If you have loved ones or parents staying in your house, you want to make sure that your home will be safe for them. As your parents continue to age, it is appropriate to find ways to make their stay comfortable at all times. After all, you want them to live a happy and long life, that is why you should be willing to make some changes in your home to accommodate them. From installing several window controls to fixing your floors, there are many things that you can do to make your home a safe place for your elderly loved ones. Here are some tips that can help you out.
Secure your rugs
Older people can accidentally trip and suffer injuries. If you happen to have rugs in your living room or other parts of the home, you need to secure them to the floor by using double-sided tape. You can also rearrange your rugs in various contrasting colours so your parents can easily see them while walking around the area.
Make sure that your windows are user-friendly
Windows are essential to keep the home ventilated at all times. However, if elders are left alone inside the house, they should be able to open and close the windows without any difficulty. It would be advisable to install window openers so your parents can quickly close and open the windows depending on the weather conditions.
Try to keep your home as minimalistic as possible
Having a lot of stuff in your house can be a challenging scenario for older people. Some of them have mobility issues and might need to use assistive devices like canes, walkers and wheelchairs. You could let go of some of your furniture or appliances that you seldom use, so you can create more space inside the house.
Check the lighting inside your home
You should take time to inspect all the lights inside and outside your home for safety purposes. Most elders have difficulty when it comes to their vision, so they might get into an accident, especially during the night. It is better to take the necessary precautions by changing the light bulbs to something brighter, long-lasting and more energy efficient.
Modify the bathroom for safety purposes
A significant number of seniors experience accidents inside the bathroom like slipping, which can cause serious injuries such as sprains, dislocations or, worse, fractures. This is something that you do not want them to experience; install grab bars inside the bathroom, preferably inside the shower and by the toilet. Make sure that the grab bars are of good quality.
Lastly, your home needs to undergo a complete inspection for safety purposes. Part of the review should include checking on the gas pipes, electrical wiring, water heater and the HVAC system. Doing this will give you peace of mind and assurance that nothing untoward will happen to them while you are out of the house.