Today’s article comes from guest blogger Diana of basementguides.com
A home is a place we can return to after a tiring day. It’s a place of comfort and where we’ve all spent most of our time lately. As we age and grow wiser, a home will need to adapt as well. We get tired faster than usual, and those stairs might be a bit harder to climb. Home adaptations have been on the rise for years now. These are changes you make to your home to make it safer for you or your loved ones to move around and do everyday tasks. Common home adaptations for elderly people include ramps, widening doors, shallow steps, or even improving heating and lighting controls in a home to name just a few.
5 Home Adaptations You Need for a Comfortable Space
We know home adaptations for the elderly can seem complicated. You might be confused about what home adaptations you need what steps to take. The reality is that it takes a lot of planning and observation. However, it’s not an impossible task and if it helps you live comfortably in your home, it’s definitely worthwhile.
To make it a bit easier, we’ve listed five things we think are essential to make a home comfortable for you or your loved one in their elder years.
1. Install an intercom system
Getting to the front door can be a bit troublesome and dangerous if you don’t know who’s on the other side. To make answering the door a bit safer, consider installing a system that allows you to see and speak to your visitors to help you manage who you let in your home. A system like this will also mean there’s no need to rush to answer the door – helping to prevent falls in the home too.
There are various systems to help you achieve this, such as a door-entry intercom, a wireless doorbell with an entry phone to keep near your chair or a video entry phone and a button that lets you open the door wherever you are in your home. Another option is a secure keysafe where you can keep spare keys. Keysafes are metal boxes which you can attach to an exterior wall and secure with a combination lock. The only people who can open your keysafe are those with whom you’ve shared the combination.
2. Get motion sensors
Walking around your home in the dark can be dangerous and nerve-wracking. A well-lit home is critical when getting around your house. However, your light switches might be a bit far, and reaching for them can be troublesome.
You can make it safer and easier to move around your home by installing motion sensors that automatically switch on the lights when you walk into a room and switch them off when you leave. Poor lighting can lead to falls as it makes you less able to spot trip hazards around your home.
Smart thermostats are another thing to consider if you’re looking to make your home a comfortable place to live. Depending on the weather, sometimes you want your home to be slightly cooler or warmer. These days, thermostats don’t require remote controls thanks to smartphones— meaning you don’t need to worry about adjusting the thermostat on the wall or trying to remember where you left the remote control. Smart thermostats can also save you a considerable amount on your heating bill.
3. Change up your bathroom
Your bathroom is a crucial part of your home. Bathrooms are often the site of falls in the home thanks to slippery floors. So, it’s vital to think about making your bathroom as safe as possible.
These changes should include getting a hands-free toilet, anti-slip mats, and bath lifts to support your weight as you get in and out of the tub. Hands-free toilets are great because they have automatic functions that can be operated while you’re seated. One of the simplest, easiest, and most affordable home adaptations for elderly people is installing grab rails. These should be attached securely to the wall by the toilet and shower/bath. They’ll give you something to hold onto and help you keep your balance.
If you’re worried about overflowing your sink or bath, a special safety plug is an excellent addition to your bathroom. A special safety plug or a flood detector can alert a monitoring centre can be helpful if you forget to turn off the sink or bath.
4. Telecare devices
Telecare devices are incredibly useful for any elderly people living at home alone. They help elderly and disabled people to live safely and securely, knowing that help is available with just the touch of a button. Telecare devices include personal alarms, fall detectors, bed sensors, and alarm-linked smoke detectors.
You might think that a telecare device would feel intrusive, but most are extremely discreet. You can easily integrate telecare devices into your day-to-day life. They come in different shapes and sizes and often come in pendants or bracelets for easy access.
If you or a loved one is living alone, telecare is an essential. An emergency can happen anytime, and the outcome can change in a matter of seconds. Having telecare access in your home is crucial so that you can call for help whenever you need it. The best thing about it is that you can access support in a matter of seconds.
5. Install or upgrade fire alarms
Fires can be devastating, and the dangers of a house fire are infinite. Many house fires are preventable. However, if a fire were to occur because of an accident, early detection is the best way to minimise danger and damage.
For elderly and disabled people, fires can be especially deadly, making home safety highly important. Early detection and preparedness are essential when it comes to dealing with a house fire. One of the most important things is to have a fire alarm or a smoke detector in your home. This will help detect fires early on and give you time to escape.
If you are making changes to your home, consider having at least one smoke detector installed on every floor of your home and one outside of the area that you or your loved one sleeps in. Certain smoke detectors can be linked to your telecare devices, giving you even more peace of mind.
For those who have trouble hearing, light-emitting alarms or vibration alarms can be another option. Remember to check the batteries of your alarms every month.
In Conclusion
A home should be a safe and comfortable place for you or your loved ones. Thanks to technology, we have many options to choose from when it comes to home adaptations for elderly people.
The journey of adapting your home, either for yourself or for an elderly loved one, might be challenging, but we hope these tips will help you get started. Click here for more information about staying safe at home.
Personal Alarms from LifeConnect24
LifeConnect24 offers a range of telecare devices, like the ones mentioned above. From personal alarms to fall detectors to smoke alarms and more, we can help you live safely and independently in your home. To find out more about the personal alarm service, read this quick guide or call our Customer Service team on 0800 999 0400.
Besides our range of personal alarms, we offer several useful telecare accessories. Click here to see our range of additional equipment.
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