Most of us start life depending on our parents to take care of us. But as they age, chances are the roles will reverse.
And, whether you provide additional help in their own homes – or move aging parents into your home – how do you prepare to meet the new needs of aging adults?
Luckily many simple, quick, affordable – and even stylish and savvy – updates can make homes safer and more enjoyable for you, your family and your parents.
De-clutter
Both kids and older adults have reduced reflexes and balance. Spruce up the look of your home – and avoid tripping hazards – by removing clutter and items you no longer use (especially obstacles in walkways).
Safe, spaaahh shower
Showers can be an enjoyable and luxurious part of anyone’s day – if they are safe. While you probably don’t want to renovate the shower, simple additions of bath safety products can make it safer and more enjoyable. Start by adding rubber grips to the bottom of the shower to avoid slick surfaces. Next, take a seat with a comfortable shower chair and enjoy a shower massage with a multi-function hand held showerhead. Products like the Home Care by Moen shower chair and Hand Held Shower with Innovative Palm Feature are ideal choices at affordable prices to add safety, style and spa enjoyment to the shower.
Save resources, save money
Eco-friendly adjustments not only can make you feel good about preserving natural resources for your family, they can also help lower energy costs (ideal for tight budgets). Simple steps can include replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, insulating doors and windows and swapping faucets and showerheads with new water-saving WaterSense-labeled models.
Handy handles
In the course of a day, you grip many objects – from cups and pens, to door knobs and faucet handles. Swapping out door knobs or faucets with knobs for lever-handle models can make these everyday tasks a bit easier – especially for smaller or arthritic hands.
Get a grip
For any age, stairs are a falling hazard in homes – whether it’s one step or 20. To increase safety, add hand rails or decorative hand grips in high-traffic doorways where there may be a step, such as the garage or front entry. Home Care by Moen offers attractive-looking 9-inch grips that install easily and blend in with your decor.
Let there be light
Did you also know that by age 60 the average person requires 15 times more lighting than when they were 10 years old? Brighten up the home with additional reading lamps in bedrooms and family rooms, under-cabinet task lighting in the kitchen, motion-sensor lights near entrances and nightlights in hallways.
Safe and secure
Your home is your safe haven … so make sure it is protected. In the bathroom where slick surfaces can be falling hazards, add functional – yet fashionable – grab bars from Home Care by Moen. And, in case of unforeseen falls or other home accidents, home security systems can give you peace of mind to know that fire-, medical- or emergency-response is available for you and your loved ones at the touch of a button.
Flat flooring
According to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause (66 percent) of all nonfatal home injuries. To help you – or your loved ones – avoid becoming a statistic, remove throw rugs or ensure that they have a non-slip backing to provide more firm footing. Read more on preventing falls in the home here.
Low-maintenance lawns
With busy lifestyles, it’s tough to keep up landscaping. Making a few modifications to the yard can help ease the burden. Replace large grassy areas that require frequent mowing with rock gardens or mulch beds. Additionally, choose drought-resistant perennial plants and shrubs to save time and money on watering – and ensure you don’t have to plant new each spring.
Be prepared
Are the washer and dryer in the basement? Are the bedroom and bathroom upstairs? Since stairs can be difficult to navigate for children or aging parents, having all the necessities on one floor is ideal. While it may not be in the budget to move everything to the main floor now, gradually start getting ready by wiring a closet or small room for the laundry – or planning to expand a half bath to a full bath.
With a few minor updates, you can breathe easier knowing your home is safer for your loved ones – both young and old. For more information on safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit www.moen.com/homecare.
– Article Courtesy of ARAcontent
Related posts:
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
About 5 years ago we built my mother a one floor house where everything she needed was on one floor and I can’t tell you how good it has been for her and for our family. Before her new house, she climbed a sets of stairs to get the washer and dryer in the basement and a set of stairs to her bedroom on the top floor. This was bad on her knees and resulted her in having knee problems. Now all those ammenities are on the main floor and her knee is doing much better. This has also helped our construction company out as well, as we have learned to build senior friendly homes that sell rather well even in this market. Thanks for the great insight.
I have a 3 year old girl and we have baby proofed our house. This besides protecting her has helped us keep aware of not only how we can protect her but ourselves as well. Being safe in your home is not just for seniors but for all of us.
Much like Kent’s comment my mother now lives in a single level home and it has been so nice for her as she is able to move freely through the house. We have also provided her with a medical alert band which has been such a blessing for her and our family as well, as last year she fell in the bathtub and thanks to her alert band the authorities were notified and she was safely helped. Great Post, Thank You.
I am contractor and in the past few years(when people were still building homes) I built a number of single level homes not just for seniors but younger couples as well who wanted a home that they could stay in for a long time, and not worry about the danger of falls or other injuries that are sometimes associated with stairs as they got older. These homes are also much easier to cheaper to build than your traditional rambler, two story, or spit level. Great Post, Thank you.
Having 3 small boys guarantees that your house is going to get cluttered once in a while. By removing toys the boys no longer play with, or putting their toys away we have avoided a number of falls and accidents. Sure we have the occasional accident once in while, but nothing compared to if we left our house full of clutter. Great Post.
I have replaced all the lightbulbs in my house with energy saving ones, and so far they are great as I have yet to replace one and it has been well over a year. This was such a great post and I will fully recommend it to my friends and family.
I live in Arizona where having a lot of lawn is not very common anymore instead we have rock gardens and rock landscaping . This really has been a benefit to us as saving a few bucks on water is so nesseary especially in a state where we don’t have much of it. I am also an older gentlemen and logging around a hose to water plants is not my idea of a fun morning. Thank you for the great post I will need to put into the play the other tips you have given.
These are all such great ideas that I can start implementing into my own home today. I think I will run to Lowes today and pick up some low watt energy safe bulbs, as well as think about getting rid of the many throw rugs that clutter my house which are nice but just like you said above have really become a tripping hazard for not just me but my grandkids as well. Thank You.