How to Prepare Your Home for Elderly Care
There are a variety of nursing homes and retirement facilities seniors can choose for receiving care, but many prefer to stay in their own homes or the homes of family members or close friends. If your senior loved one will be moving in with you, the home needs to be properly prepared to ensure it’s safe and comfortable for caregiving.
Safety Comes First
Your home should be a safe place where your loved one can move around freely. This means the hallways stay clear, the rooms are free of clutter, and all essential safety measures are in place in case of an accident. This includes:
- Installing alarms
- Installing smoke detectors on every floor
- Adding extra lighting that works with a remote or the clap of a hand
- Creating an emergency escape plan
- Placing a fire extinguisher in the home
- Installing a carbon monoxide detector with an alarm
If you need help ensuring your loved one’s safety at home, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Some seniors need occasional assistance at home, and oftentimes the family members who take care of them need time away to run errands, take a nap, go to work, or take a vacation. Dallas respite care experts from Home Care Assistance are available on an as-needed basis, giving your family peace of mind that your loved one will remain safe and comfortable while you relax or focus on other important responsibilities.
Make Changes to the Bathroom
Seniors can be injured by falling or having other accidents in the bathroom, which is why you should make it a safer place for your loved one to bathe and groom. You can do so by:
- Installing grab handles near the toilet and in the shower
- Placing nonskid mats inside and outside the shower
- Installing a bench in the shower
- Having long-handled brushes for your loved one to use when bathing
In the golden years, it’s easier to maintain a high quality of life in a senior-friendly home. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Dallas families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Remove All Hazards
Many seniors have decreased mobility and poor eyesight, which is why you should make sure your home is free of all hazards. Make your loved one aware of any potential hazards in the home. You may need to remove items or make adjustments if removing them isn’t an option. These include:
- Loose carpet and flooring
- Small rugs
- Raised doorway thresholds
- Unsteady stairways (add sturdy handrails)
- Poor lighting (add nightlights)
- Spills (wipe them up immediately)
- Furniture or cords in walking pathways
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Dallas senior care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. If you need professional home care for your aging loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at [hca_phone].