Easy Modifications for Age-Friendly Living Spaces
Even with amazing senior living communities available nationwide, many American seniors choose to live at home.
If your loved one hasn't quite reached the point that age-related health problems are getting in their way, they can continue living at home. Whether they live by themselves, with their spouse, or in a home with other family members, it's important to make accessible home renovations to keep them safe and comfortable.
In today's post, we'll help you transform your home into an age-friendly space with some simple home modifications for elderly folks. Doing so will give your loved one barrier-free living solutions and provide peace of mind for everyone else. Keep reading and learn what you need to do.
Outdoor Ramps and Pathway Lighting
By installing an outdoor ramp at home, you can significantly reduce the risk of your loved one having a dangerous fall. If your loved one has a mobility aid, a ramp will make it far easier to get in and out of the home.
Another one of the best elderly home safety tips is to add lighting along all outdoor pathways. Lining the walkways with pot lights will make it easier for your loved ones to see when they're walking outside in the dark.
More than a quarter of elderly people have falls every year. A fall can lead to life-altering injuries for older adults.
Bathroom Grab Bars
The risk of falling isn't just an outdoor phenomenon. You'll also need to account for the risk of falling indoors and you can start with the bathroom.
Firstly, add a grab bar next to the toilet to make it easier to get up and down onto it. Those with mobility devices will need something to grab to remain stable in the bathroom. A grab bar is one of the simplest, yet most effective senior-friendly home upgrades.
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are another important bathroom addition for your elderly loved one. Not only are bathtubs with high thresholds difficult for people with mobility issues, but a wet bathroom floor is a major slip-and-fall risk.
A walk-in shower provides safety and convenience. There's no threshold to step over, so your loved one can easily enter and exit the shower. You should install a grab bar in the shower as well, alongside non-slip flooring and even in-shower seating options.
The ability to maintain their hygiene without assistance is crucial for older adults. These simple senior-friendly home upgrades will preserve their independence and dignity.
Non-Slip Flooring
We just mentioned how the addition of non-slip flooring can help your loved one in the bathroom. In reality, you can install non-slip flooring throughout the home to further decrease the possibility of them slipping.
To install non-slip flooring, you first need to select a material. Textured vinyl and cork are great options.
You pull up the old flooring, then apply any necessary adhesive before laying the new flooring down. It sounds like a major renovation, but it's more than possible to do it yourself.
Indoor Motion-Sensor Lighting
Create more comfort for your loved one by installing a simple motion-sensor lighting setup. When they need to go to the bathroom or move around the house in the dark, the lights will sense their presence and automatically turn on.
Having these will eliminate the need to fumble around to turn lights on. It'll be a huge help in preventing tripping and falling. A bonus is that it conserves energy by only having the lights come on when they're needed.
Adjustable Bed and Furniture
If you're concerned about your loved one's physical health, you can purchase adjustable furniture. An adjustable bed can improve comfort, mobility, and sleep quality, which is essential as we age.
These beds allow them to position their upper torso, head, and legs to find the most comfortable sleep. Seniors dealing with the following will find great relief in an adjustable bed:
- Back pain
- Acid reflux
- Arthritis
- Respiratory issues
Reclining furniture serves a similar function for those with mobility problems, helping to reduce strain on the body as they get up and down.
Smart Home Devices
Another quick and easy senior-friendly home upgrade is to add smart home devices for your loved one. On the surface, smart home devices are all about convenience, and controlling lighting and temperature. These things are beneficial, but smart tech does a whole lot more for seniors.
You can set up a smart security system to watch over your loved one's home. This will send out alerts for unusual activity and sensors can detect falls and notify first responders.
Adding a few smart home devices can greatly improve your loved one's life. You may have to show them how to use the tech, but once they understand how it works, they'll see the benefit.
Secure Doors and Gates
If your loved one is among the 120,000 Missouri seniors suffering from Alzheimer's, they'll benefit greatly from memory care. That said, if you prefer to try and manage their symptoms at home, you'll need some age-friendly design ideas.
One of the biggest concerns for those with dementia is wandering. Around 60% of all Alzheimer's sufferers wander at some point, so adding security features, like locking doors and gates, will prevent them from getting lost, which can be stressful and dangerous.
Clear Signage
Make sure that the home has clear signage to help seniors with memory issues. They may forget where they are or where things are in the home. If you've got clear signage, however, you can greatly mitigate this issue.
Try putting other memory aids around the house as well. Family photos and other memorabilia can provide a sense of comfort to seniors dealing with cognitive decline.
The Best Home Modifications for Elderly Loved Ones
These are some of the best home modifications for elderly loved ones. If you start to see your loved one suffering from the effects of old age, you need to know when it's time to get help. There's only so much you can do from the comfort of your home.
A great assisted living community, like Addington Place of Prairie Village, can give your loved one everything they need. We offer comprehensive assisted living and memory care services, so contact us today to schedule a tour and see our community in Prairie Village, KS.