What Can I Do to Make My Parents Home More Senior Friendly?

One of the struggles with aging parents is the balance between supporting their continued independence and the worry about keeping them safe. As you work with your parents to help them stay at home as long as possible, there are steps you can take to make their home more senior friendly. Falls can lead to serious injuries like broken hips. The best way to avoid this is to make your parent’s home more senior friendly. Here are five steps you can take.

Make Sure the Stairs Are Safe

As homes get older, the stairs may not be as safe. Check out the handrail that goes along the stairs. If there is not one, install it. Check your outside stairs as well as these may become unattached or weaker if the home settles or due to extreme weather conditions. Check the stairs to make sure they are not slippery. Carpet can become slippery and wooden or tile stairs can also become more slippery. Make sure there is a railing along the stairs to stop any sideways falls off them.

Clean Out the Clutter

Clutter can create many hazards including tripping hazards. Take the time to sort through any clutter that may accumulated and to change the furniture so that is easy to maneuver around. If your parents have begun to use a cane or walker, you will need to make sure they can use that throughout the house. While most houses will not have huge amounts of clutter, most people begin to collect clutter they do not really notice after living in a home for many years. Clearing this out can make moving a lot easier.

Add Adaptations

You can make daily tasks easier to complete by adding adaptations to your home. One example is adding a stair lift or a walk-in tub to the bathroom. Another is put a grab bar in the bathroom, like what you see in a handicap stall. This can help your parents keep their balance on slippery floors. Another option is to install a ramp if the stairs outside are becoming too difficult.

Set Up a Monitoring System

A monitoring system, like the ones at Safety Watch is a great way to have peace of mind while your parents are living at home. The system can alert you if they fall and contact an ambulance if there is an injury. This is essential if your mother or father is living alone.