Our parents and grandparents have done many things for us. They helped us be who we are today, and with their support, we reached many of our goals.
We always try our best to give them the support and care they deserve, and there are many ways with which we can do that. One of the things we can do is to make the house a place they can safely live in. As we all know, when people get older, their movements become slower, and their health conditions might prevent them from doing many things. Making your home senior-ready will also provide a sense of relief since you don’t have to spend all your time at work worrying about them. Here are some modifications you can make to your house to make it ready for your elderly loved ones:
1. Add Non-Slippery Rugs To Your Bathroom
Many accidents take place in the bathroom regardless of age. Slippery floors are especially hazardous for older people, and if they fall, their recovery time is longer than younger people. There are other things you can add to your bathroom to make it more elderly-friendly, but preventing slips and falls should be your highest priority. Ensure you tell seniors in your house why everything is installed and how to use them since there are specific things they may need to know.
2. Ease Their Inhouse Movement
If your house has stairs that the family members have to take to go to essential rooms around the house, then you have to consider how difficult and risky that will be for seniors. Consider buying stairlifts to make it easy and natural for them to move and go upstairs. If you are looking for the best stairlifts in Birmingham or surrounding areas, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. When looking for stairlifts in Birmingham, locals tend to always go with the most reliable provider in their area to put you on the right track. Especially if you are new to this and you have never bought a stairlift before, checking out options from a trusted place will be of great help.
3. Put Your Contact Numbers All Around The House
Old people are vulnerable and might find themselves in tough situations even if they are careful. To be fully prepared for this, make sure seniors in the house know how to find you if they need to. Leave your contact numbers and addresses on a piece of paper in a visible place inside the house. Even if you are just going out for a couple of hours, this could be very helpful and will give your parents or grandparents a sense of security and relaxation.
4. Hire Professional Help
Some people do not desire to admit their loved seniors to a care home because of the psychological effects this can have on their seniors. In case you find yourself obligated by circumstances to leave your parents in a nursing home, do not feel guilty about it. Sometimes the situation can be handled at home but with some assistance. Hire a nurse to stay at home with your elderly and help them with everything they need. This will ensure that all parties are less anxious.
5. Help Them Feel Useful
Needing help with everything is more of a childlike trait; no one likes to feel fully dependent on someone else. Put the things they will use close to them so that they can do stuff with their own hands. For example, organize your pantry and add labels to everything. Switch to using machines that do not have any complicated operating systems and many buttons.
6. Upgrade Your Lights
One of the things the elderly struggle with is vision. Use lights that are strong enough for them to see. This will decrease their chances of tripping and falling.
Taking care of an elderly is hard as they require constant attention. You can make things easier for both of you by seeing the problems in advance and preparing solutions. Involve your kids in the process if they are old enough to understand so that they can learn and appreciate everything you do. It will also be useful if you ask all other family members like your siblings and cousins to cooperate with you. After all, the mental and psychological well-being of the seniors is very important, and without it, their health may deteriorate. Seeing everyone, they love pitching in and visiting regularly will help them feel appreciated and loved. It also helps if you talk to the seniors themselves and ask them what they need to feel more comfortable. They will definitely appreciate being listened to.
