The unfortunate truth is that most homes weren’t made with seniors in mind. As we begin to get older, things that we never considered to be hazards in our home can become more threatening. Something as simple as a beautiful carpet or a set of stairs could quickly become a problem in your home if you have a senior living with you.
Photo, Madalyn Cox.
The good news? Just because your property might not be ideally suited to seniors right now, doesn’t mean that it can’t change. Today, we’re going to explore some of the quickest and most convenient ways to make your property more secure for seniors, without compromising on style.
Change the Flooring: One of the simplest ways to make a home better suited to senior life, is to change the flooring. If you have a lot of slippery laminate flooring in your home, then it might be worth switching this up with something less likely to cause slips and falls. Low pile carpet is a good choice to avoid tripping seniors as they walk. Laminate with a matt finish may also be less slippery in some cases.
If there are rugs around the home, then you may need to look into accessories that will help to keep them securely stuck to the floor underneath to avoid slips and trips. You could also think about adding more slip-resistant flooring in your bathroom and kitchen too.
Install a Lift or Elevator: Installing a lift in your home might not have been an option for many of us a few years ago. However, as technology has evolved, it’s becoming increasingly affordable for people from all backgrounds to invest in their own elevator. Take a look at these domestic lifts from the UK and you’ll see that a modern home instalment can be both affordable, and stylish. Not only do these products help to reduce the risks of trips and falls when seniors are walking up and downstairs, but they can make your life a lot easier in other ways too. Just think about how much easier it will be to carry laundry around the home if you don’t have to navigate the stairs.
Photo, Swabdesign.
Update the Bathroom: Although there are various areas within the modern home that can become problematic for people as they get a little older, there are few rooms more worrisome than the bathroom. The bathroom is filled with opportunities for accidents in the form of slippery surfaces and difficult to use bath tubs. Consider updating this room with things like hand rails to keep your senior relative safe and stable. You could install motion activated lights for night time trips to the toilet.
Another option could be to consider replacing a bath with a walk-in shower that has its own bench where your senior loved one can rest as they wash. If you want to maintain your tub in the bathroom, then you could consider getting a seat that will automatically lower your elderly loved one into the tub and help them get back out again when they’re done washing. Making the home safer for seniors doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems.
