Safer Housing for the Elderly

Our homes fulfill many needs. The most basic is protection from the elements and intruders. Once we are warm and secure, other needs arise. Comfort and a place for self-expression are vital for our well-being. A home gives a feeling of independence. It also provides access to important community services.<br /> <br /> For the maturing population, housing is especially important. It serves as a storehouse of memories, provides the major location for family interaction, and is the major financial asset for most families.<br /> <br /> The 55-plus population will be radically transformed as the baby-boom generation ages. No segment of the population will change as much as mature Americans. There are currently 60 million people aged 55 or older. By 2030 this will increase to 107 million. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the housing needs of the elderly.<br /> <br /> <B>Shelter and Protection</B><br /> We must feel safe and secure in order to be able to relax, so be security conscious. Front and back doors should have strong dead bolt locks. If possible, install a burglar alarm system. Excellent security systems are now available at relatively low costs.<br /> <br /> A peephole for all your outside doors is a good idea so you can see who is at the door before you open it. Make sure it is at the proper height for you. It should let you see a range of 180 degrees from side to side.<br /> <br /> <B>Comfort and Self-Expression</B><br /> Not only should your home offer physical comfort, but it should provide emotional comfort as well. Surround yourself with things you like. <br /> <br /> These could be items from the past. Retrieve mementos from attics and old trunks that stir pleasant memories. There are many suitable places for objects and pictures from the past.<br /> <br /> <B>Safety</B><br /> Home accidents are a major source of injuries and can even cause death. The elderly are especially vulnerable to serious injuries from home accidents. Older bones are often less dense, more brittle and break more easily. A simple fall can become a serious, disabling injury that limits independence.<br /> <br /> As we age, our senses of sight, touch, hearing and smell tend to decline. Our physical abilities are reduced, making it more difficult to stretch, lift and bend. Our judgment and reaction time also slow. As a result, we cannot respond as quickly as when we were younger. These normal changes in perception, physical abilities and judgment make us more prone to accidents. Simple precautions and adjustments can help ensure a safe, accident-free home.<br /> <br /> The following checklists will help you evaluate the safety of your home and habits. Go through your home and check off those items or behaviors that apply to you. If there are some items that you do not check, then your home is not as safe as it could be. By improving those items, you can make your home a safer and more comfortable place to live.<br /> <br /> <B>General Safety</B><br /> ~Emergency numbers and your address are posted by each telephone. <br /> ~The telephone can be reached from the floor or you carry a cell phone with you. <br /> ~Inside and outside door handles and locks are easy to operate. <br /> ~Door handles are lever-action instead of round knobs. <br /> ~Door thresholds have been removed or are low and beveled. <br /> ~Windows are easily opened from the inside but have secure locks that can prevent someone from entering from the outside. <br /> ~There is an emergency exit. You can add an escape route through portable ladders or chutes. <br /> ~The thermostat of the water heater is set at 120 degrees F or lower to prevent accidental scalding. <br /> ~Medications are stored in a safe place according to instructions on the label of the package or container. <br /> ~Carpeting and rugs are not worn or torn. <br /> ~Small, loose rugs have nonskid backing and are not placed in traffic areas. <br /> ~Appliances, lamps and cords are clean and in good condition. <br /> ~There are no exposed bulbs in lamps or fixtures that can cause glare. <br /> ~Automated lighting controls are installed. <br /> ~All electrical equipment bears the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. <br /> ~Enough outlets are located where they are needed in every room. <br /> ~Electrical overload protection is provided by circuit breakers, fuses or ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). <br /> ~The electrical service has enough capacity and is up to code. (An electrical inspector can check the wiring in your house.) <br /> ~Extension cords do not carry more than their proper load, as indicated on the cord or appliance. <br /> ~Electrical cords are placed out of the traffic flow and are not underneath rugs and furniture. <br /> ~Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and in working order. (One idea to help you remember to change the batteries is to replace them on your birthday.) <br /> ~Assistive listening devices are used for small room amplification, personal listening and TV listening. <br /> <br /> Source: Colorado State University Extension <br /> <br /> <I>Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with Hall County Cooperative Extension (770)535-8290.</I>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/6/210902