As your parents, grandparents, or other family members – perhaps even close family friends – get older, they may not be able to stay in their own homes. This could mean moving to a nursing home or getting home help to keep them safe. In some cases, it could mean they move in with you. Even if this is not the situation, but they visit you regularly, you’ll want to ensure that your home is as safe and comfortable for seniors as possible. Read on for some ideas on what you can do to make this happen.
Work On The Stairs
There are many aspects of a standard home that can be problematic to older people, but the stairs are perhaps the most difficult of all to handle as we get older. Our joints become stiffer, we are less flexible, and our breathing can sometimes be affected – all of this means that climbing up and down stairs becomes more and more of a challenge.
One thing you can do is to have everything your senior loved one needs downstairs, negating the need to go upstairs at all. This would include a downstairs bathroom and their bedroom (assuming they are living with you). However, if this is not possible but stairs are still an issue, installing additional handrails or even a stairlift could be a good alternative. Plus, make sure you never leave anything on the stairs that could be a trip hazard.
Install Adequate Lighting
It’s a fact that eyesight deteriorates over time. For some people, this might be only a small amount, and others might have real problems with their sight, perhaps even needing to research the benefits of cataract surgery if this is the issue.
Having poor eyesight means that lighting is of paramount importance; a dark home can be full of hazards that people with good eyesight wouldn’t even think about. So, if a loved one is coming to stay with you or visit for a while, make sure you have good lighting in your home. If the visit is a temporary one, you can bring in extra standing lamps or change your lightbulbs to brighter ones, for example. If they are staying for longer, more long-term measures will need to be put in place, including nightlights and motion sensor lights to save on the cost of electricity.
Reduce The Strain On Their Hands
Another issue that many people have to deal with as they age is that their grip is no longer as strong as it was. This could be due to general muscle wastage, but it might also be something more specific, such as arthritis. No matter what is causing it, it can become more and more difficult to hold things and do manual tasks.
This is why it’s important to put measures in place to help your older relative around the home. Doorknobs, faucets, and switches can all be problematic, but there are substitutions you can make that are much better for older hands, so it’s wise to change these things as it will help your senior loved one feel much more able and independent.