This easy-to-read inspection checklist is specially designed for senior homeowners who wish to maintain their independence in the comfort and security of home and want to have their homes inspected for potential updates to address safety, convenience and accessibility concerns.

This specialized checklist is also useful for any homeowner or resident whose mobility or physical condition is or may become compromised.

This inspection checklist highlights specific exterior and interior components for which the inspector may provide suggestions and recommendations for modification, which will then assist homeowners in prioritizing, planning and budgeting appropriately for any necessary upgrades, both short-term and long-term. Read the rest of this entry »

Home Safety Inspection Checklist can Help Seniors Minimize the Risk of Injury

Ask seniors where they feel safest and most will say their own home, as the window to the past, a safe haven for the present, and a legacy for the future. However, unintentional injuries in the home result in nearly 21 million medical visits on average each year.* Preferred Care at Home dedicates the month of June – Home Safety Month – to educate and empower both seniors and their families to take actions to better enjoy the comfort and security of their home.

“We hope to bring attention to the serious problem of preventable home injuries and its leading causes: slips and falls,” says Jody Guerrieri, RN, Co-Founder of Preferred Care at Home. “Just a few simple steps can reduce the risks in most homes and may even make a lifesaving difference.”

Throughout Home Safety Month, Preferred Care at Home encourages the senior community to consider their home’s danger areas and take some simple steps to minimize their risk from potential injuries, or even death. Local Preferred Care at Home offices across the nation will personally walk homeowners through a home safety checklist to safeguard against injury, with a focus on preventing falls.  Briefly, to make your home safe:

• Put grab bars in the tub and next to the toilet.
• Use bright lights in corners, halls, and stairways.
• Clear pathways of clutter and electrical cords.
• Put handrails on both sides of stairs and steps.

Click here for your complimentary home safety inspection checklist, or call your local Preferred Care at Home office for an in-home inspection and additional tips from senior health experts.

In the last part of this series I would like to talk about home safety for the elderly in regards to hazardous substances. In case you missed parts 1 and 2, we went over some tips regarding fall prevention and home emergency preparedness, respectively.

Both of my daughters currently live in Knoxville, TN. Last month, their community was shocked after a natural gas leak from a fireplace led to a violent explosion, shown below. (Click on the picture for full size)

Read the rest of this entry »

In part 1 of our series, we looked at improving home safety for the elderly in regards to fall prevention. In part 2, I would like to spend some time talking about home planning for emergencies and natural disasters. In late August of 2005, many of us watched in disbelief as Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and soon became the costliest hurricane of all time. Within a few days, the federal disaster declaration covered 90,000 square miles, an area almost as large as the United Kingdom.

It is in those times that many of us ask ourselves, “What would I have done had that happened to me?” Events such as Hurricane Katrina serve as a great reminder that each of us needs to have an emergency home plan in place. Even more so, a home plan for the elderly is crucial if home safety is to be maintained during a time of crisis. Let me take a moment to suggest three home planning necessities for the elderly

1. Get an Emergency Supply Kit Read the rest of this entry »

With the New Year just a few days away, many Americans will be making a list of resolutions in hopes of altering some facet of their lifestyle in the upcoming year. While some are looking toward workout gyms to lose a few pounds, other people are setting financial goals in the form of budgets and better jobs. At Preferred Care at Home, we want to take this opportunity to set before you a resolution to improve the lifestyle and safety of your elderly loved ones.

Whether you are a caretaker, a child, or a friend, we encourage you to make ‘home safety’ one of your personal goals for the New Year. Over the next several blog posts we will present some practical steps that you can take to help safeguard the home of an elderly person against accidents and hazardous situations.

Part 1: Fall Prevention

Part 2: Home Emergency Preparedness

Part 3: Hazardous Substance Safety

Check back soon to follow us on this journey of improving home safety for the elderly.