Has your family made the decision to have an elderly loved one move into your home? While this transition can bring comfort, companionship, and peace of mind, it also requires thoughtful preparation. Senior fall risk management should be one of the first priorities when creating a safe living environment for an aging parent.

Taking time to identify hazards, improve accessibility, and make simple modifications throughout the home can help reduce the risk of falls and support your loved one’s independence. Before they settle in, review key areas of your home to ensure they are both comfortable and protected.

Five Areas to Review for Safety

Bathroom

One area that often needs the most safety steps taken to prepare for an elderly loved one is the bathroom. Depending on your loved one’s physical abilities, you might need to install support items in the bathroom to help them use the room safely and confidently.

Even if your loved one has no current physical restrictions, consider adding a non-slip mat to the shower and ensuring there is enough lighting, especially for late-night bathroom visits. Rugs should be flat against the floor if there are any in the room, and medications should be clearly labeled. These simple improvements are an important part of senior fall risk management because bathrooms are one of the most common locations for falls among older adults.

Bedroom

Getting used to a new bedroom can be difficult, especially in the middle of the night if your loved one needs to get up and use the bathroom or can’t sleep. A nightlight will help ensure they can see where they are going, no matter the time of day.

Getting closets and dressers organized so they can easily see which options are appropriate for the season will help your loved one get dressed with confidence each morning.

Stairs

If there are stairs your loved one will have to navigate to get around your home, make sure they are well-lit and have at least one sturdy, easily gripped banister as they go up and down. When possible, installing railings on both sides of the steps can help support your loved one and prevent falls.

Because stairways present a higher risk for injury, they should be a major focus of any senior fall risk management plan. Proper lighting, secure handrails, and clutter-free steps can significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious accident.

Kitchen

If your elderly loved one will be making their own meals or coffee, make sure the appliances they need are within easy reach. If they are helping themselves to food from the fridge, keep an eye out for discarded leftovers that have been in the fridge too long or expired food, so they don’t grab something to eat that isn’t safe.

Living Areas

Remove all tripping hazards from living areas, such as extension cords, frayed rugs with upturned corners, and any debris on the floor. If you have a pet, due diligence may be needed to keep them from leaving pet toys in the middle of the floor.

A thorough senior fall risk management assessment should include all common living spaces to ensure pathways remain clear and easy to navigate throughout the day.

Getting Help with Preparing Your Home

If you’re not sure what may create a risk, and what is safe as it currently is, you might want to consider getting a professional’s opinion by having a senior fall risk management team member visit your home. Senior fall risk management professionals know where the hidden dangers are and can help you come up with a customized plan that will reduce the risk of your loved one taking a dangerous fall in your home.

You’ve got a lot to manage with this upcoming move, so why not let a trained professional help you with senior fall risk management in your home so you can take care of other important steps for your loved one?

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Fall Risk Management in San Francisco, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today at (415) 463-1400

Aviva In-Home Care provides exceptional senior home care in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, and surrounding areas.

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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