As your parents age and begin to require additional assistance with day-to-day tasks, there are a couple of different options you may consider in getting them the care they need. Moving to an assisted living facility is beneficial for aging adults who require specialized care or who simply prefer the social aspects of community living. Alternatively, you may decide that having your aging parent move into your own home is the best way to guarantee they get the loving care and attention they need. This transition can be overwhelming for both you and your aging loved one. Luckily, we have some helpful tips that can allow for a smoother transition.
Preparing Your Home for an Aging Loved One
Making your home safe for your loved one might mean you will have to ramp up your cleaning routine (especially if there are young children in the home) or add motion-sensing lighting for safer nighttime trips to and from the bathroom. However, ensuring their safety can also mean you’ll need to rent or purchase mobility equipment for them to use once they move in. Some equipment and home modifications to consider for your aging parent include:
- Grab Bars – to make bathroom activities safer or offer support and balance throughout the home.
- Stairlifts – to provide a safe way for your aging loved one to navigate staircases and access different levels of the house.
- Wheelchair Ramps – to make entrances handicap-friendly and accessible to parents with physical disabilities.
- Transfer Benches – to ensure safer transitions into and out of bathtubs and showers.
- Lift Chairs – for aging adults who have difficulty moving from a sitting to standing position, or who cannot do so on their own.
Packing Up Your Parent’s Home
If your loved one will be moving into your home from an assisted living facility or residence other than their own home, they may not have an abundance of items to bring with them. If they are leaving their long-time family home, however, the packing process may be a very overwhelming and emotional one. Unless your home offers ample storage space, it is likely that there will be certain items that won’t be able to make the trip. Be sure to navigate the packing process with care and compassion, but also with reason and logic. Be empathetic towards your parent and be ready to offer positive solutions for what to do with items that may hold sentimental value that your home cannot accommodate.
Your Best Resource for Home Mobility Solutions
When you need professional guidance in making sure your home is comfortable and safe for your aging loved one, we’re here for you. Freedom Mobility is a Hanover, MD stairlift store providing a wide range of solutions for those in need throughout Maryland. From stairlifts and wheelchair ramps to specialized home care and transfer aids, we have plenty of options that can help you best accommodate an aging parent in your home. Contact us to learn more about the Maryland mobility equipment we have for rent or purchase today.