5 ways to upgrade your home for your elderly parents

5 ways to upgrade your home for your elderly parents

If you think back to your childhood days, when your parents were young and full of life, it may be hard to see them now with their issues brought on by age. As your parents have aged, their bodies have started slowing down, and they may begin to struggle with simple activities.

Limited mobility is one of the most common issues elderly parents will face as they age. Therefore, there are some changes that you’ll need to make to your home to accommodate them and help them to maintain some independence.

If your mother and father are moving in with you soon, here are 5 ways to upgrade your home for your elderly parents to make their lives easier and more pleasant.

Replace slippery flooring

One of the number one fears for all children with senior parents is them falling over and hurting themselves. Older people and seniors are more fragile, and their older bones don’t withstand the bumps and falls like they once did.

Fall prevention is one of the most vital parts of upgrading your home for your older parents. Remove flooring that could pose a tripping or slipping hazard, such as hardwood flooring or polished tiles.

Instead, have a beautiful, warm, low-pile carpet installed in a neutral pattern that won’t mess with their vision. Lastly, make sure that all of your rugs are secure with non-slip pads or grip tape – that will minimise their fall risk.

Upgrade the bath

The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous places for seniors. Adjust your existing bath or install a completely new one to ensure they can bathe safely. For around $450, you can convert an existing bath into a walk-in tub – those are far more senior-safe.

That bath upgrade will make the walls of your current tub higher and easier to step into. That simple addition will give your parents the security that they need to bathe independently.

For your peace of mind and theirs, make sure that you only use bath kits that are compliant with current health & safety guidance.

Add continuous handrails

Two-thirds of all senior accidents are related to mobility issues and include falls. Falls are the fifth-leading cause of death amongst the elderly, so the importance of a continuous handrail system cannot be overstated.

One of the simplest ways to increase home safety for seniors is to install handrails and grab bars. Staircases, bathrooms, hallways and kitchens can benefit from the addition of a continuous handrail to help keep your parents stable and secure as they move around their new home.

Add a shower bench

A shower bench is a great way to reduce the risk of your elderly parents slipping in the shower. That addition will also give your parents somewhere to sit in case they’re affected by a dizzy spell, which is a common experience for senior citizens.

Most shower benches stand on their own inside the shower, but you can also get a transfer bench to add extra security as they enter and exit. Ensure that you buy a shower bench that can withstand much more than the weight of each of your parents – you don’t want to risk the bench breaking with them sitting on it.

You need to understand that older people don’t necessarily have the strength to perch on a chair or bench – instead, they put their entire weight on, and it simply must hold them securely.

Light stairways

If there’s no way for your elderly parents to avoid using the stairs, and you can’t afford a chair lift – you need to ensure that their journey up and down the stairs is always a safe and comfortable one.

Provide adequate lighting on all staircases by adding lights under or next to each stair or installing a lighted handrail. Stair lights are simple and affordable to install, and they won’t increase your electricity bill.

A pack of 12 to 15 lights will cost less than $25, and they’re easy enough to mount to the wall along your staircases.

To end

It should be an honour and a privilege to take care of your parents as they live out their golden years with you and your family. Be patient with them as they learn to navigate their new home, and ensure that you’ve done everything possible to make their transition as smooth and safe as possible.

Your parents looked after you when you were little and now is your chance to return the favour. It will be an adjustment for you all at first, but you’ll be so grateful to have had the extra time with them when the day comes when they’re gone.

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