Making Your Home More Accessible for Your Senior Parents
The aging Baby Boomer generation accounts for over 40 million people worldwide. That means that many families are searching for safe and secure living solutions for their senior parents. In some cases, seniors move into an assisted living facility or a retirement community. However, other families decide to embrace their family members and make arrangements to move them into their own homes.
It is common for seniors to say that if they cannot age in their homes, they prefer to stay with family instead of living in a facility. Many seniors find that they are more comfortable in familiar surroundings and receiving care from family members. If you are considering moving in with your senior parent, you must embrace the change and prepare your home for their arrival.
Preparing your home to welcome a senior parent involves more than simply getting a room ready. You will need to look closely at how your home works and how you can make it safer for your senior parent. Consider assistive technology NDIS solutions to help make your home safe for your parents. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways to make your home more accessible for your senior parents.
Lighting
One of the most prevalent dangers seniors face in their homes is the possibility of falling due to slips and trips. Increasing the visibility of your home is one of the best things you can do to help reduce the chances of your parents falling in your home. Many things can pose a danger to your aging parents, such as dim hallways, shadowy stairs, and dark bathrooms. The most important thing you should do is ensure that the lighting in your home is always adequate.
Keep in mind that your senior parent will likely need to get up at night and help see where they are going. You can start by running light strips along the baseboards in your hallways. You can also add motion-sensitive lights around the house that will automatically light the way for your parents. Make sure that all stairways are properly lit to prevent an accident.
Bathroom Upgrade
Many of the slip-and-fall accidents that happen in the home happen in the bathroom. Slippery floors and shower stalls can be dangerous for your senior parent. If your parents are moving in with you, it’s essential that you take steps to make your bathroom safer and more accessible. You may need to redesign parts of your bathroom, including your shower. A barrier-free walk-in shower unit eliminates the need to step up and over into a tub, which can prove difficult for many seniors.
Furthermore, consider installing grab bars inside the shower area and next to the toilet, as well as installing grab bars on the walls of the bathroom. You will be able to help your parents stay safe and maintain their independence by providing them with these bars that will help them get up and down when they need to.
Clear Pathways
Even though you might have a home design that you love, it does not automatically mean that your layout is the best for your elderly parents. There is also a possibility that your elderly parent may have difficulty navigating your house if your rooms are cluttered or have narrow pathways. Take some time to reevaluate the way your home is designed and clear out the pathways that are most often used before you have your parents move into your home.
Mobility Modifications
There may be some modifications around your home that need to be made to ensure the safety and comfort of your senior parents. The number of changes you will need to make will depend on your senior parents' mobility. Make sure your doorways are wide enough to accommodate parents with a walker, cane, or wheelchair to get around. The entryways, room divisions, driveways, and other areas of your home may also need to be updated.
To enhance the safety of your home, you need to look at it with a critical eye and pick out areas that could be dangerous for your senior parents. Stairways are particularly risky. You may want to upgrade your stairs with a motorized lift or a ramp that will make it easier and more accessible for your senior parents.
Bringing your senior parent into your home will require many adjustments. Consider these factors to help you make your home more accessible and safe for the whole family.
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