If your parents are nearing old age and live alone, you may have noticed that they are becoming a little slower, unable to do things with as much ease, and becoming a little less capable than they once were. If this is the case, you may be worrying about them more than usual and wondering if there are things you can do to make it easier for them.
The good news is that there are loads of things you can do, particularly around the home, which can make aging in place a lot more pleasurable for them.
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Ways to Make Your Elderly Parents’ Home Life Much Easier.
1. Change the taps
If your parents have arthritis or are of an age where they are losing strength in their hands, turning taps on and off can become very difficult. If this sounds familiar, lever-style sink taps can make a huge difference. They can be turned on and off with ease and don’t require much strength to use them.
Most taps can be fitted retrospectively and are simple to install, but if you aren’t sure what you are doing, it’s always best to ask a qualified plumber to do it instead.
2. Bathroom alterations
One of the most important things about getting older is being able to retain your dignity and be as independent as possible. If your parents struggle with bathing or going to the toilet, certain products may make it more comfortable for them.
A raised toilet seat makes it far easier for anyone with mobility issues to get on and off the toilet, so it’s worth considering. In terms of bathing, a walk-in tub can make a huge difference. They are accessed the same way as a walk-in shower, so it reduces the worry of being stuck in the bath or falling when trying to get in or out of it. The cost of walk-in tubs varies depending on the make and model, so it’s worth shopping around until you find the product most suited to your needs.
3. Add a stair lift
As we get older, our knees can start to hurt, and our muscles and joints can become weaker, which can make getting up and down the stairs a bit of a task. If this is the case for your parents, a stair lift might be the perfect addition to their home. They usually come with a remote control so once safely seated, maneuvering the stairs will become simple and give the user some much-needed independence.
Read: Exercises for Seniors to Stay Fit and Sharp
4. Door handles
Opening a door may seem like second nature to you but as you get older, it can become painful and very awkward. Push-down handles need a decent amount of strength and grip, but if you have arthritis or no power in your hands, it can be painful.
Switching to knob-style handles could make a positive difference, so, if your parents struggle to open and close their doors, you might want to consider making the switch.
5. Electric beds
Getting in and out of bed is another daily task that can become a big problem during our more senior years. Being comfortable once you are lying down is another thing that the elderly need to contend with, but an electric bed can do wonders.
Electric beds can be adjusted to different heights for easy access, and you can also alter the position of the mattress in certain areas to allow for extra neck and knee support. Sleeping in the same position all night can cause a lot of pain in older people, so having the option to move around at the touch of a button can be a life-changer.
Read: Mental Wellbeing Tips for Seniors
6. Get meals delivered
If you are concerned that your parents may not be getting adequate nutrition, but you don’t have time to cook for them every day, why not look into having meals delivered straight to their door? You can choose from various recipes and have the ingredients delivered to them, or if you want something even easier, many companies will deliver fully prepared meals, so all you have to do is heat them.
It is, of course, far more costly than making your own, but it’s also a lot quicker and will give you peace of mind that your parents are eating nutritious meals throughout the day.
If your budget doesn’t allow for this, then another option is to bulk cook healthy meals for them and freeze individual portions so they have access to a range of meals as and when they need them.