If your elderly loved one can no longer climb stairs to use a bedroom or bathroom on a second floor or descend stairs into basement laundry areas, living at home could be challenging. However, there are ways to adapt your senior loved one’s house for easier use. Read on for four ways to make your loved one’s home easier to navigate.
1. Try a One-Story Conversion
Many multifloor homes can be adapted for one-floor living if there’s a full bathroom on the main floor. While making this sort of alteration can be a big change for seniors, many elderly people would prefer to change their houses’ layouts in order to avoid moving out of their homes. To make sure this sort of project doesn’t break the bank, you can consider looking for grants, charities, and volunteer organizations that help with building ramps and adapting homes for seniors needing home care.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading at-home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
2. Make Room for Wheelchairs or Walkers
With some modifications, you can make an existing home easier to navigate for a senior loved one with mobility issues. Whether your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker or simply has poor balance, you can prevent falls by moving or getting rid of extra furniture to clear obvious and wide pathways through the home.
Likewise, if doorways are too narrow to move through easily, consider removing the doors and, if necessary, the door frames. If your loved one feels this makes the home too open, consider installing curtains in doorways instead to provide privacy.
3. Remove Throw Rugs
While throw rugs are attractive and commonly used in rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms, they create a tripping hazard for people who are unsteady on their feet, and wheelchairs can get hung up on them. Remove these decorative rugs and bathmats and replace as needed with nonslip mats. These mats are particularly useful in bathrooms, where falls are common. If your senior relative uses a walker or similar stability device, these mats can be helpful to have throughout the house, ensuring your loved one’s mobility aid gets a good grip.
If you need help keeping your loved one safe and comfortable at home, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Arlington, VA, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
4. Make ComingHome Easy
While making indoor alterations is easier than making changes to the outside of your loved one’s home, changing the house’s exterior can also be helpful. Consider installing ramps for a wheelchair or other mobility device. Even if your loved one doesn’t currently require a mobility aid, he or she may still benefit from walking up an incline rather than taking the stairs.
Professional caregivers can help seniors age in place safely. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare services. Arlington families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call today.
