There will come a time in your parent’s life when it is time to evaluate their living situation. You want to ensure that they live in an environment that is safe for them and offers the level of medical care and attention that they need on a day-to-day basis. While arriving at that time can be difficult for everyone involved, it can present an opportunity to develop a solution that works best for all.
Many people opt for one solution to have their elderly parent or relative move in with them. By having your parent move into your home when they can no longer live independently, you can ensure that they are getting the care they need and spend far more time with them in the long run.
Even though it isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, taking your elderly parent under your roof might very well be the best solution to consider. If this is something that you have decided to do, you will want to make sure that your home is as comfortable and accessible for them as possible.
With that in mind, here are three things that you should get for your home if you have decided to have your aging parent or other relative move in with you.
1. Automatic Sliding Doors
One thing that is worth installing, especially if your parent has arthritis or limited mobility, is an automatic sliding door. Such a door will open and close for them any time they would like to go outside. This means that accessing the backyard for some fresh air, for instance, will be simple and easy for them any time they want.
Furthermore, such doors provide a bit more security to your home, which will help ease your mind about the new scenario that your family is in. You can check out a number of automatic sliding door products at evoproducts.com.
2. Bathroom Grab Rails
The room in your home that will likely need the most adjusting before having your aging relative move in is the bathroom they will use regularly. There are many tripping and falling hazards that can be present in a bathroom, so the more you can do to reduce the likelihood of that happening, the better off your relative will be.
Start by installing bathroom grab rails in the shower and by the toilet. These will help provide a more stable environment in the bathroom and go a long way to reducing the risk of falling.
3. An Emergency Alarm
When you are preparing for your elderly parent to move into your home, you should do so with the knowledge that anything can happen going forward. It might very well be necessary for them to have access to emergency medical services at all hours. This is why you should have an emergency alarm installed in your home that is easy for them to access if they need it.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
heather says
This was super informative to read and I am going to have to print this one out. Thank you for sharing some of these things I had not thought of.
Dandi D says
My parents had my grandfather living with them before he passed away. This would have been helpful to them.