How to Make Your Home Senior-Friendly

As we age, it becomes essential to ensure that our living environment is safe and comfortable. This is especially true for aging adults who may have mobility issues or other health concerns that make it difficult for them to live independently. Preparing your home before your parents move in can help ensure they have a safe living environment.

Making your home senior-friendly is a great opportunity to create a solid sense of community and belonging. This can include things like creating shared spaces for family and friends to gather. In case your elderly using a power wheelchair for outdoor use, there’s a chance to meet your relatives on a frequent basis and stay involved. You can provide opportunities for your parents to continue to engage in activities that they enjoy.

10 Home Improving Ideas to Make Your Parents Feel Comfortable

Here are handy tips to senior-proof your place before your parents move in.

1. Install handrails. Handrails can be installed along staircases, in the bathroom, and near the entrance of the house. They provide support for seniors as they move around the house.
2. Make doorways wider. Wider doorways can make it easier for the elderly to move around the house with a walker or wheelchair.
3. Install grab bars in the bathroom. Grab bars can be installed in the shower, near the toilet, and in other areas of the bathroom. They provide support and stability for senior parents.
4. Add non-slip flooring. Non-slip flooring can help prevent falls and accidents in the bathroom and kitchen where there’s contact with water.
5. Adjust lighting. Proper lighting can help aged people see better, reduce the risk of falls and make it easier to move around the house.
6. Add a stair lift. A stair lift can make it easier for seniors with limited mobility to navigate stairs and reduce the risk of falls.
7. Consider a walk-in shower. A walk-in shower can make it easier for seniors to bathe safely and independently.
8. Add a raised toilet seat. A raised toilet seat in the bathroom can make it easier for seniors to use the toilet, especially if they have arthritis or other mobility issues.
9. Install a ramp. A ramp can make it easier for seniors to access the house, especially if they use a wheelchair or walker.
10. Add remote-controlled features. Remote-controlled features such as lighting and temperature control can make it easier for the elderly to move around the house and live independently.

 

Tips on How to Prepare Your Seniors Before Moving In

• Involve your aging parents in the process of preparing for their move. This will give them a sense of ownership and control over their new living environment. Ask for their input and preferences on things like the layout of their new room, the color scheme, and any specific needs they might have.
• Help your senior parents declutter their possessions before the move. This will not only make the move easier, but it will also help them adjust to their new living space.
• Try to create a comfortable and familiar environment for your parents in their new room. Bring items from their current home, like pictures, furniture, and bedding, to make their new room feel like home.
• Keep your seniors informed about the move and the preparations that are being made. This will help reduce their anxiety and help them feel more at ease.
• Plan for the future by discussing and making arrangements for any care they may need as they age. This could include in-home care, transportation, or other services.
• Encourage your elderly parents to stay active in their new living environment. This could include joining a club, taking up a new hobby, or going for walks.
• Show your aging parents that you care by spending quality time with them, listening to their concerns, and helping them to adjust to their new living environment.
• Plan a special welcome for your parents when they move in. This could include a small celebration or a special meal.
• Make sure your aging parents have everything they need in their new living space. This includes their medications, personal care items, and necessary equipment.
• Seek support if your elderly parents need it. This could include counseling or support groups for families going through the process of caring for aging parents.

  Making your home senior-friendly is a vital step to ensure the safety, comfort, and independence of seniors. By following these handy tips, you can create a stress-free living environment for the elderly. Remember that every senior has different needs, so consult with them and their caregivers to understand their specific needs.