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Ideas For Safer And Comfortable Living For Seniors
January 18, 2020 | Life | By Amanda Johnson
When picking a home for a senior, there are certain factors you have to put into consideration. These factors include the fact that seniors lack strength and balance due to their age, increasing the possibility of them tripping and falling. This is why we have come up with a few ideas for a safer and comfortable living for seniors to avoid such accidents. Here are a few of them.
Avoid Tripping Hazard
When making arrangements for a home for seniors, be sure to avoid tripping hazards as falls can cause serious injuries and sometimes death. Be sure to remove rugs, cords and other items that can be tripped over from the floor. Create a large pathway that can be easier to navigate by moving and spreading furniture around.
Remove Stairs
Climbing stairs will be difficult for seniors to cope with due to joint pains and balance issues that can lead to accidents. It’s advisable to get a home without stairs for a senior or get rid of them when making changes to your home. Inclined walkways and stair lifts can be installed as alternatives to stairs.
Better And Sufficient Lighting
Seniors need a home that’s sufficiently lit up because their eyesight tends to deteriorate as they get older. Good and sufficient lighting will help them get around the house safely and avoid accidents like falling or tripping over objects. Bright lights should be put in every room, hallways, and even outdoors.
Get Appliances That Are Easy To Use
One very important detail to put into consideration when getting a safe and comfortable home for seniors is, getting home appliances that are easy to use. It gets difficult for seniors to use appliances as technology advances and their eyesight and cognitive functions decline. It’s important to get them easy-to-read appliances with programmed buttons and shutoffs. It’s also important to get appliances that can easily be used by someone with limited mobility ie a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer.
Easy On The Hands
Seniors who suffer from severe pain and arthritis find it difficult and often painful to turn doorknobs or turn on the lights. It is advisable to make adjustments like changing doorknobs and faucets to levers and change light switches to toggle switches which are easier on the hands and need less effort to operate.
The Kitchen
The kitchen isn’t excluded when seeking out a safer and comfortable living for seniors as it is a very important part of the home. It’s best they have softer flooring that will be gentle on the joints and make standing more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to get a sturdy stool to help them sit while working in the kitchen, at their age, it isn’t advisable to stand so much.
The Bathroom
Bathrooms can be quite difficult for seniors to navigate, it’s important to make some necessary adjustments. You could get a walk-in shower to avoid stepping over the tub to get in. Shower rails could also be installed to help with mobility and balance. Consider placing non-slip mats on the floor in the shower to prevent falls.
The Bedroom
The bedroom for a senior should have soft flooring such as push carpets to prevent falls and also help keep the room warmer. Having a sturdy chair close to their closet to help them sit while they sort their stuff out is also very important. This will help then be comfortable and not stand for long, and also prevent them from tripping over their clothing or shoes.
With all these great ideas seniors can have a safer and more comfortable living, giving them great relief, protection and also help them live more independently.
