According to the CDC, six out of ten Americans live with a chronic disease. Chronic diseases are defined as a condition that lasts for a year or longer and requires ongoing medical attention. They are also something that usually impacts your daily life and activities. Many chronic conditions are the result of a combination of lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, lack of healthy diet and exercise and/or a genetic predisposition. 

Chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and even death in not just the United States but all of North America. And many people are dealing with more than one chronic condition at the same time. Some common chronic conditions are type 2 diabetes, COPD, hypertension, cancer, depression, MS and arthritis, but there are many more.

While many chronic conditions can be managed in a way that allows an individual to lead a happy and vibrant life, these conditions are still serious and may have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. That’s why creating a comfortable home for an older adult with a chronic condition is so important. Sometimes just a few tweaks to a home or a routine can make all the difference. If you’ve been wondering how you can make your loved one more comfortable then keep on reading.

Update Accessibility Features

Unfortunately, not many homes are built with accessibility in mind. This might be fine for an able bodied person with no chronic conditions, but for someone who is struggling with mobility, sometimes even just the presence of a few steps up to the entryway of their home can present what feels like an insurmountable challenge. While major renovations might not be possible, there are some smaller adjustments that can be made to make a home feel more comfortable and accessible to someone living with a chronic condition that affects their mobility. 

Grab Bars

Grab bars can be incredibly useful for older adults who might be at risk of falls. The National Institute on Aging tells us that one in four older adults fall every year, so anything you can do to lower the risk for your loved one is beneficial. When thinking about where to place grab bars in your loved one’s home you’ll want to focus on areas where they are likely to experience slippery surfaces or have moments where they are not able to balance properly. 

• Showers and bathtubs. The bathroom will likely be the room in the house that requires the most grab bars, as moisture can make a surface much more treacherous. Plus, on top of a slippery surface, individuals also have to navigate getting in and out of a shower or bath, which can throw off their balance. Along with grab bars it’s also a good idea to place a non-slip mat in the shower as well as a shower stool to provide more stability
• Beside toilets. Getting on and off the toilet can be very difficult for older adults with mobility limitations, so having a grab bar placed beside the toilet can help prevent accidents. 
• At the top of the stairs. Not only can getting to the top of a set of stairs be exhausting, but it can also throw off someone’s balance, so having a grab bar at the top of the stairs can provide some much needed support so that the person climbing can catch their breathe and reduce the risk of falling backwards down the stairs, which could result in serious injury or death.
• Along long stretches of walls. You don’t ever want your loved one to be in a situation where they have to walk for long periods of time without support. If there’s a long stretch of space, even if it’s even ground, such as a hallway, then it might be a good idea to place grab bars at strategic intervals or simply install a railing. 

Ramps

While installing a large ramp outside might not be possible, when you’re dealing with just a step or two inside or outside the home, it can be a lot more manageable to replace or cover the steps with a ramp. Of course, the exact cost will depend on the construction of the home and what kind of material you use. But for basic needs you might be looking at something as low as a few hundred dollars. 

Depending on the needs of your loved one you might also look like changes such as a raised toilet seat, or the widening of doorways to accommodate a wheelchair.  It’s always best to chat with your loved one and any support they may have to figure out the best way to move forward with accessibility changes. And, if looking at installing ramps or grab bars, make sure you contract someone who is trained on how to properly install such features. If installed improperly, features such as grab bars could cause serious injuries.  

Proper Home Safety

Proper home safety is a continuation of the work of making a home more accessible, but focuses a bit more on the general state of your loved one’s home. With home safety you want to look at security features such as what kind of emergency alert system your loved one has in place in case of an accident, and whether or not they have an alarm system that can protect them against home robberies. 

Something else to look at is fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and slip hazards inside the home. Make sure all alarms are up to date and functioning properly. Secure rugs with non-slip mats or by taping down the corners. Not only will taking all of these steps help to keep your loved one safe, but that safety will also contribute to their comfort. It’s hard to feel comfortable if you’re worried about falling in your home or whether or not you’ll be able to safely handle an emergency. 

