Friendly homes

A friendly home

As we age, we become clumsy and forgetful. We need to convert our homes to suit the needs of ageing members of our families. I found this very necessary when I visited my aunt in Seremban. 

"Welcome, welcome!” exclaimed my 80-year-old aunt as my car entered her driveway. She hurriedly wore her home-slippers and rushed out to greet us. All of a sudden, she fell and landed on her hip.  

I had taken my mother to visit her elder sister who was to celebrate her auspicious birthday in a month’s time. Everyone was in shock! Her family members, son and daughter, quickly went to her aid. She grimaced with pain. With difficulty, she was carried into the car and sent to the nearest clinic. All of us went along, expecting the worst.  

The doctor said she had fractured her femur (thigh bone). She was then rushed to the hospital and was admitted immediately. A week later when we visited her in her home, she was in bed, immobile. Another week later, she could move about in a wheel chair. The birthday party was cancelled!  

That incident made me wonder how safe our homes are. Very often, we hear of seniors suffering broken bones due to a fall at home. 

I recall some of my senior friends who had a fall. 

There was Madam Ang, 66, who fell and fractured her hips on the slippery bathroom floor.

Ah Eng, 76, injured her wrist when she fell as she was reaching out for some utensils in the top shelf of her kitchen cabinet.

An elderly neighbour, Mr Ng, injured his back when he tripped and fell while walking down the stairs.  

As more seniors opt to stay in their own homes in their old age, it is important that such homes be senior-friendly.  

How can we ensure that homes are safe and are adapted to prevent possible accidents? 

Home area 

A single-storey house, without any split-level area, is ideal.  Wide doorways will be useful in the event that a wheelchair is required. Lever handles on doors, at a reachable height, are easier to handle than doorknobs when fingers become stiffer and weaker.   

A doorway wide enough for a wheel-chair

A lever handle is better than a door knob

If stairs are necessary, handrails on both sides of the staircase will give good support. Installing additional handrails throughout the house will be useful for the elderly or those with mobility problems.

Handrail on the side of staircase for support

Eliminating all possible obstructions that could result in tripping and falling such as children’s’ toys or big decorative vases, is senior-friendly. 

Flooring 

Non-slip tiles or parquet flooring would eliminate the danger of falling when the floor is wet.  

Having wall-to-wall carpeting for homes that are air-conditioned will help to cushion a fall and prevent injury. Indoor slippers need to be non-slip and not worn-out. 

Parquet flooring are safe

Non-slip tiles in the kitchen

Non-slip rough tiles in the bathroom

Lighting 

Adequate lighting throughout the house is essential especially in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and even the storeroom. To ensure exterior lighting is effective, a motion detector to turn the lights on at night is an advantage.  

Night lamps are a good source of additional lighting for seniors who need to take quick trips to the restroom at night. They are inexpensive, energy-efficient and easily installed. 

A simple night lamp

Furniture 

Furniture must support daily activities, and are suitable and comfortable to use. The furniture is the first thing most people reach out for to steady them when they stand or walk.  

Furniture with sharp corners can cause injury. Chairs with arm supports are good for resting the elbows. Low sofas and easy chairs where the feet can touch the ground when seated are great for comfort. Scatter cushions will help to support the back. 

A comfortable rocking chair with back support
and good arm support

A simple plastic chair with arm support

However, some tall elderly people with weak legs may need higher chairs so that they can get up easily by themselves  

Kitchen 

The kitchen is an important area where we spend a lot of time in. Low reachable wall cabinets are ideal.  

Microwave and electric ovens at a safe height will cause less spilling when food is transferred from oven to table. 

Similarly, stoves and sinks at a lower height will be less taxing on the elbows and can even be used when one is seated. A dining table with plenty of knee room provides comfort when one is dining. 

Restroom 

The restroom is frequently used. Vertical and horizontal grab bars in the shower area with non-slip surface in the bathroom floor can prevent falls. Having a seat in the shower area will help one to shower when seated.  

Horizontal grab bar

Vertical-horizontal grab bar

A chair in the bathroom is useful when dressing up after a bath, especially when one is getting into long pants. Handrails or grab bars installed near the toilet bowl will be useful for added support.  

Having hot water available not only in the shower but also in the sink tap will be good for those who need warm water for washing the hands and face. 

Bedroom 

The bedroom is another area that one spends a lot of time in as one ages. A well-ventilated room is important.  

A bed with a firm mattress for good support of the back will ensure a good night’s sleep. The bed should be of a suitable height – imagine the difficulty of a short person falling from a high bed or a tall person getting into a low bed!  

A low bed for a short person

Other safety features 

Having a smoke detector installed in the kitchen and also outside the bedroom would be useful to detect smoke. Sometimes one forgets that food is being cooked on the gas stove! 

Emergency buttons installed in various accessible positions in the house can be useful in case of emergencies. This can alert caring neighbours. 

As we grow older, frailty and forgetfulness become prevalent and the fear of falling frightens us. It is important that our homes are sturdy enough to support rather than burden our lives. 

Preparation and prevention are the best protection.

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on 9th December 2002.

Photos are added here.