Home Safety And Comfort Tips For Spring

If you are an older adult with disability issues, your home should be adaptable and adjustable to this stage of your life. By looking at your home with a critical eye, you can prevent falling - the most common cause of household accidents.

"If you aren't sure what modifications need to be made, you can always ask your adult children to provide some insight as to what changes you should make," said Director of Operations Robert Bicanic, at Northbrook-based Senior Helpers serving the north and northwest suburbs to the Wisconsin border. "Another option is to have Senior Helpers provide a caregiver to help you achieve the task."

Here are some ideas that can make your home safer for you.

• Add plug-in-the-wall night lights to your bedroom, bathroom and hallway to provide safe footing in the dark. A second option is LED lighting that is controlled by a photo sensor. The lights turn on in the dark and off in daylight automatically.

• Install a grab-bar in your bathtub or shower to prevent falling.

• Make closets more accessible with adjustable shelving and lighting so your items can be identified and reached.

• Declutter! If you don't have the strength to handle this chore, hire an organizer who specializes in this.

• Secure small "scatter" rugs with a rug grip or tape. Remember to never place them at the top or bottom of a staircase. They can be an obstacle for a scooter or senior walker.

• For someone with mobility issues raise the height of your favorite chair with a large cushion so it's not so difficult to use.

• Replace standard light switches with a touch pad that responds to your finger: slide it up and the light goes on, slide it down and the light dims.

• Have lights for the front, back and side door entrances of your home. Motion sensing security lights are the best. Keep the path in and out of your home clutter-free.

These are just a few of the tips you can implement this Spring.

you would like to learn more about how Senior Helpers In-home

Caregivers can help you or a loved one, please contact Robert Bicanic at Senior Helpers: 847-564-7500 or email him at rbicanic@seniorhelpers.com.

This Senior Helpers office is the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Cares Affiliate office for all of Chicagoland. For the past five years, this office has been ranked as one of the Top Home Care Agencies in America.