Caregiving Tips: 7 Ways to Make Home a Safe Space for Seniors in Cherokee and Forsyth
- Philline Misa
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Are you a caregiver of your senior loved ones? If so, you know that each day comes with both rewards and greater responsibility. As we take care of our elderly loved ones, we get busier as we also try to live our own lives. When things get hectic, especially when everything is new to you, we sometimes overlook the most important part of caregiving — making sure the home is truly safe for aging family members.
While home may feel comforting and familiar, it can also have hidden hazards that put seniors at risk for falls, injuries, and even hospitalizations. In this blog, we’ll tell you about the 7 commonly overlooked home hazards that can compromise the safety of your elderly loved ones.
7 Commonly Overlooked Home Hazards
1. Cluttered Space
A cluttered area may not feel dangerous for the other family members, but for seniors, it increases the chances of tripping or falling.
One way to prevent the elderly from this hazard is to keep walkways clear, remove excess furniture, and ensure that there is enough space for the seniors to easily move around. Why is decluttering your space so important not just for the elderly loved one? Organized surroundings can also benefit all family members, especially in the event of an emergency.
2. Slippery Bathroom Floors
According to the CDC, almost a million older adults in the US are hospitalized because of a fall injury every year, most often due to a head injury or hip fracture.
As the caregiver of the elderly at home, you have to keep in mind that bathrooms are one of the most dangerous places in the house for seniors. Wet or slippery floors can cause serious falls. A simple fix is to add non-slip mats, install grab bars near the toilet and shower, and make sure there’s a safe place to sit when needed.
3. Poor Diet
When we think about home safety, we often focus on physical hazards but nutrition plays just as big a role. Like what the National Council on Aging (NCOA), many older adults living at home may already be struggling with poor nutrition without even realizing it.
Believe it or not, safety also means making sure our elderly loved ones are eating well. Poor nutrition for seniors can lead to weakness, dizziness, and slower healing from injuries. Having easy-to-make, healthy meals available can go a long way in keeping your elderly loved ones strong, balanced, and safe in their own homes.
4. Dimly Lit Stairways
Stairways are a part of everyday life in many homes, but they can quickly become dangerous if they’re not well-lit. As we, including seniors, age, our eyesight changes, and we may need more light to move around safely.
Remember this: Poor lighting makes it hard to see steps clearly, especially for older adults with vision issues. Make sure stairways are well-lit from top to bottom, and consider adding motion-sensor lights or glow strips on the edges of steps for extra safety.
5. Loose or Worn Carpeting
When we talk about fall and slip hazards, what come to our mind are cluttered spaces, slippery bathrooms and dim lights but just like them, uneven flooring can trip up even the most careful person. And for seniors especially those using walkers or canes, it's even more dangerous. That’s why the condition of your flooring matters just as much as what’s around it.
The best way to help elderly loved ones avoid tripping is to replace worn rugs, secure edges with double-sided tape, or remove them altogether in high-traffic areas.
6. Medication Confusion
Managing multiple medications is part of daily life for many elderly but as they are aging, it can get confusing fast.
Taking the wrong medication or skipping a dose can have serious consequences for the senior's health. When you are in charge of preparing your elderly loved ones' meds, it is best to use a clearly labeled pill organizer, set reminders, or consider help from a caregiver to make sure medication is taken correctly.
7. Pets
There’s no doubt that pets bring joy, comfort, and companionship to a home, especially for seniors. But even the most well-behaved furry friend can accidentally create a safety risk. For the elderly who may have slower reflexes, balance issues, or use assistive devices, a playful pet peeking across the hallway or a chew toy left on the floor can easily cause a fall.
These accidents are more common among seniors than we think. Pet food and water bowls can also cause slips if they spilt and are not quickly cleaned up.
To help prevent your elderly loved ones getting into accidents:
Train pets to stay out of common walking paths, especially near stairs or hallways.
Keep pet toys, bowls, and beds in designated areas.
Consider using baby gates to limit pet access in high-risk areas.
Final Thoughts on Caregiving Tips
Keeping seniors safe at home is not just about big renovations. It’s about noticing the little things that could make a big difference. These seven common risks are often overlooked, but with a few simple changes, you can help make your home a safer, more comfortable place for your elderly loved one.
If you are still juggling your own job, family, and responsibilities, it can surely be overwhelming. Many family caregivers find themselves stretched thin, trying to manage appointments, daily care tasks, and household safety, all while still keeping up with their personal lives. It’s a lot to carry, and sometimes, important details like home safety can fall through the cracks. That’s where we can help. At Another Rose, our caregivers are here to support families with trusted in-home care services to help your elderly loved one’s daily needs. Whether it’s help with daily routines, fall prevention, or simply having an extra pair of hands, our certified, trained and local team of caregivers is ready to lighten your load so you don’t have to do it all alone.
Want to learn more? Join us this July for our free webinar where we’ll talk about these issues in more detail, share tips from real caregivers, and answer your questions about making the home safer for seniors. Stay tuned — we’d love to have you there!
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