Question of the Week: What Made Your Home Safer?
What is the one change that made your home safer or easier to live in? A grab bar, a railing, better lights? Share yours with other readers over 60.
Prefer to watch? Here is the video version (large print, no sound needed). Watch on YouTube
What is the one change that made your home safer or easier to live in?
Most of us plan to stay in our own homes as long as we can, and small changes often make the biggest difference. A few facts worth knowing:
- Falls are common. More than one in four adults 65 and older report a fall each year. (CDC)
- Simple fixes help. The National Institute on Aging suggests grab bars in the bathroom, railings on both sides of stairs, bright lighting and getting rid of loose rugs and clutter. (NIA)
My answer: My vote goes to night-lights. A few plug-in lights from the bedroom to the bathroom cost less than a pizza, and nobody has to fumble for a switch at 2 a.m. A grab bar by the shower is a close second. For more ideas, see Steadier Footing at Home, and our free True Course Starter Kit has a large-print Home Safety Walk-Through you can take room by room. Get it free on the homepage.
Your turn. What did you change, what did it cost, and was it worth it? Your idea might be the one a neighbor needs.
Answer in the comments on our Facebook post, or email support@truecourseliving.com with "Question of the Week" in the subject line. The best answers will appear in our "Your Peers Answered" roundup, first names only and only with your permission.
Share your experience, not advice. We will never message you first or ask for money. For your own situation, talk with your doctor or an occupational therapist.