Living safely as we age doesn’t have to break the bank. While some safety equipment does cost a lot, there are many practical ways to create a safe living space without going bankrupt. The important part is knowing where you want to place your focus, and what solutions actually give you the greatest amount of protection for your dollar.
A lot of families are concerned that keeping an elderly parent safe is going to mean enormous expenses, but that is not the case for everyone. Some of the best safety investments cost almost nothing, while others entail a small investment but can save thousands later on.
Home Modifications That Work
Simple changes to the home may yield the best safety results for the least amount of money. For example, grab bars placed in the bathrooms may cost about $30-$80, but they may prevent thousands in medical expenses resulting from a fall. The key is ensuring they are placed in the right part of the room—this is not always obvious.
The majority of people think about grab bars for the drive, and those are certainly important. However, grab bars used next to the toilet are just as important. Getting up and down from a seated position can become very difficult as we age, so having something to hold onto is extremely helpful, and will therefore, improve the safety of the bathroom in the home.
I also find that lighting improvements do not receive as much attention as they should. Poor lighting leads to more accidents than most people acknowledge.
Hallway motion-sensor lights are around $15 each and can save lives for those middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. They switch on automatically; no more feeling in the dark for a switch.
Getting rid of throw rugs sounds easier than it is; however, it is one of the best modifications anyone can make. Throw rugs cause many trips and falls, especially when they bunch up or slide out of place. If someone really want throw rugs for warmth or comfort, double sided carpet tape can keep them in place.
Emergency Response without the Emergency Room Cost
The prices for emergency response systems have dropped quite a bit, but they may still seem unnecessarily confusing. Many families have found that researching life alert cost for aging adults has revealed many options they have not yet thought about. Monthly charges vary widely and how much or what is included sets the price point.
Basic emergency alert systems cost $20-$30 a month. A basic emergency alert system normally has a pendant or bracelet that connects to a monitoring center when pressed. The operator can speak through the base unit, and they can call for help if needed. Some emergency alert systems come with GPS tracking capabilities for when someone goes outside of the house and are priced as more; the prices are also reasonable.
Some people people attempt to use their smartphone instead of a pager, but there are limitations. There are times when the phone is even hard to reach in an emergency. Some individuals may have difficulty using the small buttons after they are stressed or injured, while an emergency pager has been designed to ease easy activation of an emergency signal quickly. The monthly oversight fee may appear costly at first glance, but think about what the cost would be otherwise. One ambulance trip typically costs more than an entire year of oversight service. For families with loved ones far from them, mere peace of mind may warrant the price.
Affordable Technology That Makes Sense
Smart home appliances have become much more affordable and can improve safety greatly. Voice-enabled assistants cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 to $50 and can be designated to place a call to a household member or to an emergency response center. By using these appliances, a person can simply say, “Call for help,” as opposed to trying to grab a phone.
Medication reminder systems can vary from simple pill organizers that may be purchased for a few dollars, to electronic medication dispensers that would run towards several hundred dollars. For the majority of people, a weekly pill organizer is just fine and prevents the potential for a catastrophic medication error. The key is to simply choose something appropriate to that person’s schedule, as opposed to the most expensive and high-tech solution.
Security cameras have been surprisingly affordable. Basic systems can run for under $100 and allow family members to check-in remotely. These are useful and in particular for family members who have memory issues and might forget to call to check in.
Fall detection systems can vary greatly in cost and effectiveness. Some are embedded in the medical alert systems, and others can work through smartphones or smart watches. Technology has improved a lot, but false alarms may still be an issue. It is worth trying a few different solutions until you find one that can be counted on to work for every individual for each of their activity levels.
Low Cost Safety Solutions That Work
A keypad door lock means you don’t need to hide a spare key under a flower pot or doormat or worry about being locked out of your home in the event someone loses or does not get home with a key. for approximately $100 to $200, you can avoid being locked out of your home and enhance your home security. You can also find a keyless entry model that can be programmed with a temporary code for a service provider or family member.
Shower chairs and a toilet seat riser may not sound like the most exciting safety options, however these low-cost options can prevent injuries that could permanently change a person’s life. A functional shower chair is around $50 to $100 to reduce the chance of slipping in the standing position on wet surfaces. Raised toilet seats are around $30 to make the act of sitting down and standing up much easier.
Making safety improvements to the kitchen is often overlooked. Automatic shut off devices to your stove will prevent the risk of fires if someone forgets to turn off the burner; the cost of a shut off device varies between $300 to $400. A less expensive option is to have timers around your kitchen as reminders.
Emergency supplies to keep on hand are important and do not need to be elaborate. A battery powered radio, flashlight, bottled water, and/or non-perishable food items can all be stowed away in a small carry container and easily accessed during a power outage or emergency.
Making Good Choices with Limited Budgets
The most important part of personal safety at home is prioritizing based on the real risk and not the perceptions of risk. For example, falls cause more injuries than any other accidents among older adults, so clearly the prevention of falls should be a priority. This may mean grab bars and better lighting take priority over more expensive monitoring systems.
It is worth checking with insurers. Insurance covers many different types of safety equipment depending on your insurer. Equipment may be covered by Medicare, private insurance policies and/or supplemental insurances as well. An occupational therapy evaluation will clearly identify the most important safety needs and is often covered through an order from a physician.
Most communities offer programs to assist with affordability in making home safety improvements. Area agencies on aging sometimes provide free home safety evaluations or equipment at little or no cost. Some utility companies offer rebates for electrical work related to safety.
Obtaining multiple quotes is always a good way to ensure fair pricing for any major work in and around your home. If you need simple work done around your home it may be less expensive to hire a handyman service rather than a specialised contractor. Family or friends can sometimes assist with some of the basics, saving money for when you need a professional.
Senior home safety measures do not need to be a financial sacrifice nor do they need to involve choosing between protection and being financially secure. With some planning and research, it is possible for most families to provide a much safer environment without creating financial hardship. Ultimately, keeping the focus on solutions to provide safety rather than peace of mind or the satisfaction of preventative measures is the key to success. Keeping focus on those changes that will reduce the most risks first is the most sensible approach.
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