Excess stress can make mental health conditions worse and can also worsen the immune system. While there might be many reasons why a person might feel stressed, an unsafe home is something that is completely manageable, so why not help take that stress off of your loved one’s plate?

Ensure Proper Nutrition

Not only are some chronic conditions the result of poor nutrition, but many chronic conditions make it much more difficult for individuals to have the energy to cook healthy meals. Exhaustion and depression can make it a lot more likely that someone will reach for something easy and comforting, such as a fat and carb heavy macaroni and cheese or some deep fried pastries. While it’s important to eat treats for pleasure every once and awhile, the importance of good nutrition cannot be overstated. In fact, one of the first comments the World Health Organization makes about diet is how crucial it is for maintaining good health and limiting the chances of developing chronic diseases. 

If you are concerned about your loved one’s nutrition then you might consider connecting them with a registered dietician who is well versed in the kinds of needs that your loved one’s chronic condition requires. From there you can offer further support by helping them with cooking meals and getting used to making whatever nutrition adjustments they need to make. Many older adults can struggle with the idea of changing their diets. They might feel angry and resentful at the need to stop eating some of their favorite foods. However, a lot of diet changes can be successful as long as the necessary time is taken to learn how to make a new diet exciting and delicious. Perhaps this can be a time for the two of you to bond and learn some new recipes together. You can also help by taking them grocery shopping to make sure their house is filled with diet-suitable tasty snacks. If healthy food is readily available when someone is hungry then they’ll be a lot more likely to reach for it. Sometimes a barrier to healthy living can simply be the step of having to chop a few veggies or slice some low fat cheese. If that’s already prepped and available in the fridge then it suddenly isn’t such a big deal. 

Something else to consider is the possibility of signing your loved one up for a meal delivery service.There are many meal delivery programs that are specifically targeted towards conditions such as diabetes. This takes all of the stress of meal planning out of someone’s life. Instead diet appropriate meals are regularly portioned out and delivered and all your loved one needs to do is pop it in the microwave. Contact your local center for older adults or speak to a dietician to find out what is available in your area. 

Housekeeping

While doing regular cleaning or taking out the garbage might not seem like a major task for you, for an older adult with a chronic condition the energy those tasks require might mean that’s all they are able to get done in one day, which leaves them with no energetic reserves left to do more enjoyable activities. 

That’s why bringing in a regular cleaner can make a major difference in an older adult’s life. Yes, it is an additional expense, but as long as a cleaner comes in regularly, the costs can often stay quite low, since the house will be consistently maintained. It’s when things get out of hand and you’re dealing with pests, hazardous mold or hoarding that cleaning is going to start getting astronomically expensive. 

However, if a cleaner is outside of your budget then you might get together with friends and family and agree to supporting your loved one with a cleaning schedule that you all contribute to. While it might be too much for you to take on a weekly cleaning shift, it is probably doable to help clean once a month, or to go in as a team and each commit to doing one or two tasks. 

A clean house is much more comfortable to live in for anyone, but can also help to manage conditions such as asthma, which can flare up in houses that are not regularly cleaned and dusted. 

Plan Regular Visits

While you might not think of socialization as something you would do to make a house more comfortable just take a moment to think about what really makes a house a home. Yes, it might be furniture you love or the way the sun shines in through the kitchen window in the morning, but it’s also about all the memories you make it in. People with chronic conditions can often spend so much time focusing on their health that they miss out on what makes life so wonderful: the people they love.  

Chronic conditions can leave older adults feeling isolated at home, so make sure you counter that by planning regular visits to make sure they know they are valued and loved. Coordinate with other family and friends to ensure your loved one is getting enough attention and socialization and is never left at home alone for long without someone checking in. 

Medication Management

Some chronic conditions require multiple forms of medication to be taken each day, which can sometimes be difficult for some older adults to keep track of. To alleviate the stress of keeping track you might help them set up a tracking system that works for them. This might be through labeled pill cases, alarms or calendars. You could also look into whether or not there are available supports available to them, which might look like a support worker coming to their house to help administer their medication. This way your loved one can relax knowing that their meds are being taken care of and you can relax knowing that they are not going to miss a dose of crucial medicine.  

