by Teresa Austringer

Created on: March 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 23, 2009

It's a fine line to walk between protecting your aging parents and taking away their independence, but most of the things that you do to protect them will also enable them to stay in their own homes and independent for a longer period of time. Most people of our parents age have a life long habit of fierce independence, but if modifications and help are presented as helping them retain that, they will be more acceptable to them.

Rearranging the home environment can eliminate a lot of hazards. One third to one half of the elderly living at home are prone to falls. Complications due to falls are serious. Hip and arm fractures are common. Hip fractures can lead to further complications, such as pneumonia or need for replacement surgery.

Throw rugs, steps and poor lighting can increase the risk of falling, especially if the elderly person is unsteady on their feet or has poor eyesight. Throw rugs should be removed and replaced with wall to wall carpeting, if need be. Large rugs can be anchored to the floor with double-backed tape. Non-skid strips can be put on steps and bars and railings mounted to help with balance. Telephone cords and extension cords should be well out of the person's path. The home should be well lit and night lights can be put in. Some night lights have motion sensors so that they turn on when someone gets up in the middle of the night. A flashlight can be kept by the bed in case of power outages.

Bars and non-skid appliques can be placed in the shower and tub to help prevent falls. Bars placed by the toilet can help balance and let them use arm strength as well as their legs in rising. An armchair of the correct height, with arms, can do the same thing.

An alarm system, such as an alert worn around the neck, can help the parent contact help in case of a fall. Being unable to get up after a fall can lead to dehydration, hypothermia, or bronchial pneumonia if the person is lying there for some length of time. Cordless phones can also help with communication. Many elderly people still have just one phone attached to a wall. A cordless phone or cell phone can be carried in the basket of a walker, or carried to the parent's favorite chair, so there is no need to get up for phone calls.

A helpful rearranging of the kitchen can eliminate the need to climb on a stool or bend down low by arranging the most used items within easy reach. While you're there, you might check for outdated food and expired cans. People who live through the Great Depression, in

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