When people first buy a house, if it is not brand new, they may envision doing certain projects in the years to come. A lot of those projects are intended to improve it, at least from their perspective. As a person gets older, there may be certain home improvement projects that can keep them safer.

Here are three simple improvement projects you or a professional can do to improve safety around the home for your senior loved one:

Simple Home Improvement Project #1: Installing grab bars.

Even though the senior is strong and can maintain their balance without much problem, that could change, sometimes often without warning. They may not realize what’s happening to them, but they’re losing muscle mass and the more strength they lose from their legs, the more it’s going to impact their balance.

By having grab bars installed in the tub or shower surround and possibly even around the toilet, it can provide some extra support to seniors when stepping into and out of the shower. It can also offer them support if their legs are not as strong one day when they need to ease down onto and get back up from the toilet.

Simple Home Improvement Project #2: Improving lighting.

The lighting throughout the house may seem adequate enough, but it should be bright. The senior should also have easy access to the light switches. For example, if they have a lamp on a nightstand next to their bed, is it bright enough to illuminate the bedroom when they have to get up in the middle of the night?

If it illuminates a certain area, but is dark as they leave the room, going to the hallway, or even heading towards the bathroom, other lights should be installed or remote devices might be a consideration to make it so they can turn on all the rooms they need to have them well lit.

Simple Home Improvement Project #3: Tightening stairs and handrails.

Steps can become loose over time. So can handrails. If any of these are loose, when the senior is walking up and down the stairs, even though they may have done it thousands upon thousands of times before, if they hit the step the wrong way it can shake their confidence, cause them to lose balance, and may lead to a fall.
Going along each of the steps and securing them as tight as possible can help improve safety for those seniors at home.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Dulles, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.