Parents are for sure one of the most important figures in our lives. After all, they’ve been taking care of us for our whole lives, and now it’s time to reciprocate. Everybody ages, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
If you want to make sure your elderly parents are living in a healthy and safe environment, then you will have to make some changes in the house and around it to make sure they are being taken care of the right way.
One of the biggest issues in older folks is mobility, hence, you need to create a safe space that will allow them to function normally. Besides that, there are some other things that you should incorporate, and below we will enumerate them.
Keep An Eye On Hazardous Flooring
It is widely known that older people are more prone to falling than younger folks, hence, you should focus on fall prevention. This is especially crucial if your parents have issues with balance, or if they are dragging their feet.
If that’s the case, then you should eliminate hardwood floor, high-pile carpet, or tile floor, since all these things can be extremely dangerous for them. Furthermore, you should utilize a high-pile carpet instead of a low pile and assess the slip rating of tile, hardwood, and laminate flooring to make sure these areas are maximally safe.
Consider Installing A Stairlift
As it was previously accentuated, mobility can become a huge issue to elderly people, therefore, things like stairs represent a serious obstacle. Not to mention that going up the stairs can also be very painful.
That’s precisely why you should consider acquiring a stairlift. Namely, this is an excellent tool that can help them overcome any hurdles inside the household. Now, if you live in England, to be more precise, near or in Sheffield, then you should search for stairlifts for sale in Sheffield because for the time being, many online stores offer great discounts. So what are the biggest benefits of a stairlift?
First and foremost, they can help your parents get around the house without experiencing any pain and/or issues and without anybody’s help. Another thing that’s great about them is the fact that they are convenient and safe and can efficiently get older folks from one place to another.
Walk-In Bathtub
This can be of real help, especially for older people who cannot easily climb in and out of the bathtub. Now, before you purchase anything, think this through and consult with your parents first.
Why is that important? Well, it’s because you first have to get in the tub, shut the door and turn on the water. What if your parents are not too happy about standing and sitting in the buff waiting for you to fill the bathtub? After all, this is a huge investment, so you do not want to waste any money. That’s why it would be smart to ask them first before making any decisions.
What About In-House Monitoring?
This may not help your elderly parents move around, however, it may help you worry less about their safety. Namely, a majority of modern homes have become “smart”. What does it mean? It means that they contain things like fire alarms, carbon monoxide detection, burglar alarms, and much other useful stuff.
One of the things that you should definitely consider is in-home monitoring that was designed precisely for seniors. A lot of them come with sensors that are going to be put throughout the home so that you are able to keep track of their movements even if you’re not with them in person.
If you want to be extra safe, you could always consider hiring home care services. They provide a vital service for seniors, disabled adults, and others who require assistance with activities of daily living. These services can range from help with housekeeping and laundry to personal care such as bathing and dressing. In many cases, home care services also provide companionship, which can be invaluable for isolated individuals. As a result, families can rest assured that their loved ones will be well-cared for in their absence.
Place A Seat Near The Stairs
Climbing up the stairs can frequently be very exhausting, even for the younger people. You can imagine how difficult it is for older ones. They definitely need more rest to catch their breath, hence, it would be great if you could place a solid bench in all the places that require lots of activities.
A bench added near the staircase is a great idea because it allows your parents to have some rest when they are walking up the stairs. Another area where you should add a bench is the front porch.
Utilize Home Automation
This powerful tool provides older people with safety, convenience, and lots of hands-free control. It comes with a first-class thermostat that can instantly adjust to keep seniors warm and cozy, plus it comes with smart lights that can be easily programmed.
Taking care of our elderly parents can be very rewarding, however, as you can see, there are a lot of things that have to be done to make sure they are happy and safe. That’s why you should do everything you can to implement all these tips that were suggested.
