Elderly Home SafetySimplify and Organize Your Senior's LifeMary Alexander: Hi! I'm Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care. Today, I'm talking about home safety for seniors and now I want to share with you simple things you can do to make life easier for your senior loved one through simplifying and organizing the household.

This is step two of the assessment of your parents' home to find ways to make it safer for them. You might consider asking another family member or friend to assist you so that she/he can take notes while you conduct the examination.

Look for ways to reorganize. All of us can be creatures of habit. We leave things in certain areas so we know where to find them when we need them. But in many cases some things get put down and stay there.

Who says the eggs must go in the egg tray of the refrigerator. Perhaps, it's easier for your parents to handle them if they are stored in the meat tray. If that hallway table which has always been a permanent fixture is becoming a dangerous obstacle, relocate it. I guarantee you'll all get used to its new spot in no time.

Be sure to check behind close doors for mold or water damage. Take a look around inside and make sure items aren't blocking vents or improperly stored near a flammable source. Keeping air flowing and avoiding potential fire hazards are key to your senior's overall health and safety.

Is clutter taking over? Messy conditions and broken items are important warning signs. Remove area rugs and stacks of newspapers and magazines or other potential obstacles. Eliminate extra cords and secure those that are in places such that could cause some one to trip.

Look for ways to simplify your senior's life. Talk to your parents about why and how they do things. Then look for ways to simplify their lives. If the once immaculate floors are now regularly dirty, think about how that job has been done all of these years and offer options. Rather than a heavy mop and bucket, investigate in lightweight all-in-mops or maybe it's time to consider cleaning service.

Other easy fixes around the house include changing door knobs to levers or purchasing grips that can go on conventional knobs. Various kitchen items are also available including automatic openers that can remove lids and open jars and bottles. Mobile stools are also particularly useful to help seniors navigate a kitchen.

Contact a professional senior care service. If this task seems daunting or you want an extra set of eyes to go over your safety measures, consider contacting a professional senior care service provider. These dedicated and trained professionals can conduct a home safety review and add extra value to your efforts. They come armed with a checklist of 50 items they will examine. Surely, anything you might have missed won't escape their eyes. You can be certain you've done all you can to make your home safe.

In our next video we'll discuss specific steps you can take to help improve home safety for seniors for their special medical needs or conditions. We'll also talk about what to do if there is an accident.