For America’s ageing population, being able to remain in their own homes for as long as they can – while remaining safe – is often at the forefront of their minds. Caregivers want their loved ones to continue enjoying their independence, and seniors don’t want to have to depend upon anyone else to keep them safe and healthy.
However, while remaining in their own home while they age may be the dream for seniors across the United States, for caregivers and loved ones, there are many different and important factors to consider. Aside from making sure that they’re even able to do things for themselves in their own home (which may involve having a general contractor come in and renovating various aspects of the property), there are such things as security, prevention of accidents and mental wellbeing to consider, too.
If you’re trying to ensure that a senior loved one gets to stay in their own home for as long as possible, here are a few things to consider:
Hire an experienced general contractor for any renovations
The success of any renovation project depends largely on the skill, commitment and experience level of your chosen contractor, so always take the time to find a dependable one before you even contemplate making any changes.
For bigger jobs, such as widening doorways, adding ramps or lowering countertops, the help of a general contractor is always advisable, and by keeping communication open throughout the whole process, stating clearly what you want to achieve and what your budget is, your contractor stands a far higher chance of pleasing you and doing a good job.
Focus on reducing the risk of falls
One of the main causes of injuries to seniors living in their own homes, are falls, and making sure your loved one is safe from the risk of trip hazards or slippery floors, is paramount. Grab bars can be added throughout the home, slick tiles can be replaced, and rugs and clutter can be kept to a minimum, or better yet, eliminated completely.
Encourage lifestyle changes for prolonged wellbeing
Seniors themselves can do many things to help keep themselves physically and mentally fit for longer, and some small lifestyle changes can be immensely beneficial. From taking regular, gentle exercise, and swapping to a more nutritious diet, to having the walls painted in soothing colors and ensuring that there are plenty of activities to keep their brains stimulated, preventative measures are often the best way to keep seniors physically and mentally healthier, for longer.
Often, the best way to ensure that your senior loved ones are happy, healthy and safe at all times, is to put yourself in their shoes and recreate for them, what you might want when you reach their age. From simple renovations, to lifestyle changes, enabling seniors to remain independent and living in their own homes is a wonderful thing, and it starts with making their home safe with the help of an experienced general contractor.