Home Changes to Make Before Your Elderly Parents Move In

As they get on in years, many senior citizens decide to move in with their children. Rather than go to a nursing facility or assisted living home, being with family provides seniors with companionship and security. This also drastically reduces expenses that come from assisted care. Before your elderly parent moves in, there are some changes to consider regarding your home's accessibility. This article will help you cover the most important aspects of senior home safety and offer some suggestions for improvement.

Stair Access

If you live in a multi-story home, then consider installing a home lift. This can help seniors with arthritis or those in a wheelchair safely travel between floors without stress or strain. If you decide to install one of these devices, make sure you work with a reputable business. A nationwide home lift company will be able to provide plenty of information and reputable examples of their work. As you consider these changes, you may also wish to modify the layout of your home to make it more convenient for your parent. If their bedroom is on the second story, for example, consider adding a miniature refrigerator, electric kettle and countertop to their room. Small, simple adjustments like this will make it easier for your parent to feel at home without feeling confined or overly reliant on others.

Non-Slip Flooring

Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors and the risk can be reduced by replacing your floors with a non-slip material or laying down coverings or rugs. Smooth surfaces such as vinyl and linoleum can provide easier movement for seniors with walkers, canes, or wheelchairs, but they are also slicker than carpet and can increase a person's fall risk. The best flooring for seniors is short carpeting, but covers such as floor runners and rugs can help make a room safer without the expense of replacing the floors.

Light Switches

Some seniors may have trouble reaching or activating the lights in the home. To prevent accidental falls, assistive technology can help. Voice-activated or motion-sensor lights will turn on whenever your parent needs them, and the rest of the household will still be able to use the standard light switches. Smart lights are often voice-activated and can also be controlled using an app on a smartphone. They feature dimming, scheduling and easy modifications that allow your parents to adjust lighting to their needs even when they're seated or in another part of the house.

Bathroom Modifications

Wheelchair-accessible baths and shower chairs can help seniors stay safe while they tend to their personal hygiene. Losing the ability to even wash oneself properly is quite disheartening for the elderly, and these modifications enable them to retain dignity and autonomy over their bodies despite certain physical limitations. You should also consider motion-sensor faucets, a toilet light, non-slip mats in the shower and hand-rails for added support and improved stability. All of these changes may not need to be made right away, but they are worth considering as your aging parent's mobility and safety risks change.