Seniors with mobility issues don’t get to enjoy the comforts of their homes the way most of us do. While the home is generally considered to be one’s “castle”, it can present nightmarish circumstances to those who may have vision impairments or decreased strength and balance. Simply put, it’s important to make homes safer when elderly relatives with disabilities live within them.
This is especially true for the bedroom. We spend upwards of a third of our days in our bedrooms simply by virtue of the fact that they are where we sleep. For many elderly individuals, it’s important to have a bathroom nearby to the bedroom so that they may easily find them in the middle of the night. Therefore, it’s wise to give your elderly relatives easy access to a lamp so that don’t have to worry about bumping into anything in the dark.
Make it easy to turn the lights on.
The good people at Carefect Home Health Care Services recommend installing lights that turn on whenever you clap. “These lights will prevent elderly people from having to get out of bed to turn off the lights,” the note on their website, “Plus, they also can act as night lights if you have to get up in the middle of the night for the bathroom or to get a drink. Many falls occur at night due to poor vision and darkness in the bedroom.”
Eliminate the risk of falling out of bed.
Even with a well-lit room, a senior with a severe mobility issue is still at risk of falling. This can happen even when trying to get out of bed. As a result, it is recommended that seniors have their beds equipped with handrails so that they don’t accidently fall on the floor while they’re asleep. As well, the handrails assist with balance, giving seniors something to hold on to when sitting up or getting out bed.
Installing grab bars next to the bed is another great option. They also give your elderly relatives something to hold on to for balance. Grab bars, as you’re likely aware, are also popular modifications for the bathroom. With the presence of water and those traditionally slippery surfaces, bathrooms are known for presenting risks of falling that can be avoided by having grab bars installed.
“These wall bars are quick and easy to install,” says Kayla Anzalone of AlertOne Services, “They should be put at a comfortable arm height.” She goes on to suggest that the height of your elderly loved one’s bed be adjusted so that it is not too high or too low. “You should not have to climb to get into bed, nor should it be so low you fall into it while sitting down,” writes Anzalone, “Adjust it to a height where you can easily sit down and get up from the mattress.”
How can we help you to create a senior-friendly bedroom in your home?
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we proudly offer such accessibility features for the bedroom as super poles, grab bars, bed rails, M-rails and ceiling lifts. For more information, 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 Us page!
