v.
To make something safe for the elderly to use. Also: elderproof.
—elder-proof, adj.
Example Citations:Safe Home Scheme: The scheme gives the elderly poor and the disabled subsidies of up to $1,000 per household to 'elder-proof' their homes, by adding features like grab bars and slip-proof tiles to ensure the elderly don't hurt themselves at home.
—Radha Basu, "More relief at 'local' level," The Straits Times, January 12, 2008
Some advice from Marion Somers, director of the professional geriatric-care management program at Hunter College's Brookdale Center on Aging, on how to quickly and easily "elderproof" the home:
- To prevent a serious cut or bruise: Place stickers at eye level on glass and screen doors to avoid collisions.
- To prevent a lockout: Place rubber key guides on the front-door key to help identify which key to use.You can also use doorknobs without locks on indoor rooms to prevent an accidental lock-in.
—"Easy ways to 'elderproof' homes ," Associated Press, September 13, 2007
Earliest Citation:Up next, Dr. Bob Arnot with some help to elder-proof your home.
—Greg Gumble, CBS This Morning, CBS News Transcripts, July 27, 1990
Notes:This verb is based on child-proof, a term that first entered the language (as an adjective) in 1956.
Related Words:bullyproofing
drool-proof paper
elder
elder orphan
elderburbia
elderweds
future-proof
Category:Aging and Death