Improving Home Safety for Seriously Ill People Living at Home

To improve home visibility:

• Install new lights (such as motion-sensor flood lights) or increase lighting on exterior pathways, porches and doorways.
• Increase home lighting in hallways, stairways and bathrooms with accessibility to light switches at entrances.
• Install light switches that glow in the dark.
• Switches and lamps should be easy to reach.
• Install lighting over the sink, stove and other work areas.
• Keep a magnifying glass for reading small print, where it may be needed (kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom).
• Place automatic, light-sensor night lights in hallways and rooms.
• Add lighting to all closets.
• Install a thermostat that’s easy to read.
• Use translucent light shades or frosted bulbs to reduce glare.
• Use full-spectrum bulbs that simulate daylight.
• Open window shades, blinds and curtains for natural light during the day.

To improve kitchen safety:

• Add a counter-height stool to enable sitting while working at the kitchen countertop (if necessary, have cabinet shelves or drawers removed to allow room for your knees).
• Be sure controls on the stove and oven are easy to see and reach.
• Elevate the dishwasher to reduce bending.
• Choose a side-by-side or drawer-style refrigerator.
• Do not wear loose clothing around the stove.
• Place heavier objects on the ground or low level shelves.
• Never overload electrical outlets.
• Keep electrical appliances away from the sink.
• Smoke detectors should be present on each level of the home.

To more easily reach and move around:

• Replace round doorknobs with easier-to-use lever-style door handles.
• Place a chair or table near the entrance door to place packages when locking or unlocking the door.
• Use non-slip handrails and non-skid step edges on stairways.
• Use non-skid carpet runners to alleviate slippery floors and hold down carpet edges.
• Lower rods and shelves in closets and cabinets. Consider pull-out or pull-down shelves, or drawers designed to close automatically.
• Install grab bars on bathroom walls.
• Provide an elevated toilet seat or install a safety frame for ease of use.
• Install a walk-in or no-threshold shower, bath seat or bench and an adjustable, hand-held showerhead.
• Place the washer, dryer, shelves and work surfaces at reachable heights and consider a front-loading washer.
• Remove clutter and low-lying objects like coffee tables, which can trip a person and lead to bruising or other injuries.
• Use the same safety precautions in both downstairs and upstairs to lessen the use of stairways.
• Keep a cell phone within reach at all times or install a telephone in multiple rooms (including the bathroom).
• Develop a family escape plan, in case of fire.

SOURCE: AARP