Weekly Newsletter:

February 26, 2025

Home Safety Tips for Older Adults & Caregivers

Falls continue to be a major concern for older adults. Changes in vision, medication, and mobility can increase the risk of falls, making home safety essential for maintaining independence and well-being. Our recent webinar, Home—Safe—Home, discusses key strategies to prevent falls and create a safer living space.

Watch the webinar recording here:

Home Safety Tips

Remove fall risks like uneven surfaces, throw rugs with curled edges, clutter, and wet floors.
Mark the edges of steps or level changes with neon tape.
Install handrails and grab bars where necessary.
Ensure adequate lighting throughout the home; illuminate wall switches for easy visibility.
Use non-slip mats in bathrooms and kitchens.
Report falls and any changes in vision, medication, or balance to a healthcare provider.
Monitor medications, especially after recent changes, for side effects affecting balance.

Bathroom Safety Modifications

Install motion-activated faucets to prevent water waste.
Use a shower chair or bench for stability.
Install sturdy grab bars in the tub or shower area.
Raise toilet seats and add armrests or support handles.
Ensure bathroom outlets have GFCI protection to prevent electrical shock.

Bedroom Safety Considerations

Use a baby monitor or fall detection monitors for added safety.
Provide safe access in and out of bed with a bed handle.
Use motion-activated night lights to improve visibility at night.

Kitchen Adaptations for Safety

Regularly check the refrigerator for expired or insufficient food.
Make stove knobs more difficult to accidentally turn on.
Disconnect garbage disposals or other electrical equipment that could be hazardous.

General Mobility and Assistive Technology

Consider a motorized lift recliner for easier seating transitions.
Use alarmed doorways, floor mats, and seat cushions for added safety.
Install motion detectors to monitor movement.

Medication Review for Fall Prevention

"Medications are among the most common causes of increased fall risk in older people," says Dr. Kernisan. Have your physician review medications, particularly:

Psychoactive drugs, such as sedatives.
Blood pressure medications that could lower blood pressure too much.
Blood sugar medications that could cause dangerously low sugar levels.

For more on medication management, see: Better Health While Aging.

Take a minute to "Check for Safety" Download the CDC’s A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults: Check for Safety

For additional home safety tips, check out:

— Susan Musicant, DPT

Injury Prevention Coordinator at DayBreak

Black History Spotlight: Marie Van Brittan Brown 💡

Marie Van Brittan Brown is the reason home security systems exist today. Born in 1922 in Queens, New York, Brown was a nurse who often worked irregular hours, leaving her concerned for her safety at home. With crime on the rise in her neighborhood and slow police response times, she took matters into her own hands.

In 1966, Brown and her husband Albert patented the first home security system, which included a camera that could slide up and down to view through multiple peepholes, a microphone for two-way communication, a remote-controlled door lock, and an alarm system. The setup even allowed her to see visitors on a monitor in another room—an early precursor to modern closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance.

Although her invention was initially designed for home use, it laid the groundwork for the entire home security industry, influencing everything from video doorbells to modern alarm systems. Despite her groundbreaking work, Brown remains relatively unknown compared to other security pioneers.

Her contribution proves that necessity breeds innovation, and her foresight continues to protect millions of homes and businesses today.