The ultimate home safety guide for seniors

As you age, you lose control over certain aspects of your life. Your body becomes weaker, you lose friends and family members to the passage of time, and your mind may not be as sharp as it once was. 

For many seniors, living in familiar surroundings can help them keep a sense of control over their lives. Aging in place refers to living out your days independently, rather than relocating to residential aged care. This could mean staying in the same house you’ve lived in your whole life, or downsizing to a smaller place.

According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), 78 to 81 per cent of over-55s want to age in place. There are downsides though, especially since you don’t have healthcare professionals checking in on you at all hours of the day. It’s important to prioritise the safety of your home, as you become more susceptible to household hazards like falls and burns.

Falls are one of the most common injuries and causes of hospitalisation for those over 65. It's the top cause of accidental injury in older Aussies, with around one in four clocking a fall per year. 

Six out of 10 falls happen in and around the home. They're the result of poor lighting, slippery floors, and clutter. Wet floors, loose tiles, electrical cords, rugs, mats, and general clutter can result in a tumble.  

Even when they don’t cause a life-altering injury, falls can cause a loss of confidence, especially if nobody is around to call for help.

If you've had a fall in the past year, talk to your healthcare provider for a risk assessment. You might be eligible for in-house help or an exercise program to keep your muscles strong.

We'd also recommend booking an appointment with your doctor. Even though you might feel fine, a fall can be indicative of a new medical problem, a side effect of a new medication, or muscle weakness.

To prevent falls on slippery floors, ensure you wear non-slip or thin-soled shoes. Keep the floors dry and your living space well-lit to increase your visibility. Leaving a light on during the night can help, too. You might want to consider installing motion-sensor lights in the hallway or stairwell to prevent nighttime falls.

The findings of an article in the American Journal for Geriatric Psychiatry revealed that prolonged loneliness can put seniors at an increased risk of death, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.

Not only are seniors more vulnerable to the consequences of loneliness, but they’re dependent on family members or community services for physical and mental support. Without this support, they can fall victim to anxiety, depression, and paranoia.

Keep in contact with your family, friends, and loved ones. While technology can seem daunting for many seniors, it can streamline daily tasks and can bolster relationships with your children and grandchildren. 

As the body gets older, it depends on medication to manage changes in biological function. Older people have set routines around which medication they take. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa can be used to set reminders, so you can remind your future self to take your medication. This lightens the mental load of having to remember which medications have or haven't been taken.

They can also be used to play music and make phone calls. Life can be difficult for older adults with dexterity, eyesight, or joint issues. These growing pains can make interacting with technology hard, especially if they’re related to a health condition or chronic disease. With virtual assistants, seniors can still reap the benefits of technology.

Even though there’s no substitute for the voice or the touch of a family member, using technology to pick up the slack can make older adults feel a little less lonely, especially if they live by themselves.  

There’s no shame in admitting you’re not as strong as you used to be. Sometimes the lawn gets too overgrown to manage, or an injury prevents you from cleaning the house. 

If you’re over 65 and an Australian citizen, you have access to the government-funded ‘Home Care Package’, or HCP. These packages assist seniors living at home to help them maintain their independence. You’ll be paying a provider to work with you and coordinate the services you need at your current support level. You might receive a personal shopper, someone to take care of your pets, or in-home medical care. The HCP can also cover health services like physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Under the HCP, you can loan or buy subsidised safety devices like personal alarms or sensor mats. You can also receive items that will make your life easier as you age, like shower chairs, walking frames, and medical-grade footwear.

The HCP comprises a subsidy (what the government pays) and out-of-pocket costs (what you’ll pay). The more support you need, the greater the subsidy you'll receive.

Security cameras are a neat addition to your home. They can scare off intruders and help you feel safer, especially if you live alone. The Queensland government is offering eligible homeowners financial assistance of up to $10,000 for the installation of security cameras. 

The initiative will also subsidise practical home security improvements like:

• Strengthening windows and locks
• Installing CCTV cameras 
• Addressing overall security weaknesses

To be considered eligible, you must:

• Be a homeowner living in the Mount Isa, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, Tablelands, or Mareeba Local Government Area
• Be aged 60 years or over
• Hold a current Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Card. 

The Queensland government also runs the Home Assist Secure initiative. It aims to help those who are incapable of performing certain jobs due to a health or safety risk. They’re also providing safety-related information, referrals, and subsidised assistance for:

• Backyard and outside maintenance
• Smoke alarm-related jobs like installation, battery changes, and vent cleaning
• Any jobs, repairs and maintenance requiring a licensed tradesperson
• Any task that improves your health, safety, and security, or needs to be done so you can remain in your home

To be considered eligible, you must:

• Be over 65 years of age
• Hold a current Pensioner Concession Card
• Be unable to complete the work yourself because it requires technical expertise or is a risk to your health and safety
• Be unable to complete the work through alternative assistance routes like the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Department of Veteran Affairs, or family and friends

Living at home rather than in a residential facility has its benefits. However, it can also cause stress on your physical and emotional health. This is why it's important to bolster your home safety. Take care to avoid fall hazards, spills, burns, and the loneliness that can accompany living at home.