If you have aging parents that are moving into your home, you will want to do all you can to make this space as usable as you can. This will enable this transition to be a much smoother one and can be the ideal way for your parents to live with you. It’s ideal to know specific things you can do that will make your home more senior citizen friendly for optimal results.
Tip #1: Install a home elevator
If you have multiple floors on your property, you will want to strongly consider putting in a home elevator. This will allow older individuals to get around with ease and have less stress on the body. The bones is the body can begin to become brittle and more challenging to use when age begins to present itself.
One of the many things that begins to decline with age is the mobility of this person. Getting around and doing tasks that were easy may simply become much more challenging to do throughout the day.
However, having an in-house elevator can allow your loved one to have much more flexibility when it comes to going to one floor to the next in your home.
Tip #2: Remove clutter
There are many medical conditions that older individuals may suffer from and one of these includes loss of vision. You will want to keep the floors and other areas of your property as free of excess items as possible to prevent a slip and fall accident from happening. The last thing either of you will will want to endure is a trip to the emergency room.
Of course, be sure to remove any rugs that could cause an accident to occur because these may be unstable items in the home that could contribute to a fall. Other things you will want to do is to ensure this person is aware of any wet areas that may have just been mopped that could cause an accident.
Tip #3: Fix up a bedroom
Your parents will want time alone, and this may be challenging if you still have kids in the house. It’s ideal to fix a space in the home that is solely for the privacy of your loved ones.
For instance, having a bedroom for your parents is a excellent idea. You will want to consider using one that has an adjacent bathroom or strongly consider putting an additional one in your home.
This will make it easy for any middle of the night bathroom trips that older people typically have to make. Additionally, having this room near the bedroom will make it easier for your parents to get up and start the day each morning.
Studies show the average cost of adding a toilet is $250-$460. Of course, you will want to add other items in this space, such as a vanity and shower with rails.
Tip #4: Secure the outside
If you have a porch or deck that must be crossed to get in or out of the home, you will want to sure add handrails to ensure this area is more stable and secure for your loved ones to use.
If you’re a handy person, this is a task that you may be able to do by yourself. However, if you aren’t, you can rely on the expertise of a contractor to install the rails for you with accuracy and ease. Simply check your local listings to help you find the ideal contractor to assit you in accomplishing this simple, but much needed task in this situation.
Being able to care for your parents during the later years of life is certain to be extremely helpful for you both. You won’t have to be as concerned about the well-being of your loved ones when living with you. Taking the proper steps to ensure your home is as friendly and usable as possible for a senior citizen is sure to be high on your priority list in this situation. Be sure to rely on the steps listed above, and you can work to make this a reality at your home today!