Focus on Needs

Finally, one of the most important things you can do when thinking about how to make your loved one’s home more comfortable is to stop thinking and do some asking! Go directly to your loved one and ask what they need to make their home more comfortable. Of course safety and general health is important, but they might have unexpected needs that you would never think of unless you ask. Maybe they need some more stools in their home to make it easier to sit down any time they need. Perhaps they need an extra throw blanket because the one they have doesn’t keep their toes warm. Maybe they’d like a cart with wheels so that they don’t have to worry about dropping a plate when moving their dinner between rooms. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down to make a list together. Sometimes just the smallest little detail can make someone dramatically more comfortable. 

No matter what you do it’s very likely that your loved one will still have days that are painful or uncomfortable. On those days the best thing you can do is just be there for them and any needs they may have. If you’ve opened up the lines of communication and show that you care then it’ll be a lot more likely that you’ll find a solution quickly so that they can get back to living a comfortable life. 

The winter season is full of wonderful experiences. From exchanging gifts to seeing friends and family for the holidays, it’s a time that brings a lot of joy. However, with winter also comes treacherous weather, colder temperatures, and heightened risks of injuries and falls. In order to enjoy the many joys of this season, it’s important to keep yourself safe from potential harm.

For older adults in particular, winter brings many potential problems. One of the most prevalent of these is the increased risk of falling, brought on by icy and wet conditions. While you may have been able to easily brush off slips in your youth, as an older adult falling can be serious; for some, this may even result in life-threatening injuries and lasting pain. Paired with the heightened risks of falling, hypothermia is also a major concern in the wintertime. Due to lower temperatures, both indoors and outdoors, you can become chilled far quicker than you’d expect; if you fall on a patch of ice and cannot get up quickly—due to injury, loss of mobility, or anything else—you can find your core temperature rapidly cooling.

While these risks may be scary, this isn’t to say that you should avoid going outside altogether. Quite the opposite! Even though there are risks, with the right precautions, going outside is actually very important for your mental, physical, and social health. For example, exposing yourself to the sun can help to boost vitamin D production and regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep and feel energized throughout the day. Meeting up with friends, whether it be outside or at a local cafe or restaurant, can also help to revitalize you and make your days less monotonous. 

Whatever your reason for heading outside, taking the appropriate measures ensures that you will be as safe as possible. Below are our top tips for staying warm, avoiding falls, and otherwise maximizing fun while minimizing risks.

Dress For The Weather

When dressing for cold weather, the key is to avoid excessive moisture. Damp or wet clothes are terrible insulators, and will actually work to draw heat away from your body—this is why, if you have a fever, a damp cloth on your forehead can help to bring it down. Since your objective is to keep your body heat, not lose it, taking steps to minimize moisture retention is crucial.

To do this, start by choosing a moisture-wicking inner layer. This could mean wearing long underwear or an undershirt made of materials such as thermal knits, wool, or athletic fabrics like polyester and polypropylene. When choosing an inner layer, avoid those made with cotton, as this material easily traps moisture, becoming damp and chilly. If you anticipate sweating a lot, try to bring some extra inner layers to change into, in order to avoid staying in wet clothes for extended periods of time. 

After your innermost layer, you can put on your favourite shirts, sweaters, cardigans, skirts, and pants. If you prefer to wear dresses, wearing a long sleeved top underneath can help to make a short-sleeved dress feel warm and cozy. If you’re wearing a skirt or dress, just be sure to keep your legs warm with long underwear, leggings, or fleece-lined tights; even if you’re wearing pants, adding an extra inner layer is a great idea for better heat retention. In terms of materials, avoid wearing only thin fabrics, and instead opt for thicker, sturdier ones like wool, fleece, and flannel, or mix and match thin and thick fabrics to suit your preferences.

When going outside, you should also wear a thick outer coat to keep you dry and insulated. If you’re staying outside for an extended period of time, or if the weather is wet or snowy, wearing a hard-shelled waterproof coat is a good idea. This will keep all of the moisture from the elements out and away from your body, maintaining a warm and cozy inner environment. If you aren’t going to be outside for too long, wearing a simple water resistant coat may be a better option, as these are usually more breathable, flexible, and comfortable. 

