Old age is inevitable and dawns upon everyone. Routine duties and responsibilities, which were once easy to do, gradually start becoming a burden. If you have parents or relatives in this phase, it is essential to take over and start taking care of them. Caring for them involves modifying their homes to make them senior friendly. These alterations should focus on making the home safe and comfortable. Let us investigate time-tested tips that would transform a senior’s home.
Create Space
An organized space creates room for the elderly to move around freely. They are also able to perform tasks easily. As one ages, their strength diminishes. Having an organized space with less bulky furnishings makes their life enjoyable since they don’t have to keep re-arranging.
Improve Lighting
Aging comes with its own share of weaknesses. A well-lit environment is critical in a senior’s home. They need both sunlight and artificial light throughout the day and night to prevent accidents. Be sure to have the sources of light in a position where they can easily reach and use it. Also, install ample lighting in every room for easy movement.
Display Sweet Memories
Often, the elderly are left lonely while their children head to work or continue with their lives. You might want to change the mood by displaying portraits and albums that will remind them of the happy times. Have numerous photos hang on the walls reminding them of their first day at work, their first child, their first grandchild or perhaps a family hike. These kinds of memories will help them evade all the loneliness that may be lingering around.
Change Doorknobs
Some doorknobs are designed to open doors using a lot of strength. As earlier mentioned, the elderly may not have that much strength to force the doorknobs open. Also, people with arthritis and other joint or nervous ailments may have trouble turning knobs. Have them replaced with lever-style handles as they are more comfortable to deal with. You may also want to reconsider going for automated shutters for the windows.
Proximity To Essential Services
If the elderly home is not close to a medical facility, grocery store, pharmacy, restaurant or other essential facilities, you need to consider relocating the house. Most of them do not have the energy to walk or drive long distances. Also, in a situation of a medical emergency, for example, they are better placed if they have easy access to a medical facility.
Safe Flooring
Slippery floors are one of the primary causes of accidents, especially for the elderly. Instead of marble flooring that is slippery, you should choose rough wooden tiles for them. Get rid of all small rugs and mats that could cause tripping. Replace them with large carpets that are easily movable. Ensure that all slippery floors are covered with immobile carpets as a second option to anti-skid measures.
Improve The Bathroom Design
The bathroom is home to hazards for anyone regardless of age. Luckily, the young can react to a slip fast enough or even note wet spots on time. An elderly person’s bathroom should have grip bars to help them with support. Install non-slip rubber on the floor to prevent falls. Take all glass materials from the bathroom and install swivel faucets. If that’s not enough, you may install an emergency button in the bathroom, which is easily accessible, to make their surroundings safer.
Get Quality Furniture
Seniors will spend most of their days at home around the house. They need comfortable furniture for resting or supporting themselves. Make sure the pieces of furniture you buy for them are well built to provide the required comfort. Also, order customized pieces with fitted rubber edges or rounded edges to avoid injuries. If it’s a couch, go for a fluffy and filled cushion with a skeleton made of hardwood. For the bed, invest in an orthopedic mattress to offer comfort.
Install Safety Rails
Safety rails and grip bars should be fitted all around the house. They are more important in areas near the stairs, hallways, bathroom and kitchen. Any area without a support system should have a safety rail within the vicinity. Even with no one else in the house, seniors will support themselves and walk around the house freely with safety rails.
Reconstruct The Stairways
One missed step and you are down. Staircases can be dangerous especially for the elderly. To ensure that the stairway is safe for passage, reconstruct the height of the steps and make it wider and less steep for comfort and safety. You could also completely overrun them with ramps. You should also ensure the entire staircase is reinforced with safety rails.
Everyone will grow old. You might want to take the right steps and tips to get a comfortable home for your senior relative or friend before it is your turn. Help them to enjoy the aging phase.