Overcoming Three Of The Biggest Challenges To Aging In Place
No one likes giving up the lifestyle that they have come to enjoy. That's especially true for seniors as they grow older.
There a lot of products available for seniors that allow them to maintain that freedom that they have come to enjoy. There may be solutions that are right for your loved ones that can allow them to remain in their homes instead of moving into assisted living or a nursing home.
Here are three solutions for overcoming the biggest challenges to aging in place:
Home Access
While there is a great push to make public businesses more wheel chair accessible, most homes are not built with that in mind. If your loved one needs a wheelchair, consider a ramp in the front of the home to ensure access. You will also want to make sure that the front doorway is wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair. Typically that means a doorway of about 36 inches. You may also want to install a high and low peep hole, and make sure that the doorbell is at an accessible level.
There are some things that can make home access easier for people who are not in a wheel chair, but may have limited mobility. Non-slip flooring near the doorways can help. Keyless door locks operated by remote control or keypad may also help.
If there are way too many stairs to make a simple ramp feasible, then a customized ramp can easily be built to allow the disabled person to ascend a height of roughly 5 or 6 stairs. More stairs than that mean it's time for a vertical platform lift or porch lift.
If there are railings on the steps, you can also consider a stair lift. There are many available that are specially made for the outdoors.
Up And Down Interior Stairs
Sturdy handrails will help someone with limited ability, who still has the ability to walk. Contrast strips on the stairs can help increase visibility, making them easier to navigate by foot.
If someone has no mobility, or is in a chair, there are still options for a multi-story home. For instance, a stair lift can make multiple levels of the home accessible. There are relatively inexpensive options that do not require modifications to your home. These stair lifts are an easy way to allow seniors that additional access to different levels within their home.
A convenient but more costly solution would be to install a home elevator system. These can involve some modifications to your home, but provide a quick and convenient way for someone in a wheelchair to access multiple floors within the home.
Safety Within The Bathroom
The bathroom can be one of the most challenging rooms in the home for someone with limited to no mobility. The easiest, but probably the most costly solution, is to remodel the bathroom. A shower that is level with the main floor of the room is the most convenient for someone in a chair, or with limited mobility. There are also walk-in tubs that require little effort to get inside and take a bath.
If the person still has some mobility, grab bars near the tub or shower may help them keep their balance. Safety rails can also be placed along the wall near the toilet, making sure that they can keep their balance. The safety rails can also help the person move from a sitting to standing position and vice versa.
Conclusion
It can be difficult when friends and loved ones start to lose their mobility. It is important to make sure that they are prepared, and that their home is a safe place for them to be. Making some of these changes can help.
There a lot of products available for seniors that allow them to maintain that freedom that they have come to enjoy. There may be solutions that are right for your loved ones that can allow them to remain in their homes instead of moving into assisted living or a nursing home.
Here are three solutions for overcoming the biggest challenges to aging in place:
Home Access
While there is a great push to make public businesses more wheel chair accessible, most homes are not built with that in mind. If your loved one needs a wheelchair, consider a ramp in the front of the home to ensure access. You will also want to make sure that the front doorway is wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair. Typically that means a doorway of about 36 inches. You may also want to install a high and low peep hole, and make sure that the doorbell is at an accessible level.
There are some things that can make home access easier for people who are not in a wheel chair, but may have limited mobility. Non-slip flooring near the doorways can help. Keyless door locks operated by remote control or keypad may also help.
If there are way too many stairs to make a simple ramp feasible, then a customized ramp can easily be built to allow the disabled person to ascend a height of roughly 5 or 6 stairs. More stairs than that mean it's time for a vertical platform lift or porch lift.
If there are railings on the steps, you can also consider a stair lift. There are many available that are specially made for the outdoors.
Up And Down Interior Stairs
Sturdy handrails will help someone with limited ability, who still has the ability to walk. Contrast strips on the stairs can help increase visibility, making them easier to navigate by foot.
If someone has no mobility, or is in a chair, there are still options for a multi-story home. For instance, a stair lift can make multiple levels of the home accessible. There are relatively inexpensive options that do not require modifications to your home. These stair lifts are an easy way to allow seniors that additional access to different levels within their home.
A convenient but more costly solution would be to install a home elevator system. These can involve some modifications to your home, but provide a quick and convenient way for someone in a wheelchair to access multiple floors within the home.
Safety Within The Bathroom
The bathroom can be one of the most challenging rooms in the home for someone with limited to no mobility. The easiest, but probably the most costly solution, is to remodel the bathroom. A shower that is level with the main floor of the room is the most convenient for someone in a chair, or with limited mobility. There are also walk-in tubs that require little effort to get inside and take a bath.
If the person still has some mobility, grab bars near the tub or shower may help them keep their balance. Safety rails can also be placed along the wall near the toilet, making sure that they can keep their balance. The safety rails can also help the person move from a sitting to standing position and vice versa.
Conclusion
It can be difficult when friends and loved ones start to lose their mobility. It is important to make sure that they are prepared, and that their home is a safe place for them to be. Making some of these changes can help.
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