We don’t want to admit it, but as we get older we naturally start to slow down. The runs and walks that we use to go on daily become more and more difficult, and even simple walks up the stairs can either induce pain or take much longer than you’d hoped. If you have an elderly relative, you are going to have to start thinking about how you are going to accommodate them if they come to live in your home, or even if they are just visiting. The last thing that you would want is for them to be unable to move around your home, or even worse, injure themselves. Here are some ways to make your home more accessible for an elderly relative.
Add Assistive Technology
If you have a relative who is unable to move up and down stairs and they are visiting often, you might want to consider adding some assistive technology that can help them out. You can have stairways outfitted with chair lifts to help get them up and down, or you can go for an even better option such as a mini elevator-style lift. The people at Stiltz Lifts say that these style lifts can fit up to three people and can reliably handle high amounts of weight as well. These types of lifts can also fit nicely into the home aesthetic whereas chair lifts might be a bit of an eyesore at times. No matter what you decide to pick, getting some form of assistive technology will go a long way toward making your home more accessible for an elderly relative.
Add Grab Bars and Handrails
Another important thing that you are going to want to do in your home is to add handrails and grab bars wherever necessary. This is especially true in bathrooms or any area where a person needs to sit. As people get older, they struggle to stand up and support their own weight. Having a grab bar nearby a toilet, or any seat for that matter, can help to ensure that your elderly relative is able to help themselves up and down whenever necessary. The same can be said about handrails as well. Stairways and areas leading up to stairways should have handrails to help guide their movements. You do not want them to lose their balance and potentially fall down the stairs. These installments will help make your home more accessible to anyone.
Widen Doorways
We often take for granted being able to walk without any devices. While most spaces will accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, or whatever device your elderly relative has, doorways might prove to be a little difficult. Some devices might not fit through doorways at all, while others will require fine motor skills that your elderly relative might not possess anymore. Widening your doorways will also help ensure that you are able to navigate around these areas when you get older. It’s a simple fix that goes a long way toward helping people out.
Have Brighter Lighting
Eyesight is one of the main things that start to go as you get older. Objects start to look blurry and you are unsure where one object starts and the other ends. This can lead to people bumping into furniture around your home and possibly severely hurting themselves. A great way to counter this is to simply turn up the lights or change them in your home and make it brighter. While they still might have some vision issues, the increased lighting will ensure that they can see much better.
Remove Any Possible Tripping Hazards
Loose rugs and cords along the floor can often be tripping hazards for elderly people. As they no longer possess the strength to lift their feet high off of the ground, they often can get tangled in objects along the floor. Take the time to ensure all carpets and cords are out of the way and properly placed. This will also help any elderly person who needs the assistance of a device to get around. If you want to make your home more accessible for an elderly relative, you are going to have to make sure that it is safe for them to move around.
These are all ways that you can help to make your home more accessible for elderly relatives. Even if it seems like a lot of work now, it will pay off in the future as you can take advantage of these things when you get older. Take the time and care to look after your elderly relatives as life is short. How do you plan on making your home more accessible for an elderly relative?
