How to Make Your Home Senior Friendly
As people age, daily activities can become increasingly difficult and even the most familiar places can bring about stress or injury. If you have seniors living with you or often have elderly guests over, one of the safest and most thoughtful things you can do is to make your home senior-friendly.
Here is a simple checklist for making your home a place that’s comfortable and injury-free for your elderly visitors. And don’t worry, nothing on this list requires a costly renovation – just a few simple things you can do around the house to make it senior-friendly!
General Tips
- Keep a clean and tidy house. Having a home with less clutter reduces the chance that someone will step or trip over items. Furthermore, many find clutter stressful so try to keep your house clean and tidy to encourage a warm and welcoming environment.
- Ensure that each room has adequate lighting. Place nightlights close to stairs and in hallways so they’re visible in the dark.
- Have a telephone available in all the common rooms so that your senior visitors can easily make phone calls in case of an emergency.
- Ensure that all staircases have handrails that can be used for support.
- Install motion sensor lights by the front and back doors so visitors can easily make their way to and from your house at night.
- Always have non-slip slippers available for guests and encourage elder visitors to use them instead of walking around in socks.
- Avoids slips and falls by including non-slip mats inside and outside the bath or shower.
- Include handheld showerheads for bathing, as they are easier to use than traditional showerheads.
- Install “grab bars” near toilets and bathtubs for added support when sitting down or getting in/out of the shower.
- Consider adding a toilet seat raiser, which makes it easier for elders to sit down.
- Replace twist knobs on sinks with faucets – this will make it easier for people who have arthritis or general discomfort in their wrists and hands.
- Make it easier for elders to reach plates, cups, and food by placing them on lower shelves.
Most importantly, ask your senior visitors if they’re experiencing any difficulties while at your home and how you can make it easier for them. An open dialogue is the best way to ensure that your friends, family, and guests are comfortable and safe in your house.
Do you have any more tips on how to make your home senior-friendly? Let us know in the comments!
Choosing the right Senior Care and Home Healthcare agency in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington areas can be an uphill task. We are happy to discuss the needs of your family and come up with a custom plan to help you succeed.
President of iCare Home Health Services, a community based, boutique home health care company dedicated to serving the needs of our customers to maintain their quality of life and dignity while they recover from illness or age at the comfort of their own home.