During the pandemic many nuclear families came together and began staying with their elderly parents. However, the infrastructure in our home is seldom old-people-friendly. Here’s a look at how we can make our homes safer for the senior citizens.
It’s often said that old age is like a second childhood. It is thus important to make some changes in the house to suit the needs of the elderly. As per a recent analysis done by The National Medical Journal of India, ‘falls’ are one of the major problems faced by senior citizens, they account for 20 to 30 per cent of injuries, and 50 per cent of injury-related hospitalisation among the elderly, especially for those above 60 years of age. However, taking a few precautionary measures can help make the house safer and more convenient for the senior members of our family. This can help reduce unfortunate accidents resulting in a long and healthy life for them.
Here are a few suggestions:
LIGHTING
Over time, old people start losing clear eyesight making it difficult for them to move around freely. If the house is not well-lit, it adds to the problem and increases the risk of accidents within the house. “Also, along with good and bright lighting, it is important that the switchboards and buttons are easily accessible to them, and thus should be placed at appropriate height. The switches should also not be hidden behind other objects, as this increases the chances of them banging into the objects and getting hurt,” suggests interior designer Ashlesha Khedekar.
FLOORING
“It is important to have non-slippery tiles in the bathrooms, and toilets. Having such tiles in other rooms of the home such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen, balcony, etc. might be aesthetically less appealing, which is why, carpets and rugs can be used. As per your walls and other furniture colours, one can either have a matching or a contrasting carpet, this will keep the house anti-slip as well as beautiful,” says Maithili Joshi, an architect.
FURNITURE AND OTHER FITTINGS
Install grab bars in both, the toilet and bathroom, “Generally, people fix them only in the toilets. However, it’s better to have them in the bathrooms as well, where one takes shower. Also, it’s advisable to have bigger handles on the doors of restrooms, which allows the elderly to have better grip,” says Amit Salvi, a bathroom fittings manufacturer. Easily openable drawers and cupboards, and convenient furniture around the house are recommended.
SAFETY
Last but not the least; a safety door is a must-have for any home, especially when the senior citizens are alone at home for a majority of the day as other members go to work. “We have put a heavy safety door at our entrance. We have designed it in a way that a small window within the door can be opened in case any parcel needs to be received. This way we ensure that my grandmother does not have to open the entire door even when there’s any delivery.
This apart, we have grills on all windows, including the bathroom window,” says Kavita Bhanushali, a Mumbai resident. Additionally, one should also have fire extinguishers at home and the elderly person should be given the necessary training as well, suggests fire extinguishing experts. “With technological advancements in places, one can use IoT and remotely keep a check if the gas stove is off, and doors are properly locked etc.,” says Sadanand Kirpe, IoT expert at a security equipment manufacturing company.
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