In some families, intergenerational living is a cherished tradition that unites family members under one roof to share lives, experiences, and bonds. Living with elderly relatives is more than a logistical arrangement, it signifies a deep familial relation and reflects respect for the elders. However, sharing a home with older family members necessitates certain modifications. Sometimes, help from professional caregivers who provide home care can be a dynamic that is introduced. These changes are not limited to family dynamics in the household but also extend to home renovations to ensure their overall safety, comfort, and well-being. 

If your grandparents are planning to move in with your family or you’ve noticed that your parents’ ages are quickly catching up to them, the time for elderly-friendly home upgrades may be upon you soon enough. Before that time even comes, it is crucial for you and your family to take the necessary steps in creating an adaptable and secure home environment for the elderly to smoothly adjust to these changes in living arrangements.

To do so, here are some home upgrades you can do to simplify the process of upgrading your home into a more accommodating place for the elderly:

Enhance Entry Accessibility

Entryways must be welcoming and accessible from the get-go as these are the first points of interaction with the home. If you have an elderly relative who uses a wheelchair, consider installing ramps to help them enter and exit the home more easily. You might also want to put up sturdy railings if you have a member of the household who may need assistance or support when going up and down stairs or ramps.

 This modification signals a warm, inclusive environment from the very threshold of the home. A secure and accessible entrance lays the foundation for a comfortable and dignified living experience, offering elderly relatives the independence and confidence to move freely at home.

Smoothen Out Floor Surfaces

Flooring requires meticulous attention when adapting homes for elderly living. Admittedly, it is one of the more drastic and costly home upgrades you can pursue, but it is necessary for the safety of elderly relatives as it ensures all floor surfaces are smooth and level to prevent accidents and falls. For added security and peace of mind, consider using slip-resistant flooring materials like rubber or vinyl for the flooring. Families can significantly reduce the risk of accidents by optimizing floor surfaces and providing a more secure environment that caters to the mobility needs of elderly relatives. This makes everyday living more comfortable, pleasant, and worry-free for these elderly family members and the rest of the people at home.

Revamp Bedroom Furniture

Some elderly folks may want to spend more time resting and relaxing in the privacy of their room. Hence, it is essential for their bedroom to be a space that gives them utmost comfort and peace. To ensure restful nights and leisurely days spent in their bedrooms, consider adding adaptable bedroom furniture such as adjustable beds, which you can typically find in buy and sell online marketplaces and even in stores. Incorporating an ergonomic, adjustable bed can provide the elderly with the flexibility to modify sleeping positions, thus improving their comfort and satisfying various health needs.

Illuminate Living Spaces

One simple upgrade that you can do to your home is to increase lighting in key areas of the house where elderly relatives may frequent. If your grandmother often uses the toilet down the hall of her room at night, consider increasing either the lumens value of lighting elements or the number of light fixtures in the hallway or in the bathroom to make it easier for her to navigate her surroundings. Moreover, ensure that switches are easy to spot and reach to reduce the risk of accidents. Try to incorporate user-friendly fixtures, such as rocker-style light switches, for increased ease of use and to be more considerate of the unique needs of your elderly family members.

Keep Pathways Unobstructed and Arrange Furniture Strategically

Another feasible home upgrade you can do is to create clear and wide pathways within the home. This makes navigation easier and more secure, especially for the elderly who use mobility aids and devices, while also fostering a living environment that is conducive to comfort and independence. In addition, consider strategically arranging the layout of your furniture to minimize obstructions and potential hazards. By organizing living spaces more efficiently, you enhance overall safety and accessibility for the elderly around the house.

Integrate Smart Home Technology

In today’s digital age, leveraging technology can significantly improve the quality of life for the elderly. In integrating smart home innovations into your house, such as voice-controlled lights and automatic door locks, you can provide unparalleled convenience and empower your elderly family members by offering them more control over their environment. In turn, this enhances their sense of autonomy and well-being.

These smart home technologies also enable them to adjust settings effortlessly to their liking, ensuring their comfort and aligning the living space with their needs and preferences. Such thoughtful incorporation of intelligent and safe appliances provides peace of mind to the entire family and allows the elderly in your household to enjoy their daily activities without compromising their safety or the safety of the home.

Prioritize Accessibility of Essentials

This is another quick and easy upgrade that can be achieved by simply installing shelves, hooks, and storage units at a comfortable height to ensure essential items are within easy reach of elderly family members. Such minor yet extremely helpful upgrades can eliminate unnecessary physical strain and enhance daily convenience for your loved ones. Implement pull-out shelves and drawers in kitchens and bathrooms to make accessing items more effortless and to reduce the need for them to stretch and bend their bodies. Moreover, try incorporating easy-to-use handles and knobs on doors and cabinets to further ease access to essentials, especially if they have limitations in hand dexterity. With these upgrades, families can ensure a smoother daily routine for their elderly relatives.

Turn Your House into a Safe and Accessible Home for Elderly Loved Ones

With the elderly population steadily increasing, addressing their needs in shared homes becomes all the more essential. These upgrades are significant enhancements that can safeguard their independence and well-being, reflecting your gratitude to your forebears who have shaped you. Upgrading your home into an elderly-friendly residence is also a manifestation of the love and respect you have for them. By updating your home, you can turn it into a safe and nurturing environment that caters to their needs and takes their overall well-being into consideration.

Published: 2023-10-12 21:26:44