Elder Proofing Furniture To Protect Your Parents

As people age, they may become more prone to accidents and injuries due to changes in physical mobility, vision, and cognitive function. One way to help protect your elderly parents and keep them safe in their home is by elder proofing the furniture.

Elder proofing furniture involves making small adjustments to furniture and other household items to make them safer and more accessible for seniors. This can help reduce the risk of falls, trips, and other accidents that can occur.

Here are a few steps you can take to elder proof your parents’ furniture:

Remove tripping hazards

Tripping hazards are a common cause of accidents and injuries in the home, especially for seniors who may have reduced mobility or vision. Identifying and addressing tripping hazards is an important step in elder proofing your parents’ home to help keep them safe.

Here are a few tips for identifying tripping hazards:

1. Look for loose rugs: Loose rugs are a common tripping hazard, especially if they are not secured to the floor. Check for any rugs that are not lying flat or that have curled edges, and consider removing or securing them to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
2. Check for cords: Cords from appliances, electronics, and other devices can be a tripping hazard if they are left lying on the floor. Look for any cords that are in high-traffic areas and consider securing them to the wall or tucking them out of the way to reduce the risk of trips.
3. Look for clutter: Clutter in high-traffic areas, such as hallways or living rooms, can create tripping hazards. Consider decluttering these areas and organizing items in a way that makes it easier for your parents to navigate safely.
4. Inspect stairs: Stairs are a common tripping hazard, especially if they are not properly lit or have worn or damaged treads. Check for any issues with your parents’ stairs and take steps to repair or replace them if necessary.

By regularly checking for tripping hazards and taking steps to address them, you can help create a safer environment for your elderly parents and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in their home.

Secure unstable furniture:

Unstable furniture, such as tall bookcases or dressers, can pose a risk of falling and causing injuries, especially for seniors who may have reduced mobility. To help secure unstable furniture and prevent accidents, you can take the following steps:

1. Use furniture restraints: Furniture restraints are straps or brackets that can be used to secure furniture to the wall. These restraints are designed to prevent furniture from tipping over and can be easily installed by attaching one end to the furniture and the other end to the wall.
2. Use wall anchors: Wall anchors are another option for securing unstable furniture to the wall. These anchors are designed to support the weight of the furniture and can be screwed into the wall.
3. Rebalance the furniture: Sometimes, unstable furniture can be caused by an uneven distribution of weight. If this is the case, you may be able to improve the stability of the furniture by re-arranging the items on the shelves or in the drawers to balance the weight more evenly.
4. Use non-slip pads: Non-slip pads can be used to help keep furniture in place and prevent it from sliding on smooth surfaces. These pads can be placed under the feet of the furniture to improve its stability.

Adjust furniture height

Adjusting the height of your parents’ furniture can help make it more accessible and easier for them to use. Here are a few steps you can take to adjust the height of furniture when elder proofing:

1. Raise the height of chairs and sofas: If your parents have difficulty standing up from low chairs or sofas, you may want to consider adding risers or blocks to raise the height of the furniture. This can make it easier for your parents to get up and down without straining their back or legs.
2. Add pull-out shelves: If your parents have difficulty reaching items on high shelves, consider adding pull-out shelves to make these items more accessible. These shelves can be easily pulled out from the cabinet or shelving unit, allowing your parents to reach items without having to stretch or strain.
3. Lower the height of tables: If your parents have difficulty reaching items on high tables, you may want to consider lowering the height of the table. This can be done by adding blocks or risers to the legs of the table to bring it down to a more comfortable height.
4. Adjust the height of the bed: If your parents have difficulty getting in and out of bed, you may want to consider adjusting the height of the bed. This can be done by adding risers to the legs of the bed to raise it or by using a bed frame with adjustable height.

Add non-slip pads

There are several options for non-slip pads that can be used to help elderproof a home. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Grip mats: These mats are made of rubber or a similar material and can be placed on floors or other surfaces to provide traction and prevent slips.
2. Non-slip rug pads: These pads are designed to be placed under rugs to help keep them in place and reduce the risk of slips and falls.
3. Sticky pads: These pads are made of a sticky material that adheres to surfaces and helps to prevent items from sliding around. They can be placed under items such as vases or other decorations to help keep them in place.
4. Non-slip tape: This tape can be applied to stairs or other surfaces to provide additional traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls.

