If you have aging parents who are visiting your home or considering moving in, you may be thinking about how you can make sure your home is as safe and comfortable for them as possible. This will ensure that they will feel at home and avoid any potential accidents or mishaps. Here are a few things you can do:
Remove clutter
Clutter easily builds up, and when you’re mobile, it’s simple to ignore it. However if your parent has trouble getting around or uses a walker, this can make life difficult, Remove junk and clutter, and get rid of furniture that you no longer use. Make sure that rugs are easy to navigate so they won’t trip over them, and ensure that small items are packed away.
Consider accessibility
If you have a two-storied home, a stairlift may be a good idea if you don’t have a bedroom on the bottom floor. This will allow your parents to easily and independently move between floors, even when they’re home alone. It’s also a much safer and more comfortable way to travel up and down the stairs compared to having someone help them up and down-particularly if stairs cause them pain. If you have a curved staircase, you can easily get a curved stairlift, and this can even be a big selling point if you end up selling your home in the future.
Check your bathrooms
Bathrooms are the most dangerous areas of the house for aging parents. It’s a good idea to install adhesive strips and grab bars. These can be placed beside the toilet and next to the shower and bathtub and can prevent falls. Technology has come a long way, and you no longer need to worry about damaging tile or walls with screws- today’s portable suction bars use levers on the back to ensure they have a safe, reliable grip to make sure your parents can use the bathroom independently without risking a fall.
Check your doorknobs
Many people forget that something as simple as opening a door can be difficult for people with arthritis or other problems. Many older people may not have the arm or hand strength to use a regular knob to open a door. It’s a good idea to see if your parents are able to comfortably open all doors in your home. If not, consider replacing them with lever handles which can be much easier to use.
