Your parents’ needs have likely changed as they have grown older. While they may still want to live in a beautiful home, it might be time to prioritize comfort, safety, and practicality. This protects your loved ones’ independence and dignity, helping them live happily at home for many years to come.
If your mom and dad are struggling to live safely at home, or you’re eager to improve their comfort and quality of life, read this mini guide to enhancing your elderly parents’ home.
Install Residential Elevators
Residential elevators are more than a luxury addition to a multi-story property, as they improve comfort, safety, and accessibility at home. They prevent the need to climb stairs, making it easier to move from floor to floor and taking pressure off their joints.
Various options are available to suit various needs, capacities, and budgets, and you can choose from eco-friendly options that use less power. It provides peace of mind that your parents can easily move between floors.
Welcome Natural Light
Many people underestimate the importance of natural light in a senior’s home. However, it’s essential to welcome as much sunlight as possible into the property, as older adults typically spend more time indoors.
As early exposure to daylight supports a senior’s circadian rhythm, it’s important they absorb light as soon as they wake up, as it helps regulate their sleep-wake cycle. As a result, your parents are more likely to enjoy a good night’s sleep, which supports healthy aging.
Replace Their Hardware
If one or both of your parents have hand weakness or arthritis, you should replace their door hardware across the home. Otherwise, they might struggle to turn doorknobs, leaving them locked inside a room. Instead, replace the hardware with lever-style handles that are often much easier to use.
Also, swap twisting faucets for a single-lever faucet to improve accessibility in their kitchen. To create a more high-end feel, opt for a touchless motion-activated faucet to improve their comfort and provide a touch of luxury.
Apply Non-Slip Surfaces
It’s natural to worry about an older parent stepping out of the shower or into the bath. Prevent the worst from happening by applying non-slip surfaces to their tub or shower enclosure. For instance, you could lay down a non-slip rubber mat or adhesive strips to protect their safety during bathing.
Grab bars will improve your parents’ safety and confidence when using the bathroom, too. Ensure they feel supported by installing the bars next to a bathtub, inside a shower enclosure, or flanking the toilet.
Also Read: Creating Ambience with Modern Lighting Design
Add Supportive and Comfortable Seating
If your parents are struggling to stand up from a deep sofa or armchair, you may need to replace the furniture with more comfortable, supportive seating. Reduce pressure on their knees and hips by choosing sofas and chairs approximately 18 inches from the floor.
If they love to sit in an armchair, a modern lift recliner is a great addition to an older adult’s home. It provides improved ergonomic support, and you can choose from various designs to complement their taste and interior, such as a soft fabric or a premium leather style.
