How to Make the Home Geriatric Care Friendly

By AGIS Staff, AGIS Network

When Rachel Feinstein was in her late 80s, a geriatric manager told her she should make some changes in her living-room furniture.

She bought two fine looking Chippendale love seats and two English wing back chairs so that she could get in and out of the chairs with ease and without assistance. Ms. Feinstein, now 91 also had additional banisters installed on both sides of the stairs in her Brooklyn home. She likes to climb the stairs for exercise.

Those small changes are part of Feinstein?s geriatric care program for living at home as long as possible. Approximately 91 percent of the 42 million Americans over age 65 hope to continue living at home, according to AARP. This is where advice from a geriatric care manager can come in handy.

Adapting the Home Need not be Expensive

Experts such as geriatric managers say the key is to adapt living spaces to meet physical changes as mobility, eyesight and hearing decline.

Many seniors incorrectly worry that continuing to live at home will require exhaustive, costly renovations such as a wheelchair ramp, replacing their bathtub with a walk-in shower or relocating the bedroom with a full bath down to the first floor.

Actually, there are dozens of minor ways to make homes more geriatric care friendly at very little cost and in just a few hours. The chief requirement is creative thinking.

Modifications can be as generic as replacing doorknobs, which can be difficult for arthritic hands to turn, with lever-style handles. Most people don't think about these things until something happens.

Little Things Can Make a Difference in Geriatric Care

A few simple, inexpensive fixes, from lowering the water heater temperature to getting brighter light bulbs, can go a long way toward minimizing the risk of accidents for seniors. Here are more ideas:

All Over the House

• Put a night light in every room, near floor level.
• Get rid of small scatter rugs, or at least trim fringe and add non-skid padding. Use double-sided tape between rug and pad.
• Put handrails on both sides of all steps, and non-skid tape or rubber treads on uncarpeted stairs.
• Bright, glare-free lighting is important, especially near stairs and work areas. Frosted bulbs and dimmers can reduce glare.
• Eliminate extension cords, or at least be sure they are not used where you could trip over them.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each floor; use alarms with strobe lights for the hearing-impaired.
• Replace doorknobs and sink faucets with lever-style handles that are easier to turn.
• Set water heater temperature at 120 degrees to avoid scalding.

• Have a porch light bright enough for adequate illumination and security.
• Put a bench in the foyer and outside the front and back doors for resting or setting down packages.

Bedroom

• Have a lamp and telephone within reach of the bed.
• Install lights in each closet, and lower clothing rods.

Bathroom

• Install grab bars in the tub or shower enclosure. Bars are also helpful near the toilet.
• Use non-skid tub strips or a rubber suction mat to avoid slips.
• A bench or fold-down seat and a handheld shower attachment can make showering easier.
• Replace glass or porcelain cups and accessories with unbreakable plastic or metal.
• Label medications clearly, and always discard expired and unnecessary prescriptions.

Kitchen

• Exchange drawer knobs with easy-to-use pulls.
• Put frequently used items close at hand, and consider getting rid of dishes, utensils and gadgets you rarely use.
• Store pans and other heavy objects within easy reach and lighter things higher up.
• Get a sturdy step stool (never use a chair or box); it should have wide steps and a steady hand grip.

Geriatric Care Managers

If you aren?t sure what to do or how to get it done with making a home more safe, hire a Geriatric Care Manager. These professionals serve as advocates and coordinators of care for the elderly. The services that a geriatric care manager provides are designed to bring organization and stability to a difficult, potentially chaotic situation. This is a private service and is not paid for by Medicare or Medicaid. If you cannot afford to hire a private geriatric manager, call your Local Area on Aging, which can provide you with a list of organizations that provide similar services.