For many elderly people, their top priority as they age is being able to stay at home, around their possessions and surroundings that are familiar to them. Whether they are living within their own home or moving in with you, it is important to know the best ways to help your elderly relative adapt and stay comfortable within their home for as long as possible.
● Install a Sleep Chair
Seniors spend a much greater time sedentary than younger people, often due to conditions that cause them pain, such as arthritis and back issues. Then, to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible while sitting and sleeping, you should consider investing in a sleep chair for them. The Perfect Sleep Chair can help your loved one to reside in comfort with its range of positions such as zero gravity, which allows your elderly relative to lie flat in order to sleep better and take the pressure away from the areas of the body that are causing them pain. Not only this, but sleep chairs are designed for older people with their lift position allowing older people to easily go from sitting to standing if they have reduced mobility.
● Think About the Stairs
One of the major issues for older people planning to stay in their own homes are the stairs. In order to combat stairs and difficult areas of the home, you should install grip rails around the home that can provide the support that older people need for balance when mobile. You should also consider installing a stairlift that can allow seniors to effortlessly get from upstairs to downstairs independently, allowing them to avoid moving to a bungalow or building without stairs within them,
● Adapt the Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the biggest danger zones for older people as they are often slippery, which can reduce the balance of your loved one. Then, you should think of ways of adapting the bathroom that can help your relative to stay comfortable, such as adding a waterproof seat in the shower that prevents elderly people from having to stand for extended periods of time. You should also make sure that the shower is frameless and has a slope rather than stairs, which may be harder to navigate. You should also add non-slip wax to the floors and use rubber bath mats that can stay sturdy and prevent trips and falls.
● Consider Entryways
When considering changes to the home, you can make your relative comfortable through widening entryways, ensuring that there are no barriers near entrances such as steps or frames. If your relative is in a wheelchair, you should also consider changing door hinges to accommodate this.
● Change the Kitchen
You can help your relative in the kitchen and make their life easier when cooking and using equipment through investing in app-connected, automatic or other kitchen aid devices that turn off after a certain amount of time or when utensils are removed from their surface. This can prevent fires and other dangers. You should also consider investing in other utensils such as wide-handled equipment, assistive jar openers, and trolleys to help your relative to cook without issues.