Preparing a home for a senior to live in can really improve their standard of living if done right. Here are the most important home improvement modifications for seniors.
Accessible bath system
Its important that a senior will not get injured going in or coming out of a shower or bath. There are a few solutions to this. One way is to clear the old bathroom and change it to an open concept shower with drains on the floor. This can look great if done well but is very expensive and time consuming. Another method is to buy a walk in bath system like the ones at this site.
It might also be important to look into accessible toilets, depending on the senior person's abilities.
Stairs
Stairs are one of the largest causes of injury for the elderly, even if someone is not bound to a wheelchair, steep stairs require significant flexibility and strength. As people get older and their bones weaken, climbing stairs can be more and more dangerous. Thats why getting a stairlift might be a good idea for seniors that are still mobile.
Minor Changes
There are many less expensive changes that can make a big difference to a senior's quality of life. Moving light switches and sockets to an accessible place (and use a large, accessible switch). Also change doorknobs to the lever style which does not require a strong grip to open.
Funding
Be sure to check your local government to see if there are home improvement grants available for accesibility purposes.
I hope you've learned about making home improvements for accessibility. Even if you don't spend too much money on renovations, its important to at least do the little and inexpensive things that make a big difference. If an elderly person has some difficulty living independently, consider senior home care services (like this).
