By 2032, approximately 25% of the US population will be 65 or older, indicating a significant increase from just 10% in 1970. On one hand, this is a positive sign because people now have longer life expectancy and are enjoying extended periods of good health.
However, this also means that a growing number of individuals will eventually require assistance with daily living as they age.
According to a March report by Wells Fargo, an additional 1.7 million people are expected to need some form of elder care within the next decade, signaling a more serious need to plan and prepare for the future needs of an aging population, both on a societal and a personal level.
Understanding The Need For A Safe And Comfortable Home
Aging is a natural part of life, but it is often accompanied by health challenges and limited mobility. And while the first area of concern would be their physical safety, their emotional well-being is equally important. Thus, if you are about to provide care for elderly family members, certain preparations and adjustments may be necessary in order to create a secure living environment that allows them to maintain their independence and dignity.
In certain situations, getting assistance from professional home care services may be beneficial for you as they provide trained caregivers who can assist with daily tasks, medical care, and companionship.
“Caring for an aging parent can be a very rewarding job, but it can also be stressful and demanding,” says Sarah Diener, owner of Always Best Care, one of the leading providers of home care in Lexington, KY. Having professional help ensures that the medical and personal needs of your elderly family members are managed efficiently, which then allows you to focus on nurturing your relationship with them, knowing their daily needs are being met professionally.
Preparing Your Home For Elderly Living
Ensuring that your elderly family members receive the adequate care that they need in their old age typically requires a more holistic approach, blending together physical security and emotional comfort with proper healthcare support. Here are the critical areas of concern that you should pay attention to when preparing for senior care:
1. Assessing Your Home Safety
Evaluate your home objectively and conduct a thorough home safety assessment to see if it offers a suitable and comfortable living environment for an older adult. Conduct a safety check by walking through each room as you identify potential hazards, paying close attention to commonly used areas and checking where improvements can be made. Remove any loose rugs or carpets, as these can easily cause trips or falls, and clear the pathways of any obstacles in order to allow for easy and safe navigation throughout the place.
If your home has steps near the doors, you may need to install ramps to provide easier entry and exit, while having multiple stories may require you to place stair lifts that allow for safe and convenient access to upper floors. Handrails should also be placed along staircases, while grab bars should be installed near the toilet and shower to provide extra support and stability, significantly reducing the risk of falls. Additionally, consider widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, making movement within the home more fluid and unrestricted.
2. Creating A Comfortable Living Space
Older adults need to live in a home that is not only safe and functional but also warm and inviting, so try to choose decors with calming colors that reflect their tastes and preferences. Aside from being firm and comfortable, seating options also need armrests, as these provide the necessary support to help your loved one sit down and stand up easily.
If possible, prepare an adjustable bed or one at knee height to make certain daily routines more manageable, such as getting ready in the morning or going to bed at night. Older adults are also often more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so it’s important to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature in the home. It’s best to add extra bedding or blankets to provide warmth and comfort, then equip the space with easy-to-use thermostats to ensure they can easily adjust the temperature to their liking.
3. Managing Daily Routines
Nutrition plays a significant role in the overall health and well-being of older adults, and it’s essential to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains into their diet. For days when you have less time to cook, you can have easy-to-prepare healthy food options that are easy to chew and digest always on hand in your pantry. Remember to encourage them to drink water regularly throughout the day in order to prevent dehydration and to conduct simple daily exercises such as walking or stretching to help maintain mobility, improve mood, and enhance overall physical health.
You also need to plan ahead when managing medications as this can be challenging but is essential for maintaining their health. One way to simplify the process is by using weekly pill organizers, which can help track different medications and ensure that they are taken as prescribed. Alternatively, you can set up reminders on alarm clocks, phone alerts, or even digital medication management systems to ensure consistency in taking medications as prescribed, which can significantly impact their health outcomes.