As people get older, there will eventually come a time when a decision must be made as to whether or not they will stay at home and live independently or move in with a family member, an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or other health care facility. Ultimately, there will be many factors that play into this decision, such as the functional capabilities and overall health of the senior citizen. If your loved one is capable of living independently, it is important that you take the steps in ensuring that their home is safe for them to live in alone. Here are a few things that you can do to improve the safety of your elderly loved one's home and to help them maintain their independence:
Adequate Lighting
Each room throughout the home, especially the most frequented rooms, needs to be well lit. This ensures that your loved one can easily navigate the home. Light switches need to be easy to reach and nightlights should be added to hallways, stairways, bathrooms, the kitchen, and your loved room's bedroom.
Handrails on the Staircase
If your loved one lives in a two-story home, it is crucial that there is a handrail on the staircase. Not only should a handrail be present, but it needs to be sturdy. Your elderly loved one may experience balance issues and a handrail can help them maintain their balance. Plus, it simply makes it easier for them to get around. It may also be a good idea to consider the installation of a stair lift to help the transition from the first floor to the second floor and vice versa.
Handrail and Bathmat in the Shower
A handrail also should be installed in the shower. This will help your elderly loved one maintain their balance as they are taking a shower, or to help them get up from taking a bath. It will also assist them as they are entering and exiting the bathtub. It is also a good idea to have a bathmat in the tub in order to prevent unnecessary slip and falls.
Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Last, but not least, it is important that you ensure that your elderly loved one's home has properly working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the proper locations throughout the home. Since they may become forgetful with their increasing age and may forget to change the batteries on a yearly basis, it may be wise to add this task to your own calendar and do it for them.
When things become too much and caring for themselves on a regular basis is no longer an option, you may want to consider in-home health services before you take your elderly loved one outside of their home. For more information, contact establishments like Wellspring Meadows Assisted Living.
Share24 July 2017
My husband and I recently moved his mother to an assisted living facility. My name is Audrey Martin, and I am going to share our experience with you. My mother-in-law is eighty-two years old. She has been living on her own for twelve years since her husband passed away. My husband, David, is her only child. That left us in charge of making this decision for her since she has declined to the point of not being able to make sound decisions on her own. I’m not going to tell you that it’s been easy, but I will say that it can be done. I hope that what I’m about to share proves to be helpful to you should the time come that you are the one moving a loved one to an assisted living facility. Thanks for stopping by!