When seniors decide to age in place, the next step is to figure out how to make their home as senior-friendly and safe as possible. That means helping seniors remain comfortable, supporting their independence, and reducing any possibility of accidents or injury. This is all a lot easier to do with the expert help of senior home care providers, because they can focus on improving safety and helping seniors maintain a safe home afterward.
Adapting Bathrooms
Bathrooms need special attention in order to keep seniors safe and comfortable. These rooms are often the most dangerous, particularly for aging adults with mobility problems. Swapping a traditional tub for a walk-in tub or shower stall is one option, but it might not be possible for every family. Shower chairs, transfer benches, and other similar tools can do a lot to help seniors be safer while bathing. Other safety tools for the bathroom include raised toilet seats, grab bars in the shower and toilet area, and non-slip mats throughout the bathroom.
Enhancing Home Safety
Keeping seniors safe is one of the most important priorities for family caregivers. Small changes can make a big difference in terms of safety. Home care providers can get families started on the right foot by noticing and removing tripping hazards, improving lighting throughout the house, and placing safety devices like handrails in key locations. Professional caregivers can help families notice what other safety issues need to be addressed.
Prioritizing Comfort
A cozy and comfortable living space improves emotional well-being for seniors. It also makes daily life more interesting and enjoyable. Chairs, sofas, and other seating with firm cushions and supportive armrests are comfortable and make it easier and safer for seniors to get up when they’re ready to do so. Cozy blankets within easy reach help seniors stay comfortable when they may have a tougher time regulating body temperature.
Supporting Independence
Senior-friendly homes are ones that help seniors to be as independent as possible. Simple changes like reorganizing items that seniors use frequently helps them to access those items when they need them. Swapping out door handles and faucets that might be tough to turn for levers and touch-activated versions allow seniors to use these areas of their homes more easily. It also helps for seniors to learn as much as they can about assistive devices. Senior home care providers can help families find the right ones for their needs.
Encouraging Outdoor Experiences
Spending time outdoors is helpful for physical and mental health, especially when seniors feel safe to spend more time outside. Adding ramps to exterior entries allows seniors to safely access the outside of the home. Comfortable seating areas allow seniors to relax outside and can even make it easier to engage in activities like gardening.
Creating a senior-friendly home means focusing on not only safety, but also the aspects of aging in place that help seniors be comfortable and as independent as possible. Senior home care providers can help families work out all of those details.
Reference
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/keeping-seniors-safe-in-their-own-homes
