Aging in Place: Safety First

In many Nigerian homes, tiled floors and low furniture are the enemies of independence. Occupational Therapy (OT) isn't just about exercise; it's about hacking your environment to make it safer.

1. The Bathroom Battlefield

The bathroom is statistically the most dangerous room in the house for seniors.

• Ditch the Plastic Chair: Using a cheap plastic patio chair in the shower is dangerous. They slip and shatter. Invest in a proper, rubber-footed medical shower stool.
• Grab Bars vs. Towel Rails: A towel rail cannot support body weight. If a senior slips, they will rip it out of the wall. Install stud-mounted grab bars near the toilet and shower area.

2. Kitchen Modifications

Cooking is often a source of pride. We want to preserve that, not ban it.

• Sit to Work: immense energy is wasted standing at the counter. Encourage sitting at a table to chop vegetables or mix ingredients.
• Lever Handles: Replace round doorknobs and twisting taps with lever-style handles. Arthritic hands struggle to grip; levers allow them to use their elbow or forearm.

3. Cognitive Pacing

For stroke survivors, "brain fog" is real.

• The Traffic Light System: Categorize daily tasks. Green (easy), Yellow (medium), Red (hard). Never do two "Red" tasks in one day. If you have a doctor's appointment (Red), don't plan to cook a stew (Red) the same evening.