Making The Home Accessible
For many seniors, making a home accessible after they’ve suffered an accident or health issue is imperative yet difficult to do. There are many things to take into consideration, from making mobility easier to figuring out where any safety hazards are, and in some cases, it may be easier to move into a smaller home that better fits their needs. This will not only ensure that the home is accessible for all circumstances, it will save money as well.
Photo
via Pixabay by Hans
Many
seniors want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, and
this can be a huge boost for self-esteem and mental health, which
could also be a boon for physical
health.
In order to do this, however, it’s important to make some changes
that will ensure safety is a priority. This might include adding
small updates to the bathroom to prevent falls or installing lighting
that will make navigating the house easier.
Keep
reading for some great tips on how to make a home more accessible.
Add
lighting
Lighting
can make a huge difference for a senior at home, so it’s a good
idea to take a look at each
room to see where illumination could be added. Dim hallways, closets
and pantries, and stairwells are great places to start. Angie’s
List advises,
“Make sure hallways are lit with automatic night lights, which will
assist in navigating your home in the dark,” which is good advice
for any poorly-lit space. Solar-powered lighting can also be added to
the front walk, which will not only help guide the way to the front
door, but also act as an added security measure.
Plan
ahead for downsizing
Moving
into a smaller home is a great way to ensure safety after retirement
and can help a senior stick to a much easier budget, but it’s
important to do some planning well ahead of the move. For instance,
start going through belongings to get an idea of what you want to
take to the new house, and what you can donate or sell. Take photos
of the new place, if possible, so you’ll have a visual reference to
help figure out ahead of time where furniture will go. Many moving
companies charge by weight, so consider getting rid of heavier items
of furniture that may take up too much room at the new house anyway.
Add
safety features
Many
seniors suffer falls each year in their own homes, and the
bathroom
is one place where a lot of accidents occur simply because of slick
surfaces.
Ensure that the floor is covered with non-skid rubber mats and that
there is a similar mat in the tub. Add a grab bar and shower seat for
good measure. In the kitchen, add easy-to-read labels to everything,
and keep cleaning products well separated from food items.
Change
the door knobs
One
common obstacle for many seniors is being able to grasp and turn a
door knob, so it’s a good idea to change
them out
for easy-to-use handles or levers. This is a wonderful way to give a
senior their independence without sacrificing their health or causing
frustration or injury, and it’s fairly inexpensive as well.
Making
a home safe and more accessible for a senior doesn’t have to be a
stressful endeavor. With a good plan, you can ensure that
post-retirement is a happy, stress-free time, not to mention one
that’s free of accidents and injuries. Do some research on the
easiest ways to make a home accessible and start small, especially if
you’re on a budget
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