services in place for home delivery of groceries and create a plan of exercises you can do at home daily.
9. INSPECTION: Make a plan with family members or caregivers to conduct a monthly inspection that ensures the suggestions above are in place and working properly.
10. VISITING NURSE: Contact your local VNA for more information about when and how to access aging-in-place services.

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Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency.

Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148.

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The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

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© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.

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