"Stairs can be one of the largest barriers to remaining in the home as a person ages." Leacey Brown, gerontology field specialist
There are three main areas to consider in making one's home a safer place for people to stay in as they grow older: a main floor laundry, a bedroom on the main floor, and an accessible bathroom. If your home has those three things, there are other considerations as well. The height of toilets should be 18 inches. Lighting is very important, as people's vision changes as they get older and a greater amount of light is needed to see well. Thresholds are best if they are flush with the floor, and something I have discovered is that all traffic patterns need to be clear of any obstacles. I have learned to never place anything on the floor, because it is so easily tripped over. I also have night lights lighting up every traffic pattern. "Falls in bathrooms are one of the leading causes of nursing home placement," Brown says; so grab bars are very important in tubs and showers. Brown suggests that a person go through their house room by room to assess the safety of that room and to make changes as necessary. A website that offers suggestions for safety is: http://homemods.org/resources/pages/safety.shtml
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