Tips on Making the Home More Age-Friendly
When an elderly loved one opts to age in place, it’s the perfect opportunity to consider remodeling his or her home. After so many years of living at home, it may be time to replace basic features such as the flooring. A home remodel also provides a fresh new environment that can lift your loved one’s spirits. As you start making plans to enhance your loved one’s living situation, consider the following remodeling projects that can make the house more age-friendly.
Find Solutions for Stairs
Mobility issues that arise during the senior years may cause your loved one to face difficulty going up and down stairs. For short sets of steps, consider adding a small ramp your loved one can use to prevent falls. If your loved one lives in a two- or three-story building, explore the different types of chair lifts available.
Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust Dallas senior care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she manages an illness and performs the daily tasks of living.
Automate the Lighting
Installing automatic lights can prevent fall-related injuries. However, seniors may not always find the light switch if they’re trying to hurry from one room to another. Your loved one should also have proper lighting on the outside of the home to increase safety and make it easier to get inside if he or she comes home after dark. Automated lighting systems can be set to a timer or controlled by a smartphone app so your loved one doesn’t have to think about turning the lights off and on.
Install Nonskid Flooring
The right type of flooring for seniors depends on their abilities and preferences. Remove slick tile and other types of slippery flooring from your loved one’s home, or add rugs to generate more traction. While carpet is an excellent option for senior-safe flooring, you may need to choose a type with low pile if your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility.
Switch the Doorknobs
Typical round doorknobs may be difficult for seniors to use as they get older. Lever-style door handles are better for seniors with arthritis or other types of mobility issues. Consider replacing the main doorknobs with levers, and you can also replace faucet knobs with levers to increase your loved one’s comfort at home.
Create an Outdoor Garden Space
Senior safety is important, but you must also consider your loved one’s personal health and happiness during the remodel. Outdoor gardens give seniors a way to relax and get some physical exercise. Your loved one may also opt to grow vegetables or fruits in the garden to contribute to a healthier diet.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help with gardening or tending to other tasks. Dallas respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Set Up a Guest Room
Visitors often drop in to talk to their aging family members, and your loved one may appreciate having a place where his or her adult kids and grandkids can stay for the night or take a quick nap. Help your loved one get involved in the decorating, since setting up a guest room usually requires little more than picking out a new shade of paint or a pretty comforter for the bed.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one enjoys a high quality of life while aging in the comfort of home. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional homecare Dallas seniors can trust and rely on. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at [hca_phone] to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.