If you’re like many people with aging parents, you worry about them living in their home alone. You want to make sure that they’ll be safe and while most senior citizens can age comfortably and safely in their own homes, there’s still that risk of something happening to them. Still, if you’re planning on moving your aging parent into your home, there are some changes that you’ll need to make to your home to ensure their safety.
Bathroom Renovations
When it comes to those over the age of 65, the majority of home accidents occur in the bathroom, so this will likely be your first home improvement project. Senior citizens are more prone to falls and falls are more dangerous and even deadly for this age group. With that being said, it’s important to make sure the bathroom is renovated to be safe for your aging parent. Install grab bars by the toilet and in the shower, and you can even convert your bathtub into a walk-in tub. If that’s not feasible for you, invest in a shower chair and slip-resistant mats, which can also be placed right outside of the tub to prevent slipping.
Bedroom Renovations
You may not think that you’d have to make changes to the room you have set up for your aging parent, and you may not need to. However, you do want to make sure that the bed isn’t too high or too low, and you may even want to install a grab pole next to the bed to make it easier for them to get up. Also, traditional door knobs may be harder for elderly individuals to turn, so you may want to switch out twisting door knobs with lever-style door knobs. If your aging parent uses a wheelchair to get around, you’ll also want to widen the doorways to ensure that they can get in and out of their room. Before doing this on your own, consult a contractor to see if this can be done to your home.
Living Room Renovations
The main hazard in a living room or other common area of your home is the flooring. Although carpet is very soft, it can also be a tripping hazard for the elderly, especially for those who use walkers. You’ll also want to avoid hardwood flooring because it’s too hard, in the event that a fall does occur. Linoleum and vinyl flooring are ideal because they’re not as hard or as slippery as hardwood flooring can be, and they provide more traction which lessens the chances of slipping and falling. Also, avoid thick and heavy rugs which can also be a tripping hazard.
How to Know if Your Parents Should Move in With You
Every family is different, so while some seniors may need to move in with family, others may not. If your aging parent is in both good physical and mental condition, then chances are that they will be able to live safely in their own homes, with some of the same renovations listed above. However, if your aging parent requires a lot of extra care, then having them move in with you may be a better option. Still, caring for an aging parent can be difficult and stressful, and not many people feel comfortable putting a loved one in an assisted care facility because of frequent stories of nursing home abuse and neglect. However, if you feel they have experienced elder abuse at the facility, you need to take action and move them into your home asap. You should always seek to do what is best for your aging parent so they’ll be safe and comfortable.
If your aging parent is able to remain living in their own home, you should also make these same changes to their home to ensure their safety and your peace of mind. Wherever they’re living, you want to make the living space as hazard-free as possible to ensure that they’re safe, comfortable, and happy.