Making your home older person friendly. A Room-by-Room guide.

As our loved one's age, creating a safe, comfortable, and functional living environment becomes more critical. An older person-friendly home can significantly improve quality of life, fostering independence and reducing the risk of accidents.

With our experience of visiting clients' homes prior to the HaloCare installation, we’ve been able to collate a list of the common areas that often need some additional thought to make independent living a safe and viable option.

Living Room

Key Considerations:

Ease of Movement: Ensure furniture is arranged to allow clear pathways, accommodating mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs if necessary.

Lighting: Use lighting with adjustable brightness to improve visibility. Consider motion-activated lights.

Stable Furniture: Opt for sturdy, non-slip furniture with armrests to provide support when sitting or standing.

Flooring: Avoid rugs or ensure they are securely fastened to prevent tripping hazards.

Enhancements:

Install lever-style door handles for ease of use.

Add smart home features such as voice-activated assistants for controlling lights or accessing entertainment.

How HaloCare can support

• Door sensors: HaloCare’s Door Management Solution can alert the Care Hub team if doors have been opened at unusual times such as the middle of the night, this is an important feature for clients that might be prone to wondering. Door sensors can also be used for security and can alert the Care Hub team if a client has left home and not closed the door correctly.

Kitchen

Key Considerations:

Accessibility: Place frequently used items at reachable heights to avoid excessive bending or stretching.

Anti-Slip Flooring: Use slip-resistant mats or flooring to prevent falls.

Appliance Safety: Install appliances with safety features like automatic shut-off and clear, easy-to-read controls.

Enhancements:

Use pull-out shelves and ensure countertops do not have sharp edges.

Install bright lighting under cabinets and ensure there is adequate lighting at every part of the kitchen.

How HaloCare can support

HaloCare’s solution includes

• Appliance Management: HaloCare’s appliance management solution actively monitors appliance usage and can alert the Care Hub team, if the appliance has been left on longer than usual. This feature reduces the risk of hazards in the home, offering peace of mind for family members and caregivers.
• Flood Detection: HaloCare’s flood detection technology is designed to identify early signs of leaks by monitoring if taps have been left running. The Care Hub will be notified if taps have not been turned off, and the team can then contact the client to intervene as quickly as possible.

Bathroom

Key Considerations:

Grab Bars: Install grab bars near the toilet and shower for added stability.

Non-Slip Flooring: Use non-slip mats or apply anti-slip coatings to tiled areas.

Walk-In Features: Consider a walk-in shower or tub with a handheld showerhead.

Enhancements:

Install raised toilet seats and lever-style faucets.

Have emergency cords installed in the home.

How HaloCare can support

HaloCare’s solution includes

• Emergency pull cords: A discreet cord that won’t distract from the ambiance of the home, once pulled a member of the HaloCare Care Hub team would be alerted.
• HaloCare Motion Detection: HaloCare Motion Detection sensors will alert the Care Hub team if there has been a prolonged period in the home, in which there's been no movement that is out of the ordinary. The Care Hub team will call to check in on the client and can then escalate further if required.

Key Considerations:

Level Surfaces: Ensure pathways are even and free from tripping hazards.

Lighting: Use solar-powered or motion-activated lights for night-time safety.

Enhancements:

Install railings for additional support when moving around the garden.

How HaloCare can support

• HaloGo Watch: HaloCare’s solution can support even outside of the home! Our HaloGo Watch has built-in GPS to help keep your loved ones safe on the go. The HaloGo watch also has an S.O.S Emergency button that will send an alert to the Care Hub team if activated.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Adapting your home to be older person-friendly doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small changes, implemented gradually, can have a significant impact.

If you’re looking for expert advice or technology to further enhance home safety, contact HaloCare today. Together, we can help you create a space where comfort meets security.