Safety Tips and Home Modifications

Safety Tips and Home Modifications: From An Occupational Therapist

We are all growing older each day, and with in that 24 hours we are stretched thinking about all the priorities that are embedded in our lives. We run through to do lists, things we need to buy at the store, and people we want to keep in touch with. And somehow, improving safety in our homes does not always fall into the top ranks; that is until something happens. As we get older, it is inevitable that we run into some sort of health concern, which may impact how we interact within our environment. Much like health in general, it is important to utilize prevention strategies to improve the safety in one’s home. As we age, some older adults will experience loss of strength, balance, flexibility, and vision, impacting one’s participation in their everyday activities and increasing risk of falls. With these factors piling up, one may lose their independence in truly meaningful activities. This is when skilled therapy services can be beneficial, to regain independence and improve one’s safety in the home. Taking care of your body through proper exercise, nutrition, socialization, mental stimulation, and regular check ups with your physician are all preventative measures. In addition to these proactive measures, occupational therapists recommend environmental modifications to improve function and safety in the home. Occupational therapists use a holistic view of their client, assess and analyze how their environment affects one’s participation in their daily activities or occupations.

Modifications can be as simple as:

• Removing throw rugs

• Adding in a shower chairs

• De-cluttering the floor and countertops

• Low glare bulbs

• Lever shaped faucet handles

More intermediate:

• Installing grab bars

• Hand rails

• Long handle shower heads

• Adding lights under cabinets

To more complex: 

• Low threshold showers

• Installing ramps for barrier free entrance

• Stair glides

• Widened doorways

Fortunately, there are resources and your social support can be a huge help to implement some of these strategies. When things are more complex, or there is uncertainty, occupational therapists are here to help.  We provide assessments to get to know the client, their environment, and what is important to them. We implement treatments to regain strength, adapt activities or environments, or learn compensatory strategies, with the goal of improving your safety and living a better quality of life with confidence. We are experts in building relationships with the community, analyzing what insurance may cover, and what other services are available to come into the home to maintain independence.