How To Make The Home More Senior Friendly

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Whether you want to make your parent’s home a little safer, or you’re concerned for your own safety when getting about in your house, then consider taking note of the following suggestions. There comes a time when tweaks and improvements have to be made in order to make the home a safer and more accessible place for the occupants. If you’re not quite as sturdy on your feet and with your hands as you once were, then consider removing items such as loose stair carpet and bathroom mats, electric knives, gas space heaters, and extension cables. Adapting the home to specific needs, be it your parents or your own, is a helpful way to ensure that the homeowner can stay in their own space for as long as possible.

Accessible Bathroom

If balance and mobility have become a problem for you or your loved one, then the bathroom could hold potential dangers and slipping hazards. A walk-in bath, walk-in shower, and wet rooms are available from Premier Care in Bathing and can help the occupant keep hold of their independence. Raising and lowering oneself into the bathtub can be painful and exhausting. If you’re concerned for your welfare or the welfare of elderly loved ones, then think about making small changes and installing new units complete with anti-slip surfaces. Don’t forget to make sure that non-slip mats are added to the bathroom flooring as well!

Install A Stairlift

The staircase poses one of the greatest threats to your safety in your entire home, and this is precisely why you should seriously consider making the stairs safer for the occupant to climb and descend. Having a stairlift installed can minimize the likelihood of falling either up or, most seriously, down a flight the stairs. Think about adding a handrail, as well as a stairgate at both the top and the bottom of the steps just in case you were to take a tumble.

Simplify And Organise

As long as they’re not still in use, remove surplus items and utensils from the kitchen. If you’re still cooking for yourself, then you’ll want to make the process as easy as you can. Keep the items you use most frequently in an easy to reach place such as in a medium height cupboard. Avoid having to reach up to high shelves as this poses a falling hazard, and can cause discomfort if you have to extend your limbs. The same goes for low down storage space. Refrain from using these places if your ability to bend down and get back up is comprised. Help to make the kitchen space easier to use for those who might be experiencing some difficulty in trying to remember where things are kept.

Add Padded Corners

As mentioned above, there’s a serious risk of becoming injured as the result of a fall in the home. Sometimes falls are unpreventable, however, you can lessen the chance of being severely hurt as a result by taking precautions. Add rubber guards to the corners of furniture around the home, such as desks, cupboards, bookshelves, dressers, and cabinets. Wherever there’s a pointed edge, try and cover it with protection products.

Medical Alert System

If you live alone or care for someone who has a medical condition, you may be interested in learning about what medical alert system have to offer. Medical alert systems provide added peace of mind for older adults who are aging in place, as well as their loved ones and caregivers.