Have you recently decided to move your elderly parent into your home? If so, you can consider yourself to be in good company, as statistics show that one in three homes in England have multiple generations living in them nowadays. And while the trend right now is adult kids moving into their parents’ home in order to save money, it’s still common practice to move an elderly parent into your house in order to provide them with care and company.
However, before you go ahead with the move, it’s important to think about how you will create a safe and comfortable space for your parent – one in which everyone benefits. Here are some tips and steps you’ll want to implement.
Give Your Parent Their Own Space
Your parent will have lived on their own for years, so looking after their mental health is important too. The first thing to think about is space. Just because your parent is moving in with you, doesn’t mean they are willing to give up their privacy, and vice versa. It’s a good idea to carve out a space in the house that will be just for them, whether that is the bedroom or even a small sitting room.
Once you have determined where you will set up their space, you’ll want to have a family meeting with your parent involved and be clear on the boundaries. Make it known that everyone needs private time and space, and that it needs to be respected by all.
You should also encourage your relative to maintain some independent friendships too, whether that means regular telephone calls, elderly contact groups or lunch clubs, loneliness among the elderly is common and they will benefit from feeling that they are not entirely dependent on you for companionship.
Take a Look at the Current Bathroom Setup
Now it’s time to look at your current bathroom setup and ask yourself whether it’s suitable for your elderly parent. You may need to install such things as a grab bar in the shower and next to the toilet, a non-slip pad on the surface of the shower floor, a stool in the shower, and even a toilet seat extender and handles which basically make the seat taller so they don’t have to sit down as low.
Stairlifts Make the Home Accessible
If your elderly parent suffers from mobility problems, then stairs may be an issue. Perhaps they are wheelchair bound, or maybe they just aren’t steady and strong on their feet. Either way, these Kudos Stairlifts can make a huge difference, as they make sure the upper level of your home is accessible to your parent.
Kudos Stairlifts features a variety of models depending on your needs and budget. You can also choose between curved or straight stairlifts, taking the floorplan and space into consideration. These stairlifts can give homeowners peace of mind, as they don’t have to worry about their parent having a fall on the stairs.
Use a Ramp to the Front Door
If the front entrance of your house features stairs, it may also be necessary to install a ramp. This makes it easier for parents who use a walker or cane, and obviously, if they use a wheelchair, this will be necessary.
Just by making these small tweaks and changes, it can have a massive impact on how safe and comfortable your parent will be in your home.
