One of the big benefits of home care services is that the elderly person is able to remain in their own home, in familiar and comfortable surroundings. As mobility diminishes, however, it may be necessary to make modifications and it is important to avoid turning the person’s home into an overly medicalised environment as you do so; and, of course also be minful of the cost of later life care.
Moving from room to room
If a walking aid, such as a stick or Zimmer frame, is used then there needs to be enough space that the elderly person can navigate easily. Extraneous furniture should be removed to provide plenty of space to get around, and rugs should be lifted where possible to avoid trip hazards. A wheeled trolley may be useful to allow the movement of items such as cups of tea, handbags and reading materials from room to room.
Doors can be difficult to navigate, especially if they have hard to turn knobs or the elderly person has a walking frame or wheelchair. Knobs can be easily replaced with lever-handles, choosing larger, easier to grab, designs for preference. If doors refuse to remain open a joiner may be able to re-hang them so they don’t swing shut. Alternatively, they could be wedged open during the day.
Getting up and down
Many standard seats are too low for elderly people who struggle to control themselves when sitting and struggle further to raise themselves when standing. Solid, upright, chairs are easier to sit on, and the seat height can be raised with special cushions or feet raisers, which are available in different colours to match the furniture.
Make sure the chair has a table and a reading lamp that can be reached easily without twisting or stretching. Lamps where tapping the base turns them on can be easier to manage than traditional fitting or cable mounted switches. Provide somewhere to position any walking aids within easy reach of the elderly person’s favourite seat so they don’t have to struggle when they want to get up.
Picking things up
Long-handled grabbers can be useful if bending down is difficult. These are inexpensive and it can be a good idea to put one in each room to ensure there is always one handy. Tools such as dustpans and milk-bottle holders can also be obtained in long-handled versions to avoid bending.
Companionship
One of the best ways to make a comfortable home is to ensure the elderly person is not lonely. Companionship is part of the live-in care service, and carers are never too busy to sit down with a cup of tea for a chat about how things are going, or to listen to family stories.
Getting out and about
Even the most well-appointed home can seem stifling if you cannot leave it. A very simple way to make the home more appealing is to provide opportunities for the elderly person to go out into their garden, or to go shopping or attend day-care centres.
