Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Kravelv
For many seniors and elderly individuals, there comes a time when a conversation has to be had about how safe and prudent it is to remain living independently in their own home. Oftentimes, this is a conversation that is brought up by a concerned child or loved one who is worried about the health and wellbeing of a parent remaining in their own home.
At such times, it is always a good idea to consult with a physician about what is and isn’t safe or recommended for your parent going forward. If, for instance, they have developed some serious health and mobility issues, you might have no real choice but to consider moving them into an assisted living community such as Billerica Crossings or something of the sort.
However, if no such issues are affecting your parent’s typical quality of life on a day-to-day basis, then it might very well be fine for them to remain living in their own home. That being said, you will still want to take a few precautions in order to reduce the likelihood that an accident will occur when they are alone.
If you are looking to help your parent remain in their home by ensuring that it is as safe as it can be, here are a few changes that you should consider making.
Hire Some Help
One of the best things that you can do for your aging parent who wishes to continue living alone is to hire a bit of additional help. The simple fact of the matter is that it isn’t possible for you to be there with them all hours of the day. However, with a bit of help, you can encourage your parent to remain active, partake in socializing, and even have a cleaner home. With the rise of local aged care software, making the decision to hire some help has never been easier.
Programs like those from Skylark elderly home care are available for those looking to bring some additional care into the picture for their aging parent or loved one. The caregiver you work with will be able to socialize with your parent and assist them with small, day to day tasks. Your parent might also enjoy going to the Adult Day Center.
Other help that you might consider hiring would be someone to come and clean your parent’s home for them once or twice a week. As they get older, they will find it increasingly more difficult to keep up with house work. Hiring a cleaning service will help to alleviate some of the stress that comes with this phase of life.
Install Safety Precautions
Other ways that you can make your parent’s home safer for them going forward is to install a few safety precautions about the place. Grab bars in the bathroom, a seat in the shower, and a stair lift can go a long way to making your parent’s home safer for them to live in. It is also a good idea to consider installing a security system in order to ensure that your parent is protected against burglars or other incidents in the home that could pose a danger to their wellbeing.