Finally, be sure not to skip wearing hats, mittens, and scarves, especially in very low temperatures. While the myth that you lose 40% ~ 50% of your body heat through your head has been debunked, as per the Guardian, you will still be warmer if more of your body is insulated. These also help to protect your fingers, ears, and nose, which are more susceptible to frostbite. Plus, they give you an opportunity to add some extra pizazz to your outfits!

Wear Proper Footwear

Just as wearing proper winter clothes is important, choosing your footwear well is crucial for winter safety. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your toes are one of the most common areas for frostbite; and, as frostbite is most common in young children and adults aged over 65, this is a genuine concern. Wearing thick socks made of a warm material—like wool—is a good first step, but without the proper boots, your toes will likely feel the chill.

In addition to warding off frostbite, wearing the right kinds of boots can help to decrease your risks of slipping and falling. According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans aged 65 and older experience falls each year. While the causes of these falls vary, the Mayo Clinic reports that falls are significantly more common in the wintertime, highlighting the importance of taking precautionary measures during this season.

When picking footwear, it’s important to consider the warmth, traction, and waterproofing. Many winter boots come with a temperature rating, meaning that you can pick out the ones that suit your lifestyle and needs. If you’re outside for long periods of time, or live in a very cold climate, go for warmer options; on the other hand, if you don’t spend that much time outside and instead tend to gravitate towards indoor spaces like cafes, a lighter insulation will likely be more comfortable overall. Similarly, the type of traction you choose depends on your situation. Studded boots are great for the outdoors, but can be hazardous on indoor floors. If you’re planning to go inside of a library, shop, or restaurant, opting for convertible boots—such as Kickspikes and Olangs—or simply boots with a rubber sole, may be a better option. 

While insulation levels and traction types are fairly subjective, it’s generally always a good idea to go for waterproof boots—the level of insulation you need will vary by person, but having wet feet isn’t fun for anyone. Another general rule of thumb is to avoid high heels of any sort, as they make balancing much trickier. Choose function over fashion; even if they aren’t the most fashionable boots out there, having boots that keep your feet comfortable, warm, and reduce falling risks is the most important thing.

Choose How and When You Go Out

Though getting outside has its fair share of benefits, it’s also important to acknowledge that on some days, the risks outweigh the rewards. Before leaving the house, be sure to check the weather forecast to gauge the risk level for the day. When doing so, take care to check it for the full timeframe that you will be outside, instead of merely glancing at the current weather. If the weather looks particularly bad—think blizzards, heavy rain, high winds, or flash freezes—it’s probably in your best interest to stay home and make alternative plans. 

Even if the weather isn’t severe, you shouldn’t underestimate it. Even in the best weather conditions, bringing a friend, family member, or neighbour along is much safer than going out alone. If you know that your friends also need to do chores, buy groceries, or visit the post office, why not invite them out? This can turn a mundane outing into a fun opportunity to catch up with someone you love. 

When planning your outings, it’s also a good idea to plan for pit stops in warm environments, such as cafes, restaurants, libraries, and community centers. For instance, if you’re planning on going for a walk with loved ones, you could end the walk off with a warm drink at a local coffee shop, or by having lunch at your loved one’s house. Not only is this a great chance to catch up and chat, the extra time spent in a warm environment does wonders to ward off frostbite and hypothermia. And, even if you aren’t planning on stopping by one of these places, taking note of possible shelters along your route is a great idea. That way, if the weather does suddenly worsen, you’ll have a good idea of where to go to wait out the storm. Plus, if you find yourself craving a sweet treat, you’ll know where to go!

Plan for Potential Crises

Even with the right gear, there’s no way to entirely get rid of certain risks. After all, unexpected things happen every day! Though you may not be able to prevent these problems, being well prepared for them makes all the difference. 

In winter, less people tend to go out, meaning that, in the case of an emergency, there may not be anybody around to help. For example, if you slip, fall, and injure yourself, you may find yourself stranded in the cold with nobody nearby to help you up or call for help. Depending on the nature of your injuries and the temperatures outside, this can be a matter of life and death—therefore, you should do as much as you can to avoid ending up in this situation.

