Most people seek to age as actively, gracefully and independently as possible. According to AARP, almost 90% of adults over the age of 65 want to stay in their current home as they age. If your parent has expressed this desire, and this remains a viable option, proper planning and preparation can assist them in remaining in their home. 

At the outset, it’s important to have a frank discussion with them about any current obstacles. If they cannot identify any obstacles, observe them and see where there are snags in their day. Do they have trouble operating their phone? Navigating stairs? Preparing a meal? Locking the front door? Do they have a way to get groceries or visit a friend?

Once you see where the snags are, you can better plan for ways to address both their safety and independence.

Preparing the Home

Consider getting a professional safety assessment of the home. Performed by a trained advisor, the assessment will include the exterior of the home, all entry areas, every room (including bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry room, garage, basement, kitchen, dining room), lighting evaluation, fire safety and electrical safety. When the assessment is completed, a comprehensive report is provided. If there are suggestions for improvement, the advisor can recommend vetted contractors and services to bring the safety standards to an acceptable range. More information on assessments can be found at www.agesafeamerica.com or by googling “comprehensive home safety assessment”.

If you’re unable to have an assessment performed by a professional, then perform your own. Go through the home room-by-room identifying potential slipping or tripping hazards, as well as areas that are difficult to access or maintain. 

As you’re evaluating the home, focus on safety and preparing the home in the event of an emergency.

Safety

There are three main safety risks for your parents as they age in place.

• Risk of Falling - Falling is one of the most serious health risks facing the older population. Preventing falls should be a primary concern for you and your parent.
• Bathroom
• Place non-slip mats in bath and shower
• Install grab bars (a towel rack will not suffice. It will collapse under the bodyweight of an individual when falling)
• Provide a shower seat
• Replace the shower head with a hand-held nozzle
• Install a raised toilet seat or frame

• Stairs (if applicable)
• Ensure there are handrails on each side of staircase
• Tighten existing handrails
• Clear stairs of any clutter
• Consider a stairlift chair
• Differentiate between the stairs. Aging eyes may find it difficult to separate one step from the next. Adding safety tape or stair treads can help.

• Cords
• Tape down or tuck away any cords that stretch across the floor

• Remove excess furniture
• Step Stools, ottomans, etc. can be difficult for some seniors to sidestep
• Deep, plush seating arrangements can be difficult for seniors to lift themselves out of.
• Furniture legs that curve outward create a tripping hazard 

• Remove loose rugs.
• Get a cane or walker, and have available before the need arises
• Be sure their footwear has non-slip soles.
• Install brighter lighting, and be sure switches are easily accessible.
• Consider installing illuminated light switches
• Consider installing motion-sensor lighting

• Be sure there is at least one, no-step entry into the home
• Purchase a fall sensor. If your parent falls and doesn’t get up immediately or hit the “reset” button, a call center is alerted. They will try to reach your parent by phone and if unsuccessful, will call 911.
• If your parent has a pet, consider establishing a secure area for the pet to remain while your parent moves around. Pets underfoot are a huge fall risk. 
• Urge your parent to remain active. A sedentary lifestyle will only ensure your parent has less strength, balance and flexibility, and will be more likely to fall.

• Risk of Burning themselves or starting a fire
• Install an automatic shut-off switch on the stove
• Consider installing an oven with a side swing door, preventing your parent from needing to lift items over the oven door. Traditional pull-down oven doors are also difficult to maneuver from a wheelchair.
• Invest in appliances with automatic shut-off features.
• Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
• Check that appliances, outlets, cords are in good working order
• Install a smoke detector, and ensure batteries are replaced every six months
• Set water temperature to 120 degrees or lower because seniors can lose sensitivity to temperature and scald themselves

• Poisoning
• Install a carbon monoxide detector
• Be sure all medications are labeled. Consider a daily sorter for medication, so there is no confusion about if the medicine has been taken. There are multiple offerings at various levels of control for medication sorters and reminders. 
• Keep only a minimal amount of cleaning supplies available

Part of safety is being prepared for emergencies

• Vial of LIFE (Lifesaving Information for Emergencies) – plastic bag taped somewhere clearly visible (first responders are trained to look for these, taped on refrigerator or inside front door). This bag should contain information that would assist rescue crews in the event your parent cannot communicate. For information on this, and items to include, visit www.vialoflife.com .

• Flashlight and batteries
• First Aid Kit
• At least three days’ worth of non-perishable food
• Drinking water

Other Measures for Preparing the Home

• Some home security systems can provide video footage of areas inside and outside of the home, and offer the ability to remotely control lights, locks and thermostats. (Note: these can create an invasion of privacy, so be sure your parent understands how these work and gives permission to place them in their home).

• Motion detectors can be placed in key areas of the house (bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, front door, kitchen appliance, etc.). These can give you peace of mind that your parent is up and moving about, opening refrigerator, making coffee, etc. and are less invasive than video surveillance.

• Install a peephole in the front door (and, remind your parent they should never open the door for anyone they haven’t specifically invited to their home).

• If your parents are in a 2-story home, begin the process of consolidating needed items to the first floor. 

If you find your parent might need a gadget to make some tasks a little easier, medical supply stores and some online stores sell an array of items meant to help your elderly parent maintain their independence (i.e. razor holder that attaches to the hand, so arthritic fingers don’t have to grip a thin handle). One such site is https://www.hobbr.com/products-elderly-independence/

If your parent has dementia, preparing the home may require additional detail. Optima’s Guide “Navigating Alzheimer’s When A Parent Is Diagnosed” provides more in-depth insight.

Access to Meals and Essentials

• If your parent is still driving, then getting essentials may not be of concern. At some point, though, your parent may no longer drive and it would be prudent to consider options for getting these necessary items.

• If your parent is still mobile but just not driving, then a local transportation service or senior center might offer rides.

• If mobility is an issue, locate grocery stores that deliver to your parents’ home. If that is unavailable, perhaps a volunteer service or even a neighbor or friend might do the shopping for them.

Need for Companionship

• If your parent lives alone, be sure they have access to friends or others who can provide companionship. Senior loneliness and isolation can cause depression, lower brain function and chronic illness, just to name a few.

• Talk to your parent about a plan to keep them connected to others. 
• Enlist the help of community centers, religious organizations, nearby family members, etc.

As your parent ages in place, you will want to be keenly aware of signs that they may need help. Some common signs are:

• Stacks of mail piling up
• Late notices on bills
• Losing weight unintentionally
• Personal hygiene is declining
• Unlaundered clothing
• Forgets to take medications
• Has gotten lost in a familiar place
• Has car accidents (if still driving)
• There’s no food in fridge, or what’s there has expired

While discussing aging in place with your parent, this is also a good time to discuss and plan for next steps. There are many options to consider when living independently is no longer a viable option. Depending on your parents’ needs, these can range from a caretaker who stops in to prepare meals to moving into an assisted living facility. Optima has two additional pieces that may give you a starting ground for this discussion. “Protecting Your Parents’ Wishes – Questions to Ask Aging Parents” and “Selecting the Best Caregiver for Your Parent” .

Aging in place can be successful for your parent, but it’s important to develop a plan now while your parent can share their wishes and you can work together in their best interest. Keep in mind that the best of plans still require review periodically for any needed modifications.