Watching your parents start to get older can be an emotional time. The strongest people you know will suddenly begin to lose that strength and you’ll need to take up the responsibility of caring for them when you’re used to them taking care of you.
Being able to help them is a great way to give back to them, and thank them for raising you and caring for you throughout your life. There are many ways you can help your aging parents, one of which is modifying their home to make their space more comfortable.
Seniors might need some environmental changes to help them with safety and mobility – here are a few modifications you can consider.
Shower and Bathtub Modifications
The bathroom is a slippery place and a place where falls can easily occur. Many older adults will eventually need some kind of a helping hand when it comes to taking a bath or shower. Your parents might benefit from simple assistance in items like hand railings or non-slip mats.
However, you might want to make more advanced modifications such as installing a walk in tub or railings and seating for showers. This will make it much easier for seniors who struggle with mobility to enjoy their baths and showers worry-free.
Toilet Modifications
Unfortunately, using the loo can become a problem for some seniors too. Standing and sitting and maintaining balance can become a problem as you get older, which makes toilet use uncomfortable and even potentially dangerous for some.
There are, luckily, various toilet modifications that can be installed in order to make bathroom use safer for the elderly.
Ramps and Flooring Modifications
If one of your parents needs to use a wheelchair, it’s important that their living space can accommodate this and that they will be safe and clear to move around freely in their home.
You might need to have ramps installed in place of steps so that they’re able to move up levels in their home. However, if your parents live in a duplex, you might want to consider helping them find a safer and more comfortable place to live, more suited to their mobility needs.
Wider Doorways
Another modification that might need to be made, when a wheelchair is involved, is the widening of doorways. Wheelchairs are typically wide and people may struggle to fit them comfortably through standard-sized doorways.
Kitchen Modifications
The kitchen is another area of the home that might pose a few problems for seniors who struggle a bit with mobility. Safety in the kitchen is essential to avoid falls, fires and other safety and health mishaps.
There are many kitchen modifications you could make in the home of an elderly person, such as creating a clutter-free space, installing lower and easier-to-use sinks and faucets, changing the cabinetry to be more accessible and even altering the lighting to be as bright as possible.
Smart Home Systems
A simple modification that can have a wide range of benefits is installing a smart home system for your parents. There are many benefits of smart home systems for people of any age, and these devices can make various daily tasks just a little easier, as well as provide information and entertainment.
When you have a smart home system installed, your parents will be able to easily control the heating, lighting and alarm system in their home. With some additional devices, they could also have the floors cleaned by a robotic vacuum, have appliances automatically heat up and receive audio reminders of events and messages.
Medical Alert Systems
Finally, you can help your parents by ensuring their physical health and safety. A medical alert system is a wearable device for seniors (or anyone with a chronic issue who might need help at a moment’s notice). This wearable device will allow them to quickly and easily send an alert signal to emergency services (or an emergency contact).
They’ll be able to receive medical assistance quickly and easily in the case of any emergencies such as a fall or health issue.
Final Thoughts
If your parents have decided to grow old in the comfort of their own home, it’s important that this space is altered to properly accommodate their changing needs.
These modifications are a few examples of the type of help they might need, but it’s crucial that you communicate openly with your parents to understand their personal needs and wants in order to create the best possible space for them.
