When you're considering senior living options in Hamby, TX for your loved one, it can be difficult considering all of the different factors you have to consider. One of the most important factors of senior living is home safety, especially considering they'll be living more independently as they transition into a retirement community resident. Safety hazards can be incredibly dangerous for your loved one, due to the various physical limitations older adults may eventually experience. To mitigate those safety hazards, continue reading for our guide to home safety in a senior living community.
Mobility Aids
As older adults age, they become more likely to experience mobility limitations. Statistically, a significant portion of aging individuals is experiencing mobility-related issues, with this becoming an increasingly prevalent problem within this demographic. To allow older adults to continue moving independently, there are various mobility devices available on the market, such as walking canes, rollators, and scooters. Ideally, your loved one's senior living community should be accessible for mobility device users, especially if your loved one is currently using one. Furthermore, the community neighborhoods should be designed with easier mobility in mind, with accessibility features such as:
- Bath benches
- Stairlifts
- Handrails
- Wheelchair ramps
- Single-lever taps
Fall Prevention
Falls are a leading cause of injury among elderly individuals in the U.S., making it a serious concern for your loved one. Thankfully, falls are an avoidable problem, especially in a well-designed senior living community. An exceptional senior living community takes fall prevention very seriously, incorporating fall prevention features into their neighborhoods' designs. Some great precautions to look out for in your loved one's retirement community are:
- Stairs fitted with sturdy banisters
- Handrails
- Unwaxed floors
- Low beds or bedrails
- Low cupboards
- No wires and cables where they could be a trip hazard
Fire Safety
Fire safety is another safety priority that your loved one's retirement community should be taking. Elderly individuals may struggle with exiting promptly and properly in the case of a fire hazard, which is why a senior living community should be designed in a way that makes it easier to evacuate and react in the case of a fire. The following are some standard fire safety and emergency-related features that you should expect to see in a retirement community:
- Fire and carbon monoxide alarms
- Electric induction hobs instead of gas
- Fire extinguishers and blankets
- Emergency response systems such as panic alarms
Visibility Aids
Another common problem that the elderly tend to struggle with when aging is vision-related problems. Vision impairment is a serious issue that only becomes more likely as your loved one ages, whether it's cataracts or presbyopia. Thus, your loved one's retirement community should be accessible to those with visibility issues as well. A well-designed retirement community comes with visibility aids such as:
- Large print warnings and instructions
- Touch-tone telephones with magnified numbers
- High-quality, non-glare lighting fixtures
- Plain carpets without loud, possibly confusing patterns
If you're searching for a senior living community for your loved one that's inclusive and accessible, consider our retirement community based in Abilene, TX. Our Assisted Living program encourages residents to enjoy a higher quality of life, with a more independent lifestyle.
