How To Set Up Your Home For Your Elderly Parents
Living with your elderly parents can be a huge decision for many. Since their age may prevent them from doing what they used to, you will be responsible for taking care of them. However, there are upsides to this. For starters, your children can get the chance to create memorable moments with their grandparents. Moreover, they can act as babysitters, so you don’t have to worry about hiring one. Senior living can be expensive, and you can cut costs should they live with you. Your parents can also feel more comfortable being around you and your family. Preparing your home for them makes sense when bringing your parents in. Here’s how to go about it.
Eliminate clutter
If you have pets or kids, you may have excess toys strewn around the place. Moreover, certain items can be placed in places that can make your home look cramped. However, this may be a problem if your parents plan to move in soon. Clutter can increase their risk of tripping or falling, which can cause injuries or even death. And they may find it difficult to navigate your home comfortably if they have mobility issues, so keep this in mind. Therefore, clearing any clutter is essential to create a safe space. As a tip, look around your home for household items that can easily trip anyone. They could be decor, lamps, side tables, etc. The next step is to rearrange them to ensure they don’t become obstacles to movement. Consequently, store items you wouldn’t use for a long time and keep toys out of sight when your kids and pets aren’t playing with them. As a tip, create a play area to prevent them from leaving their toys everywhere.
Keep their room on the first floor
It’s no news that seniors experience some difficulty with mobility. And giving them a room that would heighten this may not be the best idea. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to set up their room where they can comfortably move in and out. Maybe your parents can handle the stairs now. However, that doesn’t mean they can in the coming years. Experts advise placing them on the floor if your home has more than one floor. This way, they don’t have to worry about climbing stairs frequently. But what do you do if no rooms are available on the first floor? You can consider relocating your kids’ room to another floor or converting your study room into a bedroom. However, you may consider the second floor if you can’t get a place for your parents. Along with making these adjustments for easier movement, it’s also important to think about the level of support they may need day to day. If your loved one requires constant assistance and you’re not always available, seeking the help of in-home senior care providers in Allentown PA (or your local area) can be a practical solution. This way, they can receive the care they need while remaining safe and comfortable in their own home.
Invest in an automatic stairlift
Living on the second or third floor doesn’t have to be a problem- you can make life more comfortable for your parents with an automatic stairlift. This device is usually connected to the stairs and comprises a chair or platform for wheelchair users. Automatic stairlifts are designed to ensure safety, so you can rest assured that your parents won’t endanger their lives or sustain injuries. Moreover, it promotes independence since they wouldn’t rely on you to move up and down the stairs. Additionally, a stairlift is easy to operate and comfortable, so keep this in mind.
It’s important to consider your staircase design to determine what kind of automatic stairlift you need, whether straight or curved. Consequently, examine your home and staircase space to ascertain if you can install one. Researching various stairlift companies is prudent for choosing the right option, so feel free to consider this. As a tip, look on third-party review sites and testimonials for more information. You should note that stairlifts aren’t a one-sze-fits-all device; let your parents test the seats to ensure they are comfortable.
Elder-proof your bathroom
Research indicates that the bathroom is the most common place where older adults experience injuries. Your bathroom may pose hazards for elderly people in many ways. For instance, your bathmat may move when stepped on, causing your parents to lose their balance and fall. A less comfortable shower head can also trigger them to twist and turn, causing injuries. Therefore, you want to inspect your home to eliminate anything that could jeopardize your parents’ safety. For starters, you want to replace your throw rugs with rubberized non-slip mats that stay in place even when stepped on.
Experts also advise buying thin mats to make it easier for your parents to visit the washroom with their walkers. Instead of the conventional shower, consider leveraging a hand-held shower to prevent them from turning themselves precariously. Toilet bars allow seniors to sit and get up from the toilet easily, while grab bars provide stability when using the bathtub. Seeing their benefits, installing them is necessary. Also, ensure that the hygiene essentials are within reach and the water has the right temperature. Investing in shower benches is also helpful, so feel free to consider this.
Install window and door sensors
If your parents have dementia or Alzheimer’s, they are more prone to getting confused and wandering away from home. And this can further undermine their safety and increase their risks of sustaining injuries. You’ll find installing window and door sensors helpful to prevent these. These devices sound an alarm whenever the doors or windows are opened, allowing you to determine who’s stepping out of your home. Fortunately, these devices are easy to install and use, and you can get notifications on your phone to keep you alerted when not at home. However, different sensors are available, and you can speak to your installers about the most suitable options. Consequently, purchase from credible brands to achieve the best results.
Don’t ignore lighting
Elderly people need enough lighting to navigate their living space without bumping into stuff and injuring themselves. This makes it essential to invest in adequate lighting. You can begin by setting up your home to accommodate enough sunlight. Research indicates that time in the sun can reduce dementia and Alzheimer’s risks in the elderly. Likewise, it can boost their mood, improve sleep quality, and prevents diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer. You can replace smaller windows in their room with larger options to allow the sunlight in. You can also replace heavy curtain drapes with shutters to achieve the best results. Fortunately, brands like Shuttercraft make light work of any natural light challenges you may be experiencing, so feel free to leverage them. Reflective surfaces and mirrors can also bounce sunlight around the home, so keep this in mind.
Despite its benefits, sunlight ends at night, making it essential to invest in artificial lighting. Ensure that light fixtures can address your parents’ needs. As a tip, fix cooler lighting hues to supplement their natural vision and install task lighting to help them engage in activities like reading. Also, ensure they can easily access the light switch to prevent them from straining. Better yet, invest in senior-friendly upgrades like voice or motion-controlled lighting. Installing night lights can also help them navigate the home in the dark.
Improve your kitchen
Your parents should be able to get snacks or prepare meals without feeling like strangers. However, your kitchen’s layout, appliances, and cabinetry can make it challenging to access food. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to rearrange your kitchen if you feel it would pose a challenge for your parents. For instance, you can store items on lower shelves and drawers to enhance accessibility. As a tip, install timers on your appliances and purchase plastic dishes and cups to prevent them from getting injured by broken glass.
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