How to Make Seniors Comfortable at Home
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
Most of us know, home is a place of comfort.
Think about how much you long to be in your familiar space and cozy environment after a long day at work.
When our senior loved ones begin to think about their end-of-life chapters, aging at home seems like the right amount of comfort care. However, it can be uncomfortable, too.
The same home your elderly parent knew in their younger adult years may not be suitable for their current needs.
If you and your aging parent are at the stage of considering in-home care, then you’ll want to learn a few tips about making mom or dad’s space more comfortable.
Safety first. Fall prevention is the number one focus. Install grab bars and slip-proof rugs to start. Then look into kitchen safety, ensuring a fire extinguisher is updated and easily accessible. Keep filters clean. Add lights to dark places. Replace old wiring or broken furniture. Do what you can to make the home a safe place. If you need to add ramps to replace stairs, consider doing so. Otherwise, you can have a senior-free zone if the flight is too far up. A few steps isn’t terrible trouble so long as you have a caregiver or two to support your senior loved one up.
Keep them moving. Exercising 30 minutes each day helps our bodies build muscles. The opposite of building? Atrophy. You see, when our seniors don’t move their bodies, they lose muscle. It doesn’t just stay stagnant, no, they actually lose tissue. When we lose muscle we lose bone mass, too. When we build muscle, we build bone mass. Keep them exercising to keep them sturdy and upright, preventing injuries and falls.
Visit often. This one is for you. If you’re aging parent is aging at home, then you will want to make sure you check up on them often. If you can’t make it every day, consider a professional in-home caregiver to fill in the gaps and provide one-on-one care.
Plan for the future. For many seniors, health conditions do worsen over time. Right now they may be comfortable, but that can change as years go by. Plan ahead and start preparing their home for the ultimate safety and comfort.
Aging in place is a wonderful option for seniors who are able to live in that way.
Comfort is truly a gift as we age, and homecare is the way to go. It’ll take some effort on your part, but making your senior’s home a place of safety and comfort will support their needs and life’s wishes.
Do what you can now and plan ahead for the future.
For more tips on making your senior loved one’s home a place of safety and comfort, contact us.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about keeping the elderly happy at home and should not be construed as medical advice.
