If you have taken on the responsibility of caring for an elderly relative and have chosen to move them into your home, it’s important that you make some adjustments before they move in to ensure that they can be happy and comfortable in their new surroundings. Figuring out which steps you should take can be a little tricky, as it’s a situation that you might not have encountered in the past. Luckily, there are several great tips and tricks that can help you to get your home ready for the arrival of an elderly relative in no time at all, and they can help to alleviate some of the pressure whilst giving you ultimate peace of mind!
Prepare Their Bedroom
One of the first rooms you must prepare is their soon-to-be bedroom, as this is likely where they will be spending a lot of their time. Generally, the more effort that you are willing to put in, the better the end product will be, and your elderly relative will really appreciate your hard work. It doesn’t take much to change a room to suit an older person, bust start with the basics – if they struggle to stand on their own, they may need a reclining bed that can tilt up to give them the help they need. Think about their health and condition to establish whether you need to make any extra adjustments, and make the space as inviting and homely as you possibly can with interior design features and soft furnishings.
Aiding Mobility
If your elderly relative has some trouble with their mobility, it’s important that you are able to accommodate this so that they do not feel trapped in one location. There are a range of stairlifts available on the market that can help them to get from floor to floor in your home without needing any assistance, as well as railing and bannister options that they can use for extra support. If they use a wheelchair, ensure that there is enough space for them to navigate around your home by creating pathways that allow them to get to each room without encountering any obstacles.
Bathroom Additions
There are several additions to your bathroom which can really help to make your elderly relatives independent life a lot easier, and they are often very cheap and easy to install. One of the most useful features is a plastic foldaway seat installed beneath the shower, that they can use to avoid having to stand up for long periods of time. Another beneficial addition is some grab bars beside the toilet, so that they can hold onto the rails for extra support to get up without needing any assistance.
Getting your home ready for the arrival of an elderly relative couldn’t be simpler with thest innovative ideas. Start by creating a comfortable bedroom, and assess the functionality of your home in terms of their mobility. Finally, add some useful features to your bathroom that can help them to keep their independence to ensure they are as happy as can be in their new environment.