A survey by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the National Institute on Ageing revealed that 96% of Canadians want to age at home and stay independent for as long as they can. Concerns over the state of long-term care for elderly Canadians, brought to light during the pandemic, is one of the primary reasons why.
However, anyone who intends to age at home needs to consider how viable that will become as their physical capabilities change. A house or apartment that seems safe today may not stay that way. Everyday tasks, from taking a shower to fetching a book from an upstairs bedroom, may pose more risk as the years pass by.
Home modifications may be required, potentially extensive ones, to create a more accessible space suited to elderly residents. Installing accessibility products can make aging at home safer and more practical.
In this post, we’ll look at home safety risks in five areas (stairways, bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, and pools) and the best accessibility products to mitigate them.
Stairways
Stairways are one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when planning to age in place. A property with multiple floors presents a serious physical challenge to seniors with mobility limitations or disabilities. One misstep or unseen obstacle (e.g. a pet toy) could lead to falls and injuries.
If you want to remain in your current home for years to come, consider how you’ll keep using your stairs as your body changes. Here are two questions to consider:
Can you depend on a member of your household to assist you each time you need to move from floor to floor?
Will you have room in your finances for a carer to help you with everyday tasks, including going up and down stairs?
Pondering these questions can help you understand the difficulties that stairs present to many older people. When you’re younger, it’s easy to assume that you’ll always be able to use stairs safely and comfortably. But advancing age may make that harder (if not impossible). Finding a solution can mean the difference between aging in place and moving elsewhere.
Stairlifts are a popular and effective way to improve home safety for seniors. They cater to users with a diverse range of requirements, from wheelchairs users to those who may struggle to walk without assistance. Fitting a stairlift can restore independence and make aging at home more viable.
Stairlifts are available for straight and curved stairways. They run on batteries to help you stay in control even in a power outage, but they must be installed within close range of an outlet (at the top or bottom of the stairs) to fit a charger.
Additionally, stairlifts can be installed for exterior stairs. Outdoor stairlifts provide easier, safer access to the street, and are particularly helpful during rainy and icy weather.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the most important areas to discuss when exploring home safety for seniors. Taking a shower, climbing into a bathtub, and using a toilet can all become more difficult as you age.
Moisture is a major reason why bathrooms may be hazardous for older people. Water splashing from a tap and a build-up of condensation can turn the floor into a slippery surface. That creates a dangerous situation for infirm seniors, especially if they have impaired vision and struggle to see wet patches before stepping onto them.
However, various accessibility products can be installed in a bathroom to improve home safety for seniors. These include:
Grab bars for a secure handhold at multiple fixed points
Curb free shower stalls to avoid climbing in and out of the tub
Seated showers to minimize time spent standing on wet flooring
Toilet frames to make sitting and standing easier and safer
These products can be fitted in bathrooms of different sizes and layouts. A thorough consultation is crucial to assess the space and the possibilities.
Bedrooms
Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe in their own bedroom. Unfortunately, seniors with limited mobility can find climbing into and out of bed harder. Simply moving from a lying position to sitting can be difficult, let alone standing.
Fortunately, home care beds may improve home safety and enable seniors to enjoy more independence. These include a range of features to improve comfort and movement. For example, the Permobil Halsa Bed has:
15 - 30 degree incline
Handheld controls
Half or full side rails (optional)
Trapeze bar (optional)
Battery backup (optional)
Home care beds are available in different heights with various weight capacities.
Hallways
Depending on the size and layout of your property, you may need to navigate several hallways as you move around your home. But even in small houses and apartments, hallways can present seniors with a challenge. Members of the household who struggle to walk unaided may need accessibility products to maintain their independence.
Installing railings is a simple idea for better home safety: holding onto a stable bar while walking through a hallway helps reduce the risk of tripping and falling. These are available in various materials and styles, and can be fitted at almost any height to suit your unique requirements.
Pools
For homeowners fortunate enough to have a pool, getting into and out of the water presents an obvious home safety hazard. Stepping down into a pool, even with a railing to hold onto, can be frightening if you feel unsteady on your feet.
However, installing a pool lift empowers seniors with the freedom and flexibility to enter and exit a pool securely.
Different types of pool lifts are available, including portable and fixed models. If using your pool is important to you, physically and mentally, a pool lift can help you age at home without giving up one of your favourite activities.
How to Improve Home Safety with Accessibility Products
For more than 30 years, Total Access Solutions has provided high-quality, custom accessibility products to customers across Toronto and the GTA. We offer stairlifts, home care beds, and other solutions from trusted manufacturers. You can discuss your options in an at-home or virtual consultation, whichever you prefer.
To learn more about our products and how they can help you age in place, contact our friendly team.
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