Aging in Place: 3 Important Considerations to Make a Bedroom Safer for Seniors

Seniors have unique needs when it comes to home design and safety features.

Design a bedroom around safety and accessibility.

For seniors choosing to remain in their homes, the bedroom can be an unsafe place. Lighting, heating sources and the ability to contact someone in case of an emergency are three important considerations to help make a bedroom safer.

Lighting
Are lamps or light switches within reach of each bed? Nighttime falls can be prevented by locating lamp switches closer to furniture or beds. Install night lights along the path to the bathroom. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets with too many cords, as this could cause a fire and, of course, a tripping hazard. Glare from lighting or reflective surfaces can cause unsafe conditions if there isn’t sufficient contrast between the flooring and walls.

                                      Watch the video - how to make a home safer for seniors


Heating Sources
Seniors are typically colder due to lack of movement and circulation, and frequently seek additional warmth in a number of ways. Heat sources such as space heaters, hot plates and radiators should be located away from beds. Electric blankets should not have anything on top of them. Moreover, there is a potential for burns if an electric blanket is set on high and a senior falls asleep with it on. Finally, electric blankets should not be tucked in and the manufacturer’s instructions should be closely followed. Smoking materials and ash trays are also a major concern.

Communication
There should be a phone within easy reach of the bed — especially useful during an emergency. The phone should be pre-programmed and the settings adjusted so the senior can hear the ringer and the speaker without having to change anything. Consider special phones for those with vision and hearing issues, such as those found here: http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/product-browser.aspx?TextSearch=phone. Also consider an emergency response system (http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/productdetail.aspx?id=30911) with a pendant that a senior can use to press for help in case of an emergency, such as a fall.

Alesha E. Churba

Taking precautions, like keeping the pathway to the bathroom lit with night lights, preventing heat sources from being near bedding and locating a pre-programmed phone next to the bed, can make a senior’s bedroom safer. More importantly, it will provide added peace of mind for yourself and your loved one.

About Alesha E. Churba. A.E.Churba Design: Simple and Divine Interior Design. Alesha is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and is the only Allied Member ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) with experience in Residential and Commercial Interior Design and Decorating in Southeast Idaho. (208) 313-6414. Alesha@aechurba-design.com, aechurba-design.com.

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The CareGiver Partnership.  Lynn Wilson founded The CareGiver Partnership based on her experience in caring for loved ones as well as providing the highest level of customer service. She takes pride in offering personalized service that helps her customers find the best solutions for their individual needs. Now that her children are grown, Lynn enjoys spending time with her granddaughter while also helping to care for her mom. To find out how The CareGiver Partnership can serve you, visit http://caregiverpartnership.com/ or call 1-800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 CDT.

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