When you first bought your home, it may have been easier to use, without you needing to consider that one day you may find it hard to get around it.
More people are living in their homes for longer, and as such, more people are adapting their homes to help them stay independent for longer. Usually, the level of independence and the person will impact what is fitted and installed, but if you are stuck for ideas on how to make your home easier to get around, here are some ideas.
Ramps and Lifts
A core concern for many people who are trying to live independently and also have mobility needs is that they may find it harder to navigate stairs in their home, as well as stairs around their home. So, adding in ramps and even wheelchair lifts can remove the need for stairs and make it easier for you or your loved one who has mobility issues to get in and out of your home. As always, you should make sure that any ramps or lifts are installed by professionals who will be able to offer you a warranty and oversee any issues should they arise after installation.
Widen the Doors and Hallways
This is a common issue that many people have when they’re trying to navigate their home in a wheelchair for the first time. The doors are simply not wide enough, and neither are the hallways. This is easily remedied with the help of builders, but you should aim to ensure that each doorway is at least 36 inches wide and that the hallways are at least 42 inches wide for easier navigation. If there are any steps in the home, it’s well worth putting in one of those aforementioned ramps.
Grab Bars
Most accidents in the home that happen to the elderly happen in the bathroom, on the stairs, or in the toilet. So, to prevent accidents and falls, you will need to look into adding grab bars or grab rails, which can help your elderly relative to stay mobile and upright. This will also reduce the risk of slipping in the shower, but grab rails alone may not be enough by themselves, and you should also aim to have adhesive shower or bath mats to prevent falls.
You can also prevent falls in the home by making sure that there is minimal clutter and that the home is more open-plan in its design.
Smart Home
Yes, the world of smart tech is not isolated to younger people. Many devices and voice assistants can be used by the elderly to set thermostats, turn on heating at a set time (as well as hot water), and even turn lights, TVs, and computers on and off at a voice command. This is ideal if you are an older person who wants to keep your home in ship shape, without lifting a finger. Of course, you should make sure that all of the devices you purchase are compatible with smart home technology, or that they are controllable from a phone or tablet.