The holidays are all about family time. If you’re hosting a holiday party, you very well may have an aging parent or loved one staying with you or visiting your home. With a few simple modifications, your home can become a safer place for your guests.
In the Living Room
The living room or any living area is where your loved one will likely be spending the majority of their time. Make sure that you keep doorways clear and maintain wide enough paths. Move small pieces of furniture such as end tables that someone could easily trip over. Make sure that when your loved one sits down, they are in a stable chair free of wheels. Also, make sure to put away extra chargers or tuck away cords and wiring so that no one trips!
Around the Kitchen
People often gather in the kitchen over the holidays. The first thing to do is remove throw rugs, as they can easily become a tripping hazard. Next, make sure that all the food on the most accessible shelves in the refrigerator is safe and ready to be eaten.
In the Bathroom
Bathrooms are full of hard – and sometimes slippery – surfaces. Luckily, there are a lot of easy ways to fix this problem. First, you may need to purchase or rent a shower chair or raised toilet seat, which can be found at your local pharmacy. You can also put non-slip strips in the shower. Just like in the kitchen, you also want to remove all throw rugs and replace them with rubber-backed bath mats. Finally, if hot water may be a concern, you can adjust your hot water tank to stay below 120 degrees.
As our loved ones age, some modifications may have to be made at home. Our goals at Arise Cares is to help families assure that living at home is still possible by helping with these modifications and providing care. With everything from Long-Term Care to Family Caregiver Support, we will have something that works for your needs.