How Well Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?

How well does your loved one’s home meet her needs? To find out, conduct a home safety check. Elinor Ginzler, director of Livable Communities at AARP, recommends looking at each room as if you’ve never set foot in it before. That way, you can identify potential safety hazards. For instance, are there throw rugs that could cause your loved one to slip and fall? If so, you’ll want to remove them or tape them to the floor with double-sided tape. Inspect floors for electrical wires that could cause your loved one to trip. Are there grab bars in the bathroom? If not, you may want to install them. Faucets and doors should have lever handles, as opposed to knobs, because they’re easier to grasp. By making a few simple improvements to your loved one’s home, you can increase her safety and comfort for years to come.