As we age, there are more considerations to think about when it comes to our homes. The risk of falling and causing serious injury is one of the top things causing people to no longer live in their homes—something most of us want to avoid. Addressing these concerns with some key senior home remodeling projects can help your loved one remain in their home for as long as possible.
Home Safety for Seniors
Home modifications for elderly people mainly deal with preventing falls at home. Here are five senior home remodeling ideas to think about:
- Consider a stair lift. Installing a stair lift is an economical and adaptable way to increase mobility in a multi-story home. When climbing stairs becomes a safety issue, a stair lift can extend a person’s years of independence. A key benefit here is that no major remodeling is needed—most stair lifts can be installed in one day. Stair lifts can be installed on curved or even spiral stairs.
- Install handrails. Handrails can help with mobility and safety not just on stairs, but also on long hallways.
- Install outdoor stair lifts or chair lifts outside. Chair lifts or stair lifts are an alternative to building outdoor ramps and can save on the space and construction needed for a ramp. Of course, creating wider pathways and clearing shrubbery will also help with both safety and security. There are many outdoor models for stairway chair lifts to choose from, and units are designed to be protected from various weather conditions.
- Install motion sensor lights or motion detecting lights. This addresses safety, mobility and convenience at the same time. Installed outside the front door, back door, garage door and driveway, these lights can reduce falls while someone is trying to navigate in the dark. An entryway can be notoriously dark and dangerous when not well lit. If motion sensor lights are installed inside of dark stairwells, or even hallways, it makes mobility easier, especially when carrying items like heavy groceries.
- Invest in elder proofing a bathroom. Shower bars are not the only way to make baths and showers safer from falls and slips. A smaller investment is to place non-slip flooring or bathmats in the shower and on the bathroom floor. People looking to do a larger remodel can find a wide array of convenient shower tub installs, including walk-in showers and tubs, single-handled faucets that make gripping a cinch, and seating areas in the shower stall.
Home assessments are available from many contractors. Once you’ve got that assessment list, you can begin the task of obtaining work estimates. Many of these renovations are budget-friendly and take no time at all. Whether you’re helping with elderly parents at home, or assisting them with staying in their own home, senior home remodeling can provide security, safety and convenience without the loss of independence.
Contact FirstLight Home Care
Whether you or a loved one needs in-home senior care, respite care or additional senior home remodeling direction, contact us today, and we’ll put you in touch with a FirstLight Home Care agency in your area.
