A few alterations to a senior’s home could potentially improve their happiness and quality of life. As a result, they can maintain their independence for much longer because they will be less reliant on a family member, friend, or caregiver for support.
If your aging relative appears to struggle to cope in their home, some property alterations might be all that’s needed to increase their safety and happiness. To ensure your loved one is secure and comfortable in their home, find out how to improve an elderly relative’s property.
Decrease Water Heater Temperatures
If you are worried about an aging relative accidentally scalding themselves, you should decrease their water heater temperatures. Reduce the thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent burns.
Remove Clutter and Loose Rugs
Loose rugs, carpet runners, and clutter can all be trip hazards for an older adult. It is, therefore, crucial to remove them from their home to ensure they are safe and secure in their property.
Add a Walk-in Shower or Bath
Stepping in and out of a bath or shower can often be a difficult challenge for older people, as they become increasingly fragile with age. If your loved one is struggling with mobility, a walk-in shower or bath could help them to retain their independence when in the bathroom, so they will not need to rely on others for bathing assistance. You can visit Bathing Solutions to learn more about the grants available for home adaptation support.
Install Bathroom Aids
There are many ways to improve support inside a bathroom; for example, you can install grab bars onto bathtubs, shower walls, and flanking a toilet. You should also add nonslip mats into the bathroom, which can reduce the likelihood of a slip or fall.
Construct a Ramp
If your aging relative requires a wheelchair or mobility scooter when leaving their home, you should construct a ramp. Before you do so, measure the width of their wheelchair or scooter so that they can enter and exit their home with ease. You may also need to alter the door size to maneuver the wheelchair out of the property easily.
Add a Stairlift
If walking up and down the stairs is becoming increasingly hard for a senior, a stairlift could help them to move around the home with ease. They simply sit on a chair and press a button to move up and down the stairs. It could, therefore, help a senior enjoy more independence, and can reduce the likelihood of an accident within the home.
Increase Lighting on the Stairs
Two-way lighting can be helpful for seniors, as they simply turn a light on or off both upstairs and downstairs. They will have no reason to walk through the dark to reach their bedroom or bathroom.
Convert a Downstairs Room into a Bedroom
If it’s not possible for an elderly relative to move up and down the stairs, consider converting a downstairs room into a bedroom. This will ensure your aging loved one will not need to walk far from the living room to their bedroom, which can make them feel safer within the home, and you’ll rest easy knowing they are safe and settled in their bed each night.