What Home Modifications Might Your Senior Need to Help with Mobility?
Mobility issues can be scary for your senior and for you as her caregiver because you certainly don’t want her to fall or to injure herself. One way to make your aging adult’s home as safe as possible is to modify her home in a variety of ways.
Senior Care Havertown PA – What Home Modifications Might Your Senior Need to Help with Mobility?
Carpet Might Need to Go
Carpet can seem as if it is a safe option for a senior who has mobility issues, but it can be a huge tripping hazard. Carefully examine the carpeting for tears, holes, or ridges and bumps that can be an impediment. In the end, it’s much better to have a bare floor than it is to have flooring in place that makes mobility even more difficult.
Consider Installing Ramps or Chair Lifts
Ramps are extremely helpful, even if your senior is still walking. They remove steps and other obstacles that could cause your senior to trip or to stumble. If your aging adult uses assistive devices such as a cane or a walker, this can give her a stable surface to plant the device onto. For interior stairways that are larger than a few steps, consider adding a chair lift. This gives your senior a safe, seated way to get from one floor to another.
Look for Places to Install Hand Rails
Hand rails are incredibly simple, but they’re also incredibly effective. No matter what your senior’s mobility issues are, having a secure, stable railing that she can reach out for can help to keep her from falling or stumbling. Consider adding hand rails in other areas besides hallways and stairways, too. You can put them around a room, for example.
Pay Special Attention to Bathrooms
Bathrooms are unfortunately full of hazards for a senior who has mobility issues. This is a room in which your aging adult is almost always in a state of undress, which can further hamper her mobility. Consider hiring senior care providers who can help her to manage her time in the bathroom safely and with dignity.
Get Specialized Help
If you’re not sure what exactly needs modifying in your senior’s home, consider contacting agencies that work with elderly people in your area. They often have a service that allows them to come out and physically look at the situation and give you recommendations that you can actually use.
Continue to revisit this issue periodically, because your senior’s needs may change even more over time.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Havertown PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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