How to Adapt Your Home to Your Senior Family Members

Author: Harmony Sense Interiors Ltd. |

How to Adapt Your Home to Your Senior Family Members

Having your seniors safe in your family home is an overall priority. You'll ensure they are looked after properly, but also be able to spend more quality time with them. If you have kids, they will undoubtedly enjoy playing and talking with their grandparents. However, there are increased health risks that come with aging. It's not uncommon for seniors to get injured in their own homes. That's why it needs to be adapted to their needs and abilities, to make their living space as safe as possible. This article will remind you of everything you should do to adapt your home to your senior family members and make sure you don't worry about their safety.

Safety tips for entering or leaving the house
Let's start from the beginning - entering or leaving the house or any other room inside it. The first thing you need to work on is visibility. It's useful for every doorway to have additional lighting, primarily close to the ground. Add some outdoor lights, too, so it's easier to see the steps, find the lock, etc. Furthermore, safety handrails are helpful all around the house, especially in areas with stairs.

Electronics can also help you adapt your home to your senior family members. It's wise to install a wireless doorbell, a video entry phone, or similar gadgets that can ensure your seniors can see who's coming or let them in without getting up.

an older lady using a tablet
Gadgets could greatly help you adapt your home to your senior family members.
 

Lights
We should mention another valuable thing when it comes to lights. You can easily install motion-sensor lights around the house, especially along the stairs or other tricky places. So, in case a senior needs to go to the bathroom at night, their way will be automatically lit as they move.

Stairs
Going up or down the stairs is one of the riskiest tasks for seniors. Apart from installing lights, make sure the rail is sturdy and easy to reach. Also, it's best to buy it in a less-slippery material. A stairlift can be an excellent solution for those who have trouble going up or down the stairs. It will ensure they reach upstairs safely without tripping. Finally, sometimes moving is the simplest option. It's not that difficult to find a one-story house that will make life a lot easier for your loved ones. According to teddymoving.com experts, moving seniors doesn't need to be challenging. It can be pretty simple and safe – you just need to be organized and have a reliable team at hand.

Bathroom adjustments
Bathrooms seem to be the riskiest area in the house due to the slippery materials all around. You can do several things to adjust this area for your senior family members. Here are the main ones:

  • Replace the tiles with anti-slip options – There are tiles you can choose to minimize slippery accidents and injuries. Indeed, some mats don't move a lot, but they can cause tripping, so be careful with them.
  • Replace a bathtub with a shower – Entering a bathtub can be challenging even for younger people. Consider replacing it with a shower, especially the one with an anti-slip shower tray. A home renovation crew could help you get this done quickly and effectively.
  • Add rails to the shower – It is important to hold on to something while entering or leaving the shower. Install some handrails on the walls to make this area safer.
  • Magnifying mirrors – Sight decreases as we age, so adding some magnifying mirrors and some extra lights around them would help with the morning/evening routine.
A senior and his grandchild washing teeth
Bathrooms don't need to be risky areas of your home – learn how to adjust them to your seniors.
 

Floors
Floors in your home mustn't be slippery, especially if you have mats or carpets. Be sure to secure those so they don't move as you walk. Or remove them for better safety. Loose rugs are one of the biggest hazards of seniors, so make sure to avoid them. Also, make the floors more accessible by removing excess furniture and unnecessary clutter, and anything that could cause tripping accidents. Clear walking paths are necessary to adapt your home to your senior family members.

a grandmother and granddaughter cooking
Being a senior can mean an easy, happy lifestyle you can enjoy with your young ones.

 

Moving your senior family members
People often want their senior parents back in their homes to ensure their safety and happiness. And that's amazing! However, they are often worried about the move – organization of the process, their health issues, and adjustment to the new environment. Although it can be genuinely tricky, even a long-distance move could be smooth and easy if you learn to simplify it. Firstly, confirm that your moving team is trustworthy, professional, and has experience with moving seniors. This way, your loved ones will feel much safer and more optimistic regarding the relocation.

When it comes to adjusting to the new living space, this part can be challenging for older people. That's why you need to be careful about this relocation, no matter how much you want your parents to live with you. Give them time to accept the idea first, and then start planning the move. If possible, relocate some of their furniture and other items to make a somewhat familiar environment at the new location. It will help them accept the new life chapter and be optimistic about the whole thing.

To conclude
Finally, remember it's always to be safe than sorry. Try to adapt your home to your senior family members before any accidents happen. They will appreciate the effort of making their lives easier and safer and live a more fulfilled and happier life. Good luck with your seniors!

Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-brushing-his-teeth-with-his-grandson-8307416/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/pensive-grandmother-with-granddaughter-having-interesting-conversation-while-cooking-together-in-light-modern-kitchen-3768146/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/elderly-happy-woman-making-video-call-online-on-modern-tablet-5231330/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/asian-woman-with-granddaughter-preparing-food-5693017/



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