If you are a family caregiver for one of the millions of older adults who are living with arthritis, you know that this condition impacts virtually all aspects of their life. The disease can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, loss of range of motion, loss of flexibility, limited mobility, balance issues, fatigue, and more. Not only are these symptoms physically uncomfortable and can contribute to mental health consequences, but they can also diminish your senior’s safety and their own home. Making meaningful modifications to their home environment can allow your parent to continue to comfortably and easily utilize their home, while avoiding accidents and injuries.
Use these tips to improve safety at home for an elderly adult who’s living with arthritis:
- Consider adding a chair lift to stairs within the home so that your parent can go up and down easily and comfortably
- If a chairlift is not an option, add non-slip pads to each step to provide greater grip and reduced possibility of slipping
- Remember that arthritis often leads to difficulties with flexibility and range of motion, which can compromise balance. Limiting how many times your senior needs to use the stairs or walk back and forth across rooms, particularly in the dark, can reduce accidents. Ensure there are lighting sources at the top and bottom of the stairs, as well as on each side of a room to minimize going back and forth
- Replace knobs on cabinets, drawers, and doors with handles your senior can slip their hand into for use. This reduces the need for grip which can falter and potentially lead to a fall
- Add steps into and out of the bathtub so your senior does not need to lift their feet as high to get in or out
- Use a shower bench or chair to eliminate the need for your parent to stand while showering, which could result in a fall
- If your elderly loved one uses mobility aids such as walkers, make sure they are properly adjusted to your senior’s height. This eliminates bending over too far or lifting their arms at an odd angle, which can be uncomfortable and limiting for a senior with arthritis
Aging-in-place is an important concept for most older adults, and making elderly care a part of your approach for your senior can help them achieve this goal. As a family caregiver, you want what’s best for your senior, and being able to enjoy familiar surroundings and independence is often a priority for elderly adults. You may worry, however, that their challenges in their health issues, lack of transportation, or other issues could make it difficult or unsafe for them to remain in their own home. This could be particularly true if you live in a distance from your senior or are in the sandwich generation and have a busy schedule. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider, however, can ease these concerns and ensure your parent gets the care, support, and assistance they need to manage their challenges and limitations in the ways that are right for them. By helping them to deal with daily tasks, running errands with them, providing transportation, offering companionship and more, this care provider supports health and safety, promotes independence, and helps you or a loved one achieve their goal of aging in place.
http://www.athletico.com/2013/05/21/home-safety-tips-for-arthritis-sufferers/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.