Home accessibility is more than just making things easier where you live. It may seem cliche, but the old adage remains to be true: Home is where the heart is. Almost 90 percent of the elderly have said they want to age in the comfort of their home. These come from reports according to reports from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). It’s not only more comfortable, but mentally it can do so much more than putting someone in a home. It’s also one of the main reasons that those with disabilities would rather alter their home and make appropriate home accessibility accommodations.
There’s a lot more to making your home accessible than moving furniture out of the way for walkers and wheelchairs. We have a few of the most needed alterations to make living at home with the elderly or someone with disabilities much more accessible.
Take A Look At The Bathroom
Our previous blog talked about lighting, bringing in help, and moving objects in your home. An essential room to consider altering is definitely your bathroom. Many bathtubs aren’t suited for the elderly or those with mobility issues. It can be an easy place to slip and lose balance with its slick, wet surfaces. It’s definitely an issue since six out of every ten falls occur in the home, and 80% of those happen in the bathroom.
Looking into curbless walk-in showers can make showering much more accessible, especially for those who need a walker, wheelchair, or transfer chair. Also, take the extra
step to add a non-slip mat to the floor to decrease the likelihood of a slip and fall.
Home Accessibility Is Limited With Stairs
Even if you have some sort of railing in your home, every elevated step can pose a significant risk for a fall. Stairs of any kind will become a hurdle over time for seniors with limited balance and mobility. Those who have carpeting on their staircases thinking it may help cushion any fall will find out that it may lead to more falls. On top of that, as we said previously, lighting is a crucial aspect. In this instance, poor lighting along stairs and steps can make moving around even more difficult.
Looking into home modifications such as stairlifts, glides, additional handrails, and proper lighting installed can make every step clearer and more reachable. It’s best to prepare as early as possible to avoid accidents. Mobility tends to decline as we age, so it’s best to be ready than face an accident.
Santa Teresa Provider Services Watches Over HomeAccessibility
If you would like any advice or assistance when it comes to mobility and home accessibility, let us know. We can help suggest or recommend what can make your home better when you bring on one of our caregivers. If you have any questions about our caregiving services, call us today!