It’s important to choose a non-slip pad or tape that is appropriate for the surface you are using it on, as some materials may not adhere well to certain surfaces. You may also want to consider the overall appearance of the non-slip solution, as it will be more likely to be used if it looks good in the home.

Provide armrests

There are several types of armrests that can be used to help elderproof a home. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Fixed armrests: These armrests are attached to furniture and cannot be removed. They provide a stable support for individuals to lean on while sitting or standing.
2. Removable armrests: These armrests can be attached and removed from furniture as needed. They may be especially useful for individuals who only need arm support occasionally.
3. Adjustable armrests: These armrests can be adjusted in height and/or width to accommodate different body sizes and furniture types.
4. Padded armrests: These armrests have a soft, cushioned surface that may be more comfortable for individuals to lean on.
5. Grab bars: These armrests are designed to be used in the bathroom or other areas where additional support may be needed. They are typically mounted to the wall and can be used to help individuals steady themselves while standing or sitting.

It’s important to choose armrests that are appropriate for the individual’s needs and the specific area of the home where they will be used. It may also be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist to determine the most suitable armrests for the individual’s needs.

Install grab bars

Grab bars can be installed in strategic locations around the home to provide support and stability for seniors. For example, you may want to consider installing grab bars in the bathroom near the shower and toilet, as well as in other areas where your parents may need extra support, such as by the bed or in the living room.

There are several factors to consider when choosing grab bars for elderproofing a home. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Material: Grab bars are typically made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both. Metal bars may be more durable, but they may also be colder to the touch and more difficult to grip. Plastic bars may be easier to grip, but they may not be as sturdy as metal bars.
2. Mounting type: Grab bars can be mounted in several different ways, including through-wall, surface-mount, and suction cups. Through-wall mounting requires drilling into the wall, which may not be suitable for all surfaces. Surface-mount grab bars can be attached to the wall with screws, but they may not be as sturdy as through-wall mounted grab bars. Suction cup grab bars can be easily removed and repositioned, but they may not be as sturdy as other types of grab bars.
3. Size and shape: Grab bars come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit different needs. It’s important to choose a grab bar that is the appropriate size and shape for the intended use. For example, longer grab bars may be more suitable for use in the shower, while shorter grab bars may be more suitable for use next to the toilet.
4. Grip: It’s important to choose a grab bar that has a textured surface or a non-slip coating to help prevent slips and falls.

It may be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist to determine the most suitable grab bars for the individual’s needs.

Use slip-resistant flooring:

To help prevent slips and falls, consider using slip-resistant flooring in your parents’ home. There are several types of flooring materials that are designed to be slip-resistant, such as textured tiles or rubber flooring.

There are several options for slip-resistant flooring that can be used to help elderproof a home. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Non-slip tile: These tiles have a rough or textured surface that helps to provide traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. They are typically made of ceramic, porcelain, or stone and can be used in a variety of settings, including bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.
2. Rubber flooring: Rubber flooring has a naturally slip-resistant surface and can be used in a variety of settings, including bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. It is available in a variety of colours and styles and can be used to cover large areas or as a decorative accent.
3. Cork flooring: Cork flooring has a naturally slip-resistant surface and is also soft and cushioned, which can help reduce the impact of falls. It is available in a variety of colours and styles and can be used in a variety of settings, including living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms.
4. Vinyl flooring: Some types of vinyl flooring have a textured or embossed surface that helps to provide traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. Vinyl flooring is available in a variety of colours and styles and can be used in a variety of settings, including bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.

By taking these steps to elder proof your parents’ furniture, you can help create a safer and more accessible environment for them to live in. Remember to also check for any other potential hazards in the home, such as cluttered walkways or loose handrails, and take steps to address these issues as well. With a little bit of effort, you can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in your parents’ home and give them the peace of mind they deserve.