FOR elderly people, there is no place like home. It is, therefore, important that their home environment is safe, especially when they begin to develop mobility issues.

Progressive loss of strength and arthritis associated with aging can affect senior citizens' ability to walk steadily, thus putting them at risk for falls. Also, impaired vision can cause them to trip over obstacles, and the side effects of certain medications can produce light-headedness, thus resulting in seniors losing their balance, falling, and hurting themselves.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one out of four older people, 65 years or older, fall each year, with one out of five falls resulting in a serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury. The CDC further pointed out that more than 95 per cent of hip fractures are caused by falling.

Elderly people who sustain serious injuries from a fall may require hospitalisation or be confined to bed, thus affecting their independence and quality of life.

Kerry Scott, head, Real Estate and Properties, JN Properties, the Jamaica National Group, underscores that an assessment of the home environment of senior citizens should be done to identify any issues that may compromise their safety. He further advised that safety-proofing a home for an elderly person entails both indoor and outdoor.

"Many times the focus tends to be on the interior of the house, but elderly persons also spend time outdoors, so it is important that outdoor areas are assessed as the condition of walkways could cause them to trip and fall," said Mr Scott.

"Modifications to make a home safe for an elderly person can be as simple as the installation of grab bars and rearrangement of obstructive furniture, or be extensive, such as the widening of doorways or installation of a ramp to accommodate someone in a wheelchair or who is using a walker."

Scott shares the following tips on how to safety-proof the home for the elderly:

1) Replace doorknobs with door levers for people with severe arthritis to facilitate ease of opening doors. Similarly, kitchen and bathroom facets with levers are easier to use than the knob types.

2) Ensure that floors are kept clear of hazards, such as cables, electrical extension cords, books, rugs, mats, shoes, and toys that cause tripping.

3) Install grab bars in the bathroom, for example, in the shower and beside the toilet, to reduce the risk of falls. Put a bath chair or bench in the shower if an elderly person has difficulty standing for long and place a non-slip rubber mat in the bathtub.

4) Install bed rails which will not only prevent people from falling but can also be used to support them getting in and out of bed.

5) Install motion sensor lights or night lights where there may not be adequate lighting, especially along staircases, in passages and areas leading to the bathroom and kitchen.

6) Ensure that the floor is level throughout and that no tiles are lifting, which can cause tripping. Also, a shine floor, especially one with mats, is unsafe for seniors as it is easy for them to slip and fall.

By making the home safe for senior citizens, it reduces the risk of them getting into accidents, which can be life- threatening or result in severe injuries that may require extended medical care.

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