How to Make a Home Safer for Mom or Dad as They Age
The great majority of senior citizens would prefer to spend their golden years at home, rather than being moved to some sort of assisted-living facility. In some cases that might not be possible, particularly if they are suffering from cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease. However, if they aren’t struggling with those sorts of issues, then aging in place might be a great solution for everyone involved, even if they are living alone.
That might not seem feasible if you are constantly worried about accidents or observe that your aging parent isn’t as physically or mentally capable as they used to be. What you might be overlooking, though, is that the choice isn’t always between keeping them in their home as it is now or moving them elsewhere. You can sometimes make everyone happy – and keep your senior citizen safe – with a few smart changes and upgrades.
What might that look like in the real world? Here are some steps you might want to consider…
Reduce the Risk of Accidents
The simplest and most important step you can take is simply making the home more accessible for your elder. Consider installing extra lights, cameras, non-slip surfaces, and senior-friendly appliances =. These greatly reduced the risk that you parent would slip and fall, accidentally start a fire, or let a stranger into the house. The upgrades don’t cost that much, and they make it easier for you loved one to stay safe.
Purchase a Medical Alert Device
In the event that mom or dad does have an accident (which may eventually happen), you want them to be able to call for help without reaching the phone. This is especially true if you don’t live close enough to check on them regularly. In those situations a medical alert bracelet can give you peace of mind. You will always know your parent can get an ambulance to come to the house within just a few minutes if needed in an emergency situation.
Get Your Parent Some Help
Having a senior citizen live at home doesn’t mean they had to do all the cooking, cleaning, and household chores by herself. By arranging for outside services, automating bill payments, and programming some takeout options into her phone, you can make their life a lot simpler. All these services together may still be cheaper than a nursing home while helping you parent to preserve their independence.
Make Sure Your Elder Isn’t Isolated
To keep your from being shut off from the world, talk with neighbors and relatives who could look in on my mother a little more frequently. Consider working with a volunteer from an agency who would come by for a few hours a week. These regular visits and points of contact make all the difference when it came to a senior’s quality of life. Don’t overlook the value of those little social interactions.
Want to Know More?
Of course, these are just a few of the issues that factor into a decision to help my an again parent stay at home alone. For more detail on these points (and dozens of others) ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY.
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