Before going out, you should always let someone know where you’ll be going, as well as what time you expect to be home. Upon returning home, you can then let them know that you have arrived home safely. While this may be reminiscent of being hounded by your parents in your youth, it’s a very effective strategy. If you don’t make it back by the expected time, your loved one will be able to come and check on you as quickly as possible, minimizing the risk of you being stranded without help. Alternatively, you can use an alert device to send out a call for help; depending on the type, this could be done manually, or automatically if a fall is detected.

Even if you don’t experience a fall, sudden changes in weather can be quite dangerous. As mentioned above, it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before leaving the house, and plan out possible pit stops along your route. If you’re planning to drive somewhere, you can do the same thing and take note of gas stations or shopping malls where you could park and wait out a storm. Wandering around in winter storms is particularly hazardous as reduced visibility makes it easy to get lost. Having a clear plan in place means that even if conditions deteriorate, you’ll be able to safely find shelter.

If you’ll be driving somewhere more secluded, consider bringing an emergency bag with things like blankets, hand warmers, and extra food to tide you over until the roads are cleared. While you may be tempted to keep your car idling to maintain warmth inside your vehicle, it’s not a good idea to do so for extended periods of time. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an idling car with improper ventilation—such as a car with its tailpipe blocked by snow—can quickly lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is particularly dangerous for adults over 65. If you do find yourself stranded, the recommendation is to make sure the exhaust pipe is clear, run your engine just until the car’s interior is warm, and then turn the engine off again; then, when the interior becomes too cold to stand, you can repeat this process. Having warm blankets can help to save fuel and reduce the risks of CO poisoning, as you’ll need to heat the car less frequently. 

Use Memory Aids

According to the National Institute on Aging, some mild memory loss is a natural and expected part of aging. You may have noticed yourself becoming more forgetful recently, or misplacing things more than usual—this is likely nothing to worry about, as a certain level of memory loss is perfectly normal. For some older adults, these issues can be more severe, and could be signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or, in serious cases, dementia. Other factors including medication, alcohol, lack of sleep, and dietary issues can also cause issues with cognition.

Whatever the reason may be, if you have noticed that you have a harder time remembering things, using memory aids can be very helpful in keeping you safe this winter. For example, you could write out a checklist of things to remember—such as keys, wallet, hat, mittens, scarf, and checking the weather forecast—and put it on your door. That way, before you head out, you can quickly run through your list and make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Another great strategy is to develop a set routine to follow. In the case of going outside, this might look like checking the forecast at breakfast time, and putting on your coat, boots, hat, mittens, and scarf in a set order. Placing your winter accessories, like hats and scarves, into the sleeves of your coats or into your boots can also help to make them harder to forget, as you’ll naturally encounter them as you get ready to go outside.

While this is not a definitive list, our hope is that this article has given you a few key strategies to implement into your lifestyle. From here, it’s all about adapting them to suit your needs, following your instincts, and enjoying the many wonders of this beautiful season!

It’s the happiest season of all – and you want to make sure it stays that way! Nothing puts a damper on the holiday like an avoidable accident. The CDC tells us that falls are a major cause of injury for older adults in the US each year, with over 14 million incidents. And while falls are one of the biggest risks for older adults, many people over the age of 65 might also struggle with reduced hearing or vision, which could expose them to additional risks. So, with all that worry on your mind, let’s put it at ease by running through some of the steps you can take to ensure your parent’s home is safe for them through this holiday season and beyond. 

Reduce Clutter

Not only can clutter around the house contribute to stress and anxiety, but it can also be dangerous! When things are laying about or piled high it can be easy for them to be stepped on, bumped into or tripped over. Offer to help your parent tidy up around the house or maybe suggest that they have a cleaner come and visit whose speciality is decluttering. 

Clutter can be troublesome for those with allergies, as clutter can accumulate dust, especially if there’s so much that it’s hard to get to certain items. Plus, having lots of newspapers and knickknacks lying around could add unnecessary fuel to a fire, turning something that’s small and manageable into something big quickly. 

