Whether you are an older adult aging in place or a family member caring for your elderly parent(s) in your home, it’s best to make any needed modifications throughout the house to senior proof (aka elder proof) the home so that it’s as safe as possible.
Senior proofing a home requires making changes to make the home safer and fall-proof the home. It may require changes such as home modifications, rearranging furniture, installing adaptive equipment and possibly using monitoring devices.
Most everyone wants to stay in the comfort of their own homes as they grow older and for many, it’s a good idea… but only if the house is safe for the elderly people living in it.
The 9 main topics to cover in senior proofing your home are:
- fall proofing
- decluttering the living spaces
- assistive devices as needed
- techniques to compensate for memory problems
- fire safety issues
- home security
- modifications to the home
- methods and tools to make daily tasks as easy and safe as possible
By planning for these issues, you will help to ensure not only a safe environment for your aging parents but you will also be making your life a bit easier as well. In this article I will be focusing on the safety measures to make the home safer for your elerly parents BUT the information applies to any senior citizen and caregivers of older adults.
Tips on Fall Proofing your Home
Reducing fall risks is one of the most important steps towards senior proofing a home. Fall proofing a home is different for every individual because every person has a different set of disabilities.
It should be no surprise that falls are the leading cause of death, injury and hospitalization for seniors. There are multiple factors that contribute to falls in the elderly population. These include things such as:
- the amount and type of medications someone is on
- whether or not they have suffered a disease such as a stroke or Parkinson’s
- their visual abilities
- their cognitive abilities
- and much more
The important things that you do to help to fall proof your home will depend on these issues I mentioned above and more. In other words, senior proofing / fall proofing a home environment really is a very unique project for every single person.
But, having said all that ~ there are 3 basic issues that should be addressed in all cases. Making changes to the environment either through home modification (i.e. converting a step in shower into a walk in), adding adaptive equipment where needed, using products like stair treads, decluttering living areas, etc.
Installing safety equipment such as motion sensors or light sensor nightlights and using more sensible accessories such as shoes, anti slip mats, stair treads, grab bars, etc. Being aware of the medications your senior loved one is taking and the effects of those medications.
A visit to your local hardware store may be all that you need to get the necessary items to make your home a safer place.
Mather Institute Virtual Programming
Our virtual programs through the Mather Institute are designed to support your wellness journey, with opportunities to learn something new, connect, and explore. We’re offering a new cycle of programs this month.
Interested in art? Try one of these programs: In Women History Forgot, we’ll learn how the lives, emotions, and art of women throughout history connect to our own, and talk about how their influence lasts to this day. Check out Inquiry-Based Museum Experience to explore creative topics including the connections between Civil War-era story quilts and current artists like Bisa Butler, whose quilts were shown at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2021.
You can sign up for any single session, or for a full four-part series–it’s up to you. We’re offering multiple times and dates for each program, so you can select what’s convenient for you. And we have a new registration process! Please browse the web page https://www.mather.com/programs and click on any program to see options.
Text Us @ 970-264-2167
Don’t forget that we also offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel. Texting services are available for dining-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.
Mobile Food Pantry Service Available for Seniors
The Pagosa Senior Center would like to remind the community about our mobile food pantry services we provide in partnership with Archuleta County MET to seniors age 60 and older throughout most areas of Archuleta County. In order to participate in this program, community members must visit with Barbara Noriega at the downtown Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center to fill out an application to qualify for hot meal delivery service and/or the mobile pantry service. The application, called the dining assessment form, is also available on our website at the bottom of the Community Cafe page http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167.
Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 1:00pm every week. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner. Proof of vaccinations is required.
Hand & Foot Card Game to start up again at the Senior Center Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us Thursday at 1:15 at the Senior Center. This card game involves 4 rounds of playing until the final round is reached – some 2 to 3 hours later. Plan to stay and meet some new friends or catch up with those you have missed over the last couple of years. No experience is necessary so come willing to learn..
Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with greeting customers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, October 27 – Crispy baked catfish w/ tartar sauce, sweet potatoes, garden salad, milk, strawberry-rhubarb cobbler.
Friday, October 28 – Pasta primavera w/ alfredo sauce, focaccia bread, garden salad, fruit, milk, and carrot cake.
Monday, October 31 – Chicken tacos, pinto beans, sweet corn, milk, salad, fruit and Halloween candy.
Tuesday, November 1 – Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas & onions, salad, and fruit.
Wednesday, November 2 – Pork tenderloin with orange sauce, brown rice, stuffed mushroom, salad and fruit.
Thursday, November 3 – Grilled cheese with tomato soup, chef salad and fruit.
Friday, November 4 – Monterey chicken casserole, baked cauliflower, salad, fruit and cake.
Grab-N-Go Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $5.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.