Do you live with an elderly loved one or person with disabilities? If so, being a caregiver is likely a very important role you have taken on. It’s certainly not an easy job. With some help, however, you can expertly care for someone with limited mobility.
Brighten up the darker areas of the home.
Adequate lighting is a key ingredient to a safe household. Keep in mind that many seniors battle with vision impairments. It’s pretty important that they have their eyeglasses or corrective lenses with them at all times. However, it’s just as vital to ensure that each room of the home is brightly lit. Naturally, it’s much easier to avoid tripping hazards if you can clearly see what is in front of you on the floor. Pay special attention to the rooms of the home that are usually dimly lit.
“Most homes have areas that don’t get as much natural light, so it’s advisable to brighten these darker zones with overhead lighting, floor lamps, or table lamps,” says Declan Davey on Carewell.com, “Though LEDs can cost more upfront, they may save energy in the long-run, while giving your home’s lighting more of a boost than normal bulbs.”
Prepare soft foods.
For many older adults, chewing and swallowing solid foods is a challenge. Needless to say, you certainly don’t want to offer a choking hazard to your loved one. To keep things simple and to make life easy, prepare soft foods. Naturally, they are much easier to chew and swallow, helping to avoid choking.
“If your family member has trouble swallowing, plan for food that is softer or smoother, such as porridge, apple sauce, and mashed potatoes; chop or mince food into smaller pieces; puree food in a blender,” recommends The Ontario Caregiver Organization.
Address mobility barriers around the home.
Your home is filled with tripping hazards that you may not even be aware of. Do you tend to leave items on your staircases? Remove them immediately. A stairwell is not a storage unit. A person with mobility issues and/or vision impairments can easily trip on anything left on the stairs. Are their tiled floors in your bathrooms and kitchen? Those rooms are notorious for slippery surfaces. Install non-slip mats in each of them to help prevent slips and falls.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization offers up a number of other safety tips. “Make sure there are adequate handrails in the bath tub or shower and next to the toilet,” advises their website, “Make sure furniture is not crowded together in a way obstruct their walker or wheelchair. If you need to assist with climbing stairs, walk behind them. Keep your hand on their shoulders or on a belt to help them keep their balance.”
Install a stair lift.
The Advantage Home Health Solutions team always ensures that you have the complete picture to make an informed stair lift purchase. We’ll help you choose the stair lift solution that is best for you.
We can also provide less expensive recycled stair lifts when available. We have many years of experience with stair lifts that are both new and used. Age is seldom a factor. When a used stair lift runs just as smoothly as a new one – and if the rail is still in great condition – it is worthy of consideration.
To learn more about how we can help you expertly care for someone with limited mobility, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