Some older adults might struggle to let things go, or could even verge into hoarder territory. If you suspect or know this to be the case then you should strongly urge them to talk to a therapist. Trying to rid their house of items without proper processing could cause severe trauma and could make the issue worse. However, if that’s not an issue then it’s likely they’ll just be grateful to have the extra hand tidying up the place! 

Proper Footwear

Regardless of whether your family is one who wears shoes in the house or not, it’s important that whatever is on your parent’s feet is slip-proof. Too many people run around their house in socks or cheap slippers with no tread, and that can be a serious hazard, especially for older adults. Not to fear, if your parent loves wearing socks or slippers there are plenty of models with good tread on the bottom. You can even test a product yourself by putting it on and running your foot along the floor. Something with proper tread shouldn’t slide. 

Even if a house has carpets, proper tread should still be considered. Falls are still common on stairs and there are always going to still be rooms without carpet like the bathroom and kitchen, which are also more likely to be slippery due to the presence of water. 

Wearing shoes is also a good option as long as they are comfortable, heelless and with good tread. Dress shoes and ballet flats are not good choices. 

If you take appropriate footwear seriously then your parent is probably going to be more likely to as well. They might feel infantilized if you encourage them to wear socks with tread, while you still wear regular ones around the house. Instead, try buying matching pairs to show how important you’re taking not just their safety, but your own as well.

Grab Bars and Rails

A great way to improve safety in an older adult’s home is through the addition of grab bars and rails. Grab bars offer stability during transitional movements where falls are more likely. Here are some common places to put them throughout a home:

• Shower. Showers and baths are some of the most likely fall zones, due to the addition of an extra slippery surface and body. Plus, getting up from a seated position is much more challenging than it is to go up and down a modest step. Make sure that grab rails are placed at an appropriate height for when the user will need it. 
• Toilet. Grab rails are useful next to the toilet for a similar reason – getting up from a seated position can be especially difficult. 
• Top of the stairs. An older adult might be exerted at the top of the stairs and going back to stable ground can be disorienting, especially if the railing has run out. A grab bar can help with that unsteadiness. 
• Near doors. Opening and closing doors can be a full body maneuver, and having a strategically placed grab bar can avoid a fall incident. 

If you are considering grab bars then be sure that they are being installed by someone who is certified to do the work and knows how to properly access the strength of the walls and how to anchor them into the studs where they’re being placed. A fall is bad enough without it being caused because the grab bar fell out when someone was pulling on it! You should also look into getting textured grab bars so that your parent’s hand can’t slip off them – something that’s a particular risk in a damp environment like a bathroom!

Along with grab bars you should also take a look at the rails around your parent’s home. There should always be a sturdy rail on staircases and around any balconies. 

Sometimes someone might have a lot of their mobility left, but be struggling with stiffness in their joints, and having bars and rails in their home could make all the difference when it comes to staying independent for a longer period of time. 

Salt or Sand

If you live in a cold state then you already know what this is about. In places that experience rain, snow, periods of freezing and repeat know that sidewalks and steps up to a home can quickly turn into ice rinks, which can make simply walking down to the car a dangerous mission. To combat this, it’s a good idea to have a container of salt or ice handle on the doorstep. Salt will actually melt snow and ice, while sand will merely provide grit and traction making it a little less risky to walk on. 

Not only is this a good way to make sure your parent is safe, but it’s also just a good practice. It helps protect neighbors, and delivery drivers who could easily slip if your walkway is left unattended. 

Lighting

You don’t have to be afraid of the dark…unless it’s dark at your parent’s place, because that could be a, you guessed it, hazard. No, your parent doesn’t need to glaring overhead lights on at all times, but they might want to consider turning up the dimmers just a bit. Having low lights can make it difficult to see things in their way, and it can be easy to trip over an item on the ground or even just bump into a small shelf or a footstool. Of course, the hope is that you’ve decluttered enough that bumping into things isn’t an issue, but even so, good lighting can be very helpful in preventing accidents. 

