Making some necessary adjustments
AS we grow and our bodies change, so do our needs. Senior citizens usually cannot claim the agility and freedom that the youth have. Their bones may be weaker, their joints may ache more and they may tire easily.
Although not always the case, this is what typically happens to the older, more matured demographic.
This brings forth an important question to ruminate on – how can one’s living space be adjusted to meet the needs of a new stage of life?
Before you open your Internet browser and search for houses suitable for the elderly, keep in mind that you do not need to immediately list your current property for sale or check in to the nearest assisted living community.
There are a few modifications that you could do to your current house or apartment to help you better navigate your abode.
Install grab bars – Falling to the ground as an older person is a whole new can of worms, compared to the fall of a young person.
Having access to grab bars around your bed and in the bathroom will lessen the risk of an accidental crash onto the hard floor.
Get wheelchair ramps –Itisnotafun thought, but you may need to use a wheelchair in future. Navigating the home in a wheelchair means that you would require ramps where necessary.
Create bigger doorways – Wheelchairs tend to be wide and take up more space than a human body does. To move around the house with minimal hardship, you may need to check the size of your doorways and widen them where needed.
Replace your flooring – Slippery floors are a true hazard to the older crowd. Swap the smooth tiles in your bathroom for antislip flooring so you do not have to worry about falling every time you need a shower.
Change your doorknobs – Twisting motions are going to get more difficult as you age. Avoid unnecessary frustration and pain to your wrist by installing door lever handles around the house.
Invest in a chair lift – If your house has stairs, you may wish to seriously consider setting up a chair lift to help you get to the upper floor with ease.