Aging in place is a topic that is often at the forefront of many seniors’ minds, but it can be a complicated concept. For caregivers who want to keep their loved ones safe, it’s important to explore the various options for making a home comfortable and secure. Whether you’re on a budget or just want to make sure your loved one has everything they need to remain in their home for as long as possible, there are lots of different things to consider. When your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you want to ensure that their physical safety is ensured while helping them remain as independent as possible.
Often, making changes to the home becomes overwhelming, both for the caregiver and for the senior. Big alterations at home can lead to confusion for seniors who are living with a cognitive disease, so it’s important to start small and to keep communication open the entire time. Make sure your loved one has input when it comes to the changes happening around them since this is one of the best ways to prevent accidents.
Here are a few things to consider when making changes to your loved one’s home.
Get Knowledgeable About Hiring a Contractor
When it’s time to make changes to your loved one’s home, you’ll want to ensure they’re done correctly from the very beginning. This might involve hiring a contractor, especially for big jobs such as widening doorways to allow for equipment, adding ramps, or lowering countertops. The key to making a professional relationship with a contractor work is to make sure you keep communication open during the process and state clearly what you need from the start and how much you’re willing to pay. In St. Augustine, hiring a residential contractor will generally cost you between $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the size of the job.
Reduce the Risk of Falls
Falls are one of the biggest sources of injury to seniors at home, so it’s imperative to make sure your loved one is safe from the risk of trip hazards or slippery floors. Clutter, throw rugs, and slick tile are all common causes of falls for older adults, and these areas are great places to start when it’s time to make the home safer. Adding grab bars (inexpensive grab bars can be found for around $13) in the bathroom and non-slip rubber mats to tile or hardwood floors will reduce the risk of falls greatly for your loved one.
Help Your Loved One Make Lifestyle Changes
There are many things seniors can do to help make safety a priority, and lifestyle changes are one of them. From exercising daily to maintain good balance and stability to eating a diet that helps reduce everything from inflammation to stress, a healthy lifestyle can be hugely beneficial for older adults. Help your loved one stay active, and look for ways they can make their health a priority every day. Preventative measures are often the best way to stay on top of wellness.
Don’t Forget About Mental Health
Your senior loved one’s mental health is just as important as their physical health, so it’s a good idea to make sure their home reflects that. This might mean painting the walls relaxing colors, making sure they have plenty of their favorite mementos in plain view or giving them opportunities to keep their brain active and healthy with puzzles and games.
Aging in place is usually very important to seniors, as they want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Making this process as easy as you can might take a little time, but with a good plan and some open communication, you can help your loved one stay safe for years to come.
