您的父母或所爱的人可能会感到舒适，并定居在他们住了多年的房屋中。毕竟，他们知道社区和社区，并且拥有自己喜欢的商店和餐馆。
But a home that worked well when they were younger might need some modifications as they age. Even if they’re healthy and mobile now, it’s not too soon to make plans and changes to get their home ready for thechallenges of aging.
蒂法尼·金卡德（Tiffany Kinkade），一名物理治疗师Banner Home Care and Medical Equipmentin Gilbert, AZ, said, “Try to experience their perspective in their environment.” You can identify potential difficulties by simulating impairments:
- Walk through the house with a full glass of water in each hand. Do you struggle not to spill a drop when you turn a corner, step over a rug or move to a darker area? These are the places that could become difficult to navigate.
- 如果可以的话，请带有步行者或轮椅穿过房子。您在哪里遇到困难？
- Cover your hands with socks to simulate a lack of grip or sensation. Will handles, switches or small kitchen tools need to be replaced?
- Put Scotch tape on glasses’ lenses to simulate visual deficits. Colored stickers or more contrast between items could make things easier to see.
开始with easier changes to make a house ready for aging
金卡德说，您可以从自己可以做的更改开始，或者不花很多钱的变化：
- 重新布置家具以使空间更开放。
- Add pillows or armrests to chairs to make them taller, so it’s easier to stand from them.
- 在卧室里添加带有手臂支撑的椅子进行穿衣。
- 取下浴室和不需要的地毯。用双面地毯胶带在边缘和角落固定所需的胶带。
- 保持一些手电筒方便，并安装夜灯以防止跌倒。清除通往窗户的路径，以便白天可以打开百叶窗以使其自然光线。
- Reorganize cupboards, the pantry and the inside of the refrigerator, so items you need most often are between shoulder and knee height and so there’s never a need for a stepstool.
Some changes might cost a bit more
You might need to hire a professional or buy equipment to make some of the alterations you need to age in place safely. But making these changes can be less expensive—and more desirable—than moving.
“许多人移动得太早。适应您的房屋并提供帮助，而不是为辅助生活或团体房屋付费，这是更负担得起的。有时moving to a higher level of careis absolutely the right decision but staying in your home may be more possible than you think,” Kinkade said. You may want to:
- Remove carpeting and widen doorways or hallways to accommodate a wheelchair (though sometimes using a different type of door hinge can make them wide enough).
- Add grab bars around the toilet and in the shower. Kinkade recommends installing them into the wall—the type that attaches via suction isn’t as stable.
- Install a higher toilet.
- Relocate a second-floor bedroom and bathroom to the first floor.
- Add ramps or railings at the front or garage door.
- Replace gravel surfaces or sloped driveways since they can make walking difficult and increase the risk of a fall.
- Plan to hire help with household cleaning, chores and yardwork.
Connect with the help you need
You don’t have to figure out how to help an aging parent or loved one on your own. A social worker can consult with you and help you weigh the pros and cons. Aprimary care physician或者老年医生can connect you with physical or occupational therapists to help with decreased mobility or balance. Companies with experience in remodeling for aging in place often have licensed therapists on staff who can help. And an insurance company case manager can help determine what items or therapy might be covered by insurance.
The bottom line
明智的做法是在需要帮助之前为您的老年父母或亲人修改房屋。正确的更改可以帮助他们尽可能长时间地留在自己喜欢的家中。vwin.comac德赢官方首页 who can help evaluate your loved one’s health and mobility, visit Banner Health.
Other useful articles
- 随着年龄的增长，在道路上保持安全的提示
- For Seniors: A Checklist for Good Health
- How to Be an Effective Caregiver When You Live Far Away
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