Are you looking to make your home more safe and comfortable for an aging loved one? Or are you helping “remodel” their home to be more accessible?
There are plenty of steps that you can take in order to make a living space safer for elderly individuals. These recommendations don’t require expensive construction costs (some are free!), and can make all the difference in everyday life for you or a loved one.
Read on for our top tips on creating a home perfect for “aging in place”.
1. Clear Clutter and Obstructions
This is one of the most important steps to keeping your home accessible. Best of all, it’s completely free of cost! Clean up your home to reduce the risk of falls and make it easier to navigate. Remove piles of clothing on the floor, re-organize furniture to create clear walkways, and sort cluttered cables.
Not only will this reduce tripping risk, but a clean home provides a sense of mental calmness. This can decrease anxiety and make it easier for a loved one to independently navigate your home.
2.Install Grab Bars
Grab bars are one of the most affordable, simple ways to lend an extra “helping hand” around your home. These inexpensive bars can be installed anywhere in your home: hallways, entrances, by the toilet, bedside, and so much more.
You can choose to install them horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs.
Horizontal Grab Bars: Loved ones can use bars to lean on and rest, helping them indepedently navigate your home.
Vertical Grab Bars: Vertical grab bars are useful when individuals need to lift themselves upwards, such as when getting up from the toilet.
3. Don’t Forget About Lighting!
As we age, our vision begins to deteriorate. This makes it much more difficult to safely walk at night or through dimly-lit spaces. Take a walk through your home during the day and night– are there any nightlights you can install? Any dark hallways or stairwells that need lighting? What about a motion-activated light for the pantry?
We also recommend switching out existing lights for brighter bulbs, as well are making sure to take advantage of natural light from windows.
4.Consider a Lift Chair
Lift chairs can be a game-changer for those who love their favorite living room recliner. There’s nothing better than sinking into a plush chair at the end of a long day, but getting in and out of it can be a challenge! Lift chairs look like everyday recliners, but include a motor that gently lifts and tilts the chair with the press of a button. This makes it easy for users to transition from a seated to standing position (and vice versa) without any stress on their joints. Lift chairs also include a variety of positioning options, allowing you to adjust the footrest, headrest, and back of the chair to your personal preference.
Lift chairs have several benefits, including:
- Helping improve independence
- Reducing the risk of falls
- Enhancing overall comfort
These chairs can be particularly beneficial to those with arthritis, mobility impairments, or chronic pain. Best of all, they often come packed with plenty of extra features. You can purchase a lift chair with a built-in USB charger, heating pad, massage, and more.
VivaLift!® Radiance Lift Recliner
Looking for a sleek, modern lift chair that’s loaded with features? This staff favorite lift chair offers infinite positioning options, allowing you to find your ideal comfort level while conveniently charging your phone with the USB charging port. Feeling stressed after a long day? Use the advanced heating system to melt away all muscle tension. This lift chair is a perfect fit for patients of all sizes, and can safely support up to 400lbs without strain.
5. Make Your Entrance Accessible
Making your home accessible isn’t limited to just the indoors! Make sure that your loved one can easily transition in and out of your home. Many homes have a set of steps leading up to the doorway, which can be challenging for those who use a scooter, wheelchair, or struggle with inclines.
Consider installing a wheelchair ramp leading up to your doorway. Wheelchair ramps come in a variety of models– from small portable ramps to customizable modular sets– making it easy to find the ideal ramp for your home. These ramps don’t require expensive construction costs, and can be disassembled and moved as needed.
EasyAssist Solid Modular Residential Ramp
Introducing the EasyAssist Aluminum Access Modular Ramp– an innovative solution to enhance home accessibility. Built in the USA to meet rigorous safety standards, the ramp can be assembled in minutes but last for years to come. It supports an impressive 750lb weight capacity, perfect for most users and mobility devices. The ramp comes in a variety of sizes and can be customized to your home entrance. Made from durable anti-rust aluminum, it’s made for even the toughest of weather conditions.
6.Switch to a Long Term Care Bed
For those who require ongoing care, switching to a long-term care bed can make a huge difference in accessibility and comfort. These beds are designed to meet the unique needs of seniors. They often feature adjustable heights, built-in safety rails, pressure-relieving mattresses, motors that can adjust positioning with a hand control remote, and so much more.
Home hospital beds can dramatically increase everyday comfort, improve sleep quality, and encourage positive health outcomes.
Alterra Maxx LT Hi-Lo Hospital Bed
When it comes to hospital bed design, it’s all about prioritizing the comfort of both patient and caregiver. Caregivers can easily adjust the bed’s width and length without tools, creating a perfect fit for each patient. Using a 5-function hand pendant, you can raise/lower the bed platform and select from a range of pre-programmed position options. This ultra-sturdy bed can safely support up to 600lbs without strain, and even comes with a 5-year electronic warranty for peace of mind.
With these tips in mind, you can make any home a safe, accessible place to age in place gracefully.
Have questions about what mobility products would be best for you? We encourage you to reach out to our team of experts here at Med Mart at any time. With decades of experience helping families navigate accessibility concerns, we’d be happy to help!