When you live with an older person who may have reduced mobility, or someone who lives with you needs assistance in your home, you will need to do some upgrades in your property to help them navigate the space safely.
Of course, the fittings that are put in will vary based on the person and their level of need, but here are some useful and even aesthetic choices for people who need to upgrade the accessibility of their home.
Elevators
When you live with someone who may be struggling to get upstairs or downstairs, you may want to look into residential elevators. You will also need to make sure that you have the space for an elevator (though there are many different types, including compact), and you will also want to make sure that the style of elevator blends with your home décor. These are a boon and can skyrocket your property value, as well as be a fun feature to have.
Ramps
Ramps are an external solution (and can be used internally to replace steps) that can add value to your home and make it easier to navigate for people who may have arthritis, may use a walking stick, or even for those who are in a wheelchair.
You can get removable ramps, which can be moved around as and when needed, or you can have a ramp professionally installed outside of your property, which will usually be made of concrete.
Grab Bars
Researchers found that in the home, the majority of accidents for elderly people happen in the bathroom, on the landing, and in the toilet. So, to help anybody with mobility issues navigate your home, you will need to look into options like grab bars. As the name suggests, these offer a built-in way to reach and out grab onto a secure attachment if someone becomes unstable, preventing a fall. These don’t have to be the cheap plastic options that many people associate them with, and there are options that can blend seamlessly into your home’s decor while also offering safety. Just make sure that they are connected properly to the wall and that they are made of an easy-to-clean material.
Walk-in Baths
A walk-in bath is a stylish option for any home, which has the obvious advantage of also being a mobility solution. You would have to make sure that any walk-in tub or shower is installed by a professional, and many people who opt for this, relating to mobility options, also aim to have a shower seat or a bath seat put in at the same time, rather than buy one later, which may not fit. However, these can look very classy and can add value to your home, while also helping your loved one to bathe themselves without help.
Smart Home Tech
Interestingly, the world of mobility solutions does not stop with add-ons to your home. Many older people are learning how to use smart technology in their homes to make their lives easier. This includes things such as the automatic turning on of lights, the drawing of curtains (yes, there are smart curtain rails!), and even appliances being turned on automatically or with the touch of a smartphone, such as the heating, or the hot water in preparation for a shower or bath. This helps to maintain independence and is simply fun to have control of at any age!
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