You might think that your home is comfortable and organized in a way that is safe and functional. It probably is safe and comfortable for you and your children, but it might not be that appropriate for your elderly parents if you plan on accommodating that for extended periods of time. As we age our bodies undergo a lot of changes which means there are some major differences in the housing requirements of a senior as compared to a young adult. It’s really great that you are willing to make space in your home for your parents, though if you want to make their stay comfortable for both yourself and your parents, here are some really great things you should consider.
1. Non-Slip Material
If you have stairs in your home, wooden flooring, or shiny tiles of any material, these surfaces can be difficult to manage for elderly people. Especially if your parent requires assistance when walking you should definitely consider safe flooring options for seniors or at least a good quality non-slip material that can be placed over existing flooring. These materials are also a great addition to the bathroom and showering area.
2. Bed Room Amenities
Your elderly parents are most likely going to be spending the majority of their home indoors, either in the house or in the privacy of their own room. If you can accessorize their room with all the basic things that they need you can reduce their chance of injury as they won’t have to move around the house as much. Entertainment is a must-have and if your parent has difficulty hearing then a TV soundbox will be really helpful. They can use it for TV or any other device that they use for entertainment and it will eliminate the need for headphones. Plus, they won’t be disturbing everyone else by having the volume set to max on the TV set.
If you happen to be living in a region that experiences extreme heat or extreme cold then you probably already have some temperature regulation systems in place. However, central heating might not be enough to keep your mom and dad comfortable so it’s a good idea to invest in dedicated air conditioning for their room. This way they can regulate their room’s environment depending on what they prefer.
3. Ramps Over Stairs
Mobility is one of the biggest challenges as we age, even walking around the house can become a problem, let alone going up a flight of stairs. If you have a parent in a wheelchair then a ramp is a necessity but even for adults that can walk, ramps around the house can make it a lot safer and a lot less taxing on their joints to go up and downstairs. You don’t have to remove your stairs, there are several options that can be added to an existing staircase.
4. Assistance Rails
While mobility is one problem, stability and being able to manage their own weight is another. Your parent might frequently need a person to help them get up or they might rely on a walking stick to help them up. It’s a lot more convenient if you could install assistance rails in sports where they are likely to need a grip to help themselves up. This would be a great addition to places where they spend most of their time, near their favorite reading spot or close to a chair they like to sit in to watch TV.
5. Comfortable Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of those areas where seniors do need assistance and it can often be very frustrating for them to need someone to help them there. You can make them more independent by modifying their bathroom to meet their needs. Things like assistance rails, grips, non-slip mats, and easy-to-use fixtures all help. If you can arrange for their room to have an attached bathroom, that’s even better.
6. Electric Beds
Seniors, especially those suffering from bone-related problems such as arthritis often find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or move around in bed at night. An electric bed that can be operated with a remote makes life a whole lot easier and much more comfortable. You can get electric beds in varying sizes and different types of features depending on what suits your needs. If your parents spend a lot of time lying down on the bed, you might want to invest in a mattress for bed sores. These mattresses help avoid bed sores and skin rashes for people who are bedridden or spend long hours lying down.
These are seven of the most frequently used items that work for a lot of elderly people though it’s even better if you can look into your parents’ exact needs and find something that helps them live a more comfortable life. Whether your parents have a certain medical condition or they just like things a certain way, there are several products for seniors that can help your parents in everyday life.
Additional resources:
- Know the right gadgets to help care for elders in your home or theirs
- Ideals for elderly-friendly home design
- Tips for caring for older adults