Something else to consider when it comes to lighting is having lights available if your parent gets up in the night. If they tend to go to the bathroom or get hungry for a midnight snack, then setting up small nightlights might be a good idea. These can be motion activated so that they only turn on if your parent gets up, and they are still dim enough that they won’t wake up anyone else who is still asleep. Plus you can get them in cute designs, which is always a hit. 

Even if your parent has lived in their house for years and knows their way around, it’s never a bad idea to make things just a little bit safer. 

Slip Hazards 

Not only can vacuuming rugs be a real pain, but having them can be pain-ful! The National Library of Medicine shares that loose, unsecured rugs, or rugs with curled edges can contribute to falls, particularly for older adults. 

Of course, the safest course of action is to have no rugs at all, but that might not be the most realistic solution. If your parent is attached to a rug, or the kind of person to love having several placed around their home, here are a few things to think about to help make them safer so that you don’t need to worry about your  parent falling. 

• Rug pads. You can purchase rug pads that provide grip with the floor underneath so that the rug can’t slide around on the floor. Some rugs might even come with this feature attached to the rug already, which is a good option to consider if purchasing a new rug. 
• Placement. If you want to avoid slips, then it’s important to think about appropriate placement for rugs in your parent’s home. Ensure that rugs are not placed in areas with uneven surfaces, at the top or bottom of stairs, or through any kind of entrance way. You’ll also want to avoid placing rugs where they can easily be ruffled or moved. For example, a rug placed in the front hallway where everyone is coming and going would not be the best choice. 
• Check edges. Often, as rugs age, their edges begin to curl, making them much easier to trip over than when they’re brand new. To avoid this hazard, make sure you check over any rugs in your parent’s home and tape down any edges that are curling. If the rug continues to curl even with intervention, then it’s time to say goodbye to that rug. 
• Material. Some rugs are more prone to be a slip hazard than others. Thin, silky material can move around more easily, while thicker rugs made out of  wool tend to be a lot more sturdy. 

You don’t want to take away something that brings joy to your parent, so make sure you have a conversation with them about the potential dangers of the rugs in their home before tossing anything out. If they do want to keep them, then hopefully the tips above can provide a way to keep their home stylish as well as safe. 

Emergency Access and Call List

A thought that scares a lot of adult children is the thought that your parent might end up hurt and unable to call for help when they need it. But thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to make sure that doesn’t happen. 

First off, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency call list placed somewhere highly visible in your parent’s house. This is so that they can alert emergency services in the event of an accident where they can’t remember a number, but also for anyone who might come to attend to your parent who needs to contact you and anyone else in your parent’s support network. Unless your parent has a landline, which can instantly transmit an exact address, it’s always a good idea to put your parent’s address on this list as well. It’s amazing what some people can forget when they’re in a panic. 

In addition to the list you might consider getting your parent some sort of emergency medical alert device. These devices feature easy to press buttons that you can usually wear around your neck or on a watch, and many of them can also detect when there has been an accident, so can still send out an alert even if your parent is unconscious. Find a list of some of the best devices of 2024 here. 

Check/Install Detectors

The holidays are a great time to make sure your parent’s home has up to date and working fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Pro Tech Security tells us that there should be detectors on every level of your house, with ones near the bedrooms, kitchen and laundry rooms. Smoke detectors should be installed on the ceiling, while carbon monoxide detectors should be around knee height. 

They should be tested every month and kept clear of dust and obstacles. Also check the expiry dates of your detectors. Even if they have never gone off each detector needs to replaced after a certain number of years. It’s a small payment to keep your parent safe for years to come. 

You should also consider your parent’s hearing ability when installing detectors. If they have limited hearing you might want to look into having a detector that flashes lights as well as sound, or ensuring that the placement is close enough to important spaces that they would hear it even when asleep. 

Fires and gas leaks can happen at any time, and if you parent is getting more and more forgetful then they might be at even higher risk of leaving the stove on or forgetting to clean the lint trap from their dryer. Detectors might just save their life. 

Generally, safety is something that needs an upfront investment, but after you’ve put in the work of getting up to date detectors, medical alerts or installing bars, then after that the maintenance is pretty light. And the good thing is that your mind can be light as well, knowing that your parent is safe in their own home.