3 Things You Need When Bringing Your Loved One Home To Age In Place
In recent weeks, the Forward Day team has been receiving a lot of phone calls from people concerned about their elderly family members who are currently in nursing homes. The entire world is collectively battling the coronavirus pandemic. With self-isolation so highly encouraged to prevent the spread of the virus, those who have seniors as parents are understandably worried about what life is like for Mom and Dad while they are in quarantine in their assisted living facilities.
Many people are opting to bring their elderly loved ones home. However, it should go without saying that such a transition isn’t an easy one. Yes, it helps to provide a place of safety and comfort for older adults who would otherwise not receive visits from their loved ones. But the new situation demands that some significant changes be made to the household.
Here are three things you need when bringing your loved one home to age in place:
A Safeguarded Kitchen
Between its various appliances and sharp utensils, the kitchen is an area of the home that presents many dangers to older adults. It’s wise to consider a number of modifications to make the kitchen safer for your elderly loved one. 2020Spaces.com recommends adjusting the height of the sink, making the sink shallower, installing a hands-free faucet, getting a pull-out pantry, having under-cabinet lighting and creating rounded edges for your countertops.
“When re-designing a kitchen for the elderly, you want to ensure ease of use and fluidity,” says the website, “You should not install cabinets that your client cannot reach, and you need to make sure all appliances are properly positioned so that your client doesn’t have to move around too much.”
Softer Flooring
Slips and falls continue to be among the biggest problems for seniors. The prospect of losing footing and taking a tumble is one that often has dire consequences. Because a major renovation isn’t likely to be possible in the immediate future, strongly consider investing in rubber mats to be placed atop your hardwood and tiled floors.
“Opt for soft and smooth surfaces, like cork, rubber, and linoleum,” advises Alexandra Kalita on ArchitecturalDigest.com, “These softer surfaces will be kinder to joints but won’t pose a trip hazard, like high-pile or excessively padded carpets can. Keep flooring smooth and level to the extent you can.”
A Safe Showering Option on the First Floor
For many seniors, climbing up and down the stairs is a cumbersome and even dangerous task. With most houses having showers and bathtubs on the top floors, it tends to make the bathing process more difficult than necessary. This is especially true for older adults contending with mobility issues. Furthermore, even bathrooms that are generally easy to access don’t always have facilities that are conducive to the needs of the elderly.
To remedy this issue, Forward Day offers the Shower Bay portable shower which can be snapped together in any room of the home where there is a faucet nearby. Instead of undertaking expensive, life-interrupting renovations, using Shower Bay will ensure your elderly loved one is able to take a full and thorough shower with running water. This eliminates the hassles of navigating through a potentially dangerous bathroom area.
Also Read: How To Respect The Privacy Of Your Elderly Loved One
For more information about Shower Bay, please don’t hesitate to contact Forward Day by calling 1-877-593-4461 or emailing info@showerbay.com.
