Even small changes at home — like rearranging furniture, using adaptive utensils, or adding simple safety features — can make a big difference for seniors’ comfort, independence, and safety. I’m curious to hear from others: what small home adjustments have truly improved daily life for the seniors you care for, and why did it help? Sharing practical ideas could help others discover adjustments they might not have considered.
Amazon.com: OranclUS Rubber Wheelchair Threshold Ramp, 1"/1.5"/2"/2.5"/3"/3.5"/4" Rise Options, Wheelchair Ramp 7000Lbs Load Capacity, Non-Slip Textured Surface for Wheelchairs, Scooters (2.0" Rise) : Health & Household
These were comfy, easy to manage, and survived thousands of washings and they looked nice too. We paired these with light compression knee socks.
Non skid, comfy, shoes.
Adopting red in all things possible
Red handled silverware
Red cups
Red placemats
Red plates and bowls
In bathroom:
Red toilet seats
Red lobster 4" non skid stickers placed in bathtub
Red lobsters stuck on bottom of toilet seat lid (so you see red lobsters
when lid is up
Red non skid bathroom rugs
For me:
I wore a lot of red sweaters
Red throws
Lazyboy covered in red fabric
When Mom was around mid stage Alzheimer's her brain could not "see" clear, white or metal things. She was able to "see" red items and they made a big difference.
I noticed she had a tough time "seeing" the white CNA's but she had no problem "seeing" our African American CNA's. She would grab right onto an African American CNA's hand.
Emergency Fall Pendant, with cellular ~ for inside and outside the home. A spare older cell phone for the restroom for the times the necklace is in the charger. And Lockbox with key for the front door in case of a fall by themselves.
Those are the "biggies" for me.
1) Look for comfortable chairs with arms (to push up on) and higher seats, for your own house if they visit you. Low couches are very hard to drop into or stand up from. We shed a couch and replaced it with nice chairs after older friends had to use kitchen chairs to sit down on in our living room.
2) Place something to put a hand on next to a passage way corner. I learned from a physio that a surprising cause of falls come from people getting their legs mixed up turning a left hand corner.
We have a staircase, so I had another railing placed on the empty wall. That makes a huge difference, one can now use both hands going up and down the stairs. Feels so much safer.
We still have our landlines because that is what we grew up with, thus it is ingrained in our brain on how to use them. Have one in each room. And in case of an emergency, the 911 operator can see our home address on their screen (great in case one is unable to speak due to a stroke happening).
I have magual-degeneration, so when it is very cloudy out or it is dusk, I find it harder to see clearly inside the house. So I switched out all the "soft white" light bulbs with "daylight" bulbs. Wow, what a difference.
Hubby and I still drive, and kept our old vehicles which are now 30 years old. The vehicle are so simple to drive, and no distracting computer screen or sensory overload dashboard. And no need to put on reading glasses just to change gears which are now a dial instead of an old fashioned gear shift.
The added stair railing is such a smart change. Being able to use both hands on the stairs makes a big difference in confidence and safety. Switching to daylight bulbs for vision changes is another great reminder of how powerful lighting adjustments can be.
I also appreciate your point about keeping familiar technology and vehicles. Comfort and familiarity often matter just as much as newer features.
Having clear paths through the home or room.
Sufficient lighting.
Handrails next to stairs.
Ensuring that furniture is the right size for the person with mobility challenges.
Grab bar in bathrooms.
For My patients, I made sure that all throw rugs were removed...so many trips and falls because of them. Removing cups made of glass prevents more serious accidents...moving patient down to first floor bedroom to avoid stairs. Reviewing their diet.. cutting back on cheese bananas etc., if constipation got too major. Encouraging fluids, but cutting off in early afternoon to prevent midnight bathroom trips and falls
Also I exercised with my patients every day...even chair exercises promote better balance.